How Can I Read the Pressure From a Propane Tank From PSI to WC?

Tank Pressure

• 1

  Locate the high-pressure regulator on your propane storage tank. If a pressure gauge is fitted on the tank, it will usually be adjacent to the regulator. Read the tank pressure in psi from the gauge.

• 2

  Turn off the gas supply by closing the tank shutoff valve if there is no pressure gauge. Find the inlet tap-off point on the regulator and remove the threaded plug with a wrench.

• 3

  Screw the threaded connector of a high-pressure gauge into the tap-off point and tighten with a wrench. Open the shutoff valve slowly and read the tank pressure in psi indicated on the gauge.

• 4

  Close the shutoff valve. Unscrew the pressure gauge and replace the plug, tightening it securely.

• 5

  Convert the tank pressure to inch wc if you wish. Note that tank pressure varies with temperature and does not indicate the amount of propane remaining in the tank. Multiply the pressure in psi by 27.7 to convert to inch wc.

Intermediate Pressure

• 6

  Check whether your propane system has an integrated two-stage regulator or separate high- and low-pressure regulators. If it has a two-stage regulator, skip the remainder of this section. It is not practical to measure the intermediate pressure in a two-stage regulator.

• 7

  Turn off the gas supply by closing the tank shutoff valve. Locate the outlet tap-off point on the high-pressure regulator and remove the threaded plug with a wrench.

• 8

  Screw the threaded connector of a high-pressure gauge into the tap-off point and tighten with a wrench. Open the shutoff valve slowly and read the intermediate pressure in psi from the gauge.

• 9

  Close the shutoff valve. Unscrew the pressure gauge and replace the plug, tightening it securely.

• 10

  Convert the intermediate pressure to inch wc if you wish. Multiply the pressure in psi by 27.7 to convert to inch wc.

Outlet Pressure

• 11

  Turn off the gas supply by closing the tank shutoff valve. Locate the outlet tap-off point on the two-stage regulator or the low-pressure regulator — whichever is fitted on your system — and remove the threaded plug with a wrench.

• 12

  Screw a threaded hose barb into the tap-off point and tighten with a wrench. Connect the hose of a low-pressure manometer to the barb. Open the shutoff valve slowly and read the outlet pressure in inch wc indicated on the manometer.

• 13

  Close the shutoff valve. Disconnect the manometer, unscrew the hose barb and replace the plug, tightening it securely.

• 14

  Calculate the outlet pressure in psi. Divide the pressure in inch wc by 27.7 to convert the pressure to psi.