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Post Info TOPIC: propane tank gauges


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wondering if anyone knows of a gadget that monitors the level of propane in a tank. seems funny that I have all kinds of monitors for other things in the RV but not for tanks...thanks!!!

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Pamela, Google propane tank guages.There are many different styles. Any RV Store can sell you one,some better than others.


-- Edited by Racerguy on Monday 20th of December 2010 08:13:50 AM

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Racerguy wrote:

Pamela, Google propane tank guages.There are many different styles. Any RV Store can sell you one,some better than others.


-- Edited by Racerguy on Monday 20th of December 2010 08:13:50 AM



thanks George! kicking myself for not thinking of google...one more thing to pick up today before I leave tomorrow...

 



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Pamela,

I'm pretty sure you have an automatic switching manifold system on your dual propane tanks and this feature should make tank gauges unnecessary.

The way the system works is that you open both tank valves with the manifold handle pointing to one of them. The site glass in the middle will be green. When the first tank goes empty the manifold will switch over to the other tank and the site glass will be turn red. Simply throw the switch over to the other side and the site glass will turn green again. Close the empty tank, remove it, refill it, reinstall it, and open it. Repeat as necessary.

In moderate temps a tank will last weeks, or even months. Just check the site glass occasionally and enjoy life on the road.

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What Fred said is right on, I agree.  However, I do have an “external” gauge I purchased, something like $30 from a LP Gas "store."  While it sort of works, I haven’t used it in 4 years.  They just aren’t all that accurate.  It will sort of tell you the tank is full, or half gone, but after that, it’s sort of a guess.  (There are gauges available that are quite accurate, but they are internal to the tank and require a new connection / outlet installation. They can be “remoted” to inside read outs.  But you’re talking a lot of money and trouble for such a retrofit. – Airstreams had these as standard features at one time.  Quite pricey with the aluminum tanks that were also standard.)

If you plan to use it on a smaller tank that you might be using for grill cooking, then it works OK as a general indication.  But as Fred said, on the dual tank RV installation the easy way is to just use the auto changeover feature that’s on 99% of our RV’s (excluding single internal tank motorhomes.) Leave both tanks on, when the green/ red thing goes full red, change over the lever to the full tank and go get the empty tank filled. That method has worked well in our fulltime RV for 35 years.

Safe travels

Bill



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Unless your auto guage is different than mine I don't know the first tank is empty until it goes red.There is no in between to show the first tank being half full or whatever.To some that's ok but I'm a little anal about monitoring my usage sometimes daily so that doesn't cut it.I'm still looking for a guage I like to help me with my insane need to monitor.confuse

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I'm with Fred when tank A gets empty I take it out and fill it as soon as is pratical while running on tank B.  I almost never fill partial tanks.

Mallo


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Fred - I do have that type of system - with 4 tanks of propane, 2 on each side. Was told by the walk thru tech that I would still need to manually switch tanks though...think I will need to double check that note. He suggested that I try to light the oven & if no flame then tank was empty...that seemed pretty silly to me. I'm worried about running low & not knowing it until I go to take a shower or turn the heat on...maybe its a girl" thing....

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George, the worst we ever did on propane was when we got stuck in Milwaukee in mid teen weather for over a week, and I still got 2 days on a 30 pound tank.

You must go nuts with your holding tanks. I've never seen any gauges, even the expensive aftermarket ones, that stayed accurate over any period of time.

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IF YOU HAVE MARSHALL TWO STAGE CHANGEOVER REGULATORS THERE IS A REMOTE CHANGEOVER INDICATOR KIT THAT YOU CAN BUY.  THIS WILL TELL WHEN ONE OF THE LP BOTTLES HAS EMPTIED AND IT IS TIME TO SWITCH THE LEVER AND FILL THE EMPTY TANK. THIS IS NOT A TANK LEVEL INDICATOR JUST TELLS YOU WHEN THE TANK IS EMPTY AND TO BE FILLED. THE KIT IS SOLD AT PPL.
TOM 

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Actually my need to monitor only applies to things that cost me money as in propane and electricity.I gave up on monitoring the holding tanks long ago and have learned that when the sink starts draining slow we are close and when the toilet burps we are close.

