Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-09-2019, 08:37 AM   #41
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,306
Quote:
Originally Posted by myredracer View Post
There's also those see-through fiberglass tanks. I think the largest size is only 22 gal. though. Or is it 17? Not cheap.

I'm very happy with our inexpensive gauges similar to below. They always indicate full until the propane is almost empty and then it sits in the yellow zone just above the red. From there it quickly goes to red at the very bottom of the scale. If you've got the typical 2 tank setup and periodically check the gauges, it's easy to tell when one needs a refill. Can't see the need to know exactly what the level in a tank is.

I installed permanent electric heating in our TT and almost never use the furnace. We rarely ever have to dry camp. We are able to run on about 1 30 lb tank for a season of around 50 nights for the BBQ & HWH. As long as I make sure the tanks are filled at the start of the season, we're going to get through most of the season without worrying about having to get a refill and running completely out of propane.

Only problem I've found with these gauges is they'll change with temperature.
__________________
2003 Duramax
2017 Crusader 315

2016 Boston Whaler Montauk 150
Former Montana owner
Colorado Cruiser, Over the Pass and Down the Hill
Comanchecreek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2019, 02:10 PM   #42
Senior Member
 
nomad297's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,053
Quote:
Originally Posted by Villagerjjm View Post
The only reliable method to use with determining how much propane is in a tank is by using a scale and weighing the tank.
Not true. There are several other reliable methods that require much less effort, just as mentioned in other posts in this thread.

Bruce
__________________
2016 Rockwood Windjammer 3029W Diamond Edition
2015 Chevy 3500HD LTZ 6.0 Crew Cab 4x4 Long Bed 4.10:1 SRW
nomad297 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 08:49 AM   #43
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Canada
Posts: 172
Quote:
Originally Posted by Villagerjjm View Post
The only reliable method to use with determining how much propane is in a tank is by using a scale and weighing the tank.
This is true. In-fact that is how they fill them.

However that isn't what this thread is about. People are just looking for and suggesting several different good methods to let them know when they need to refill. They want to avoid the hassle of taking the tank out to find out.
Hoyt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 09:09 AM   #44
Senior Member
 
BandJCarm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
Nothing is "accurate". But why does it matter whether you know for a fact if it's 100% empty or just 90% empty? It's too empty to keep using, and whatever is still in it isn't going anywhere. They'll only put what it takes to get it back to 80%.


You can always use the warm water trick to get a reading on the level.
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard

FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
BandJCarm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 09:13 AM   #45
Grammar Pedant
 
67L48's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Frederick, CO
Posts: 1,580
The pressure gauge that the OP posted about are borderline fraudulent devices made for those that don't understand basic chemistry and thermodynamics.

The simple underlying reality is that tank pressure is not correlated to propane level; there is no relationship between tank pressure and tank level. Not everyone studied or remembers chemistry and the concept of vapor pressure. Articles like this one do a fairly good job of explaining in lay terms why pressure readings are garbage.
__________________
Every time you use an apostrophe to make a word plural, a puppy dies.

TV: 2019 F-350 Lariat 4WD CCSB 6.7 PSD 3.55, 3,591 lb payload
Former RV: 2018 Rockwood Mini Lite 2504S
Former RV: 2007 Fleetwood/Coleman Utah
Former TV: 2005 F-150 King Ranch 4WD SCrew 5.4L Tow Package
67L48 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 06:09 PM   #46
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 17
Didn't work for us

We had a similar one. It restricted the flow from the tank so much that you couldn't use more than 1 propane device at a time. Light a second burner on the stove, and it would cut the flame by 50%.
ObiRich is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 06:24 PM   #47
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Georgetown, TX
Posts: 337
Propane

Propane is sold and measured by weight. If you want accurate readings go to Wal-Mart and buy a luggage scale. Attach the scale and lift for a few seconds and you will know exactly how much you have
cadman99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 06:38 PM   #48
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Posts: 7,616
Quote:
Originally Posted by cadman99 View Post
Propane is sold and measured by weight. If you want accurate readings go to Wal-Mart and buy a luggage scale. Attach the scale and lift for a few seconds and you will know exactly how much you have
In our area, it's filled by volume. They do however use a scale for small tanks to determine when full.


I also have rental houses that are on propane. They are also filled by volume since its kinda tough to weigh a 500 gallon tank...
babock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 06:45 PM   #49
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Kasson, MN
Posts: 24
I use a product by Mopeka, its tied to my phone by Bluetooth, keeps tabs on both tanks separately. Just a touch of the phone and I can check walking by the trailer.
__________________
Working towards retirement, got a long road ahead.
The road is getting shorter!!
2022 Coachmen Encore 325SS
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Armywrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 06:49 PM   #50
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 9,458
And you can subtract...

Quote:
Originally Posted by cadman99 View Post
Propane is sold and measured by weight. If you want accurate readings go to Wal-Mart and buy a luggage scale. Attach the scale and lift for a few seconds and you will know exactly how much you have
And you can subtract the weight of the tank. It's stamped on the collar on the top of the tank to a tenth of a pound, preceded by the letters TW (tare weight).

Larry
Larry-NC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 07:03 PM   #51
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Statesville NC
Posts: 51
This appears to be only a pressure type gage, LP gas will show approximately the same pressure whether full or nearly empty, temp will be the only thing that varies the pressure on the tank until it is empty.
garyhopp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 07:16 PM   #52
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 42
Not sure about Harbor Freight gauge. But the one I got at Walmart for about the same amount of money works great. It read the gas level all the way through. From full to empty.
Jboshell1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 07:23 PM   #53
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by Armywrench View Post
I use a product by Mopeka, its tied to my phone by Bluetooth, keeps tabs on both tanks separately. Just a touch of the phone and I can check walking by the trailer.

I have one of those too. A little on the pricey side, but works great.
ObiRich is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 07:36 PM   #54
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Dayton Ohio
Posts: 3,567
Ditto on the mopeka gage/Bluetooth.

$60 as I remember. Works well.
tomkatb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 07:50 PM   #55
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Northfield MN
Posts: 161
I use the Truma Level Check. As others have said, it's very accurate.
__________________
2018 Grand Design Imagine 2600RB
2019 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 LT Crew Cab, Vortec 6L V8, 4.10 Rear Axle
Equal-i-zer 1,200/12,000# Hitch
Mark Ulmer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 08:22 PM   #56
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 7
Propane level

Mine are working great. I’ve had them on for over four years and no issues.
slalonde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 08:32 PM   #57
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Decorah IA
Posts: 9
Tank guage

AP Mopeka Tankcheck Lpg Tank Works great. Also have set that works with you smart phone.
hamshack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2019, 10:57 PM   #58
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 17
Propane gauge

Google “Mopeka”. It fits on the bottom of your tank and you connect to it via Bluetooth on your smartphone. It works.
idahobaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2019, 12:27 AM   #59
Senior Member
 
Hclarkx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Granite Bay, Ca
Posts: 1,083
Quote:
Originally Posted by babock View Post
I use these. They work well.

X2. Mopeka units work well.
Hclarkx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2019, 08:49 AM   #60
Tranquility Too
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 11
I am also one to pour nearly boiling water over the tank and just watch to see where the evaporation line forms - perfectly shows fill level.
tjw36t is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
propane

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:29 AM.