LPG Tank (with pics)

Discussion in 'Electricians' Talk' started by Kas228, Sep 19, 2019.

  1. Kas228

    Kas228 Screwfix Select

    CA30C9BE-DEA1-4E23-B82E-36C617069280.jpeg 1F11ACC5-3CB7-4BE0-8EE2-5FE6A93D915E.jpeg DE7D0A79-AADD-4A2E-A9BC-A5F8DC2C3F00.jpeg Hi, just been out to check the level of my LPG tank that is buried in the garden and noticed a red cable that is not attached to anything (see pics).
    Can’t ever remember seeing this before but could have been dislodged last time it was filled (July).
    There is a white box nearby that has an open socket on the left (see pics), that looks the most likely place it has come from. Everything seems to be working ok at present although the % reading on the dial seems quite high at about 80% considering it was nearly 3 months since it was last topped up. I will probably have to get someone out to have a look but just wondered if there was anyone on here who knows there way round Lpg tanks.
    Thanks if you can help.
     
  2. Kas228

    Kas228 Screwfix Select

    Have done a bit of research myself and looks like it’s something to do with “cathodic protection” which helps stop the metal tank from rusting using a seperate piece of sacrificial metal (sounds complicated). But at least appears not to be something that requires immediate attention.
     
  3. Bogle Crag

    Bogle Crag Screwfix Select

    Yes it is cathodic protection, looks like a basic sacrificial system probably a couple of zinc or magnesium anodes buried around the tank, you can check the level of protection but needs some specialist kit, can you open the box and send some pics, this looks like the company who supplied it https://www.cathodic.co.uk, the loose red cable may be to another anode or a reference cell for testing

    I worked for a CP firm in the 80s found it very interesting
     
  4. Kas228

    Kas228 Screwfix Select

    That’s great thanks, I will have a look at opening box tomorrow and send some pics.
     
  5. gas monkey

    gas monkey Well-Known Member

    Its a spare anode disconect the one conectet take the reading if gone connect to new take readings befor conection just incase its already been done and you will then need a new one
     
  6. Kas228

    Kas228 Screwfix Select

    Sorry you will need to explain in a bit more detail exactly what you mean
     
  7. gas monkey

    gas monkey Well-Known Member

    its not for you to fret about the owner of the tank takes care of it
     
  8. Kas228

    Kas228 Screwfix Select

    Ok, when you say readings is this linked to the % full indicator gauge or do you mean something else by readings?
    I was expecting the gauge to be a lot lower than it currently is.
     
  9. gas monkey

    gas monkey Well-Known Member

    elecric readings indicating the protection the anode is giving fret not
     
  10. Bogle Crag

    Bogle Crag Screwfix Select

    Normal method of testing used to be using a voltmeter with high internal resistance and placing one probe on the tank and the other to a reference cell, either a permanently installed in the ground zinc block or a copper sulphate half cell poked in the ground, for the cu so4 method a minimum of -.85 volts up to about 1 volt was the ideal range
     
  11. gas monkey

    gas monkey Well-Known Member

    if 600 bare steel help
     
  12. Kas228

    Kas228 Screwfix Select

    Sorry what does this mean?
     
  13. gas monkey

    gas monkey Well-Known Member

    TECH TALK PAY NO ATTENTION sorry caps lok stuck not shouting x
     
  14. collectors

    collectors Member

    Just a tip on LPG tanks. Last time my gas guy was around for a boiler service i got him to cut into the gas supply in the house from my underground LPG tank & fit a £18 gas meter i got new off ebay. I now don't have to go out & check the meter anymore in the middle of winter as with a little conversion i can read whats been used.
     
  15. Kas228

    Kas228 Screwfix Select

    Sounds interesting, how does it work exactly from a remote location? Something to do with pressure in tank maybe. My supplier stated that we’re going to fit telematics which signals supplier when it reaches a certain level telling them to refill but they haven’t yet. I am surprise how little I use I know it’s summer and only using Lpg for showers etc but seems very economical. Out of interest what are you paying think mines about 36ppl in first year.
     
  16. CraigMcK

    CraigMcK Screwfix Select

    Mine is 28p but going up to 29p I think this coming year. my last supplier used telematics, the new one just wanders round and has a look. They have a good idea how much is used and usually turn up and fill about 1000L, so even if they miss a bit I still have plenty left.
    I have a 4 bed house, only heating and water from gas and use about 2800L / yr fairly constant over the last 7 years of being here.
     
  17. Tony Goddard

    Tony Goddard Screwfix Select

    Presumably it's just a bellows "Parkinson" (after the original patentees Parkinson-Cowan) gas meter like the ones the gas board fit, in the steel meter body is a set of bellows that inflates and deflates like our lungs do as the gas passed through, this drives a rack, that runs on a pinion connected to a counter.

    The level in the tank is indicated by a float guage, a plastic float like a ballcock sits on the gas and registers on a dial or to a transducer.
     
  18. Tony Goddard

    Tony Goddard Screwfix Select

    Here is a pic of the float guage with a telematic transducer fitted on the dial, the black bit is the "ball" float, it all fits in through the small opening on top.
     

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