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LuvSun wrote:

Fred - I do have that type of system - with 4 tanks of propane, 2 on each side. Was told by the walk thru tech that I would still need to manually switch tanks though...think I will need to double check that note. ....



Do you really have 4 propane tanks?  All of the specs on Open Range RV indicate 2 (two) 40 lb tanks.  If I were you, I would make sure on this item.  I have never seen one with that many tanks, it would eat up a tremendous amount of storage space. 

The manual switchover operation is a matter of choice.  Fred is right on target with his operating instructions.  Both tanks open, a frequent check on the indicator.  When you see RED, switch the selector valve, close the empty tank valve, remove and have it refilled.  Grunt a lot while lifting it back into position, connect the pigtail hose, SLOWLY open the valve and begin monitoring the indicator again. 

 



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53 Merc wrote:

 

LuvSun wrote:

Fred - I do have that type of system - with 4 tanks of propane, 2 on each side. Was told by the walk thru tech that I would still need to manually switch tanks though...think I will need to double check that note. ....



Do you really have 4 propane tanks?  All of the specs on Open Range RV indicate 2 (two) 40 lb tanks.  If I were you, I would make sure on this item.  I have never seen one with that many tanks, it would eat up a tremendous amount of storage space. 

The manual switchover operation is a matter of choice.  Fred is right on target with his operating instructions.  Both tanks open, a frequent check on the indicator.  When you see RED, switch the selector valve, close the empty tank valve, remove and have it refilled.  Grunt a lot while lifting it back into position, connect the pigtail hose, SLOWLY open the valve and begin monitoring the indicator again. 

 



yep - I have 4 tanks & tons of storage - its a 2011 and the design is it bit different than previous yrs...tanks have their own access on each side and ride just above the front generator space.

 



-- Edited by LuvSun on Monday 20th of December 2010 08:12:27 PM

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What you could use is one of them weight scales like they use for fish...weight the tank full, then subtract the tare weight (stamped on the tank) and that will give you the empty weight to look for...


200782394457.jpg

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So, Pamela:

You have 4 – 20lb tanks?  Is that correct?  That’s interesting. Learn something new every day.  We have friends with a rig like yours, but it was a 2010 and it only had two 30 lb tanks. That is an interesting setup and I guess it saves some space to make room for the genny somehow.

Safe travels

Bill



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Racerguy wrote:
Actually my need to monitor only applies to things that cost me money as in propane and electricity.I gave up on monitoring the holding tanks long ago and have learned that when the sink starts draining slow we are close and when the toilet burps we are close.

What a GREAT answer!

Yup, intuition and "knowledge" a.k.a "tank-sense" can play an important part here.

Paul

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Bill and Linda wrote:

So, Pamela:

You have 4 – 20lb tanks?  Is that correct?  That’s interesting. Learn something new every day.  We have friends with a rig like yours, but it was a 2010 and it only had two 30 lb tanks. That is an interesting setup and I guess it saves some space to make room for the genny somehow.

Safe travels

Bill



yep - four 5lbs tanks = total 20lbs. Found out if I open all 4 valves that the system will start on right side, pull from one until empty, switch to its mate then when both tanks on rigth side are empty the system will switch to left side and repeat process. So unless I find a way to monitor I could run thru all 4 tanks before I realize I'm empty.

 



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5lb tanks? Those must be some very small tanks...Propane weighs about 4.2 pounds per US gallon.

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What brand of regulators do you have?  If they are Marshall Brass you may have an option. They are available at PPL and TWEETYS.

 

pplmotorhomes.com/parts/lp-gas/propane-regulator-valve.htm

Remote LP Gas Indicator

This remote indicator eliminates dual cylinder depletion. Here is how it works! Once the above valve switches over to the reserve cylinder, the sensor tells the light box to flash and you will know that one of your cylinders needs to be refilled. 

