3RRL
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Post by 3RRL on Jan 12, 2009 21:09:24 GMT -5
Is there a meter I can get to determine propane usage?
I'm a routed customer and the tank gets filled periodically. I'd like a way to check the amount of gallons I'm charged for is somewhat close to what I'm using ... if you know what I mean.
Thanks,
Rob-
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Post by sokkerbob on Jan 12, 2009 21:28:24 GMT -5
Hey Rob
My daughter's father-in-law owns a propane company in Colorado. I tried to get a hold of him and see if he had an answer, but he wasn't home. His wife said he would be home around 9:00 pm. I will try again later and see what I can find out.
Bob
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GuglioLS
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Post by GuglioLS on Jan 12, 2009 23:57:28 GMT -5
Don't spend too much time in propane usage contemplation, or your burgers may burn! Do you suspect a leak? or getting ripped off by the propane delivery gallons charged? Here is a quick inaccurate chart... ....................... .................Remaining Fuel................... Gauge reading.........250 Gallon tank........500 gallon tank 80%................................200...........................400 70%................................175...........................350 60%................................150...........................300 50%................................125...........................250 40%................................100...........................200 30%................................. 75...........................150 20%..................................50...........................100 10%..................................25.............................50 The problem getting an accurate reading is because the tank sides are curved, the % meter float in the tank measures linear height of the liquid. The curve of the tank makes the readings non linear. I bet Brad could figure this out with the cross sectional dimensions of the tank and give us a fudge factor to use for the various percent levels. I could too but I'm too lazy and don't really give it that much thought  Larry PS - The formula is: percentage on the gauge, times 1.2, equals the number of gallons left in the tank (% X 1.2 = Gallons) (Roughly) |
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Post by sokkerbob on Jan 13, 2009 0:22:21 GMT -5
Rob
Got a hold of my daughter's father-in-law. He gave me a bunch of info, but basically he said yes. It is called a vapor meter. It is usually installed on low-pressure side of your pressure regulator which is usually located by the house.
He said it is temperature compensated and is pretty accurate. It will show amount of cu/ft and you will have to convert to gallons. He said your propane company should be able to direct you to some one who sells/installs in your area. He buys his stuff from either Teeco or Meeder Equipment. He thinks Meeder has locations in Calif
Bob
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Post by sokkerbob on Jan 13, 2009 0:30:13 GMT -5
Rob Couple more things. Bob |
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Post by linus69 on Jan 13, 2009 6:10:54 GMT -5
I just topped off my propane tanks as the price had bottomed out in my area and are only going up from here. I paid $1.72 a gallon, and the driver asked me if I wanted to go 90% in my 500gal tank, I said yes. My neighbor who has leased tanks paid $2.04 a gal to fill up the following week, it definately pays to buy your own tanks if you can manage it.
I was able to take on 200 gallons which should carry me through the rest of the winter I hope.
Paul
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Post by bradblazer on Jan 13, 2009 9:30:58 GMT -5
For about $350 you can mount load cells under the tank and track the weight. stores.ebay.com/SCALEBOTI'm sure that will pay for itself if you can start a class action against the propane company.  ;D |
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3RRL
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Post by 3RRL on Jan 13, 2009 12:33:08 GMT -5
Wow, a lot of information. Thanks to all of you.
I don't think I have a leak but really would like to monitor how much propane I use between the house, barn and generator. Reason is I had my tank filled about 2 months ago and then just last week. It took 200 gals to top it off. I thought that was high but then we ran the generator a lot more than usual. We've also been running the furnace so it's not freezing when we arrive at 11pm Tuesday evenings and also for an hour in the mornings before we wake up. I guess that would attribute to the excess usage?
In any event, it's sort of a double check to be sure the propane company is not ripping me off or some thing.
I will research the links and stuff.
Thanks again,
Rob-
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Turbo
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Post by Turbo on Nov 4, 2009 22:57:55 GMT -5
Rob: I know the thread is old but I know what you mean.
Gas is a pain in the ass.
I had 2 propane meters on my aircraft hanger, and supplied by 2000 gal tanks, of course the propane company would fill by the Gage on the tanks to 80% ,, I never did get the meter and tank fill up to match? one meter failed and the other work but didn't trust..
so I wouldn't go with the meters. instead
how about putting Hobbs meter on your equipment, and when they fire up time will be kipped.
Testing individual equipment use a 20 lbs tank and time it.
Robin
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3RRL
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Post by 3RRL on Nov 6, 2009 10:39:56 GMT -5
I've passed the gas (lol) information on to Loretta.
She's going to research something affordable. She also started a log of some kind that highlights generator run time which is the biggest user of propane (I think) and also any special events where we know LPG is used a lot. Our goal is to somehow tie the amount of propane used = to the amount the tank is filled. Since we are on a "route", the LPG driver comes about every month. Sometimes on weekends. Sometimes he does not fill the tank if it's not very low and skips that month or two. So we just want to make sure we are using as much as he is supplying ... know what I mean? It's not as easy as buying beer. When you finish a 12 pak and buy another, you know you've drank the the first 12 pak hahaha.
Again thanks for all the info.
Rob-
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Post by Mrs3RRL on Nov 6, 2009 11:28:41 GMT -5
It's not as easy as buying beer. When you finish a 12 pak and buy another, you know you've drank the the first 12 pak hahaha. Rob- Only if your kids haven't been sneaking into your frig.  |
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red
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Post by red on Nov 6, 2009 16:23:01 GMT -5
It's not as easy as buying beer. When you finish a 12 pak and buy another, you know you've drank the the first 12 pak hahaha. Rob- Only if your kids haven't been sneaking into your frig. or YOU HAVE "Friends" visiting. Heard it's along thirsty drive! ;D |
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Turbo
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Post by Turbo on Nov 6, 2009 18:23:07 GMT -5
Only if your kids haven't been sneaking into your frig. or YOU HAVE "Friends" visiting. Heard it's along thirsty drive! ;D That's why I put a lock on my beer frig, now my friends stop coming over, my wife left for a better man with free beer, and my kid don't come see me any more. Now I don't need the lock ;D |
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3RRL
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Post by 3RRL on Nov 6, 2009 20:11:54 GMT -5
or YOU HAVE "Friends" visiting. Heard it's along thirsty drive! ;D That's why I put a lock on my beer frig, now my friends stop coming over, my wife left for a better man with free beer, and my kid don't come see me any more. Now I don't need the lock ;D OMG ;D ;D ;D ;D LMAO |
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psj12
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Post by psj12 on Nov 7, 2009 4:45:06 GMT -5
I noticed that when I switched from Scheduled Delivery to calling for a fill up, my useage dropped by over half. I didn't change anything about the way I used it. I just stopped taking their word for what they put in. This can only mean I was getting ripped off for years.
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