Propane Tank Gauge

[txrob]

Our 16DBS has a single propane tank and I was wondering if anyone has used one of these tank gauges:

[a href="http://www.amazon.com/Camco-59023-Propane-Gauge-Detector/dp/B00192JGY4/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER"]Camco Gauge

[/a]
I have heard that an in-line gauge will restrict the flow and the heater will not operate properly when the tank drops to lower pressures.
I'm open to other suggestions to monitor the tank level...
MB

[charliem]

[font size="3"]The Camco and similar in-line gauges are useless because they only tell you the tank is approaching empty when it is already empty. The physics/chemistry of the situation is that liquid propane, no matter how much or how little, maintains a constant gas pressure until there is no more liquid. In-line gauges can only sense this gas pressure. The only way to reliably measure the liquid level is with a float inside the tank. Internal float gauges are usually only available on fixed horizontal tanks. I've heard there is one float gauge on a 20/30# tank available, but it's rare and very expensive.  The most common approach is to add a second tank with an automatic changeover regulator. You just have to check every few days or weeks and refill the empty tank.
[/font]

[leslie]

[font size="3"]The Camco and similar in-line gauges are useless because they only tell you the tank is approaching empty when it is already empty. The physics/chemistry of the situation is that liquid propane, no matter how much or how little, maintains a constant gas pressure until there is no more liquid. In-line gauges can only sense this gas pressure. The only way to reliably measure the liquid level is with a float inside the tank. Internal float gauges are usually only available on fixed horizontal tanks. I've heard there is one float gauge on a 20/30# tank available, but it's rare and very expensive.  The most common approach is to add a second tank with an automatic changeover regulator. You just have to check every few days or weeks and refill the empty tank.
[/font]

On my 2015 Camplite 21-BHS, I have 2 propane tanks with gauges on top that indicate the amount of propane remaining in each tank. One tank is full, the other tank is 1/4 full. There is no automatic swithching over to the full tank. I turn them off and on at the top manually.

On another note, charliem, I assume you are home now, taking it easy. When do you start with rehab exercises? Let's hope the physical therapists take it easy!

[solds88]

If you boondock, in really cold weather, with a single tank, it could put you in a rather precarious situation. If you recall, when your tank is refilled it is refilled by weight. Check out this scale on Amazon  [a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grill-Gauge-GG-1100-NR-Original/dp/B0012GTU3O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1425156357&sr=8-4&keywords=propane+gauge"]http://www.amazon.com/Grill-Gauge-GG-1100-NR-Original/dp/B0012GTU3O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1425156357&sr=8-4&keywords=propane+gauge[/a]  The info. says it's only good for the 20 lb. tank. Another thought would be to use a bathroom scale. The net weight of the propane tank is stamped on the tank, maybe even the gross weight, it's been a long time since I've looked.   

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Leslie;

[/font][font size="3"]Yes I am home and suffering through the pain and exercises. With some help from my wife and whole pile of determination I'm going to get through this. Then I've got the second one in three months. But the doctors, nurses and therapists say I'm doing better than average. They even let me out of the hospital a day early.

Two tanks on the tongue - Good
Two gauges - maybe. I doubt they are really float type.
No auto switchover - not so good, but fixable. The auto switching regulators are cheap. However, I also thought mine was manual only. Check your documentation and surf YouTube. Mine turned out to be the auto model anyway. If your regulator has a knob with left, right, and straight up positions and also has a small window to see a red or green display, it's auto switchover. LL documentation never mentions it.

When I composed the original response I completely forgot the weight method. That's funny because that's exactly the gauge I use to measure mine. Thanks James for reminding me. I'm a bit spacy with all these meds. When traveling I depend on the auto switchover, but when I'm preparing for a new trip I pull the in-use tank and weigh it.



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[david]

As Charlie noted, pressure gauges are almost worthless. What I do is after every camping trip I loosen the holding clamp, lift the tank up a little, feel the weight and wiggle it. If it feels like it still has some propane in it, I am good for the next trip.

David

[funpilot]

[p]This might be of interest:   [a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCvR_QycLNQ"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCvR_QycLNQ[/a][/p][p]
[/p][p][a href="http://www.truma.net/us/en/gas-supply/truma-levelcheck.php"]http://www.truma.net/us/en/gas-supply/truma-levelcheck.php[/a][/p][p]
[/p][p]Came across this while researching instant hot water heaters.  I have no experience with it as I have horizontal mounted tanks which Truma told me their product has not been tested on. [/p]

[drdave]

Here's a simple hanging scale:

http://www.amazon.com/Grill-Gauge-GG-1100-NR-Original/dp/B0012GTU3O/ref=pd_sim_hpc_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=139YZ7TYPWRDKGPGG9FK

[admin]

I often use a cup of hot water on the tank. Run the hot water down the side of the tank and then run your hand along it to feel where the temp changes. This is where the liquid propane starts. Its not exact but it lets you check the level without having to lift, weight, or loosen anything.

[pinstriper]

Meh, all these newfangled gadgets.

I will just continue running on one tank until it craps out. Then I'll switch to #2 and know its time to replace #1. Rinse, repeat. Only ever an issue if I'm more than a full tank's usage away from being able to replenish.

[shonsu]

I purchased one of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ALKAZHC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I haven't had a chance to try it yet but I will in a couple weeks.  The reviews on it are real good.

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote timestamp="1428952616" source="/post/9266/thread" author="@shonsu"]I purchased one of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ALKAZHC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I haven't had a chance to try it yet but I will in a couple weeks.  The reviews on it are real good.[/quote]Looks cool. Would you be able to leave it on there during travel, or would it fall off?

[nmken]

I have been searching for a propane level sender.  The Seelevel 709 with the Propane level button is cheaper than the same model without.  It pains me to have a button without an input.  But I've not heard of any compatible inputs - any of you run across such a beast?

[whoofit]

[p]For $40 you can get a new 20#er  with a built-in float guage.[/p][p]
[/p][p][a href="http://www.basspro.com/Worthington-Propane-Tank-with-Gas-Gauge/product/1501080752007/?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&om_mmc=shopping_googleproductextensions&kpid=1501080752007&kpid=1501080752007"]http://www.basspro.com/Worthington-Propane-Tank-with-Gas-Gauge/product/1501080752007/?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&om_mmc=shopping_googleproductextensions&kpid=1501080752007&kpid=1501080752007[/a][/p][p]
[/p][p]It's what I did.[/p]

[bobbie56]

[quote timestamp="1428960443" author="@whoofit" source="/post/9271/thread"][p]For $40 you can get a new 20#er  with a built-in float guage.[/p][p]
[/p][p][a href="http://www.basspro.com/Worthington-Propane-Tank-with-Gas-Gauge/product/1501080752007/?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&om_mmc=shopping_googleproductextensions&kpid=1501080752007&kpid=1501080752007"]http://www.basspro.com/Worthington-Propane-Tank-with-Gas-Gauge/product/1501080752007/?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&om_mmc=shopping_googleproductextensions&kpid=1501080752007&kpid=1501080752007[/a][/p][p]
[/p][p]It's what I did.[/p][/quote]I have one of those for our BBQ at home, yes the gauge does tell you the level, but when it reads empty, there is still a 1/4 tank of propane left (or so mine read).

That being said, it becomes a nice "reserve" amount just in case.