FreedomYachts.org

Rick Simonds wrote:True, and here’s another way back into the loop. I have 2 of these tanks and given my love of cooking aboard and the tank’s 6 lb capacity, carrying a spare is a moderately important. One of my tanks works fine with its old style, horizontal-capable POL valve (the old style valves with only left-hand female threads are called POL [“Prest-O-Lite”] valves.) I’m fortunate that I know 2 places, one near my home and one near the marina that are still willing to fill this tank. The other identical spare tank had the same horizontal POL valve, but the valve itself was leaking badly enough that it became too dangerous to use. I looked everywhere and talked to everyone to try to find a suitable horizontal valve of either style. Suitable horizontal OPDs are simply not made, and old-style POLs are simply no longer available. Finally, with no other options, I had it changed to a standard OPD valve and recertified. Despite being told otherwise, without that internal “L”-shaped tube the tank no longer works in the horizontal position. Fortunately I saved the old horizontal-capable POL and can only hope that perhaps it can be refurbished and reinstalled.

As long as that one POL valve still works my F32’s LP system still works. This subject comes up once in a while and when someone says they found something I always follow up on it. It has never panned out. The bugaboo is always that both THIS tank (no other will fit) must be used HORIZONTALLY (vertical will not work.) No joy with both so far.

(Sigh….) One day, for want of a freakin’ $40 valve, I foresee the ultimate solution as some as-yet-unknown LP tank storage major reconstructive boat surgery.