05-04-2013, 07:38 PM
Hunt,
Can't give you a definitive answer about how long the tanks will last in your situation because your mileage may vary, but you might think about getting two tanks and connecting them using a crossover switch. When tank #1 goes empty, you close it's valve on top, flip a lever, and open the valve on tank #2 (or if you have appliances with always-on pilot lights, you can open both valves while Tank 1 still has gas in it, flip the switch to the full tank, then close the valve on the almost-empty tank #1). On most crossover switches, you can also leave both valves open and point the lever to one tank..when it runs low, the switch will automatically draw from the other tank. This is convenient, but the downside is that if you don't monitor your usage, you can end up with two empty tanks at the worst possible minute (think: halfway through cooking Thanksgiving turkey). With one tank shut off, you always have a backup tank when your in-use tank goes empty - to me , it's worth the inconvenience of running outside and flipping a switch and opening a valve. You then have lots of time to refill the empty tank at your leisure before tank #2 goes empty.
Our on-demand water heater, stove and gas dryer all have electronic ignition pilots, not always-on, so if gas can flow, the pilot lights will light without any extra steps.
How long does it take to get tanks refilled? As long as it takes you to drive to a local hardware store and back, plus about 10 minutes. How heavy are they? Empty, easy carry. Full, they get your attention - I'm guessing about 60 lbs.
Can't give you a definitive answer about how long the tanks will last in your situation because your mileage may vary, but you might think about getting two tanks and connecting them using a crossover switch. When tank #1 goes empty, you close it's valve on top, flip a lever, and open the valve on tank #2 (or if you have appliances with always-on pilot lights, you can open both valves while Tank 1 still has gas in it, flip the switch to the full tank, then close the valve on the almost-empty tank #1). On most crossover switches, you can also leave both valves open and point the lever to one tank..when it runs low, the switch will automatically draw from the other tank. This is convenient, but the downside is that if you don't monitor your usage, you can end up with two empty tanks at the worst possible minute (think: halfway through cooking Thanksgiving turkey). With one tank shut off, you always have a backup tank when your in-use tank goes empty - to me , it's worth the inconvenience of running outside and flipping a switch and opening a valve. You then have lots of time to refill the empty tank at your leisure before tank #2 goes empty.
Our on-demand water heater, stove and gas dryer all have electronic ignition pilots, not always-on, so if gas can flow, the pilot lights will light without any extra steps.
How long does it take to get tanks refilled? As long as it takes you to drive to a local hardware store and back, plus about 10 minutes. How heavy are they? Empty, easy carry. Full, they get your attention - I'm guessing about 60 lbs.