Propane Gauge

[JoArt]

I'm sure by now someone has put a propane gauge on their tanks. Giving them a knock to hear the sounds makes me nervous, we need a more concrete approach.
What propane gauges have you installed.
Thank you.

[wrvond]

None. When one runs out, I refill it before the second one runs out too.

[Davidceder]

I am having trouble imbedding a URL into this msg. Type this URL into your browser Fill level indicator Truma LevelCheck It is a product called TRUMA LEVELCHECK. Cost about the same as two decent propane guages and portable so you can use it anywhere. In my experiences propane guages do not work. Something to do with the gas not registering. (maybe someone else can explain it better than me) You are already out of gas by time they indicate the low level. I am going to pick one of these up before our summer trip.

[Davidceder]

JoArt;

Guess my URL worked, just click on " Fill level indicator Truma LevelCheck" in my previous reply

[Carla]

I just pour a cup of boiling water down the side of the tank. Where the tank turns cold is the level of the gas. As stated above, if one empties, I fill it before the second empties.

[Joe_GA]

Like others, I just use the other tank and get the empty one filled at the first opportunity. If I really want to know, I weigh the tanks on a bathroom scale. The tare weight is stamped on the tank, so subtract tare from actual and you have the weight of the propane. Want to know how many gallons? At 60 degrees F. propane weighs approximately 4.2 pounds. So, divide the weight by 4.2 and you will know how many gallons of propane you have left.

[gasman6674]

They make a 20# and a 30# valve with a gauge built into it. Check with your local LP Gas dealer to get one installed.

[Pooneil]

The typical pressure gauge you can buy will not provide any useful information. The pressure in the take is temperature dependent until all the liquid is gone, so the gauge will not measure the amount of liquid left. That means when it shows low pressure, the tank is essentially empty anyway. There are side mount temperature gauges that can show the level of the liquid. But these will only work while you are drawing out gas and causing evaporation of the liquid. You must be able to see the side of the tank, and are useless if you have a cover or the tank is not being used.

The best way I've found to manage propane, like others here, is the simple switch over valve. When one tank is dry, you switch to the other and refill the empty tank at your leisure. Also, with very little practice, you can estimate by hand weight whether a tank is close to full or empty. If it is close to empty, refill it. I'd just rather not have another tool to search for or lose just to read the level of the tank for something as trivial as propane. (Wait, did I just say I'd rather not have another tool?)

[Joe_GA]

Originally Posted by gasman6674

They make a 20# and a 30# valve with a gauge built into it. Check with your local LP Gas dealer to get one installed.

Hey gasman,
On a fishing board that I frequent, there is a guy that goes by "gasman" and I always thought he worked with gas appliances or in the gas business. Then I found out that he is an anesthesiologist! When I saw your name, I was therefore thinking anesthesiologist!

[00buck]

I've bought 3 of these: http://www.amazon.com/Brinkmann-812-9220-S-Propane-Tank-Gauge/dp/B007WH7S4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388505876&sr=8-1&keywords=propane+gauges . The first one didn't work. Are they entirely accurate, not really. In my experience, however, they are sufficiently accurate to let you know that you might have enough gas to run the heater through a chilly night. I've also used the hot water method noted above. It works pretty well too.

As to the worth of a gauge - I think it's a matter of personal preference. The tank switching method is probably adequate for summer use. I have the gauges mostly because I like gadgets and, if I ever ran out of gas, my spouse would likely never go camping with me again.

[gasman6674]

32 Years in the LP Gas Equipment business, Gasman fits also.
The pressure type gauges dont work well as by the time the gauge indicates low pressure you are out of gas.

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by Carla

I just pour a cup of boiling water down the side of the tank. Where the tank turns cold is the level of the gas. As stated above, if one empties, I fill it before the second empties.

Note that this works ONLY if you use propane at the time of the test. so put your stove on for a couple minutes, before doing the hot water thing. The frost line will show up where the level of propane is.

Kinda of a pain tho

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by gasman6674

They make a 20# and a 30# valve with a gauge built into it. Check with your local LP Gas dealer to get one installed.

looks like a level gauge to me and not a pressure gauge. Should be VERY accurate. I have one on a horizontal 20 lb tank in my slide in and it really works great. Only one tank in that dude, so it's good to know where you are...

[Carla]

Originally Posted by garbonz

Note that this works ONLY if you use propane at the time of the test. so put your stove on for a couple minutes, before doing the hot water thing. The frost line will show up where the level of propane is.

Kinda of a pain tho

I beg to disagree. I've never had the gas on while doing the hot water thing. I don't look for frost, I run my hand down the side of the tank where I poured the water. You can feel the temp difference. A cup of hot (boiling) water down the side is easier for me than removing the tank for the weight test.

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by Carla

I beg to disagree. I've never had the gas on while doing the hot water thing. I don't look for frost, I run my hand down the side of the tank where I poured the water. You can feel the temp difference. A cup of hot (boiling) water down the side is easier for me than removing the tank for the weight test.

If you use with the propane on, you get an actual frost line that is pretty precise, more so, in my experience than feeling the tank.

It is much easier than pulling the tank for sure. Potatoe potato

[RJHuser]

Originally Posted by gasman6674

They make a 20# and a 30# valve with a gauge built into it. Check with your local LP Gas dealer to get one installed.

Gasman:

Do you have a manufacturer name and model number for these gauges, and where they can be purchased?

Cannot find them at our local propane dealers.

Rick

[garbonz]

Another idea I just checked out. Used me IR temp gauge that I use to check tire/hub temps (20$ Harbor freight). turn on you stove and shoot the tank side and you can clearly see the line of liquid propane.

Works great.

[gasman6674]

I work for the distributor but we dont sell retail. Send me a pm and I will let you know.

[JoArt]

Thanks for all the ideas. I just put in an order to Truma for a LevelCheck. Great having so many helpful folks.

[Terier]

Originally Posted by wrvond

None. When one runs out, I refill it before the second one runs out too.

Same here. Of course being in warmer climate I don't use much propane.