ofafeather Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Hi, All. I am waiting to receive my new Chile Tabasco forge. While I find a place to put it and get the shop ready, etc., I am wondering what a good size or sizes of propane tanks would be. If the thing finds a permanent home in one location I'll have my propane company supply a 100 gallon tank. I have two that I use for certain items in the house but they are too far from where I would be running the forge to be practical. Also, the largest car we have is a Toyota Prius, which is a hatch back, so size is a consideration. Am I better off getting two tanks and manifolding them together? Or running one larger tank. As I said, if I find a permanent home for it I'll get a more permanent tank but I'll need something until that happens way down the road. Thanks. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Well, one 20# tank will ice in an hour, and soon after you will experience pressure loss. The less fuel in your tank the worse it is. I should have ordered a manifold, but I am looking into bigger tanks. Exchange is convenient, but you only get 15# in a 20# tank that way, so its also pricey. If your tanks are large enough you can get delivery and still pay less per unit. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mills Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 I recommend a 100lb but wrestling that in and out of a prius not a good option. So in that case I think 2-5 20lb would be a good choice. As far as manifolding it would be a great idea. I never have, just set one in a tub of water and kept going, BUT I am in Central Oklahoma. YMMV. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 On the rare occasion when I need my gas forge I use 20 gallon (not 20 pound) cylinders I bought at Home Depot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Consumer Propane Cylinders and LP Gas Bottles comparison of gallons to # It is confusing to some of us Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Personally I would get the biggest tank I could muscle out of the car. leads to fewer refills and less chance of icing. I would get 2 so one is always full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragons lair Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 See what your local supplier will do. I have 100lb tanks but its pick up or fillup on site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYBOY Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 I use a 40 pounder. The only reason I didnt go with a 100 pounder is that I didnt want to lug it in and out of the truck 20 pounder dosnt last very long and sure wont last long if your welding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forgemaster Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 We used to use 2 45kg bottles manifolded together but even they used to ice up even in Aust we now use 3 100kg bottles manifolded together for a better gas price, fill up on site, no icing even in winter (where we are we can even get down to 5deg c on a cold winters day brrrrrrrr) Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Emig Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 I have the big Chili forge (cayenne?). I use 2 100 lb (or 20 gallon) tanks manifolded together. On most jobs I run 10-15 PSI, But I do this for a living and can't afford to wait for stock to heat a long time. I also put 6-8 pieces in at a clip so I spend my time forging,not waiting for it to get hot. Point being, that any less than 2 tanks and they freeze up. My tanks also freeze up when they get down to about1/4 left in them. At that pint, there is not enough liquid to produce enough gas if I undersand the theory. Mark Emig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofafeather Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share Posted October 20, 2009 Thanks for the great replies. I guess I need to check with the propane companies. As I said, we have 2 100 gallon tanks manifolded together for the house but they are way to far away to make it worth while to run the forge. That said, I may be able to arrange for pick-up or fill-up of smaller bottles since I already have fill-up service. Still open for suggestions, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 For me I found running venturi burners on a 20lb tank very annoying. I moved to a 100lb tank. If your forge is always setup and you have your forge where its going to stay. I would seriously consider just getting another "big" tank and just let the propane truck fill it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder19 Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 the largest car we have is a Toyota Prius That's not something you hear everyday, actually that could be the first time the word "largest" and Toyota Prius were ever used in the same sentence.... lol If you already have the propane co. coming to your house then just have them add another one or two 100# bottles, that way you don't have to worry about freeze up. Also, if they are coming to the house anyway they will fill your 20# bottles (grill bottles) while they are there. They won't come out just for a 20#er or two but if they are there anyway they will fill them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofafeather Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share Posted October 20, 2009 That's not something you hear everyday That's true! We actually got rid of our pick-up in May and bought a Mini Cooper. In some ways not as practical but way more fun! I've been amazed at what we've been able to get in the Prius. We've also been looking at getting a small trailer for the Mini. That would solve a lot of problems. In Europe they are rated to pull about 1000# so a small trailer with a light load wouldn't be a problem. I called my fuel company and need to call back to speak to someone else. The bottom line seems to be that they aren't sure about liability on their end if something goes wrong. Anyone have experience with this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat pete Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 i use 60pounders...i can lift them filled ...they fit accross the back of my little canyon p/u...lasts about 40hrs in my Habenero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick C Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I manifold 3 100# tanks. Propane is cheaper when paid for in bulk. 20# are way too costly 1 100# is $55 1 20# $16 Do the math. When forging the tank pressure stays up between 60 and a 100psi the forge runs a lot smother also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Don't forget that 20# exchange tanks have only 15# in them! This is due to several reasons including transportation concerns and "cost control". Read the label on your grill bottle if you doubt me. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofafeather Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 i use 60pounders...i can lift them filled ...they fit accross the back of my little canyon p/u...lasts about 40hrs in my Habenero Do you lay them down or do they have to stand up while transported? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Unlike acetylene bottles there is not a problem with propane laying down as long as you don't heat them till they pop off and stand them up before using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JNewman Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 According to transport laws at least here in Ontario any compressed gas tanks must be transported upright. I realize that most of the propane in the tank is liquid but there is still compressed gass in the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofafeather Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 According to transport laws at least here in Ontario any compressed gas tanks must be transported upright. I realize that most of the propane in the tank is liquid but there is still compressed gass in the tank. Could be here, too. I think there is also a limit on what you can transport in an enclosed vehicle. Still haven't figured it all out yet. Once I get the smithy done I'll get the forge fired up with a 20# that I have while I work on figuring out what the best way to go is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senft Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I agree on manifolding the tanks- it seems to make a big difference when it comes to freezing up. I've had OK luck with two 3/4" burners on one 40 pound tank, but do not usually go over 10 psi. Have run five 3/4" burners on two 40 pound tanks manifolded with good results, no freezing. Seems the 20's are a little small unless you only have very light demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Trez Cole Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I started out with 20# tanks but they only lasted about 3 hours. I recently purchased a 100# tank. since you already have the gas company comming to your home to fill your tank why not fill your shop tank at the same time. Saves you time and money. The worst you might have to hand truck it over to the other tanks so they can all be filled at one time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 mines about 4 feet high, roughly about a 30inch diameter, if I remember correctly, they fill it every other month, works out great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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