Forum Discussion

Bucky1320's avatar
Bucky1320
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014

Propane tank full?

99' Harney Pusher with LP generator.
We use the generator all weekend....or as long as it will last.
Not sure of the size of the tank, but it is typical diameter for grill tank, and goes from one side of the rig to the other.

When I get it filled, it never gets above 3/4 on tank or remote gauge. Is this normal? I am curious how large this tank is. We went from less than 1/4 to 3/4 in about 17 gallons.

I am also trying to come up with a way to extend the generator use by up to two days. We pull an enclosed trailer. I thought about DOT containers on the tounge and running an extend a stay hose to them when parked. Or a bunch of 22 lb grill cylinders. Worst case is we get a larger gasoline generator for the trailer and run off it during the day. Wish it had a deisel generator, but it doesn't. Any experience or suggestions/thoughts?
Class A
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2014
    They will NOT fill your propane tanks to the 'full' level.

    When you pull in to have your RV propane tank 'filled' they are required by law to only fill it to 80%.

    Took me awhile to figure that out too. Seeing as after you have it filled most of us don't look at the gauge before we leave. They fill, we pay and then drive off. Then when we check it later we wonder why we've gone thru so much propane. :R

    On my tank my gauge registers 75% when I have it so-called filled.

    Gotta admit that when I have an extended stay at a CG that has propane on site, some of them will fill it full for you. Albiet I am sure they would get in trouble if someone reported them. I seek out getting propane at CG's because my tank is so small and that extra 1/4 tank means a lot if headed for a dry camp site.
  • Desert_Captain's avatar
    Desert_Captain
    Explorer III
    Aug 27, 2014
    SDcampowneroperator wrote:
    Rethink your gauges. If 75% is full, then 1/4 is actually 1/3rd , 1/2 full actually 2/3rds, full 3/3 thirds. The remaining 1/4 is the expansion room for safety.


    X2
    We left Tucson last week with our 13 gallon LP tank showing 2/3's full. Pulled in at Parker AZ, Buckskin Mountain SP and as the temp climbed to 104+ we suddenly had a full LP tank. You gotta love the LP fairy!
    :B
  • SDcampowneroper's avatar
    SDcampowneroper
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2014
    Rethink your gauges. If 75% is full, then 1/4 is actually 1/3rd , 1/2 full actually 2/3rds, full 3/3 thirds. The remaining 1/4 is the expansion room for safety.
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2014
    No propane tank or bottle should ever be filled to more than 80%. Some gauges show FULL at 80%, some show 3/4 full.
    Apparently yours shows 3/4 full when at 80%. Yes, that is normal, and required.
    If it were me, I would get extra 20 or 30 pound cylinders to carry with me, and get the extension hose to connect them. Just keep in mind that they must be transported in a ventilated compartment, or outside.
  • wcjeep's avatar
    wcjeep
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2014
    Small propane containers require an initial vacuum treatment before first fill. Do large tanks require this? I've read BBQ grill containers have thinner metal than RV propane tanks.

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