propane bottle - how much remaining?

[John]

How can I tell how much propane remains in the propane bottle that I use for the stove? The gauge registers about 93 lbs of pressure.

 

[Ross]

Weigh the tank! It is stamped with empty and full weights. But experience tells me that you have enough for simple meals for the weekend but that you will run out if you plan to stay out for a week and bake bread.

 

[Dave Groshong]

I know it's not helping you for this weekend, but I really like these see through tanks, no more guessing!

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=1082

 

[Benny]

Yes weigh the tank when empty and then weigh again when its full. The difference in weigh is the propane Calculate at 75%, 50% and 25% and then add the weigh of the empty canister and you will know when it is full, when 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 or empty. Or do what Ross indicates and look for the stamped readings on the tank.

 

[Benny]

Oh, I forgot, there is a neat little adapter that will allow you to switch to a 1 lb canister in case your main tank goes empty.

 

[Bob S]

I just bought a fiberglass see through from SBO. It's really a great product. No more guessing. The original one was 13 yo aluminum one that was pretty well oxidized. Look like hell.

 

[Ross]

There is a wonderful tool that allows me to switch my empty propane tank with my spare full propane tank in just a few moments, I call it a wrench. I can exchange my empty tank for a full tank for about 20 bucks.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Shake it

and find out where the "cold line" is and that's where the "line" is.

 

[sailingdog]

The pressure gauge will tell you very little, since the vapor pressure of the propane will be relatively constant as long as there is some liquid propane left. It doesn't really start dropping until the liquid is all gone, and at that point you're basically on empty. Weighing the tank or visually checking the level on a composite tank are your only choices.

How can I tell how much propane remains in the propane bottle that I use for the stove? The gauge registers about 93 lbs of pressure.

 

[seadaddler]

Gauge

I found that a gauge is so easy and not too much $$$$$.
I have a gauge that I picked up at the hardware store many years ago for camping that I could use if.
I already do have one built into my tank on my Hunter and I do have an extra tank and even carry extra little 1lb tanks for the portable BBQ,so running out in the middle of cooking out on the boat will not happen.
So pick your choice,weight it or just lift it if it feels very light its going to run out very soon,I even had these stick on type gauges from the RV store that changes the color on a scale to let you know.
So pick one of many ways to keep cooking.
nick

 

[Ross]

Re: Gauge

I have noticed that the pressure in my tank varies as to the air temperature. The tank that I am using has gotten nearly empty and on a cool morning will show about 90 psi by late afternoon it shows about 125 psi. That doesn't mean there is more fuel in the PM than in the AM. A full tank usually shows about 150psi.

 

[John]

I looked for the fiberglass tank on Sailboatowners.com but couldn't find it.

 

[Allan R]

Do a store search on this site for lite tank, should take you there or just use this link.
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=1082

 

[John]

carrying a spare tank?

Several people referred to carrying a spare propane tank. My boat only has one propane locker. What I've read is that any propane tank should be in a locker that is vented overboard as even a tank that is not connected can leak. Is this true? Those who carry a spare tank - where do you keep it?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Spare tank and

temperature.

Seadaddler wrote: "I even had these stick on type gauges from the RV store that changes the color on a scale to let you know." The way these little puppies work is by temperature. That goes back to my shaking suggestion. The heck with differences in specific gravity and density, it's the temperature on the outside of the tank. Weight's better, but this is a useful technique.

Spares: The idea is to have an enclosed tank that does not vent into the boat, hence, the vented compartment. If they are above the deck, they shouldn't be able to vent into the boat. I've seen tanks strapped to stanchions, probably not a good idea, but a friend of mine made a nice holder out of starboard material. In fact, it's his primary tank on his old Tartan 37. He switched over from CNG when planning his trip to Mexico.

 

[Allan R]

Carrying A Spare Tank

Here is how I did mine (I don't carry all the time).

 

[Ross]

Re: Carrying A Spare Tank

I built my propane locker with room for three 20 pound tanks each securely lashed . After ten years I am working from the last of the original tanks. We had big dreams before several not very good events and diagnosis changed them for us.

 

[Tom J]

Isn't propane heavier than air? My Catalina has two propane lockers, and they are both vented at the bottom and drain overboard near the waterline. Seems then, that a propane tank stored on deck would drain into the boat, doesn't it?

 

[Ross]

Isn't propane heavier than air? My Catalina has two propane lockers, and they are both vented at the bottom and drain overboard near the waterline. Seems then, that a propane tank stored on deck would drain into the boat, doesn't it?

If you change "would" to "could" you will have it right. Yes, propane lockers are required to drain from the bottom.

 

[Benny]

When I hose off the deck of the boat with water, the interior remains dry as the water is channeled overboard. What would make me think that a propane leak from an on deck tank would flow inside the boat? Tanks are routinely carried on deck by the mast or hanging overboard from the stern pulpit.