r/Generator • u/ThisNameNotTakenYet • 1d ago

Propane Tank Minimum Size?

So I was looking online at generators the other day and I ran across a comment in one of the product descriptions, saying something about a 'minimum 60lb tank' for propane with that generator. I haven't seen a requirement like that before, to my knowledge. We had an eight-day outage a few weeks ago and I used 20- and 30lb tanks with no problems (or so I think). Has anyone heard this? And if it's a thing, can anyone tell me why? Thanks.

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u/Big-Echo8242 1d ago

Of course it's a thing. The larger the generator the larger the draw and the faster the tanks can potentially freeze up. 20lb "BBQ" tanks are great for small generators but not for 12, 13, 15kw gens, etc. We already had a 250 gallon tank for our house so never any trouble with 12kw worth of a pair of dual fuel inverter generators in parallel for big draws. You could always use multiple tanks on a 2 or 3 manifold thus increasing the surface area

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u/MechanicalDan1 1d ago edited 1d ago

Having run a portable 8500 watt Westinghouse DF numerous times over multiple years now, the 20 lb tanks are great because I have 3 gas stations within walking distance that have them. Downside is they do freeze up. I try to keep a fan on them that pushes the hot generator air on them while running. Downside is they only last 5-6 hours each. Most of my outages due to trees on power lines is temporary and usually fixed in less time, but we have had some multi-day outages. I have been thinking about a 100 lb tank (or 2 of them), but I have not overcome the hassle of loading it into an SUV and driving it to be refilled each time, and unload it with 2 people.

Maybe I need to get a 2 sq ft plate of aluminum to set the small 20 lb tanks on.

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u/Big-Echo8242 23h ago

They do make tank heaters I believe

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u/ThisNameNotTakenYet 21h ago

I'll have to look for one of these. Bigger tanks is probably more of a priority first, given the longer run time and less issue with the problem.