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#1
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Oil tank - how low to go
My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I
add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') |
#2
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Oil tank - how low to go
On 1/15/2012 3:34 PM, ---MIKE--- wrote:
My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') When you say "feeds from the bottom" do you mean that the pipe comes off of a tap on the bottom of the tank? Why are you adding conditioner? |
#3
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Oil tank - how low to go
On 1/15/2012 4:00 PM, RBM wrote:
On 1/15/2012 3:34 PM, ---MIKE--- wrote: My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') When you say "feeds from the bottom" do you mean that the pipe comes off of a tap on the bottom of the tank? Why are you adding conditioner? Never heard of adding anything to mine either. |
#4
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Oil tank - how low to go
On Jan 15, 4:29*pm, Frank wrote:
On 1/15/2012 4:00 PM, RBM wrote: On 1/15/2012 3:34 PM, ---MIKE--- wrote: My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44 15' N - Elevation 1580') When you say "feeds from the bottom" do you mean that the pipe comes off of a tap on the bottom of the tank? Why are you adding conditioner? Never heard of adding anything to mine either.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - He's probably adding it to try to get rid of any water from condensation and avoid it freezing. How much condenstation he may get depends on where the tank is. Outside with wide temp swings, it's a problem. In a basement, no so much a problem. Letting the tank go down to 40 gallons is probably OK especially if it feeds directly off the botton of the tank. Would seem whatever is on the bottom of the tank is getting sucked in all the time anyway. He has a filter, right? |
#6
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Oil tank - how low to go
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#7
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Oil tank - how low to go
My furnace service man recommends adding conditioner to prevent sludge
and absorb moisture. This is similar to adding stabil to gasoline. ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') |
#8
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Oil tank - how low to go
On 1/15/2012 2:34 PM, ---MIKE--- wrote:
My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') sure, why not? -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email |
#9
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Oil tank - how low to go
On 1/15/2012 4:07 PM, ---MIKE--- wrote:
My furnace service man recommends adding conditioner to prevent sludge and absorb moisture. This is similar to adding stabil to gasoline. ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') well.... 1. diesel conditioners don't absorb water 2. where is this "sludge" coming from? If the oil man is not bringing it, then where would it come from? -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email |
#10
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Oil tank - how low to go
On Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:42:36 -0800 (PST), "
wrote: On Jan 15, 4:29Â*pm, Frank wrote: On 1/15/2012 4:00 PM, RBM wrote: On 1/15/2012 3:34 PM, ---MIKE--- wrote: My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44 15' N - Elevation 1580') When you say "feeds from the bottom" do you mean that the pipe comes off of a tap on the bottom of the tank? Why are you adding conditioner? Never heard of adding anything to mine either.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - He's probably adding it to try to get rid of any water from condensation and avoid it freezing. How much condenstation he may get depends on where the tank is. Outside with wide temp swings, it's a problem. In a basement, no so much a problem. Letting the tank go down to 40 gallons is probably OK especially if it feeds directly off the botton of the tank. Would seem whatever is on the bottom of the tank is getting sucked in all the time anyway. He has a filter, right? Pour Point depressant in an outdoor tank can eliminate a lot of problems. Just like in a deisel. Keep the wax crystals from forming in the fuel. |
#12
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Oil tank - how low to go
On Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:29:58 -0500, Frank
wrote: On 1/15/2012 4:00 PM, RBM wrote: On 1/15/2012 3:34 PM, ---MIKE--- wrote: My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') When you say "feeds from the bottom" do you mean that the pipe comes off of a tap on the bottom of the tank? Why are you adding conditioner? Never heard of adding anything to mine either. If you live where it goes below 0F, and your tank is outside, then it is cheap insurance to add conditioner. It probably saves a little abuse on the nozzle, too-- though I've never had any trouble with mine. I change filters and nozzles every 2yrs [about 800 gallons of oil]. My supplier dumps a pint of something in for every 100 gallons delivered. to the OP-- In April 5 gallons will probably last you a week-- so you can truck it in by hand if you have to. Keep a close eye on it- running dry isn't good for your system. Any sludge in the tank is at the bottom. It will get picked up whether the tank is nearly empty or full. Jim |
#13
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Oil tank - how low to go
On 1/15/2012 6:03 PM, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
On Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:29:58 -0500, Frank wrote: On 1/15/2012 4:00 PM, RBM wrote: On 1/15/2012 3:34 PM, ---MIKE--- wrote: My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') When you say "feeds from the bottom" do you mean that the pipe comes off of a tap on the bottom of the tank? Why are you adding conditioner? Never heard of adding anything to mine either. If you live where it goes below 0F, and your tank is outside, then it is cheap insurance to add conditioner. It probably saves a little abuse on the nozzle, too-- though I've never had any trouble with mine. I change filters and nozzles every 2yrs [about 800 gallons of oil]. My supplier dumps a pint of something in for every 100 gallons delivered. to the OP-- In April 5 gallons will probably last you a week-- so you can truck it in by hand if you have to. Keep a close eye on it- running dry isn't good for your system. Any sludge in the tank is at the bottom. It will get picked up whether the tank is nearly empty or full. Jim My tank is inside and we get system serviced annually. I don't think they add anything to the tank but they do change the inline filter and probably the nozzle. |
#14
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Oil tank - how low to go
"---MIKE---" wrote in message ... My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') And when we hit a cold snap (like it is right now) that lasts for an extended period which results in you using more fuel than you "estimated" and you run out, what then? Are you then going to hack your way thru the now frozen ice and snow to make that path then? Now lets take that one step more and say that you run out during a big storm and the delivery guys can't get out to do an emergency delivery for several days... you now have potentially frozen pipes that you may not even find/see for several days which causes who knows what for damage... You know what the right answer is..... -Brian |
#15
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Oil tank - how low to go
Hauling 5 gallon cans of kerosene from the gas station is a PIA.
