What I recertify
DOT-approved recertification for propane tanks of every common size, plus refrigerant, welding fuel gas and ammonia cylinders. Here’s the full list, the prices, and what I can’t do.
Common tanks and cylinders
If one of these is past its date, I can recertify it at your place in a single visit.
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BBQ and grill tanks
DOT-4BA or 4BWThe standard 20 lb tank. Most are marked DOT-4BA240 or DOT-4BW240 on the collar.
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RV and camper tanks
DOT-4BA or 4BW30 and 40 lb tanks from travel trailers, campers and toy haulers.
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100 lb cylinders
DOT-4BA or 4BWThe tall tanks you see beside cabins and houses and out on job sites.
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Forklift tanks
DOT-4BA, 4BW or 4ESteel or aluminum. One tank or a whole fleet in the same visit.
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Refrigerant cylinders
Usually DOT-4BA or 4BWRefillable cylinders for R-22, R-134a, R-410A and other refrigerants.
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Welding fuel gas
Propylene and MAPPRefillable propylene and MAPP-type cylinders for cutting, brazing and heating. Not acetylene.
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Anhydrous ammonia
DOT-3A, 3AA or 3A480XCylinders used only for ammonia that’s at least 99.95% pure.
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Butane and other LPG
All eight specsButane, propane-butane mixes and other liquefied petroleum gas.
Refrigerant recovery cylinders only qualify if everything that’s been in them was clean and dry: under 55 ppm moisture and nothing corrosive. Recovered refrigerant often isn’t, and then the cylinder needs a hydrostatic test instead. Choose “Refrigerant recovery” when you book and I’ll check.
Prices
A flat trip fee for each visit, then a set price for each tank that covers the inspection and the stamp. Any tank that doesn’t pass is half price.
Tank doesn’t pass?
Half price
If a tank doesn’t pass inspection, you only pay half its price. A grill tank that doesn’t pass is $7.50 instead of $15.
Trip fee
$40
Once per visit, whether it’s one tank or twenty.
Example: three grill tanks and a 100 lb tank come to $40 + 3 × $15 + $30 = $115.
Book a Visit| Tank | Price | Doesn’t pass |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ or grill tank 20 lb | $15 | $7.50 |
| RV or camper tank 30 or 40 lb | $20 | $10 |
| 100 lb cylinder | $30 | $15 |
| Forklift tank Steel or aluminum | $20 | $10 |
| Other propane or butane cylinder | $20 | $10 |
| Refrigerant cylinder Refillable | $20 | $10 |
| Refrigerant recovery cylinder If it qualifies | $25 | $12.50 |
| Welding fuel gas cylinder Propylene or MAPP | $20 | $10 |
| Anhydrous ammonia cylinder | $35 | $17.50 |
| Something not listed | Ask me | |
Cylinder specs on my approval
The spec is stamped on the collar or shoulder, for example DOT-4BA240. Only the part before the pressure matters, so 4BA240, 4BA300 and 4BA400 are all 4BA.
- DOT-3A
- Seamless steel, 150 psig and up.
- DOT-3AA
- Seamless steel, 150 psig and up.
- DOT-3A480X
- Seamless steel, 480 psig. An older spec.
- DOT-3B
- Seamless steel, 150 to 500 psig.
- DOT-4B
- Welded or brazed steel, 150 to 500 psig.
- DOT-4BA
- Welded or brazed steel, 225 to 500 psig. Most grill, RV and forklift tanks.
- DOT-4BW
- Welded steel, 225 to 500 psig. Most grill, RV and forklift tanks.
- DOT-4E
- Welded aluminum, 225 to 500 psig. Aluminum forklift tanks.
Every gas and spec combination
A cylinder qualifies if it has only ever held one of these gases and its spec has a check mark. This is the table from 49 CFR 180.209(g), narrowed to the eight specs on my approval.
| Cylinder used only for | 3A | 3AA | 3A480X | 3B | 4B | 4BA | 4BW | 4E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Propane / LPG | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Butane and other liquefied hydrocarbon gas | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Refrigerants (fluorinated hydrocarbons) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g. methyl chloride) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Propylene | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MAPP (methylacetylene-propadiene, stabilized) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Anhydrous ammonia, 99.95% or purer | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Butadiene, inhibited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cyclopropane | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Methylamines (mono-, di-, tri-), anhydrous | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ethyleneimine, stabilized | No | No | No | No | 240 only | No | 240 only | No |
| Sodium, potassium and other alkali metals | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
What I can’t recertify
Good to know before you book. These need a pressure test or a different approval.
- Acetylene Acetylene cylinders (DOT-8 and 8AL) need a separate approval and a different inspection.
- Oxygen, argon, CO2, nitrogen, helium and welding mixes These are high-pressure cylinders, and they need a hydrostatic test.
- SCUBA, SCBA and medical oxygen Also high pressure, so they need a hydrostatic test too.
- Fire extinguishers They follow different rules and get a different kind of test.
- 1 lb camping bottles DOT-39 disposables are made for one use and can’t be refilled or recertified.
- Composite tanks Fiberglass and plastic tanks are made under special permits my approval doesn’t cover.
- Mounted home and motorhome tanks Those are ASME tanks, not DOT cylinders, so they aren’t recertified this way.
- Tanks that need a pressure test or repair If a tank needs a hydrostatic test or a repair shop, I’ll tell you what I found.
Have tanks that are due?
Book online, call or text (530) 718-9129, or email eliblanco502@gmail.com.