Hello. I'm a bit puzzled with my propane tanks. I have two connected 120 gallon tanks that are used to heat the shop. The propane company just came and topped them off. I was not around when they came. Now one of the tanks is very heavy and you can barely rock it. The other is very light and you can rock it back and forth with one hand. Shouldn't both tanks weigh about the same when they are full? Thank you in advance.
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Propane tank weight
- Thread starter anthony1k
- Start date
Mr onetwo
Well-known member
They should...make sure that both hand valves are opened up.No doubt the "light" one was closed.Let them equalize and then schedule another delivery.
They should...make sure that both hand valves are opened up.No doubt the "light" one was closed.Let them equalize and then schedule another delivery.
Thank you for the response. I confirmed that both valves are open. The strange thing is the very noticeable weight difference between the two tanks was there even prior to the recent fill up. As a matter of fact they do not feel any different now than prior to the fill up. According to the bill left at the door 102 gallons were put in. I am confused.
383
Well-known member
Maybe the base under one tank is uneven, so it rocks easier?....Dunno, just a thought.
bob15
Well-known member
I would contact the LP dealer who delivered it and ask why both tanks weren't filled. It could be that the driver closed the valve to fill one tank and forgot to fill the other tank
Backpack Hunter
Well-known member
Maybe a leak?
BD1
Well-known member
I recently bought a 100 pound tank from Tractor supply. They filled but had to purge the tank to get it filled to proper weight. Maybe the guy only purged one ??
My 100 pound tank holds 22.9 gallons . Here's the specs on mine.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...opane-cylinder-equipped-with-pol-valve-100-lb
My 100 pound tank holds 22.9 gallons . Here's the specs on mine.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...opane-cylinder-equipped-with-pol-valve-100-lb
amkluttz
Well-known member
Is there a gauge on each tank? I used to be a service tech for Amerigas propane and unless something has changed you should only fill a tank to 80% of the water capacity. At 120 gallons this would come out to 96 gallons. Assuming neither tank was completely empty that 102 gallons had to go somewhere or someone is trying to rip you off. Maybe they completely filled one and half filled the other? I've known delivery drivers to run out or be close to empty and not do a complete fill up.
-Andy
-Andy
Randy in Maine
Well-known member
Propane weighs 4.2 pounds per gallon. 120 gallons x 80% x 4.2 = 403 pounds for just the fuel.
rlitman
Well-known member
Is there a gauge on each tank?...
These are propane tanks. You should be able to thump them to get an idea of the liquid level.
Elginz
Well-known member
From the "Reference" web site.
A vertical 120-gallon propane tank is 55 inches tall and 30 inches in diameter, whereas a horizontal tank of the same capacity is 24 inches in diameter and 66 inches long. A 120-gallon tank holds 96 gallons of propane to allow for expansion.
The empty weight of a vertical tank this size is 175 pounds, and the full weight is 600 pounds. A horizontal 120-gallon tank weighs 300 pounds empty and 725 pounds full.
A vertical 120-gallon propane tank is 55 inches tall and 30 inches in diameter, whereas a horizontal tank of the same capacity is 24 inches in diameter and 66 inches long. A 120-gallon tank holds 96 gallons of propane to allow for expansion.
The empty weight of a vertical tank this size is 175 pounds, and the full weight is 600 pounds. A horizontal 120-gallon tank weighs 300 pounds empty and 725 pounds full.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Do 120# tanks have an OPV like 20# tanks ?
Prior to the OPV, most places wanted to purge a new tank (at extra cost). Some would insist that you had a plastic screw in plug (that they conveniently sold).
Now on 20# tanks, they open the bleed screw while filling until liquid comes out, then they shut the bleed screw and the pump.
If I had 2 tanks, I would only use then 1 at a time. First one is empty, close the valve open the valve on the second and then get the first one refilled. NEVER opne both valves at the same time. The 2 tanks will just equalize.
Prior to the OPV, most places wanted to purge a new tank (at extra cost). Some would insist that you had a plastic screw in plug (that they conveniently sold).
Now on 20# tanks, they open the bleed screw while filling until liquid comes out, then they shut the bleed screw and the pump.
If I had 2 tanks, I would only use then 1 at a time. First one is empty, close the valve open the valve on the second and then get the first one refilled. NEVER opne both valves at the same time. The 2 tanks will just equalize.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Is there a gauge on each tank? I used to be a service tech for Amerigas propane and unless something has changed you should only fill a tank to 80% of the water capacity. At 120 gallons this would come out to 96 gallons. Assuming neither tank was completely empty that 102 gallons had to go somewhere or someone is trying to rip you off. Maybe they completely filled one and half filled the other? I've known delivery drivers to run out or be close to empty and not do a complete fill up.
-Andy
You fill to 80% tank capacity, or 42% water capacity.
Tommy