Planning a trip for 5 days in our pop-up to a spot we like to go that is pretty remote and off grid. I will likely be running the furnace quite a bit at night and there isn't anywhere nearby that I can get my LP tank refilled, but there is a Casey's General Store that will do an exchange about 20 minutes away. Is there any reason I shouldn't exchange the tank that came with my camper for one from Casey's? Are the exchange tanks you get at places like this just as good as the original 20lb. that came with my camper? Will I be able to get the exchange tank refilled at a later date or can you only exchange these? I usually fill my tank at TSC because they only charge for what I use so I can just top it off if it isn't empty. Thanks!

I've heard of places that will not refill tanks labeled by an 'exchange' company, no direct experience as I've never used a tank exchange. 20# tanks are pretty cheap around here, Home Depot has them for $30.. is it possible to carry a spare?

I wouldn't have room for a 20lb. spare, now that we have a 9 month old with us and our 2 dogs, we just don't have much extra room. I've thought about buying a 30lb. tank, but I would have to set it on the ground to slide out the bed. I could probably make room for a 5lb. tank, at least that would give me some reserve.

20# propane cylinder is roughly 4.7 gallons when full (80% capacity is full)That is roughly 427,000 btu's (91000 per gallon)Furnace 20,000 btu so you have 21 total hours of furnace 20# exchange cylinder is the same DOT approved as your 20# cylinderOnly difference...that exchange cylinder MAY not be full (4.7 gallons) it may only have 4 or less) and it's price will be higher then a normal refill chargeCONVENIENCEAnd yes you can use it, refill it keep it refill it etc.Just check mfg. DATE on collar. DOT cylinders have to be 're-certified' 12 yrs after mfg. date---so don;t get one that is close or out of date Remote and off grid spot.......What are you going to use to maintain battery voltage :HThat 12V DC Furnace is a HOG

Don't worry about the date on an Exchange tank - just take it back and exchange it...........Never had a problem getting one of them refilled elsewhere.Nothing wrong with the exchange tanks other than you pay slightly more for the propane.Bill

I guess I should just ask TSC what they will and won't fill since that is where i usually get my tank filled.

LP Tank Question | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

okhmbldr
Explorer
Oct 22, 2016
If your one 20# tank is mounted on the tongue against the front wall of the popup like most set ups, then go to the hardware store and pick up two 3' pieces of 1"x1"x1/4" angle iron and bolt it to the tongue where the original tank sits. Then you can mount two tanks on the angle iron, side by side.
Enjoy your winter trip.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2016
Old-Biscuit wrote:
theoldwizard1 wrote:

Also, Tanks can actually fit another 20% in the tank, but that extra space is designed for expansion as the temperature rises.

That is a little misleading......

OPD stops filling at 80% liquid level
Bleeder valve (liquid level) is set at 80%
Weight is in relation to 80% liquid level

Propane cylinders/tanks are filled to 80% level....that is FULL

The other 20% capacity is for vapor and for relief valve function which should discharge vapor not liquid if it should open.

You are 100% correct ! My statement was from a web site so it was taken out of context.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 21, 2016
theoldwizard1 wrote:

Also, Tanks can actually fit another 20% in the tank, but that extra space is designed for expansion as the temperature rises.

That is a little misleading......

OPD stops filling at 80% liquid level
Bleeder valve (liquid level) is set at 80%
Weight is in relation to 80% liquid level

Propane cylinders/tanks are filled to 80% level....that is FULL

The other 20% capacity is for vapor and for relief valve function which should discharge vapor not liquid if it should open.
JoshuaH
Explorer
Oct 21, 2016
I decided to go with an extra 11lb. tank. When looking at it I should be able to find room for it somewhere in the camper, this allows me to use it as the backup, then I can get the 20lb. refilled, or exchanged if needed. Thanks everyone for the help.

As far as the amp draw of the furnance, I used a clamp on meter to read what it was drawing so it should be close to accurate, I don't remember the make or model off the top of my head.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2016
theoldwizard1 wrote:
JoshuaH wrote:
I guess a down side to having a 30lb. tank is you can't just exchange that quite as easily.

I have never seen an exchange station that had 30lb tanks.

As I said before, every 20# exchange tank I have seen only has 15# in it. Says so on the label.

Also, Tanks can actually fit another 20% in the tank, but that extra space is designed for expansion as the temperature rises.

Perspmally, I would rather have a 5# or 10# "backup" tank. When you 20# is empty, swap in the backup and get the 20# refilled. Even 5# of LP will run most furnaces over night. If you want to "top off" your 5# tank, make a hose that will connect both tanks. Put the 5# tank in a bucket of ice water and the 20# tank in a container of hot water. Let is sit for 5-15 minutes, but make sure to keep the cold water cold and the hot water hot.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2016
JoshuaH wrote:
I guess a down side to having a 30lb. tank is you can't just exchange that quite as easily.

I have never seen an exchange station that had 30lb tanks.

As I said before, every 20# exchange tank I have seen only has 15# in it. Says so on the label.

Also, Tanks can actually fit another 20% in the tank, but that extra space is designed for expansion as the temperature rises.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 21, 2016
JoshuaH wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
JoshuaH wrote:
I have a large solar panel that I charge my deep cycle battery with, never had a problem off grid camping so far. I also run a fridge and cookstove from the LP tank.

1 battery...1 night of Furnace
Then battery will be dead

Good luck!

Did you not notice that I have a large solar panel to charge the battery?

I have camped for 3 nights in a row in cold weather with no problems. I have also measured the current draw from the furnace, both the valve and the motor only draw about 1.5 amps at 12v, it doesn't drain the battery that quickly.

What furnace BRAND/MODEL???

Specs show you have a 20,000 BTU Furnace
That size of furnace fan would pull 4.5A all the way up to 8.5A depending on size of motor and model.
1.5A sounds low.

If that is real amp draw then 20# propane shouldn't be an issue for 4 nights either. Fuel/air ratio has to be correct for furnace to light/burn.
Jebby14
Explorer
Oct 21, 2016
X2 for the 2nd tank. get a bracket to carry it on the tongue with the other. not hard to install or expensive
JoshuaH
Explorer
Oct 21, 2016
I guess a down side to having a 30lb. tank is you can't just exchange that quite as easily.
JoshuaH
Explorer
Oct 21, 2016
After some measuring and thinking, a 30 lb. cylinder might just work, it will be close but the bed might just slide over the top of the tank.

If that doesn't work, would there be any danger in just setting the tank on the ground next to the tongue and securing it with a strap?

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LP Tank Question

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