Cars equipped with LPG installations are becoming more and more popular. For several years we have been seeing a growing demand both for cars equipped with factory installations as well as for installation assembly services. Increasing ecological awareness, the desire to reduce the costs of daily travel and the ever-higher quality of the installation make the installation decisions made by both drivers of older cars and those that have recently left the production line. As long as we properly care for the installation, replace consumables on time and carry out the necessary inspections, the installation itself can serve us for many years. However, it should be remembered that each part has its own service life. Today we will try to bring you closer to the legalization of LPG cylinders. How can this be done, is it better to legalize or buy a new one? You will find answers to this and many other questions later in the article.
Life span of the LPG tank
Regardless of whether the car is equipped with a factory gas installation, or we set up installations for an alternative fuel source, its indispensable element is a gas cylinder. It is a cylindrical or toroidal tank in which the propane-butane mixture is stored. When buying new equipment, we get approval (use permit) for 10 years. Does this mean that the cylinder can only be replaced after this period? Nothing could be more wrong! Usually the cylinder life is much higher. If its technical condition does not raise any objections, it can be used for up to 20 years! But what to do to make it usable after the first 10 years? Does the cylinder have to receive an extended approval? But how should this process take place? You can read about it later!
Who approves LPG cylinders
The process of approving LPG cylinders for further use is worth starting with a visit to a workshop dealing with gas installations. However, not every plant will be able to extend the approval. Only workshops with special qualifications granted by Transport Technical Inspection will be able to carry out technical inspection of the cylinder and on its basis determine whether the cylinder can be approved for subsequent years of use. However, for the test to be successful, the diagnostician must read the necessary information on the rating plate on the cylinder. These are among others:
- Cylinder serial number,
- Approval number 67R,
- Manufacturer's data,
- Production Date and Expiration Date,
- Tank capacity.
Only approval of a cylinder after 10 years?
Many drivers do not realize that the approval of the cylinder may be necessary not only when the 10-year period of its use is approaching. It is also necessary to approve each time after an accident, as a result of which your registration certificate will be temporarily withdrawn. In addition, cars imported from outside our country, which are equipped with a gas installation, must also receive a certificate issued by the Transport Technical Inspection. Of course, approval must also be carried out when replacing the LPG tank.
How does the technical condition of the LPG tank look like?
During the tank condition inspection, TDT inspector checks a number of elements that affect the safe use of the gas installation. It is crucial for the tank to be in the right condition to minimize possible risks in a collision or accident, as well as in the daily operation of the vehicle. Most often, the test begins with checking the outer and inner shell of the tank. Mechanical damage, visible deformation or leaks are looked for there, which disqualify the tank from a downstream user. Other elements that will affect the lack of extension of the approval are traces of a fire or abrasions to the tank, reducing the walls of the tank (usually in tanks mounted under the car). During the cylinder inspection, the pressure resistance of LPG cylinders and the degree of filling of LPG cylinders are also checked. If the diagnostician has no objections to any of the elements, the cylinder will be approved for the next 10 years. It is not expected that the approval will be extended for a shorter period.
How much does cylinder approval cost?
The approval itself is definitely cheaper than buying a new cylinder. Most of the workshops value this service in amounts between PLN 200 and PLN 250. this amount is several times lower than the purchase of a good-quality cylinder from a proven manufacturer. That is why approval is so popular in our country. However, you should be aware that if the technical condition of the cylinder is inadequate, we will have to take into account the purchase of a new tank. In our store you will find the highest quality tanks at excellent prices. We invite you to check the offer!
