20lb versus 100lb propane tanks

[mrjigger]

My brother and I are building a fish house on wheels. The heater we are looking at buying is a 20000btu wall mounted ventless heater. We have talked to a few people who have told us it may not operate well on a 20lb propane tank because lack of pressure. Just looking for some more opinions and what size tanks other people use for similar style heaters.

[sparcebag]

I dont think the pressure is much different in the two tanks if any difference,you have more volume in the 100 but a pressure regulator should do what its for,I've also read a heater runs better off the larger tank,Its hard to believe with a set psi of a regulator there is any difference in supply.I have a wall heater and can run it off 500 gal tank or 20lb. tank only difference is the 20 runs out sooner!Or my buddy heater same there 500gal--20gal--or 16oz bottle they all work the same!

[Eyewitness]

Go with the 100#er if you can. The problem with smaller tanks is that the rate of evaporation slows way down as the temperature drops. Once a smaller tank hits about 1/2 full the rate of evaporation has a hard time keeping up with the rate of usage under colder temps. The more surface area the better, and the 100#er will offer that.

Better pressure means a cleaner burning heater and or lights and better btuh availability as well.

[bwtrout]

If you do go with 20# get an automatic change over regulator and run 2- 20#'s. I was having problems last winter running on a single 20# when it got really cold. This way you know where you sit in regards to propane without releasing the tank from the holder and guessing by weight.

[SVO]

If you are worried about running out, go with two thirty or forty pound tanks and an automatic change over regulator. I run a stove, gas lights, and 15,000 btu furnace off two thirty pound tanks and never have a problem.