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PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:46 pm
by sdtripper2
Propane Tanks Explained
<img align="left" src= "http://ace.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE2-984960reg.jpg"width="250" height="190" />

< (In-Line Sensor is less satisfactory than In-tank float sensor see below)


Question:
Should I buy a in-line gauge to tell when the 20 pound tank is empty.
Short answer = NO
Long answer and more information than you might want is below.

About LP Gas *
Liquid propane (LP) is a petroleum product that is a gas at regular
environmental pressures and temperatures. Under moderate pressure
inside The Tank, LP is a liquid that readily vaporizes to become gas as the
pressure is released. For this reason, commonly available, add-on pressure
gauges don't actually tell you how much liquid propane you have left. They
will tell you when the pressure's running low, but by then it may be too late
if you've already started grilling.


Two inside tank float sensors that work well for an external gauge
Advertisements:
The Tank© is a product on the market that gives an accurate,
reliable measurement of the level of liquid propane left in the tank.
***

Image
SureFlame[/quote]
***

Explanation of propane tanks magic in more detail:
Seems the bottom line is that the propane inside the bottle has a set known
temp of magic transformation. Liquid propane’s boiling point is –44°F
(-43°C). That is the point where the liquid begins to turn to vapor. Just as
in boiling water, the more heat that is introduced to the process, the more
rapid the transfer of vapor. When propane gas is pressurized, it readily
turns to a liquid state. As liquid propane is contained in a pressure vessel
(tank), the following events will occur:
• The liquid in the tank begins to boil.
• Vapor is produced which is contained in the tank.
• The increase in vapor causes a corollary increase of the pressure in the tank.
• Soon the pressure in the tank builds to a high enough level to stop
the boiling off of the LP. The pressure in the tank has in effect caused the
boiling point of the LP to be raised.

The mixture of liquid versus gas in the tank will remain in this state of
balance until either of the following two conditions is met:
1. Gas is released from the tank causing internal pressure in the tank
to drop, which allows the liquid to boil off more gas.
2. The temperature of the tank changes. If the temperature in the
tank increases, the resulting effect is a lowering of the boiling point of the
LP and more vapor will be produced.

See pdf file here of the above information and more including
a chart of the correlation between temperature and tank pressures. *** Key file to look at ***
***

How can I tell how much LPG is left in the cylinder?
There are a number of ways to check this:
· Firstly, a cylinder can be weighed to check how much product is left in
the cylinder. The weight of the LPG remaining in the cylinder is total weight
of the cylinder plus the LPG, less the empty weight or tare weight, of the
cylinder. (The regulator and any other fittings should be removed prior to
weighing the cylinder).
· Secondly, some cylinders have gauges which show the amount of :roll:
LPG contained within the cylinder. The in-line gauges are less desirable
than the in-tank gauges that have floats that sense exact liquid level.
(This in-line gauge is one that is the FULL / EMPTY gauge for 25 bucks.)
See The Tank and SureFlame advertisements for in-tank float gauges.

Thirdly, liquid crystal gauges, which stick to the outer surface of the
LPG cylinder are available, and these show the level of the liquid LPG within
the cylinder by indicating a colour change at the interface between the
liquid and vapour levels caused by the temperature variation.
· Fourthly, if the cylinder is being used, then it may be possible to see
the level of the LPG in the cylinder by observing the level of the sweating
on the cylinder wall.
· Lastly, it is possible to see the level of the LPG liquid within a cylinder
by pouring boiling water down the side of the LPG cylinder. The liquid level
is revealed where a condensate or frost line occurs.
***
What does a 20lb propane cylinder weigh when empty?
17-18 pounds, depending on the manufacturer.

How long on average does a 20 lb propane gas grill tank last?
1 gallon of Propane ~= 4.23 lbs ~= 91500 Btus
1 lbs of Propane ~=22000 Btus
20 lb tank of propane holds approx 4 gallons of propane (366000 BTUs)
Your grill will last 366000 BTUs/ Grill BTU output hrs
WikiAnswers
****
More information on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)or(LP)
Frequently asked questions on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)or(LP)


Refilling Propane Tanks - cheaper than exchanging
Refilling your own barbecue tank is cheaper than going to an exchange
location. When you exchange your tank at a gas station or convenience
store, not only does it cost more than getting it refilled at any
U-Haul location, but you also llose the propane left in your
exchanged tank. With us, you pay only for the propane you buy.
***

Convert grill from propane to Natural gas (LP to NG)

PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:11 pm
by sdtripper2

PostPosted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:50 am
by sdtripper2
New Feature for Google Map Trip Planning

Tired of Web based trip planning maps that make route decisions for
you, when you know a better faster way to go, or others give you
suggestions ?


There is a new feature in Google.com/maps that lets you drag and drop your route.:thumbsup:

So you can take all the suggestions from the forum members and customize
the map to see if their route is for you coming to the gathering. This feature
takes the control of the map routing and puts it in your hands. A good thing in my estimation.


