For Generator Owners
Generator Propane Tracker — Be Ready When the Power Goes Out
A propane generator is only as good as the fuel in its tank. PropanePal helps you stay prepared by logging your generator tank's gauge reading regularly, tracking how much propane each outage uses, and making sure you always have enough to get through the next one.
Outage preparedness
Know Your Generator Tank Level Before Storm Season
Generator propane tanks are easy to forget about until you need them. A standby generator may sit unused for months, then run continuously for 24–72 hours during a winter storm or hurricane. PropanePal makes it easy to build a habit of logging your generator tank's level monthly — or at least before each storm season begins.
Log a reading after every time the generator runs. PropanePal records how much propane was used and adds it to your tank's history. Over time, you'll know exactly how many hours of runtime your current propane level can support — useful information for emergency preparedness planning.
- Log generator tank reading monthly or after each run
- Know your current level before storm season
- Track how much propane each outage event uses
- Plan refills before peak demand periods
Track it alongside your home tank
Manage Your Generator and Home Tank Together
Many homes with propane generators also have a propane heating or cooking system. These may share a tank — or they may have separate tanks for heating and the generator. PropanePal (with Premium) lets you track both in one app with completely separate records.
If your home heating tank and generator share the same propane supply (as is common with whole-home standby generators), make sure you're not running the heating tank so low that a multi-day outage would exhaust it. PropanePal helps you see both levels at a glance and plan deliveries that keep both adequately supplied.
- Track generator tank and home heating tank separately
- Independent readings and delivery logs for each
- See all tank levels at a glance on the dashboard
- Premium: unlimited tanks including dedicated generator tanks
FAQ
Generator propane questions
How much propane does a generator use per hour?
Propane consumption depends on the generator's wattage and how much load it's carrying. A 10,000-watt standby generator at 50% load uses approximately 1–2 gallons per hour. A smaller 5,000-watt generator might use 0.5–1 gallon per hour. Running a generator at full load burns more than running it lightly. Log a reading before and after each outage in PropanePal to track your generator's actual consumption.
How do I track a propane generator tank in PropanePal?
Add your generator's tank as a separate entry in PropanePal. Enter the tank size (e.g., 100 gallons) and give it a clear name like "Generator — 100 gal." Log the gauge reading monthly or after each time the generator runs. PropanePal builds a usage history and shows you when to schedule a refill before the next outage.
How much propane do I need to survive a 3-day power outage?
A 3-day outage (72 hours) running a 10,000-watt generator at moderate load might consume 80–150 gallons depending on load and runtime. If you also need the generator to run heating equipment in winter, consumption will be higher. PropanePal helps you track your generator's actual usage over time so you can make these estimates based on your real data rather than generic estimates. Use our Propane Tank Life Calculator for a quick estimate.
Emergency preparedness
Related tools and pages
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Track one tank at no cost. No account, no subscription required to start.