Tom



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Tom, good suggestion. The Marshal Remote Change Over Indicator is one of the best devices on the market for dual tanks. Since Marshall is one of the oldest and most popular regulators on the market, we have had one of these indicators on out rigs for the past 10 - 12 years and would not be without it. If we ever buy a rig without a Marshal regulator, I will request a Marshal regulator because I believe in the quality but also want to have the ability to to use this indicator. I mounted ours next to the other gauges so when checking them, can see if a tank is empty.

P.S. Tom, really like the Roto-Chocks I bought from you in June. Best chock device I have ever had.smile

-- Edited by RickandJanice on Wednesday 22nd of December 2010 07:00:51 AM

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LuvSun wrote:
yep - four 5lbs tanks = total 20lbs. Found out if I open all 4 valves that the system will start on right side, pull from one until empty, switch to its mate then when both tanks on rigth side are empty the system will switch to left side and repeat process. So unless I find a way to monitor I could run thru all 4 tanks before I realize I'm empty.

Really, never seen that 5lb configuration before on a 5'er. Then again, there are a lot of things I have never seen.

When I looked at the specs on-line it said those rigs had 80lbs total but obviously that isn’t accurate.

Are you coming to the Rally?  I would love to see this arrangement.

Safe travels

Bill

 



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your right I never looked at the date  LOL

Thanks



-- Edited by ticat900 on Tuesday 27th of October 2015 10:20:47 AM

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John and Paul,

Sometimes it is far better to start a new thread rather than revive an old one.  For instance, this thread was begun and run most of its course clear back in 2010.  The problem is that people come along later and thinking that the thread is relatively new, take the information in the earlier comments as being relevant, even though the information, or even some of the products, are no longer available or true.  By starting a new thread, that confusion doesn't occur.

Terry



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Terry and Jo wrote:

Sometimes it is far better to start a new thread rather than revive an old one...


Thanks for the advise, I did that & deleted my post here.



-- Edited by tincanman on Tuesday 27th of October 2015 09:54:21 AM

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I recall someone (maybe at a rally?) mentioning to me to pour warm/hot water over the tank and that would give some kind of indication of where the level is. I haven't tried this yet. Has anyone else ever heard of that?

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yup.....it will make a freeze line where the liquid level is.........gauges are not accurate because they work on internal pressure.....the warmer it is the higher the pressure .......the colder and closer to propane boil point the lower the pressure........

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Bill and Linda wrote:

What Fred said is right on, I agree.  However, I do have an “external” gauge I purchased, something like $30 from a LP Gas "store."  While it sort of works, I haven’t used it in 4 years.  They just aren’t all that accurate.  It will sort of tell you the tank is full, or half gone, but after that, it’s sort of a guess. 

Bill


 I dunno…the ones that we have on out tanks from NH work pretty well…and I assume you have the same ones on your Frankenjestic. They're pretty accurate although they do read a bit lower than actual remaining capacity (based on weighing the tank) once you're below 1/4 full.



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Neil and Connie,

Bill's comment was 5 years old, so he may not even still have the gauge.  But tell me about the gauges on your NH.  Are they something that can be purchased as an add-on?  What's the brand and/or model number?

Terry



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Terry and Jo wrote:

Neil and Connie,

Bill's comment was 5 years old, so he may not even still have the gauge.  But tell me about the gauges on your NH.  Are they something that can be purchased as an add-on?  What's the brand and/or model number?

