Propane bottle management

rosietheriviter · Jun 30, 2011

I am not too old and decrepit, but I have been battling cancer for some time now (3 years at least).

My question is how do I determine the amount of propane left in my attached bottle(s).

Been fighting with the local propane supplier and after signing a price guarantee contract with them, renting their 250 gallon tank (at $80.00 per year) and seeing the price go from $1.99 per gallon to $3.99 per gallon with a one hundred gallon minimum in less than two years ----- I have had it. I use about 20 gallons of propane per month for hot water and cooking.

One hundred gallon minimum, they will be here when they get here, if they get here. $420.00 for 5 months is not the end of the world but I can buy propane down the street (7 miles away but not 50 feet out of my way once or more a month) for $2.79 a gallon.

I purchased a new 100# bottle and installed it, I expect it to last me at least two to three months since I stopped cooking with propane. $70.00 to fill it instead of $420.00.

Now comes the problem....I am not able to handle the full propane tank so I have to call my son - 30 miles away - or wait for my other son who visits every other month.

I want to add a second tank with a way to switch from the first empty or nearly empty tank and run off of the second tank. No problem you say? When the first one runs out, just switch to the second one. Problem solved, right?

The only problem remaining is I cannot plan on the change out when one of the boys visit....If I switch tanks while the first tank is still 25-50% full, I cannot handle it to get it refilled. If I misjudge and let it run out then I have a terrible time relighting the pilot in addition to the terrible smell of Mercaptan permeating the house just before the tank runs out.

The reviews I've read on the two tank automatic "switchers" are not at all comforting. If I just had a few days or so before a tank runs out, I could switch manually and go fill the empty (or near empty) tank and one of the boys could manhandle the full tank for me.

Without the debilitating effects of the cancer I would just suck it up and do it, but the body just won't let me do that now.

I'm not looking for sympathy, the Lord does NOT give us a load we cannot handle, I am just looking for some sound advice on how to work smarter instead of working harder.

Edit:Forgot mention that I am in far northern California, about 100 miles from the northern border and about 600 miles from the southern border..

Rose

richamor · Jun 30, 2011

You could use scales. Weigh an empty and a full. When you get down to about a pound difference remaining switch bottles with a manual valve. Then refill the empty when possible. You'd need an accurate scale, and may find a remote read so you could keep the display in a convenient place.

eta- I'm meaning put the "in use" bottle on the scale. The other bottle would always be full. Connect both bottles to the system in parallel with a tee.

boomer1025 · Jun 30, 2011

Does your regulator have an extra inlet port ? If not go to a RV dealer or any where they sell propane bottles and get a dual inlet port regulator. Tie both bottles into the regulator. Turn one bottle on, when it's about empty, turn it off, then turn on the other bottle.

DanD78 · Jun 30, 2011

Why not just buy a 250 or 500 gallon tank. If you own your own tank you can buy propane from who ever you like. You still may have the 100 gallon minimum to deal with no matter who you buy from. 500 gallon tanks go for around $400 around here. A 250 should be a little cheeper. I own my 1000 gallon tank and go through around 1400 gallons a year. We have a summer fill price that is hard to beat and can buy the balance on contract for delivery during the winter. Buying straight off the truck will break a person if you don't plan ahead. I have used the same supplier for 15 years and can not find anyone to beat his price.

Dan

tommu56 · Jun 30, 2011

what you need is a shuttle valve both tanks tie in to it and it hooks to regulator

stop at an RV dealer and ask for one the ball shifts to plus the un used outlet like a check valve

or an auto change over valve like this

LP Gas Automatic Changeover Valves on Sale - PPL Motor Homes

here is one for existing regulator

250 LP Regulator Automatic Changeover with 2 LP ACME Hoses - $48...

level sensor

Propane Tank Level Sensor - PPL Motor Homes

stick 2 or 3 vertically one above another for more range

tom

bcp · Jun 30, 2011

Pick up a pair of cheap (Goodwill?) non-digital bathroom scales and set the tanks on them-all the time. Watch the scale of the one being used. When it nears the empty weight, switch.

Bruce

ustmd · Jul 1, 2011

The change over valves are great.

I highly recommend the scale. When the bottle is full, write the full wieght on the bottle with a sharpe and then you don't even have to remember (the tare wieght of the bottle will also be stamped on it near the top).

I work inthe semi-conductor industry (maunfacturing of computer chips). Some of the gases that are used cost >$10K for 5 lbs. Everyone uses scales to track the amount of gases in the cylinder.

Western · Jul 1, 2011

I have found on my 100# bottle, that in a pinch you can get an idea by running your hand down the tank from top to bottom, once you feel the colder metal, that is "approximately" where the level is.

I would also agree if you don't get a larger tank, get another 100# or even a 20#.Something you can handle if the larger one runs out, that would by you time while you wait for the son to get there.

The nice thing about smaller tanks is you can take them to get filled at your convenience.

schmism · Jul 1, 2011

you didnt mention if you have a tractor with an FEL...

i move my 100# tanks around with the FEL... simple to roll on the edge onto the bucket and strap it down.

as for how full.... weight is the best way as mentioned.

as for change overs, useing 2 tied together then the RV hookup would be best.

My suggestion look for a 500 gal tank on CL to buy. Then you dont have to worry about it and can buy propane whenever you want from whoever you want

clemsonfor · Jul 1, 2011

I to was wondering why you just dont tie the 2 filled bottles togeather before the regulator with a valve and then when one empties go turn the other on and close the valve to the empty off and throw in the truck to fill it call the son over that weekend to help. Then next bottle to go down same process.

At that many gallons a month wouldn't be cheaper to get an electric stove at least so your not burning that much $3/gallon propane up. I mean i know electricity is not cheap but i dont think it rivals propane.