Correct Propane Tank Weight

[DrJ]

My 11# tank weighs 14.1 lbs empty. I just had it filled(Weighed 20.3 lb before it was filled).When I got home it now weighs 22.1 Should't it weigh 25.1lb when full? Somewhere I read that they only fill tanks to 80% now. Any info would be great Thanks DrJ.

[RonWBasser]

Yep, it should weigh 25.1 lbs when full.

I used to fill them where I worked and that was how we did it, but that was a few years back. I haven't heard of the 80% thing.

[kr8r.tom]

fill only to 80% because the other 20% is where the gasses are that are being emitted from the liquid propane. its the gasses that burn not the liquid.

[Ice Chicken]

Now that all cylinders are or should be equipped with an opd valve you may not get the 11 lbs into your cylinder. The reason for this is there is a float on the end of the valve that shuts the flow of gas off when float reaches about the 80% level.

[Jeremy airjer W]

There are two important pieces of info on the tank. The first is the TW (tear weight, which is the weight of the tank empty) and the second is WC (water capacity, used to calculate the amount of propane the tank holds.

I assume your TW is 14.1 and your WC is around 26? If this is true than it should weigh around 25.1 pounds when it is full! And full is already calculated at the 80% capacity. So your tank with 11 pounds of propane is 80% full or a full tank. There is no need to think about or factor in the 80%. Its already calculated in.

There are a couple of things that will affect the amount the tank weighs. One is your scale. The scale your tank is weighed on has to be certified by the Department of Weights and Measures. Yours does not so it is possible that your scale is not as accurate. Another is the OPD is not always calibrated to the exact amount the tank holds and typically stop the flow of propane a little short.

[wayne123]

Thanks for the info. Now all I need is an accurate scale to figure out how full my propane tank is.

[mnhunter79]

What are the numbers for a empty and full 20 lb'er?

[Jeremy airjer W]

tear wieghts (TW) are stamped right on the collar of the tanks. They will vary from tank to tank but there usually within a couple tenths of a pound. A twenty pound cylinder is usually a little over 17 pounds empty. Add 20 pounds to that and 37 - 38 pounds is the full weight.

[candiru]

I have had that problem too. I just went somewhere else. I trust the real propane places more than the convience stores with the 19 yo.'s working in them.

[HOGEYE]

1 gallon of water is approm 8.34#'s. Having ice stuck to a tank (around the bottom rim) when filling it will add some additional. Just a thought.