LP tanks any experts?

[rodm1]

I'm installing a Beacon/Morris 75,000 garage heater. What would be the smallest tank size 2 100lb?

http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=10186.0

I'm thinking about getting a 420lb tank (vertical) for this. Anyone now if these can be outfitted with a wet valve or can you tap the fill port? What would the smallest size be for wet valve?

http://www.menards.com/main/heating...irect-vent-garage-heater/p-1312849-c-6865.htm

 

[D.J.]

Best I remember the 420# has a liquid withdrawal valve in the top of the tank, I can check tomorrow when I get to work if need be!

 

[nehog]

... Anyone now if these can be outfitted with a wet valve or can you tap the fill port? What would the smallest size be for wet valve? ...

Why the need for a wet (liquid) valve?

I drive my 150K heater with a 125 gallon tank and that works fine for me (at least so far!) Single regulator at the tank, heater is about 15 of gas line away from the tank (other side of the wall and higher.)

I could be wrong, but I don't think you can 'tap' into the fill port... That would lead to the problem of how do you fill it? The guy delivering the propane won't be willing (or able) to touch the tank plumbing.

 

[AndyA]

The wet valve is nice for refilling your BBQ bottles

 

[rodm1]

Best I remember the 420# has a liquid withdrawal valve in the top of the tank, I can check tomorrow when I get to work if need be!

If you get around to it that would be grate but it on my list of things to ask the gas supplier.

 

[Highbeam]

How often are you refilling your BBQ bottles that you need to make a big deal out of a wet valve? Really, is it worth it? Maybe you need a bigger BBQ bottle.

 

[ishiboo]

How often are you refilling your BBQ bottles that you need to make a big deal out of a wet valve? Really, is it worth it? Maybe you need a bigger BBQ bottle.

It's almost free to set up, and refills are 1/5th the cost of having the tank refilled at a store. I am thinking about doing it as well for portable heaters, RV, etc.

 

[AndyA]

I don't have to drive to the store if I run out of gas half way through cooking my steak. That alone makes it worthwhile.
Last time I filled my 250 gallon tank, it was $1.49/gallon. So I pay roughly $6 to get a *full* fill on my BBQ bottle. You pay double or triple at the store to swap tanks, and you aren't getting nearly a full fill.

 

[rodm1]

I have to take of work every time I need to fill a LP tank. like posted above all I have to do is dial the phone and the tank is filled no taking of work and dealing with the boss! Plus it's cheaper and I could skip the recertification BS if I wish.

Are all the 420# tanks ASME certified?

 

[Highbeam]

This must be a regional thing. We pay the same for propane, by the gallon, whether it goes into a large tank or small tank and our gas stations fill propane bottles 24 hours a day. The swap out thing is a luxury reserved for getting rid of the old style cylinders. I also have three BBQ tanks to swap out in case I run out in the middle of dinner.

If it is free to have the wet valve installed and really that easy to use to refill your small bottles then it sounds great. Please post a wet valve refill thread when you get a chance. I had no idea.

 

[D.J.]

Just got in from outside where I checked a 420# tank we have on the yard at work and it doesn't have a liquid withdrawl valve in it. Might check with your supplier and see if they spec one in their tanks, but appearently we don't on ours. May have something to do with being able to place tank right up against a sidewall on a building but with the fill hose assembly probally can't do that. Would have to read the gas code to find out. Gotta get back to work.

 

[creativecars]

Great thread, not to hijack, but I am considering converting my welder/generator to LP., for storage/convience durring generator use. How long will the 100# tank run a generator in this type of set up?

 

[Dragster Racer]

What about refilling RV tanks? Do you need a pump or is there enough pressure from the home tank to fill? I did feel that I got jacked last time I purchased LP locally for the RV. It was about $5.50/gal.

 

[Alchymist]

What about refilling RV tanks? Do you need a pump or is there enough pressure from the home tank to fill? I did feel that I got jacked last time I purchased LP locally for the RV. It was about $5.50/gal.

Nah, not really. That's only about 2X regular price!

 

[Highbeam]

The pressure of the gas above the liquid level in a propane tank is constant so long as there is some liquid in it. The exact pressure depends on temperature but is around 120 psi. What this means is that you can use the constant pressure of the gas above the liquid to push the liquid into another tank. At some point, the tank being filled will gain pressure to match the bulk tank. Then what?

My guess is... Since both tanks will have the same gas pressure you will be using gravity to transfer the liquid to the tank being filled. Seems it will be a slow fill.

 

[rodm1]

Well I called around and the only place I could find that will sell tanks will only sell 500# or grater in size. But everyone seems to fill customer owned tanks.

 

[rodm1]

If it is free to have the wet valve installed and really that easy to use to refill your small bottles then it sounds great. Please post a wet valve refill thread when you get a chance. I had no idea.

wet valve refill thread
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=49337

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28200

http://yarchive.net/car/rv/propane_refill.html

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=643116

This one is for filling if you don't have a wet valve.

 

[AndyA]

The pressure of the gas above the liquid level in a propane tank is constant so long as there is some liquid in it. The exact pressure depends on temperature but is around 120 psi. What this means is that you can use the constant pressure of the gas above the liquid to push the liquid into another tank. At some point, the tank being filled will gain pressure to match the bulk tank. Then what?

My guess is... Since both tanks will have the same gas pressure you will be using gravity to transfer the liquid to the tank being filled. Seems it will be a slow fill.

The quick and dirty way is to vent the tank-to-be-filled. There's a little screw on the neck of the tank that opens a small vent hole.

The pressure depends on temperature. So I can fill a BBQ bottle that's been in the shade from my big tank that's been in the sun. This will also stop filling after a while. You're putting warm liquid propane into the BBQ bottle so the temperature will equalize.