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How to size a LP gas tank
#1
On the punaweb forum are questions about generators and Royall mentioned he will be using LP gas for some of the appliances at he and Cathy's home.

How big of a tank would a family of 2 or 3 need. Here we have a 250 gallon tank but mostly it is for the furnace, heating a medium sized home.

If one was using LP for gas range, clothes dryer and on demand hot water, how big of a tank would be sufficient for say a 6 month supply? Any ideas out there?

Mahalo, Mella L

mella l

Edited by - mella l on 04/16/2006 13:02:07
mella l
Art and Science
bytheSEA
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#2
Hi Mella, I’m going to go to Costco and buy two 100-pound tanks. I can’t remember how many gallons they are but they are about 5’ tall and may be about 25 gallons. I will also put an auto switch valve on them so if you are in the middle of dinner or a shower you won’t run out of gas. The tanks are about $179.00 each if I remember right. This may be over kill but after the problem of getting gas this last month, I don’t want to take any chances. I’m going over to Kona side soon to price out a bunch of things for the house and that is on the list as well. I think I was told that each tank should go about 2-3 months for two people running all gas appliances. We’re going with an electric refrigerator. I don’t like gas models.

Royall

What goes around comes around!


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#3
check prices at Gas Pro in Hilo Town; I think I actually paid less for the same tanks. We also got two. Remember you have to be able to load them into your truck and go get them filled. Propane trucks generally do not make any home deliveries because of cost and access issues. These were the biggest we feel we can manage.

A friend and I are looking at designing a trailer to carry them on that you never unload, but simply park. That would reduce the stress of filling by about 75%.

Smile

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says

"Oh Crap, She's up!"
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#4
Good point Pam. So, just how much does a full 5' tall propane tank weigh? Also what is the life cycle of one in our area? If they have to be replaced on a relatively regular basis would it be more cost effective to go with smaller tanks and perhaps an extra one as a back-up? P.S. Royall would you mind taking a look at Costco to see if they have backpack sprayers and what they cost. I know I need one but $125.00 just seems a little steep to me. Mahalo ahui hou! pj

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#5
Pam
We bought a backpack, Solo, sprayer at Garden Exchange and it was about $125 like you said. Just a couple weeks later, the same sprayer was at Del's for $89.

I want to look into having the larger Propane tank, that the company fills and avoid the bottle wrestling hassle, but haven't priced that option yet.

David

Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
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#6
Hi Mella,

a 100# propane bottle weighs 170 pounds full and 70 pounds empty. It holds 23.6 gallons.

A gas dryer and range will last between three and four months on one 100# bottle. An on-demand water heater will also last three months or so, depending on usage, size of family, ect.

Hope this helps,

Bill

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#7
Mella, I do know that the gas company drives out on some pretty rough roads (the off grid, rough road area of Beach Rd, Pahoa side of HPP, we were biking it, thinking it was a little more like "off road", and along comes a gas truck!) I think that getting delivery might depend more on demand for the service in your area than condition of roads or distance but I'm only guessing....
oh, and Dells had that backback sprayer on sale last week, it was $10 cheaper, $79!
Aloha, Carey.

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#8
Sounds like the boat came in and they need to move some sprayers! On the topic of sprayers (sorry Mella inquiring minds do wanna know!Smile, how do those from Dels fare w/ hydrated lime? Is it necessary to buy extra parts or do they do ok if rinsed well and immediately after use?

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#9
With the propane bottled, does anyone know if the Gas Co. delivers yet or do we need to go down and fill?

Mahalo
Cindy

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#10
The salesman at Pahoa Battery and Propane said the gas company charges a dilivery fee that runs the cost up. I think the rent on the larger tanks they have for filling is rather high and I thoght it was posted one time on this site that there are a lot of restrictions where the tanks can and can not be placed.

Royall

What goes around comes around!


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