Propane Amount Question
I still don't understand my propane situation. Any help appreciated. I have a "76 lb tank" which I take to be "full" at 80% or 61 lbs. I am used to having two "30 lb" bottles, but when they get f...
Forum Discussion
DOT cylinders are rated based on the nominal usable propane capacity, so a 30 lb cylinder when properly filled to the 80% level will hold about 30 lbs of propane or about 26.7 liters, if I've done the conversions properly. The actual physical capacity of the vessel (the water capacity) is stamped on the collar, though somewhat unhelpfully it's traditionally measured in pounds of water rather than gallons or some typical unit of volume.
For portable tanks, I've generally seen propane sold either by volume (so much per gallon/liter), by pound (which is typically just the volume multiplied by a conversion factor), or by a fixed price for a standard sized cylinder (so much per 20 lb cylinder). For a built-in tank, it's by volume or by weight (which is again just converted from the volume--it's pretty impractical to weigh a motorhome to determine a propane sale given the rather high tare weight).
For portable tanks, I've generally seen propane sold either by volume (so much per gallon/liter), by pound (which is typically just the volume multiplied by a conversion factor), or by a fixed price for a standard sized cylinder (so much per 20 lb cylinder). For a built-in tank, it's by volume or by weight (which is again just converted from the volume--it's pretty impractical to weigh a motorhome to determine a propane sale given the rather high tare weight).
