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Author Topic: How do you check your Propane tank???  (Read 9824 times)

Offline Austrian Hunter

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How do you check your Propane tank???
« on: April 06, 2013, 04:30:50 PM »
Ok, how do you check the propane level  :dunno: :dunno:  I'm talking on the camper, don't know how empty or full they are  :dunno: :dunno: 

Offline KFhunter

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2013, 04:39:03 PM »
got a scale?  bathroom scale would work.

Look for a stamp on the tank indicating the TW (tare weight) of the empty tank,  anything above that is propane.

Should be about 20lbs full (20lbs propane + 18ish tare weight) would be nearly 40 lbs for a full tank

Offline BsB

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2013, 04:42:18 PM »
You can get it refilled. It doesn't have to be empty.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2


Offline KFhunter

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2013, 04:44:58 PM »
You can get it refilled. It doesn't have to be empty.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

having a scale and knowing how to weigh it would be really handy though, specially if your extended stay camping you'll have a good idea when to run to town for a fill up before your out in the middle of the night.

decent fish scale works nice - I'd get a dedicated 50lb hanging scale with a hook and mark lines for full, 3/4 1/2 and empty

Offline KFhunter

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2013, 04:47:52 PM »
Empty weight on this tank is 27 lbs

see in the picture TW 27.0




If this tank were plum full it would weigh 27.0 + 20lbs propane = 47 pounds total   (assuming this is a 20 pounder - can't tell from the pic)

Some RV's have 30 lb tanks too,  so look for the TW then add 30 lbs propane for a total weight.

also, not all tanks have their overflow stems set at the same depth within the tank, so one 20lb tank might be full with 19.2 lbs and another might fill to 21 lbs.   



Offline smdave

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2013, 04:50:12 PM »
gallon of propane weighs 4.242 lbs
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Offline flinger

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2013, 05:14:46 PM »
easy way is to just fill a large pan of very hot to boiling water and pour over the top and feel the tank for the cold line where the metal changes temp. that will be your propane level :tup:
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Offline kisfish

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2013, 05:18:23 PM »
Check the date of manufacture as well. Tanks have to be re-certified 12 years after manufacture and 7 years after that, and the 5 years on the next. They will not fill a out of date tank. The tank in the pic was made in Jan 2005

Offline BigD

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2013, 05:23:20 PM »
I thought there was some type of tape you can put on the tank that changes color with level, I think it has to do with the temp :dunno:

Offline KFhunter

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2013, 05:48:21 PM »
Check the date of manufacture as well. Tanks have to be re-certified 12 years after manufacture and 7 years after that, and the 5 years on the next. They will not fill a out of date tank. The tank in the pic was made in Jan 2005

ASME tanks are exempt, as would be found on most motorhomes.  All the pickup truck slide in camper with lay down tanks also fall in this catagory.

DOT portable tanks DO need certified, as would be found on most BBQ's.

the PROBLEM is most gas station attendants don't know this and refuse to fill tanks out of date.  You can argue with them but your best bet is to find another place to fill your tank - a propane supplier would be best.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2013, 06:33:54 PM by KFhunter »

Offline KFhunter

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2013, 05:56:26 PM »
I thought there was some type of tape you can put on the tank that changes color with level, I think it has to do with the temp :dunno:

It is the temp, they work OK is the tank is in use especially heavy usage.   Propane cools as it exaporates (boils) into propane vapor and these sticky strips will indicate the temp.  Just easier to use your hand to feel it. 

If the tank has been sitting a long time with no usage the temp varience won't be enough to get a good read on the sticky strip.


Pretty much those strips are junk and wear out quickly.

Offline kisfish

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2013, 06:31:03 PM »
Check the date of manufacture as well. Tanks have to be re-certified 12 years after manufacture and 7 years after that, and the 5 years on the next. They will not fill a out of date tank. The tank in the pic was made in Jan 2005

ASME tanks are exempt, as would be found on most campers.  All the pickup truck slide in camper with lay down tanks fall in this catagory.

