Replies

1. 
   coonass | Dec 17, 2009 05:35pm | #1

   Bow,

   Your 600 gallon tank is more than enough, a 150 would work. Depending on the distance the tank is from the shop you make have to double stage and use two regulators. The fact that the dealer specd 11" wc tells me these are propane heaters.

   Make sure the regulators and orifices on the heaters are correct.

   KK

2. 
   rdesigns | Dec 17, 2009 05:36pm | #2

   600 gallons of LP is a lot of gas--more than enough for the purpose you intend throughout the entire winter.

   Say your tank was 80% full; that would convert to 480 gallons, or about 2500 lbs. In turn, that converts to almost 53 million BTU's, enough to run both your heaters for about 580 hrs.

   As for the pressure requirements, LP has to be regulated down to those pressures--there will be plenty of pressure, and the installer will need to supply the proper pressure regulators to reduce tank pressure to the needed appliance pressure.

   Be sure you check with any local authority to make sure that a tank that large can be placed where you want it. There are usually required setbacks from buildings and property lines.

1. 
   PatchogPhil | Dec 17, 2009 11:55pm | #4

   480 gallons, or about 2500 lbs.

   Weight would be just over 2,000 pounds (approx 4.24 lbs per gallon depending on temp)

1. 
   rdesigns | Dec 18, 2009 10:33am | #5

   My source of info was a site sponsored by the province of Ontario, and gave the weight/gallon as 5.1 lbs @ 60 degrees. Other reliable sites give the same number you used.

   Just shows you can't trust Canada. ;-) Or, maybe gravity is stronger up there.

1. 
   DanH | Dec 18, 2009 11:34pm | #7

   Gallons are bigger in Canada.

1. 
   rdesigns | Dec 19, 2009 04:17pm | #8

   I remembered that after posting, and knew somone would call me on it. I expected a Canadian, though. :) When Canadians say gallons, they mean English gallons, which are about 25% more than American.

   On the positive side, an English pint is 20 oz,, so you get a good glass of ale when you ask for a pint.

3. 
   DanH | Dec 17, 2009 09:01pm | #3

   Do be aware that in extremely cold conditions (beginning in the -35 to -40 degree range) propane begins to have trouble vaporizing. Not enough to cut off your gas entirely, but perhaps enough that you could only run one heater at a time.

   I don't know if it commonly gets that cold where you are, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

1. 
   bowquack | Dec 18, 2009 12:01pm | #6

   Thanks for the responses. I have checked with the local authorities and there is no prohibition to having a tank that size in town, providing it is properly inspected and protected (I have an ideal location for it). Although it feels like it, we haven't gotten quite that cold here in Nebraska lately, unless you count the windchill!

1. 
   Jock | Dec 20, 2009 12:03am | #9

   NFPA requires a min. distance of 10' from a building or property line for tanks over 120 gal. You'll need to purchase the high and low press. regulators and have your gas supplier perform a safety inspection and pressure check of your installed system. You should save from $0.20 to 0.10 per gal. by owning your own tank and regulators, plus you can shop for the best price. In this part of the midwest, natural gas is the least expensive fuel on a delivered therm basis and we have few that stay w/fuel oil or propane if natural is available.