Propane Capacity?

[eyemgh]

My Raven shell has two tweener propane cylinders (smaller than 20 lb classic grill tank and larger than the 5 lb-er). I *think* they're 10 pound Manchester cylinders. They are stamped with 14.4 Tare Weight. I weighed them full and they come up with just about 10 pounds more than the tare weight, 24.5.

I developed a system based on those "knowns" where I weigh the cylinder with a luggage scale to make sure I don't cut it too close.

I "ran out" today at lunch. The system cut out and wouldn't restart no matter what temp I raised it to. I shut it off and then turned it back on, but it only ran for a bit because it wouldn't light.

I pulled the cylinder to confirm my assumptions, but it still weighed a little over 18 lbs. I replaced that cylinder with a full one and it ran just fine.

I'm trying to figure this out. Is 18ish pounds the real empty weight and not the TW stamped on the cylinder or is the system configured so that it will only run a tank so low? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JaSAn]

What was the ambient temperature?

At below 20ºF I cannot get a 20# tank to fully empty. The small tanks just can't maintain pressure at lower temperatures.

 

[PaulT]

Search for "fill propane tank percent" and you will learn that there is an 80% fill maximum. Therefore your 10 lb tank will contain a useful 8 lb. of propane.

Something to keep in mind when estimating how long that "full" tank will last at the appliance's burn rate.

Paul

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Turn the tank valve off, turn appliances off, wait 5-10 minutes, then turn tank valve back on slowly. There is an excess flow check valve that might need resetting.

 

[XJINTX]

Turn the tank valve off, turn appliances off, wait 5-10 minutes, then turn tank valve back on slowly. There is an excess flow check valve that might need resetting.

YES, try this

 

[eyemgh]

Turn the tank valve off, turn appliances off, wait 5-10 minutes, then turn tank valve back on slowly. There is an excess flow check valve that might need resetting.

I'll give this a try. I do tend to fling the valve open as quickly as I can.

I don't think it was the cold. It was 40 F at the worst.

The interesting thing is that it worked fine for about 20 minutes.

 

[ski3pin]

Turn the tank valve off, turn appliances off, wait 5-10 minutes, then turn tank valve back on slowly. There is an excess flow check valve that might need resetting.

After turning off the tank, I also disconnect the regulator supply line. I wait a short while and then reconnect and open the valve slowly. In these modern times I think of it as a system reboot.

 

[eyemgh]

After turning off the tank, I also disconnect the regulator supply line. I wait a short while and then reconnect and open the valve slowly. In these modern times I think of it as a system reboot.

Thanks! I'll switch back and give it a try.

Also, this happened in the middle of the night once. I thought I was out, but I bet I wasn't. Any way to proactively prevent that?

 

[AWG_Pics]

After inexplicably not getting propane to flow to my external cooking stove I had to learn the hard way to give an extra firm twist to tighten the regulator hose to the tank. No problem since I started doing that. Lots of intermittent problems before learning that lesson.

 

[eyemgh]

After inexplicably not getting propane to flow to my external cooking stove I had to learn the hard way to give an extra firm twist to tighten the regulator hose to the tank. No problem since I started doing that. Lots of intermittent problems before learning that lesson.

One extra firm twist coming up!

 

[idahoron]

I had one of my tanks that came from the factory that didn't work. The valve was faulty and I had to take it in to have it replaced.
Propane tanks will not empty. There is always about a half pound in them even if they run completely out.

 

[eyemgh]

I had one of my tanks that came from the factory that didn't work. The valve was faulty and I had to take it in to have it replaced.
Propane tanks will not empty. There is always about a half pound in them even if they run completely out.

This one stopped at 18 pounds, but the TW of the tank is 14.4. I think I just opened the valve too quickly. We'll see. Thanks!