Propane Gauge

[LANShark42]

How do I tell how much propane is in my tanks, other than by taking them out of their plastic storage compartment and weighing them. We haven't camped in our new TT yet, but we've spent several evening in there this winter, arranging things and just sitting, watching TV, LOL. I'm a little paranoid about how much propane is left in the tanks.

[Mr. Dan]

I keep something like this in my garage and use it for my grill tank and both 5th wheel tanks: Commercial Appliances | Outdoor Grills | Brinkmann, Gas Gauge, 812-9220-S, 8"W, Brass | B1105450 - GlobalIndustrial.com

[Paradise115]

This is what I use. Works good.

Camco 59023 Propane Gauge/Leak Detector by Camco Camco 59023 Propane Gauge/Leak Detector
by Camco
Link: http://amzn.com/B00192JGY4

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Paradise115

This is what I use. Works good.

Camco 59023 Propane Gauge/Leak Detector by Camco Camco 59023 Propane Gauge/Leak Detector
by Camco
Link: Amazon.com: Camco 59023 Propane Gauge/Leak Detector: Automotive

I have a pair of these and a word of caution, when the ambient temp is low, they will not read correctly, but if the temp. is about 40 or higher, they work just fine. I keep one tank on and the other off until the one tank is empty and then switch and fill the empty one.

[Mojojojo]

After finding out we have a auto switch valve I leave the second tank valve closed. Better then swapping to the 5 gallon reserve on in a bath robe at 10:00 at night. Now I just open the second tank and refill in the am.

[fonzie]

You can get one of these.....

http://www.amazon.com/GasCheck-Propa...ZWPBS2T5Q4F304

http://www.levelcheck.com/us/

[Windjammin]

X2 on the Gas Check. I have one of these and it works fairly well. You just need to make sure you press it hard against the tank to get a reading.

[LANShark42]

First, thanks for all the replies! I appreciate it!

How difficult is it to take the black plastic cover off of the propane tanks?

[fonzie]

If you have similar to below, just pull up hard on cover....

[LANShark42]

Yup. That looks like it. Thing is - when I pull hard on things, they usually break. lol

Thanks!!

[LANShark42]

Originally Posted by fonzie

You can get one of these.....

http://www.amazon.com/GasCheck-Propa...ZWPBS2T5Q4F304

Fill level indicator Truma LevelCheck

Saw this on Amazon. Bothers me a bit that there are more 1 star ratings (9) than there are 5 star (7). As best, it must be hard to use. No?

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by LANShark42

Saw this on Amazon. Bothers me a bit that there are more 1 star ratings (9) than there are 5 star (7). As best, it must be hard to use. No?

I can not comment on it's use, I don't have any. I just weigh my tanks......

[deartruc]

Sounds like you haven't ever taken your bottle covers off (PDI should have went through this). You should have this (pictured below) which has a rather crude level detector. and x2 Mojojo.

[offroad]

I guess I'm the exception, I don't check them at all.

On the RV I only turn on one bottle at a time, when that one is empty I turn on the other and get the empty filled. My Weber grill at home has a pretty accurate gauge that weighs the tank with a spring and indicator, but I rarely check it since I have two tanks and just swap them when one is empty.

[donanddona]

Originally Posted by Mojojojo

After finding out we have a auto switch valve I leave the second tank valve closed. Better then swapping to the 5 gallon reserve on in a bath robe at 10:00 at night. Now I just open the second tank and refill in the am.

I thought the auto change over valve eliminated the need to switch tanks in the middle of the night? Leaving the second tank closed eliminates the ability of the auto feature? I'm not understanding....

[offroad]

Originally Posted by donanddona

I thought the auto change over valve eliminated the need to switch tanks in the middle of the night? Leaving the second tank closed eliminates the ability of the auto feature? I'm not understanding....

Yes it will, but unless you check the auto switch valve on a regular basis you'll find out when both tanks are empty. When I run out of propane, I only have one empty tank.

As to needing to switch in the middle of the night, we are usually on shore power when camping so the Fridge/WH are on A/C and if its cold we probably have a space heater running in the bedroom. I'll open the other tank valve in the morning while coffee is brewing.

On a very cold night where I wanted the furnace to run a bit for plumbing protection, I filled the tank we'd been using from prior to that trip, or switched to the full tank before I went to bed.

Everyone has their own way of doing it and it's not wrong if it works for you.

[LANShark42]

Originally Posted by deartruc

Sounds like you haven't ever taken your bottle covers off (PDI should have went through this). You should have this (pictured below) which has a rather crude level detector. and x2 Mojojo.

Nope, I haven't. I've only had the camper at home for a month. We've had some pretty nasty weather since then. As for PDI, I felt it was thorough, but no, they did not go over that aspect.

[azjerry]

I have the Truma Levelcheck mentioned above and think it's great. I'm able to narrow down the level in the tank to a quarter inch or so. Much faster than the old "pour boiling water down the outside of the tank" method.

[Kuba]

Spill some hot, and i mean some-a cup of hot water onto your tank. You will see the frost line on it.

[Ashley]

Originally Posted by LANShark42

First, thanks for all the replies! I appreciate it!

How difficult is it to take the black plastic cover off of the propane tanks?

Just a little note on the "Pull Hard" thing, on mine I have to loosen the large wing nut that secures the upper tank mounting bracket down against the tanks to allow the tanks to rock a bit in order to remove the cover as it is so tight against the head of the electric tongue jack. I can remove remove the cover without doing so, but it feels like I am going to break something.

You may have plenty of clearance on yours, just thought I'd share that in case you don't.

Happy Camping!!!