Better to have a delivery before you run out. Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Brian V" wrote in message ... And when we hit a cold snap (like it is right now) that lasts for an extended period which results in you using more fuel than you "estimated" and you run out, what then? Are you then going to hack your way thru the now frozen ice and snow to make that path then? Now lets take that one step more and say that you run out during a big storm and the delivery guys can't get out to do an emergency delivery for several days... you now have potentially frozen pipes that you may not even find/see for several days which causes who knows what for damage... You know what the right answer is..... -Brian |
#16
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Oil tank - how low to go
"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message .. . Hauling 5 gallon cans of kerosene from the gas station is a PIA. Better to have a delivery before you run out. Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org . "Brian V" wrote in message ... And when we hit a cold snap (like it is right now) that lasts for an extended period which results in you using more fuel than you "estimated" and you run out, what then? Are you then going to hack your way thru the now frozen ice and snow to make that path then? Now lets take that one step more and say that you run out during a big storm and the delivery guys can't get out to do an emergency delivery for several days... you now have potentially frozen pipes that you may not even find/see for several days which causes who knows what for damage... You know what the right answer is..... -Brian But... The OP cannot even do that as to go out and get kerosene or diesel he would have to use the same roads that the delivery guys would use. They are buried under several feet of snow and are impassable.... Shovel the path and keep the tank full.... That is the ONLY answer.... |
#17
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Oil tank - how low to go
On Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:07:14 -0500,
(---MIKE---) wrote: My furnace service man recommends adding conditioner to prevent sludge and absorb moisture. This is similar to adding stabil to gasoline. ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') Gold Eagle brands, makers of Stabil, also makes HEET for fuel oil. Another is Aronol and probably another dozen brands. http://www.aronol.com/arotec_prods.html |
#18
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Oil tank - how low to go
I didn't have oil long enough to worry, but I try to add a capful of
alcohol to my 5 gallon can of kerosene. Jet fuel probably has additives. Greg |
#19
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Oil tank - how low to go
On Jan 15, 8:34*pm, (---MIKE---) wrote:
My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. *Every year I add a gallon of diesel conditioner. *I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. *I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. *Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44 15' N - Elevation 1580') It's normal for fuel tanks to be installed to a slight incline. Fuel is drawn from the tank bottom at the upper end. There is a drain for water/condensate at the lower end. The reason for additives is to prevent the fuel from waxing at low temperatures. Wax crystals form and block filters and nozzles. Winter grade fuel is normallly supplied with this already added. A cheap additive is paraffin/kerosine. Can be added up tp 25% depending on anticipated temperature. The problem is that is has to be thoroughly mixed in and done before waxing ocurrs. http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_inte...l_problems.pdf |
#21
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Oil tank - how low to go
On Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:07:16 -0500, "Brian V"
wrote: "---MIKE---" wrote in message ... My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by then. Is this safe to do? ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') And when we hit a cold snap (like it is right now) that lasts for an extended period which results in you using more fuel than you "estimated" and you run out, what then? Boil water. Are you then going to hack your way thru the now frozen ice and snow to make that path then? Now lets take that one step more and say that you run out during a big storm and the delivery guys can't get out to do an emergency delivery for several days... you now have potentially frozen pipes If the house is getting cold, open the faucets a trifle and let the water drip. Hot water too. But it takes several days for a house to go from 68 to 32. For the hot water I would run the shower into a stoppered bathtub, remembering to turn it off before it overflows. Let the steam escape to fill the house, and don't drain the water until it's room temperature. You can take a shower or bath in the process, but the dirt you wash off will settle before you drain the tub. Only takes a couple minutes to clean, though. Or boil a gallon or two of water on the stove. It takes about an hour a quart iiirc. No, it's never caused water to drip off the walls in my house. that you may not even find/see for several days which causes who knows what for damage... You know what the right answer is..... -Brian |
#22
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Oil tank - how low to go
During "a big storm", you're right that the OP might not be able to get to
the store, to fill his 5 gal jugs with kero or diesel. All the more reason to have the tank filled, and soon. Ideally, you'd save a bit of money to have the tank filled in the summer. But, what's the few bucks when it's cold, and you need heat? Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Brian V" wrote in message ... But... The OP cannot even do that as to go out and get kerosene or diesel he would have to use the same roads that the delivery guys would use. They are buried under several feet of snow and are impassable.... Shovel the path and keep the tank full.... That is the ONLY answer.... |
#23
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Oil tank - how low to go
On Jan 15, 5:55*pm, Steve Barker wrote:
On 1/15/2012 4:07 PM, ---MIKE--- wrote: My furnace service man recommends adding conditioner to prevent sludge and absorb moisture. *This is similar to adding stabil to gasoline. ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44 15' N - Elevation 1580') well.... 1. diesel conditioners don't absorb water 2. where is this "sludge" coming from? *If the oil man is not bringing it, then where would it come from? Oil tanks slowly accumulate sludge on their own. Algae growth for example is a well known problem with fuel oil and diesel. Tanks that sit above ground are more prone to problems because with wide temp swings you get condensation and a more hostile environment. Water brings algae, rust, etc. Over many years you wind up with sludge in the bottom. Folks who remove tanks deal with it regularly. -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email |
#24
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Oil tank - how low to go
Just to complete the information: The tank is in the basement. The
furnace is serviced yearly (in September) and the filter and nozzle are replaced. I have a time meter on the furnace and I know that it uses .9 gallons per hour so I have a good sense of oil usage. The conditioner is cheap insurance. ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44� 15' N - Elevation 1580') |
#25
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