Propane Tank Level?

[HOOK]

CW has those gauges you like , Chris.

[rich2118]

Camping in Knoxville. Temps tomorrow in the 20's. I use a propane gauge and when it shows low, I remove the tank and weigh it with a fish scale. 30 lb tank weighs 23.3 pounds empty, according to the tank. One gal weighs about 7 lbs. Just put 6.2 gals in my tank today at $2.39 a gal at Tractor Supply. Can't hardly beat that price.

[JandC]

quote:Originally posted by Overlord

Although, some places charge a flat rate to fill propane tanks. So, whether they put in 30lbs, or 10lbs, you get charged the same amount of dough. In that situation, it would be best to run the tank dry before re-filling.

I have heard of such places, but have never experienced one. The only places I use charge just for what they actually put in.

[Lenny K]

I always leave both tanks open and when the crossover valve turns red I take the empty tank to get it filled. Using the crossover valve has always worked flawlessly for me and we have never ran out of propane. If I'm running into town and I think that I am running low, I do the lift test to see if it is worthwhile to take it for a refill.

[stengels]

Crossover valve does it for me as well. Keep both tanks open. When one turns red, flip to the other and go fill the empty one. I also know I'm getting a full 30# of propane that way.

[jimcol]

quote:Originally posted by rich2118

Camping in Knoxville. Temps tomorrow in the 20's. I use a propane gauge and when it shows low, I remove the tank and weigh it with a fish scale. 30 lb tank weighs 23.3 pounds empty, according to the tank. One gal weighs about 7 lbs. Just put 6.2 gals in my tank today at $2.39 a gal at Tractor Supply. Can't hardly beat that price.

Actually propane weighs approx. 4.125 pounds per gal and takes approx. 7 gals to fill a 30# tank. The tare weight on my tanks is 24.7#'s. They are all a little different. Jim

[rich2118]

You're absolutely right, Jim. Just came back on to correct my number of the propane weight. Got it mixed up with the weight of Diesel fuel. I must be getting old.

[jimcol]

Just remember Rich, We're all getting older and it beats the alternative!

[rich2118]

Sure does.

[Irlpguy]

We have 40# propane bottles we kept from our previous SOB, both have small gauges on them so it is easy to open the compartment and see how much propane we have remaining. The lift to test method is out of the question for a lot of people and I can assure you once you have lifted a full 40# bottle into place you don't want to be lifting it on occasion to see it is empty or not.

My 40# tanks have two holes in the top of the tank one accepts the valve and the other the gauge, they seem to be pretty accurate and of course last a third again as long as a 30# tank, would hate to go back to a 30# tank.

I do not use the automatic crossover except to change tanks and if camping when the furnace is being used frequently I check on the tank gauge regularly and change over before one goes completely empty. This has worked for me for a good number of years and we camp a fair amount when the furnace is required. Have never had to get up in the night to change tanks but would not consider that a really major inconvenience, I would send the DW out telling her I would keep her side of the bed warm....NOT....