R-pod Owners Forum : How Long will 2 Gas Tanks Last? https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Reviews and General Information : How Long will 2 Gas Tanks Last? Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:12:54 +0000 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:57:35 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=2199 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ How Long will 2 Gas Tanks Last? : Originally posted by philstat Has... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=22428#22428 Author: furpod
Subject: 2199
Posted: 17 Feb 2012 at 4:57pm

Originally posted by philstat

Has anyone mounted a 30# tank in lieu of 2 twenties? I read in some earlier threads that Forest River did a recall on the tank mount to strengthen it. I'm curious as to whether the newer mount can handle the extra "top heavy" tank?


Thanks

Phil



No problems so far. Did have to drill new holes to move the straps up so I had more length. Biggest problem is trying to find a cover for a single 30#..
]]> Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:57:35 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=22428#22428 How Long will 2 Gas Tanks Last? : Just a "seat of the pants"... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=22287#22287 Author: 2Poders
Subject: 2199
Posted: 11 Feb 2012 at 5:13pm

Just a "seat of the pants" estimate here. I have a single 20 Lb tank and ran the furnace for two days and nights camping in 40 deg weather last fall with the thermostat set at 55- 60 deg. Since then, I have run it often in 10 to 30 deg weather during storage while making interior mods. I would estimate that it has run the equivalent of 4 days total set at 55 to 60 deg. This is a lot more than I expected, although the tank is quite low now. Camper was plugged in the whole time. I doubt that the battery would be good for much more than an overnight (depending on how often the furnace runs of course).]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:13:30 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=22287#22287 How Long will 2 Gas Tanks Last? : Has anyone mounted a 30# tank... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=22273#22273 Author: philstat
Subject: 2199
Posted: 11 Feb 2012 at 12:21pm

Has anyone mounted a 30# tank in lieu of 2 twenties? I read in some earlier threads that Forest River did a recall on the tank mount to strengthen it. I'm curious as to whether the newer mount can handle the extra "top heavy" tank?


Thanks

Phil

]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:21:28 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=22273#22273 How Long will 2 Gas Tanks Last? : I concur with the results of the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=21886#21886 Author: Tidalwave4455
Subject: 2199
Posted: 23 Jan 2012 at 7:55pm

I concur with the results of the previous threads.  I installed dual tanks with an automatic switching regulator.  It allowed me to haul the empty tank to get filled without having to shut off the heat in the Pod.  I have found that the Pod was insulated enough that I didn't have to keep the furnace running all night at room temp...I turned the furnace down and used down quilts on the beds. However, even with dual batteries and dual tanks, I never was able to go a full week without having to recharge the batteries or refill the tanks (with Fall temps).
]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:55:16 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=21886#21886 How Long will 2 Gas Tanks Last? : Also, if you are going to be running... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=20484#20484 Author: furpod
Subject: 2199
Posted: 25 Oct 2011 at 7:51pm

Also, if you are going to be running dual tanks, get an "automatic" switching regulator, with empty indicator.. when the first tank empties, a little arrow or indicator points at the empty, you can take it and have it filled, without turning off your gas. We have one on the 'stream, it's handy for long trips/stays.]]> Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:51:27 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=20484#20484 How Long will 2 Gas Tanks Last? : Agree. The furnace is a LPG and... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=20476#20476 Author: techntrek
Subject: 2199
Posted: 25 Oct 2011 at 2:42pm

Agree. The furnace is a LPG and electric hog, but your battery is the deciding factor. If you are staying in an area that prohibits generators or you don't have a generator there is a trick to keep you going for more than 2-3 days (the max your battery will last).

First, look at this FAQ. Scroll about 2/3 of the way down to the colorful red/yellow/green chart. http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm
You don't want to take a lead-acid battery below 30%, which is 11.75 volts (after at least 3 hours of no loads). 50% is 12.06 volts. So once you get somewhere between those two voltages, probably in the 2-3 day range, face your tow vehicle towards the pod, hook up the two batteries with good jumper cables and run the engine for 30-45 minutes. After resting again you should see the voltage jump up to around the 80% mark (12.42 volts). Do it again every 2 days or so and you'll have enough power to get you through. Once you get home make sure you hook the pod up to your house to charge the battery back to 100%. Don't try to get above 80% in the field. Lead-acid batteries accept a lot of amps between 30-80%, but it takes many hours to go the rest of the way. It would be a waste of gas and time.

Don't forget the "hot water method" for keeping tabs on your propane supply during your trip. One cup of hot water, poured slowly down the side of the tank in one spot from the top shoulder. Wait 10 seconds then feel with your fingers - the tank will still be hot above the level of the liquid propane, and cool below it. If you do this on a regular basis you'll get a good feel for how much propane you use during cold and warm weather trips.]]> Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:42:23 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=20476#20476 How Long will 2 Gas Tanks Last? : Way longer than your battery.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=20474#20474 Author: furpod
Subject: 2199
Posted: 25 Oct 2011 at 12:40pm

Way longer than your battery. If I was camping where I had power, I would use a small electric heater. The FAN for the heater will run out of 12v long before you run out of LP I think.

Now to your question.. you have a 20,000 btu an hour heater.

there are 91,690 bTu's of energy in a gallon of LP, assuming you have 2 20 pounders, that is *about* 9.2 gallons of propane.

So 91,690 X 9.2 = 843548 bTu's available.. divided by 20K = about 42 hours of continous operation of the heater.. I think.  The thermostat setting will have a lot to do with how those hours are used....


The Fridge should run for months on two tanks. Again, longer than your battery will keep running the fridges "brain".

So the real question is, what is your battery plan?
]]> Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:40:39 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=20474#20474 How Long will 2 Gas Tanks Last? : I know this is a tough question.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=20473#20473 Author: mt868
Subject: 2199
Posted: 25 Oct 2011 at 12:09pm

I know this is a tough question. Let's assume it's 40 degrees and I only go in and out of my camper very occasionally during camping in Dallas. How long will my LP tanks last me if I run the heater? (assuming I use it for heater only)?

How long will it last if I run both the heater and the fridge?
]]> Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:09:43 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2199&PID=20473#20473