Propane tanks...20 or 30 pounds??
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Topic: Propane tanks...20 or 30 pounds??
Posted By: Subzilla
Subject: Propane tanks...20 or 30 pounds??
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 7:33am
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Was thinking about doubling my propane capacity on the Pod. It came with the 20 lb tank and I was planning to purchase a dual tank rack and tank. I noticed the 30 lb tank stuff and it got me to wondering if it would be wiser to just replace my 20 with a 30 lb tank or even double it to 2 30 lb tanks?? I know the 20 pounder will last a good while. ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 7:44am
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You could go either way.. we ran a single 30 for a couple years. Switched to dual 20's later. It's all about how much cool weather boondocking you do. We spent 7 days out in late Nov a few years ago, highs in the 40's lows in the 20's, ran through most of the dual 20's. Would for sure have run out with the 30.
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 8:33am
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I like dual 20s because you can still have propane heat, etc, while you go get the empty filled. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 9:05am
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If you have a place to carry a third twenty pounder the economics and convenience win. Three twenties cost much less than two thirties due to the huge quantities if twenties used for BBQs etc. Also , exchanging twenties at small town convenience stores is an option but thirties are more scarce. Since you already have a twenty just add a dual tank rack and two more twenties. Use the third on the BBQ until you're ready for that long, cold trip.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 9:24am
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The ease of exchange of the 20's makes sense....didn't consider that. 2 20's it is. Thanks! ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 9:28am
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I have thought about going to a dual rack, but so far, have stuck with a single tank rack and carry a spare 20 lb tank. I swap them and fill the empty one at my earliest convenience so I will have it ready for the next swap. Since I bought the tanks with gauges, I have a relative idea of the tank level. The hot water method is still the most accurate inexpensive method I have found to get a reading though.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 4:10pm
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The advantage of two bottles with an automatic switch over regulator is you don't have to switch tanks in the middle of a cold rainy night. Just wait 'till morning, remove the now totally empty bottle, and refill it. BTW, the new ultrasonic tank measuring devices work great. Convenient, no removing tanks to weigh, and can be used in place even when propane is not in use.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 4:25pm
Very much agree, we won one at a rally last year. Works great. New rig carries 3 20's, but it's nice to check before a trip to see if I need to switch out and get one topped off. ------------- |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 6:06pm
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What brands of ultrasonic LP tank checkers do people like? I just Googled and the first one that came up was MOPEKA, which works, optionally, with a smartphone. Looks good... if it works as well as it claims. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 8:11pm
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This is the one I have. Works great. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_15/146-2805682-4862748?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=dometic+propane+level+checker&sprefix=dometic+propane%2Caps%2C306&crid=210PHNI0MSNVU - https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_15/146-2805682-4862748?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=dometic+propane+level+checker&sprefix=dometic+propane%2Caps%2C306&crid=210PHNI0MSNVU ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 12:06am
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Thanks Charlie. I saw that one too. The Mopeka looks a lot nicer if it really works. It lets you check 2 or more tanks on your phone from the comfort of your warm Pod. No need to even take the cover off the tanks. I hope someone here will have tried it and have a report. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 12:59am
I think I need one. More for my grill and smoker. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 9:47am
Same on we have. Works great. ------------- |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 2:34pm
When one is out you know you have one full tank left. Get the empty re-filled and back in business with two. Good way to make sure you do not get caught off guard. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 2:37pm
Question. My pod have the tank plastic cover. Can you get the stick inside the cover and get the readings or would I have to remove it? I have a single tank at the present time. I do have the remote tank indicator but I am not sure I trust it. Caught it on sale for $60. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C5RQI74/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3171424582&pd_rd_wg=bbB1C&pf_rd_r=NMSFWQDXPPNYGMPE6X7N&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B01C5RQI74&pd_rd_w=k8Rdb&pf_rd_i=dometic+propane+level+checker&pd_rd_r=12039220-ba85-11e7-8ea9-05400247ce67&ie=UTF8&qid=1509046635&sr=3 - Monitor ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 4:10pm
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We've been using this one for several months. We can check the level without even leaving the Pod.
https://www.amazon.com/Products-024-1001-Propane-Level-Indicator/dp/B01C5RQJHS/ - https://www.amazon.com/Products-024-1001-Propane-Level-Indicator/dp/B01C5RQJHS/ It's the same as the one rawest50 posted but without the monitor; we use the free iOS app instead. It works the same as the handheld one above except that the sound waves emanate from the bottom of the tank and reflect off the top surface of the LP, thereby measuring depth. The level will change with temperature because the liquid expands and retracts, but that's the case with most gauges. |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 5:17pm
| We have a 20 lb tank and keep a 1lb cylinder for backup. Had to use the 1lb cylinder once. |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 6:46pm
I have not emptied our tank so that is why I am wondering. I plan to put it to use on our trip to Kentucky just to make sure it is reading correctly. Should be cool enough to use the Pod heater. I can use electric as a backup if it runs out. How much have you used you gas? Cooking and heating. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2017 at 7:29pm
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If I am in a situation where I think (from the gauge, confirmed by hot water method) that I might run out during the night, I go ahead and switch to my full tank. Since a lot of places meter the propane as the tank is filled, it isn't much of a deal to take the tank with some remaining propane to be filled. If I were exchanging tanks, I would want to use all of it though.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 5:21pm
Mine came today and seems to work fine. The tank on the smoker is empty, the grill is nearly empty, and the pod is nearly full. Seems well made and so far I am pleased. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: RobnCari
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 7:20pm
From what I understand these furnaces use alot of propane and if you have access to electricity a space heater is better than OEM. ------------- 2006 Toyota Tacoma 4WD AC 2018 RP 179 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 9:02pm
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A lot is a relative term. If it is cool, the furnace does not run much, and propane use is not too bad. If it is in the single-digits, the furnace runs a lot and will go through a tank quickly. There are ways to reduce the use. When not there, turn the thermostat down. Likewise at night, turn it down while you sleep and use additional blankets or quilts to keep warm or use a sleeping bag. In the morning, turn it up. If you don't think you have to keep the interior at 72 degrees F. all the time, you can cut the propane use to a reasonable amount. Yes, if shore power is available, a ceramic block heater is good. We did not get a chance to try one when we were in our R-Pod in 4 degree weather to see if it would have been adequate because we did not have shore power to do so. After our accident, I was able to plug into a 15A outlet, but I did not feel it would have been proper to use an electric heater when the tow yard operator was gracious enough to let us stay the weekend in our 'Pod. We had purchased a Mr. Heater Little Buddy heater. It was adequate to help heat, but was too top heavy, so when I had a chance, it got returned and we bought a Mr. Buddy Portable heater. It is definitely more than adequate for the space and is more stable than the Little Buddy since it has a much wider base. If there had been a way to stabilize the Little Buddy, I would have preferred it because the size is smaller and the output is adequate. Any gas heater like the Mr. Buddy models or catalytic models does require ventilation both to avoid too much moisture build-up and to avoid CO buildup. What makes them more efficient is that they are not venting heat outside like the furnace. If the RV furnace could be made more efficient, it would be nice. However, that would likely make it so big and so expensive that it would be cost-prohibitive to install in any but a luxury RV that sells for many multiples of what we pay for an R-Pod. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |