I have 2 propane tanks that hold 80 lbs each and said to hold 375 letres each of propane. Yesterday I had them filled by my propane supplier. The tanks had 33 and 34 lbs in them before fill up. After fill up the tanks showed over the 80 lbs and I was charged for 485.6ltrs. In Dec. I had 31 and 35 lbs before fill-up and was charged for 448ltrs. Yesterdays fill-up is an additional 37.6 ltrs when I had 1 lb. more in the tanks. I called the company and they said this was due to the cold weather they could get more Propane in the tanks. Does this sound out of whack? With what a tank holds, I figure a lb of propane should equal 4.687ltrs and maybe a slight adjustment for the cold. On their ticket is says correction 17 degrees. Therefore, I feel overcharged for about 40 ltrs. Am I wrong?
2007-02-08 01:54:03 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
The amounts that is available to put in a propane tank varies considerably by the outside temperature that is in effect when filling.
Propane is a compressed liquid gas that varies in area depending on ambiant temperature. In hotter months, the gas expands and by doing so takes up more space per pound or per litre then it does in colder temperatures. Expansion and contraction is very much a factor when dealing with propane then say liquid fuels such as gasoline. All fuels expand or contract but propane expands moreso due to the fact it is compressed.Typically, a container will only hold 85% of the tanks capacity when dealing with propane to allow for expansion in hotter temperatures. All propane tanks have a vent valve that releases any built up pressure due to temperature rises. Not all vents work properly or at all if the 15% expansion volumn is exceeded.
A tank that has a capacity of say 100 pounds could easily weigh more in winter due to the amount of propane being placed in the tank being a higher quantity then in hotter months.Unfortunately, the amount of fuel you burn in colder temperatures is more then in hotter months because the gas is compressed and not expanding like it does in those hotter months.
Basically you get more, burn more and pay more in colder temperatures. A propane cylinder on a Bar-B-Q must be placed outside and preferably in a shaded area away from direct sunlight due to the capacity exceeding the expansion area of the tank. This is why underground parkades and confined spaces such as garages is not a good place to put a vehicle that is fueled by propane due to the risk involved if a tank is filled to capacity and the ambiant temperature of the area is warmer then it is outside.
2007-02-08 02:09:55 · answer #1 · answered by captain_skalleywag 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, propane is liquid. That's why it's called L.P. Weight doesn't change by weather temperature, the pressure does. A 20# tank is safely filled at 4.1 gals. so 80# should be about 16.4 gals. (you do the metric math). They can be overfilled slightly, but time of season is important . Heat is most critical. It will expand and bleed off through the pressure relief valve.
2007-02-08 05:15:55 · answer #2 · answered by won2many 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you are not! You are RIGHT! Next time that propane tank guy comes to sell you some more propane or propane accessories why don't you stick it to him! Give him a piece of your mind! Fight for your hard earned money! You are being overcharged by a mile, and you need to do something about it.
2007-02-08 01:58:00 · answer #3 · answered by Joe K 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Contact the company, not the driver. State your case and get with a manager to discuss it.
2007-02-08 02:02:45 · answer #4 · answered by Marvinator 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know i don't get propane deliverd to me
2007-02-08 01:56:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