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Old 11-01-2013, 05:59 AM   #1
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How long should propane supply last?

Still a newbie at this stuff. Any ideas how long 30lb tank of propane will last? We have 8 weeks of trips thus far. I have used the furnace about 12 hours but have no idea how often the gas back up comes on for the hot water heater. The stove top is used very little. The gas grill probably has 15 hours of use. The two 30lb tanks in my windjammer 3008w are far from easy to access so I don't think a tank mounted gauge is my answer.

If I had known how much we could enjoy traveling in our windjammer, I would have started years ago.

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Old 11-01-2013, 06:13 AM   #2
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Depends on your use of gas appliances. I'm still on the first bottle in my new rockwood since may. More than 5 weeks camping. But we'll use more as weather cools. Make sure to set you regulator to use only one tank at a time. When its empty, switch over and refill it. And enjoy. : -)
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Old 11-01-2013, 06:25 AM   #3
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The last line what Dcheatwood said! Switch & Refill!! Youroo!!
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Old 11-01-2013, 07:11 AM   #4
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Last winter when the temps stayed at, or below freezing during the nights, (and some days) we were going through a tank every 4-5 days. At $3.39 a gallon, it was a bit on the expensive side. Under normal usage (what's normal) we were getting 10-15 days from a 30 pounder. Warmer days, with out shore power perhaps as much as a month. Now that we are plugged into shore power, a tank will last 10-12 weeks, maybe more. My wife likes to bake stuff, and that is our primary use of LP gas right now. This winter we will heat with shore power. We cook with shore power, and the water heater works off shore power. Free electricity is a good thing.
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Old 11-01-2013, 07:25 AM   #5
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Free elect?? Youroo!!
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Old 11-01-2013, 08:30 AM   #6
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Furnace use is by far the most consuming appliance of propane. I typically go through both bottles in a season. Water heater is next probably followed by the grill/stove top and the fridge should use the very least. If you could find data on the gas consumption of all the appliances and figure out the avg time they are used you could do a little math and estimate when the tanks would run dry. I like it keep it exciting and set the regulator to not change over when Tank 1 empties so that at least i never completely run out.
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Old 11-01-2013, 08:31 AM   #7
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Free elect?? Youroo!!
He meant "already paid for electricity" I'll bet.

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Old 11-01-2013, 08:38 AM   #8
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Quote:
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The two 30lb tanks in my windjammer 3008w are far from easy to access so I don't think a tank mounted gauge is my answer.
Lucky, those gauges measure pressure not volume. You'll have pressure right up to the moment you run out. If you do any mod to the propane system, get a sensor to tell you when the tanks have switched over so you know one needs refilling.
Here's a link to the mod: RV Propane Tank Changeover Indicator | ModMyRV

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Old 11-01-2013, 09:19 AM   #9
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I've been doing mostly weekend camping (4-5 days at a time) for the last 20+ years. That would be both dry camping and in the winter months seek out campgrounds with full hook ups. Some of the tricks we've done to conserve on propane when dry camping is only run the water heater when we plan to shower and wash up dishes. We've found with this new rig, the insulation isn't quite as good and the heater kicks on a lot.
When hooked to shore power, we have a space heater to keep it nice and warm inside. We'll run the furnace first thing in the morning to get the damp and chill off, but limit it from running constantly. And the water heater has the electric option, so we can save on propane there as well.
So, doing a few things like that, we get 2 weeks + out of a 30 lb tank.
Hope this helps.
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Old 11-01-2013, 11:32 AM   #10
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To directly answer the OP's thread title, until it's empty.

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Old 11-01-2013, 11:55 AM   #11
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To directly answer the OP's thread title, until it's empty.

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Old 11-01-2013, 03:46 PM   #12
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If I remember correctly a 30,000 btu furnace will use .3 gal of LP/hr of use (actual operating). A 30 lb tank holds approximately 7 gallons of LPG. So, if the above is true, a tank will last approximately 23 hours of continuous furnace use. This also does not take into account any other use such as hot water heating, refrig, etc. Hope this helps.
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Old 11-05-2013, 03:26 AM   #13
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I work out of my trailer on the job site. An average week of 40s-50s during the day and low 30s at night and a little space heater running, a 30lbs will last me a week. A couple extra days when it doesn't get into the 30s.

Furnace runs about once an hour until it gets down into the 30s then its about twice an hour. It would turn on more often if I wasn't running the space heater.

I also use the stove/oven almost everyday to make dinner.

When it runs dry, I switch tanks and full the empty one asap. Just don't want to get caught with my pants down frozen around my ankles in the morning 'cause the furnace wasn't on all night.

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Old 11-05-2013, 04:13 AM   #14
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Do you have an electric blanket?
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Old 11-05-2013, 04:56 AM   #15
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almost 5 years, still on my 1st tank, but than again I am on my 5th RV
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Old 11-05-2013, 06:30 AM   #16
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I would recommend purchasing a couple of those propane gauges that allow you to monitor how much propane you have left. Harbor Freight has them for about $20. I have 2 on my tanks and they come in handy. There is no guessing or wondering when you will run out of propane. Just a suggestion.
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Old 01-02-2014, 04:29 PM   #17
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Save your self a lot of money in propane. Buy your self an electric heater to heat with. I do this and when the temperature stays 35 or warmer this works great.
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Old 01-02-2014, 04:39 PM   #18
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Back when we got our TT I asked the same question and the concensus, without furnace, was about 30 days/tank.

we've got 41 days (over a few years..kids, jobs..) and still have not used a tank up. We use the furnace when needed (not often) and cook inside often. Rarely use the water heater (pilot blows out too easily). 4 people camping.
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Old 01-02-2014, 04:40 PM   #19
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I use our electric fireplace to augment the propane furnace. Keeps it nice and toasty and I'm already paying for the electricity.

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Old 01-02-2014, 04:41 PM   #20
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Our RV/TT has one of the Amish type electric fireplaces. That saves a *ton* on propane use.
The 5er we're picking up Saturday has one as well.
If we ever buy another RV having that electric fireplace is a must for me.

(we also have a small ceramic type electric heater in the bathroom...makes it nice to not step out of the shower shivering)
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