LP tank warmer/heater

[Notanlines]

Our propane generator (Onan) will completely shut down after about 5 hours of running. Of course when the tank thaws life resumes. Has anyone purchased a tank heater they would like to recommend? I have two 40 gallon tanks of course, but we don't ever run them both at the same time. I just want one heater. Thanks for your time.
Jim

[wingnut60]

Sounds strange--have never had a tank freeze up in the 11 years of using our Onan.
How about trying a light bulb in the tank compartment?
Can't help with the tank heater, but have seen them advertised.
Seems to me I have heard that this happens mostly when the propane has too much butane content--or maybe I just dreamed that.

[lostshakerofsalt]

It is not really freezing but the propane cannot vaporize quickly enough at cold temperatures to run the generator. Basic physics shows that when a gas goes from a higher pressure to a lower pressure it cools. That is why you see the frost line or condensation line when using propane, especially at the rate the generator uses propane.

We discovered the same issue when we dry camped this Winter in AZ. Temps got down well below freezing for several nights and days were still below freezing. I know, best to move to a warmer climate but we were visiting friends that were also dry camping. Anyway, the generator would run and use only about 70% of the propane tank before either shutting down or switching over. I looked for tank heater blankets and found some on Amazon but they were pricey. I have thought about getting a couple of rolls of hose heater tape to wrap around the propane tanks since the only time it really was a problem was when the generator was running.

[Cummins12V98]

Not sure but 5 hours running full boar that tank would be nearly empty with my 6500.

[Notanlines]

Cummins, this is the 7K and with it running at night, no air conditioners, it will run a total of 11 hours on a 40 pound tank. Certainly no bargain are they? With the AC's running it would/might be cheaper to stay at a Holiday Inn Express....

[wingnut60]

Jim,
Running the gen to have furnace heat? Or to have space heater power?

[Mtntrek]

http://www.tutco.com/crankcase-heaters/belly-band/

We used to use similar crankcase heaters on can type refrigeration compressors to keep the oil warm in low temp operations. Some were near the size of an LPG cylinder. They clamp on with a SS band. Wattage per linear length vary as do heat tape styles.
You might try a HVAC supply outlet?

[Notanlines]

Joe, that was only to keep the tv and DVD player working, and a couple full-sized fans just to keep us cool at night. We were Wal-Mart camping on the way to south Florida and just parked where the trucks parked. When we had the Onan installed we already knew it wouldn't be cheap to run.
Jim

[Notanlines]

In the "For what it's worth" department, my original post was typed with a small error in that I meant to say "pound" rather than "gallon." I wish this site had edit capabilities.
Also, I ordered a heater/blanket from Amazon this morning. About $100. I'll report back how it works.

[Cummins12V98]

Cummins, this is the 7K and with it running at night, no air conditioners, it will run a total of 11 hours on a 40 pound tank. Certainly no bargain are they? With the AC's running it would/might be cheaper to stay at a Holiday Inn Express....

They said they were thirsty but WOW!!!

To do it again I would get a diesel gen.

[lostshakerofsalt]

The 6500 propane version uses ~.5 gal/hr with minimal load and ~1 gal/hr full load. Since I do not run the A/C during the winter I am tempted to get one of my Honda 2000's out of storage to use in the Winter since it sips gas.

Propane is not that expensive in AZ in the Winter usually ~$2.20/gal plus tax. Some places $1.99/gal if you buy 10 gal or more.