Terry


 Duh…ya think a computer guy woulda noticed the date…but I didn't. Anyways…just looked at our gauges and you would have to have tanks that have 2 connector nipples on top…both are the same with one going to the hose connector and the second has the gauge screwed in it. There's no name plate on the gauges and they're not labeled as to origin. The only thing I can tell ya from looking at them is they have what looks like a manufacturer logo in it. It's a capital R…one of those sort of stencil-ly looking R's with a separate left vertical stroke. The vertical stroke has a horizontal black/white line alternating pattern and the round part and slanted tail are solid black. The gauges are labeled to be used on 40 pound vertical cylinders so there's clearly different ones for different size cylinders. The only other marking is DIAL No. 5-02502 AG Vert. Cyl. They've got the UL marking and 8866 marked on the face as well.

I don't think I recall seeing cylinders that have two female threaded connectors on the top before though…I wonder how hard these will be to replace when they run out of their rated lifetime as noted on the cylinders.

They are pretty accurate though… but then we've only been in warm to almost hot weather. Winters in Fort Myers and travel north spring through fall…we've never seen snow with the rig other than this past September…we were in Jasper AB for the Tour of Alberta bicycle race and headed south down the Icefields Parkway through Banff and Calgary towards Montana…about an inch of snow on the ground at the top of the pass just north of the Columbia Icefield Center on Icefields Parkway. I can post a picture of the gauge if you like but I'm not sure if it will help.



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Neil and Connie wrote:
Terry and Jo wrote:

Neil and Connie,

Bill's comment was 5 years old, so he may not even still have the gauge.  But tell me about the gauges on your NH.  Are they something that can be purchased as an add-on?  What's the brand and/or model number?

Terry


 Duh…ya think a computer guy woulda noticed the date…but I didn't. Anyways…just looked at our gauges and you would have to have tanks that have 2 connector nipples on top…both are the same with one going to the hose connector and the second has the gauge screwed in it. There's no name plate on the gauges and they're not labeled as to origin. The only thing I can tell ya from looking at them is they have what looks like a manufacturer logo in it. It's a capital R…one of those sort of stencil-ly looking R's with a separate left vertical stroke. The vertical stroke has a horizontal black/white line alternating pattern and the round part and slanted tail are solid black. The gauges are labeled to be used on 40 pound vertical cylinders so there's clearly different ones for different size cylinders. The only other marking is DIAL No. 5-02502 AG Vert. Cyl. They've got the UL marking and 8866 marked on the face as well.

I don't think I recall seeing cylinders that have two female threaded connectors on the top before though…I wonder how hard these will be to replace when they run out of their rated lifetime as noted on the cylinders.

They are pretty accurate though… but then we've only been in warm to almost hot weather. Winters in Fort Myers and travel north spring through fall…we've never seen snow with the rig other than this past September…we were in Jasper AB for the Tour of Alberta bicycle race and headed south down the Icefields Parkway through Banff and Calgary towards Montana…about an inch of snow on the ground at the top of the pass just north of the Columbia Icefield Center on Icefields Parkway. I can post a picture of the gauge if you like but I'm not sure if it will help.


 

Neil and Terry - Picking up on this very old thread:

Well, Mr. Pack Rat still has the gauge mentioned.  It’s not very accurate as it is a pressure gauge, not a float gauge like come standard on New Horizons. At least I’m pretty sure the NH are float gauges.  Now you make me wonder the type.

Yea, Neil, this was a gauge I tried prior to building the Frankenjestic which has those built in gauges.  Very modern.  Finally caught up Airstreams of the 1970’s – gauges on the LP tanks. LOL

The Airstreams are mechanical float gauges for sure.  Still got two nice aluminum 30lb tanks under the house with those.  They were very accurate.

Bill



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I realize that this thread is a little old. But, I just installed a product called Tank Check. It uses a Bluetooth enabled magnetic transmitter fixed to the bottom of the LP bottle. Sonar signals determine how full the tank is in inches or % (once you've configured the system for the tank size you're using). There are slightly different readings depending on the ambient temperature but, so far, not enough to matter. There is a free app for your smart phone and/or a remote monitor, at extra cost, that can be mounted in the rig. I have the dual system for two 40 lb tanks. So far, it seems to work well.



-- Edited by Dranoel on Friday 19th of February 2016 12:35:35 PM

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