How much gas?

[Shirley]

I'm just wondering how much torch time I should get out of a 3.9kg tank of propane. I'm using a hothead. Torching today the flame got very low and a lot quieter than usual so I'm assuming it's running out. I think I've probably got about 35 hours out of it but I haven't made a definite note. Any ideas, or is there something wrong with my set up that I should check out. The tank still feels quite heavy but I suppose that amount of metal would do!

[Les]

I dunno really Shirley... but with Propane it should be fairly easy to gauge how much you have left as it's a liquid.. you can just give the tank a swill... you will hear how empty the bottle is getting..

[Dragonfire Glass]

did you know you can buy a gauge that sticks to the side of a gas bottle & tells you how much gas you have left!

[Bumpy Beads]

"Sticks to the side" as in.. errrm.. "sticks to the side"? How's that work then? 

[Shirley]

That's a good idea, Les! I'm pretty sure I'm out though, which is a bit of a beggar as I've only made 5 beads today and I wanted to get a load done. Having said that, the local garage, which is about 3 mins away by car and on the way to somewhere I need to go tomorrow, does propane, is open tomorrow and it's only £9.99. In fact, they are 24 hour opening, so I can get gas anytime I like! 

[BeadyBugs]

Hi Shirley,

It does sound a bit like it's running out.  The flame does get quieter and smaller as it fades, usually over the space of a few hours.  Someone suggested (I can't remember who, sorry) that when your tank is definitely empty, weigh it and make a note, then when you get your new one, you can check as you are using it, how near to empty you are getting by chucking it on the bathroom scales.  I used to pick mine up and give it a shake, you can hear/feel the propane sloshing around inside, if there's any left.  But the gauge sounds like a fab idea - I'll have to get one of those.

Also - I was sad enough to keep a rough log on my second canister - a 6kg one, and I got 55-60 hours out of it.  Running a HH, with the knob turned down slightly so I didn't nuke the glass.  So it is possible 35 hours could be right from your 3.9kg one.  I hope you manage to get a refill - they always run out when your mojo's flowing.

Have fun.

HP x

[Dragonfire Glass]

the gauge works by temperature.
gas under pressure is very cold.
look at a building site next winter,the gas bottles have ice round the bottom on cold days up to the level of the gas in there!
this is a similsr principle.

[Shirley]

Got my refill, all working fine, but made a pile of crap! Apart from 3 very nice beads that cracked and my first ever using silver that I really like.