Click here to see the new Google "Customize Your Route" feature = a short "Vid".

Example:
Click here to have the end point of your destination
for the gathering at Point Cabrillo Highlands Campground.

Use the "Get directions feature to put in your starting point. Then use
Google's new feature to make a map that reflects a direction
choice given by those in the know about traffic. You will then have a
customized turn by turn map that reflects your choice of routing. Not taking
the one route that the computer might put you through high traffic is now in
your control. They even have an "Traffic" feature that shows high traffic
areas and you can plan accordingly. A wonderful new feature in my opinion.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:01 am
by halfdome, Danny
WOW Steve, thanks for the heads up. We could have used that feature during our last trip, next trip we will. :thumbsup: I tried playing with it for a custom round trip with different routes and it didn't work that well for me. Danny

PostPosted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:15 pm
by ARKPAT
Thanks Steve for the New Google custom Maps. Great travel planner. I will have to try to get one for PJ made up this week.

:twisted: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :applause: :thinking: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Pat

PostPosted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:53 pm
by wanders
:applause: Perfect! Thanks for the tip! We leave in 2 weeks to go pick up our tear, and then on to see our daughter.

PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:25 am
by Miriam C.
I am adding this for those wishing to see Missouri for free.
http://www.webspawner.com/users/birdingmo/

A way to find information on free camping is to look into other activities like fishing or birding.

Camping Games

PostPosted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:52 am
by traveltrailerian
For those who like to play camping games, check out http://www.TossingGames.com They have plenty of FREE game plans to print and retailers galore! :thumbsup:

PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:06 pm
by sdtripper2
What could you do & take when planning a camping trip?


10 Long Term Travel Tips by Bill P Clicky


Your Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/


Thank You ~ Rocky ~ (asianflava)

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 12:36 am
by sdtripper2

The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat

PostPosted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 5:23 pm
by sdtripper2
Meat cooked on Iron, Grill or Pan while camping

How do you like your meat done?



Don't want to poke your meat with a thermometer
or cut it with a knife to let out vital juices trying
to tell when your meat can't be beat?



The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat




Method

Image

Open the palm of your hand. Relax the hand.
Take the index finger of your other hand and
push on the fleshy area between the thumb
and the base of the palm. Make sure your hand
is relaxed. This is what raw meat feels like.
(Check this out the next time you have a raw steak to cook.)

Image

Now gently press the tip of your pinky and your
thumb together. Again feel the fleshy area below
the thumb. It should feel quite firm. This is what
well done meat feels like when you press on it.
(Check this out the next time you overcook a piece of meat.)

Image

Press the tip of your ring finger and your thumb together.
The flesh beneath the thumb should give a little more.
This is what meat cooked to a medium doneness feels like.

Image

Gently press the tip of your middle finger to the tip of your thumb.
This is medium rare.

Image

Press the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb.
The fleshy area below the thumb should give quite a bit.
This is what meat cooked to rare feels like. Open up your
palm again and compare raw to rare.
***
Webpage here ~ Printer friendly ~
Quick link to print meat doneness test

Hiking Tips and Tricks

PostPosted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:26 pm
by sdtripper2

PostPosted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:08 am
by halfdome, Danny
Thanks for the hiking boot tip Steve :thumbsup: . I enjoy hiking in Yosemite just not the downhill part, sore toes for sure. I've tried to keep my heels back with not much luck. I'll give this technique a try next time.:D Danny

PostPosted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:12 am
by sdtripper2
halfdome, Danny wrote:Thanks for the hiking boot tip Steve :thumbsup: . I enjoy hiking in Yosemite just not the downhill part, sore toes for sure. I've tried to keep my heels back with not much luck. I'll give this technique a try next time.:D Danny


Danny:

That tip on down hill hiking was the impetus for my making that post for sure.
I use that simple tie on my walking boots and it makes all the difference.

You got one of the best tips right off the bat, Danny ~ :thumbsup:

If someone is just trying to figure out what Danny
will try on his next hiking adventure look below for the excerpt.

The basic trick is that by lacing with a twist in the lace at the ankle
a couple of loops on your hiking boots the heal of your foot will be
held in place much better, with the foot still able to expand below
the ankle ties.


Image
Boot Lacing Technique
for relentless downhill grades

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 5:27 pm
by TinKicker
Here's an interesting site operated by Andrew Koransky, Boondocking ORG . It's based on GPS coordinates, which you can plug into most any GPS unit. One page allows you to take your home coordinates (found in your GPS unit) and find all surrounding free camping locations within a radius you specify.
It's publicly-accessible and updateable, so I can't vouch for accuracy and neither can he. But it might offer up some easily-accessed destinations.
If this site has already been covered, sorry, but I haven't had time to read this entire post.
Thanks, sdtripper2, for cataloging all this...great resource!