Propane Tank Gauge

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/9327/thread" timestamp="1429014171" author="@gibby"][quote source="/post/9271/thread" timestamp="1428960443" author="@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][/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.[/quote]I haven't run mine down yet. Hope it performs better but I'll take it. UHAUL has these for $35. That's just $5 more than a gaugeless one.

[shonsu]

[quote timestamp="1428958666" source="/post/9268/thread" author="@tinkeringtechie"][quote timestamp="1428952616" author="@shonsu" source="/post/9266/thread"]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?[/quote]
No, I don't think it would stay.  It does have a little slot where you could possibly tie wrap it to the tank.  I'm just going to put it in place once I'm at the campground and take it off before I leave.

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote timestamp="1429049897" author="@shonsu" source="/post/9356/thread"] I'm just going to put it in place once I'm at the campground and take it off before I leave.
[/quote]
I said the same thing about my weather station sensor... "I'll just put it under this wheel well and I'll pick it up before I leave"... ***crunch***

Guess who has a sensor bolted under the frame now  

[shonsu]

[quote source="/post/9356/thread" author="@shonsu" timestamp="1429049897"] I'm just going to put it in place once I'm at the campground and take it off before I leave.

I said the same thing about my weather station sensor... "I'll just put it under this wheel well and I'll pick it up before I leave"... ***crunch***

Guess who has a sensor bolted under the frame now  
[/quote]
Hehe, yeah, you're probably right.  I'll look at securing it permanently.  I have some long tie wraps that might work.

[shonsu]

Tie wraps worked great.  It's now safe and secure.  The cover still comes off to allow changing the batteries too.  I haven't used a tank of propane yet but I'll report back here on how it works out with the sensor.

[peislander]

[quote source="/post/9269/thread" timestamp="1428959162" author="@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?[/quote]I also considered getting a Seelevel but the problem is you'll need a tank with a internal float to allow the monitoring we desire. As noted above, internal floats are rare on the 20 and 30 lb tanks typically used on trailers. I tried with difficulty to source one. It looked like I might be able to special order one but at great expense w/ ridiculous shipping costs. Another issue is I find exchange tanks are readily available while filling stations are relatively rare in my area. If I bought a tank with a float I certainly would never be able to have the convenience of an exchange.

[ammobob]

[quote source="/post/7318/thread" timestamp="1425156998" author="@leslie"][quote source="/post/7317/thread" timestamp="1425152363" author="@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][/quote]
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! [/quote]Leslie at first glance our switching valve looks like it's manual. The lever is what makes you think that. Also the assumption by most people that the extra tank is a spare so they don't open the second valve on the tank. I think Charlie is right. I have the same auto changeover valve and for it to work you have to open the valves on both tanks. It will feed from the tank the arrow is pointing at and then change over to the other tank when the first tank is empty. You can point the arrow to the tank you want to use, open that tank valve and when it runs out switch over manually if you want but for auto switchover you have to open both tanks. 

[shonsu]

Hmm, this might be the way to go: http://www.gaswatch.com/

Or one of these: http://www.dometic.com/USA/New-Products/New-RV-Products/LP-Gas-Checker/

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/13197/thread" timestamp="1436885973" author="@shonsu"]Hmm, this might be the way to go: http://www.gaswatch.com/[/quote][font size="3"]Basically a digital scale. Not going to work too well when strapped down to a trailer tongue.[/font]

[shonsu]

Hmm, this might be the way to go: http://www.gaswatch.com/

[font size="3"]Basically a digital scale. Not going to work too well when strapped down to a trailer tongue.[/font]

Yeah, it would have to be loosened to check it.  Probably not a good use for it then.

[shovelhead]

I 'm a sucker for gadgets.   Found and ordered this one. Looks about the same as the Dometic one.   http://www.moscapeng.com/GasCheck.html  $29.95 w/free shipping

[video src="https://youtu.be/UgmGbc2x4BU"][/video]

[shonsu]

[quote source="/post/13260/thread" timestamp="1436970259" author="@shovelhead"]I 'm a sucker for gadgets.   Found and ordered this one. Looks about the same as the Dometic one.   http://www.moscapeng.com/GasCheck.html  $29.95 w/free shipping




[/quote]I went with the Dometic one on Amazon.  I'll find out in a couple days how well it works.

[shonsu]

The verdict is good.  I don't know about any of the others but the Dometic has a pretty wide head which keeps it stable when taking the reading.  I was able to pinpoint the level very quickly.  I like it!

[shovelhead]

Same here for the Moscap. Works as advertised. I've 6 tanks in various levels. I used the "Pen" and marked the levels. I had the neighbor use  the hot  water trick the levels matched up.

[drdave]

So it appears the Moscap and the dometic are exactly the same product in closeup pictures IMO.  The moscap labeled version is $30 w. free shipping directly from the moscap site.   On amazon a lot of peiople complain about it not working.  It works by ultrasound, so apparently you have to hold it very frimly against the tank and if the tank is mounted on something vibrating (like a trailer with the AC on) it can affect the reading.