1. Anyone tried this propane level gauge? 2. Total newb to rving

[Sebourn]

Originally Posted by jeremyd

1: I was at harbor freight the other day and saw this gauge. Was wondering if anyone had any experience with it/ was it worth buying. Attachment 206554

I looked at those as well as several other types and wound up with a simple "luggage scale" from WMT. It works great and with a simple math calculation, I can tell exactly what percentage of propane is in the tank. For example, a full 20lb tank has 20lbs of propane and the tank weight is 18lbs for a total of 38lbs. So a tank that weighs 25lbs is 35% full (25-18=7lbs).

[Gumpster808]

Have one of the pressure ones. If I remember correctly it came from Home Depot.

Works fairly well but, as others have mentioned they do seem to change / drop in steps rather than smoothly based on usage.

[Hawkester]

I have tried those gauges but as stated before they are not that accurate. Our new trailer has two tanks so we simply do the run out - switch - refill method.

If your a gadget techy person with some bucks burubg a hole in your pocket you could try these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...30bd2d336d3a41

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAgnH0LUOSo

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by Walholler

This works great for me, I have two tanks in my 5th wheel. I began with two full tanks, I run off of one tank at a time. When the first tank is empty, I switch to the second tank and take the empty one and have it refilled. Without gauges of any kind, I have never ran out of propane.

With my luck it would empty the “first” tank at 2:00am when temp is about 30 degrees. 🙀But does work better than both being empty. First case you just have to get DW up to go out and switch tanks 😂😂

[Waterops1]

I purchased a Truma LevelCheck ultrasonic level gauge that works well on my 20# tanks. Its handheld ultrasonic and works by pressing it against the outside tank wall. The LED will show red for no gas behind it or green when there is gas behind it. I have actually been able to use it on 100# tanks at a historic site I volunteer at. In every case it has worked flawlessly. Price was around $60 as I recall and it may take a couple of presses against the tank if an exact level is desired but it has been good to have and no removal of tanks is required.

[Tundra 2014]

I had something similar. It was not accurate and caused problems w/ auto switching. I had better luck w/ the cheap stick on ribbon that reads the temp of the tank propane level..

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by woo10-210

The tanks are vertical on the tongue of this tt model. It should be real easy to just pour some hot water down the side of the tank and feel for the cold spot. Far more accurate than any gauge.

X2

[cariboo camper]

Originally Posted by woo10-210

The tanks are vertical on the tongue of this tt model. It should be real easy to just pour some hot water down the side of the tank and feel for the cold spot. Far more accurate than any gauge.

Surprised more didn't post on this method. Definitely the easiest and probably most reliable. My motorhome has a gauge on the tank and readout in the motorhome they are both unreliable.

I just pour some hot water over end of tank wait a few seconds and feel the level of the propane as it is colder than ambient air due to the fact it is compressed gas. Easy, even works when cold outside.

[nomad297]

The Truma Level Check is what I use. You touch it to the tank and it tells you exactly where the propane is in your tank. It is dead-on accurate. You don’t have to move your tanks or lift them out. Just touch it with the Truma Level Check and you know what you have. Painless and effortless.

Bruce

[Tundra 2014]

The magnet strips operate on the same temp principle. They will fall off over time . On my V-front tanks are hidden and the strips are visible enough and work fine.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Hawkester

I have tried those gauges but as stated before they are not that accurate. Our new trailer has two tanks so we simply do the run out - switch - refill method.

If your a gadget techy person with some bucks burubg a hole in your pocket you could try these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...30bd2d336d3a41

I use these. They work well.

[n0ms]

I use an inferred thermometer. When you are drawing LP out of the tank read the temp of the cylinder from top to bottom. The line where the temp changes is the level of the LP liquid. The IR thermometer is also good to check tire and hub temp.

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by babock

I use these. They work well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...30bd2d336d3a41

X2 I've used these for about 4 years now and they work great. Only criticism is they use batteries, about every 9 months you have to replace the battery.

[Villagerjjm]

The only reliable method to use with determining how much propane is in a tank is by using a scale and weighing the tank. The empty weight of the tank is stamped onto it. So is the date of manufacture of the tank. You should be able to calculate how much available liquid propane is in the tank to 1/16 th of a gallon with a little practice.

[tomkatb]

Mopeka density level gages.

Transmits via Bluetooth to my phone.

I always know what is in the tanks.

But really, unless you use the furnace 60# lasts all summer. We spend time in December in our fiver. Nice to know how much we have.

I also have a Bluetooth voltmeter on the batteries.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Daycruiser

X2 I've used these for about 4 years now and they work great. Only criticism is they use batteries, about every 9 months you have to replace the battery.

I am going to be adding a voltage regulator and wiring these up to 3.3V permanently and getting rid of the battery issues.

[Comanchecreek]

I have them on my propane system. They are of little or no use. They read full until the bottle is empty, and then they read empty. I'm just too lazy to throw them away. I have the bottle switching setup, and that's really the only way to go. When it has switched over the indicator turns orange. I have an extra bottle that I try to keep full so I can switch right away before a trip, if I have one that's empty.

[Sbosserman]

I also use the Mopeka electronic propane tank gauges that connectt to an app on my smart phone. It is very accurate and I can check the level of each tank at any time if I am withing about 100 feet of my trailer. I kust have to replace the batteries in each of them about once a year. I carry extra batteries with me. I buy them on line in packages of 4 or 6. I believe they are 2032 if my memory serves me, but thay are common batteries and not expensive. It gives me the level in each tank by percentage and it spot on!

[kantonburg]

Originally Posted by Hawkester

I have tried those gauges but as stated before they are not that accurate. Our new trailer has two tanks so we simply do the run out - switch - refill method.

If your a gadget techy person with some bucks burubg a hole in your pocket you could try these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...30bd2d336d3a41

That's funny. Before I saw your post I went to that video to get the link to the gadget. I like his page.

[myredracer]

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.