DOT portable tanks DO need certified, as would be found on most BBQ's.


the PROBLEM is most gas station attendants don't know this and refuse to fill tanks out of date.  You can argue with them but your best bet is to find another place to fill your tank - a propane supplier would be best.
The fifth wheel and bumper pull trailers I see all have dot bottles.
KFhunter, Do you ever run into firberglass bottles?
« Last Edit: April 06, 2013, 06:37:22 PM by kisfish »

Offline smdave

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2013, 06:36:18 PM »
Check the date of manufacture as well. Tanks have to be re-certified 12 years after manufacture and 7 years after that, and the 5 years on the next. They will not fill a out of date tank. The tank in the pic was made in Jan 2005

ASME tanks are exempt, as would be found on most campers.  All the pickup truck slide in camper with lay down tanks fall in this catagory.

DOT portable tanks DO need certified, as would be found on most BBQ's.


the PROBLEM is most gas station attendants don't know this and refuse to fill tanks out of date.  You can argue with them but your best bet is to find another place to fill your tank - a propane supplier would be best.

This tank pictured is a horizontal tank it says right on it DOT in the upper left.

Some horizontal DOT tanks are only exempt to having OPD valves, they still require visual inspection at 12 years after date of manufacture and then every 5 years after that.

All ASME tanks do not require DOT inspections.

If you need inspections done PM me I work in Burlington at a propane company and can do DOT inspections.
When I pass, do not let my wife sell the guns for what I told her they cost.

Offline KFhunter

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2013, 07:00:58 PM »
I haven't ran into any fiberglass ones


I'm not in the propane business anymore so I'll defer to SMdave.   I used to certify tanks and had a valid handlers card when I was moonlighting trying to pay for college books.



Offline Austrian Hunter

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How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #14 on: April 07, 2013, 06:28:14 AM »
Lots of great info!!! Thanks a bunch!!  The scale makes sense, and so does the boiling water!!! All good info!!

Offline castor gitter

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #15 on: April 07, 2013, 11:19:37 AM »
If im not mistaken there are different gauges you can use to tell what's left in the tank, I remember seeing some before. I know on mine the red/green gauge isn't super accurate but gives a rough idea without picking em up or other ways listed. Plus mine runs the dual tanks like most and swaps over automatically when one goes empty. I've got good at guesstimating just by picking em up, been living in my trailer several yrs now. Always hate running completely out in winter and needing to fill fast! I have a 100lb in addition to the 30 lbs supplied, makes it nice. If there's room when camping I suggest a spare tank.

Offline Elkrunner

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #16 on: April 09, 2013, 08:30:08 AM »
I thought there was some type of tape you can put on the tank that changes color with level, I think it has to do with the temp :dunno:

Sort of like if the mountains are blue?

Offline smdave

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #17 on: April 09, 2013, 01:54:58 PM »
 :)

When I pass, do not let my wife sell the guns for what I told her they cost.

Offline washelkhntr

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #18 on: April 09, 2013, 01:58:22 PM »
This might sound silly, but it works. My old man taught me this years ago.  Just pour some water on the outside of the cylinder (so it runs down the side). Then put your hand on the cylinder.  You can feel the temp difference of the cylinder.  Where it gets cold is where your tank level is at.

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Offline smdave

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #19 on: April 09, 2013, 02:01:45 PM »
Newer OPDs will have this gauge it actually runs off of the float in the tank so it is mechanical. works very well if you are shopping for a new tank look for these the last 20# cylinders Costco sold had something similar.



Yes water works we are just to lazy to go get water and pour it on the tank we want to instantly see how much is there.
When I pass, do not let my wife sell the guns for what I told her they cost.

Offline Austrian Hunter

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #20 on: April 10, 2013, 02:49:24 PM »
 :tup:

Offline Smossy

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #21 on: April 10, 2013, 02:56:55 PM »
You shoot at it. See if it goes boom, No boom. Its empty. :chuckle:

Also, I must add...
Dont shoot at it while its under your bbq. Atleast move it into the street.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

Offline smdave

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #22 on: April 10, 2013, 03:04:50 PM »
Smossy, you have spent time on youtube LOL
When I pass, do not let my wife sell the guns for what I told her they cost.

Offline Smossy

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Re: How do you check your Propane tank???
« Reply #23 on: April 10, 2013, 03:08:56 PM »
Smossy, you have spent time on youtube LOL
:chuckle: Wayy to much time lol.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

 


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