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Old 12-18-2021, 04:54 PM   #1
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I know, gauges are not accurate

As I said, yes I know they are not accurate... but this is redic

2021 Sunseeker with 10gal/41# tank

Gauge on the tank is reading right at 1/3
Idiot panel on the inside of the RV is reading 2/3 which I believe is connected to the tank gauge

I'm starting to suspect that my tank is likely very empty since no change in the last 2 trips, 10d total and we ran the heater quite a bit

When I go to fill up the tank, the guy always says, at that level, you may not reach the 5 gal min...

Besides getting something like the Mopeka... is there much I can do to get a reading that is at least a bit more accurate?
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Old 12-19-2021, 09:30 AM   #2
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Wow you have a gauge inside for propane that is neat. So if I were you I would fill my propane regardless of the min and then match the gauges. I would lean toward the tank gauge being the most correct. JMHO
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Old 12-19-2021, 09:58 AM   #3
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I suspect that the transducer connected to the panel is out of calibration and needs to be replaced. Aside from that, "the guy" that fills your tank sounds like a rip-off artist with his 5 gallon minimum. Best to avoid places like that.
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Old 12-19-2021, 10:10 AM   #4
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Thanks for the replies

The inside panel is the standard light based on a push button, not a dial gauge

As for the place, I hate going there TBH, it's close and the only one within the same vicinity...

Super rude, last guy told me it was going to be a while since he was so busy, 1 car at the pump and he was cashing out the driver as I was standing there. The other guy told me there is a discount for over 5 gals fill-up but there was a 5 gal min. The second guy says no discount for over 5 gal, but there is a min.

As for the transducer, where is it located on a 2250 SLE?

Thanks, Rick
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Old 12-19-2021, 10:55 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaDog View Post
Wow you have a gauge inside for propane that is neat. So if I were you I would fill my propane regardless of the min and then match the gauges. I would lean toward the tank gauge being the most correct. JMHO
SeaDog….

This is the control panel found in a lot of Class C motorhomes. SEE NEXT POST FOR PHOTO
The LED indicators in the top left, reflect what button in pressed for various tank capacities. Not gospel by a long shot, but an indicator.
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Old 12-19-2021, 11:16 AM   #6
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Control panel

See attached
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Old 12-19-2021, 11:23 AM   #7
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Most threads ive seen about inaccurate gauges refer to water and waste tank gauges. I'm shocked a propane tank gauge would be that bad.
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Old 12-20-2021, 08:30 AM   #8
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The sending unit on the LP tank is located on top of the analog gauge. It has two wires coming out of it. The range should be 0-90Ω. You can test it (or have it tested) by removing the gauge from the tank (it just clips or screws on and is just magnetically coupled to the float).

It looks something like this.

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Old 12-20-2021, 02:28 PM   #9
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I have not had much luck with propane gauges. I just weigh my tanks before filling. On all newer tanks they have a TW weight which is Tare weight or weight when empty anything over that is propane which weighs approx. 4.25lbs a gallon. I have an accurate bath scale in my shop which helps. This really works good on my 3 gallon tank for the grill and barbecue, if I have over one and half gallons or 6lbs over the TW weight Im good to go on a one week trip, works great on the 7 gallon tanks also since some of them are hard to judge.
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Old 12-20-2021, 02:44 PM   #10
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I have a similar setup on my 2016 Sunseeker and mine reads just about as you describe. I wonder if the gage on the tank measures liquid level and the light inside is showing pressure level.
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Old 12-20-2021, 03:04 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Werk View Post
I have not had much luck with propane gauges. I just weigh my tanks before filling. On all newer tanks they have a TW weight which is Tare weight or weight when empty anything over that is propane which weighs approx. 4.25lbs a gallon. I have an accurate bath scale in my shop which helps. This really works good on my 3 gallon tank for the grill and barbecue, if I have over one and half gallons or 6lbs over the TW weight Im good to go on a one week trip, works great on the 7 gallon tanks also since some of them are hard to judge.
It would be really hard, impossible even, to get a Class C permanently mounted tank onto a bath scale to weigh. We’re pretty dependent on that gauge.
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Old 12-20-2021, 07:29 PM   #12
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It would be really hard, impossible even, to get a Class C permanently mounted tank onto a bath scale to weigh. We’re pretty dependent on that gauge.
Correct.

The OP is asking about a permanently mounted LP tank on a motorhome.
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Old 12-22-2021, 07:14 PM   #13
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So I decided to bite the bullet and get a couple Mopeka tank check sensors.

Started off on the spare 20lb tank (just swapped, never used), it reads 63% full

Applied the second sensor and it reads 59%

So now I weight the tank and it weighs 29lbs (and it's supposed to be full) guess it's like 9lbs (2gal) short of propane... guess this also means both sensors are pretty close at 59/63% respectively

I read the RV tank (40lbs) horizontal, 12" tall, all entered into the Mopeka app, shows 29% full...

So, long story short, the gauge on the tank reading ~1/3 is pretty close, the idiot light inside the RV reading 2/3 is way off...

Now to find some place to fill my tanks besides the rip off guys up the street
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Old 12-22-2021, 07:30 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toy4Rick View Post
So I decided to bite the bullet and get a couple Mopeka tank check sensors.



Started off on the spare 20lb tank (just swapped, never used), it reads 63% full



Applied the second sensor and it reads 59%



So now I weight the tank and it weighs 29lbs (and it's supposed to be full) guess it's like 9lbs (2gal) short of propane... guess this also means both sensors are pretty close at 59/63% respectively



I read the RV tank (40lbs) horizontal, 12" tall, all entered into the Mopeka app, shows 29% full...



So, long story short, the gauge on the tank reading ~1/3 is pretty close, the idiot light inside the RV reading 2/3 is way off...



Now to find some place to fill my tanks besides the rip off guys up the street
They only fill them to about 80% so they are not that low. You never get 100%.
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Old 12-22-2021, 07:54 PM   #15
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Yes I have read that and also read other posts, including Amerigas which is where this tank came from.

Their own website says, a 20lbs tank will hold 19.5lbs when full. This is based on 4.6 gals at 4.24lb/gal, so 19.5lbs...

I read another link (think it was on this forum) that got into the specifics of filling, the tare weight, how the WC plays into it and propane volume and 20lbs is considered full, which takes into account the 80% fill level

Unless I'm completely missing something, 12.3lbs is way short
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Old 12-30-2021, 08:01 PM   #16
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Tractor Supply or just about any equipment rental facility.
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Old 12-30-2021, 09:04 PM   #17
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Ultrasound is accurate.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mac1_131 View Post
They only fill them to about 80% so they are not that low. You never get 100%.
Most times filling stations do NOT bleed the air out of the tanks which leaves room for expansion. That is why you never get more than 80% fill.

Here is a real explanation.

https://www.berico.com/understanding...propane-tanks/
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Old 12-31-2021, 09:46 PM   #18
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Got any equipment rental places near you? That's where I fill my tanks and they have the best price and the service is excellent.
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Old 01-01-2022, 10:43 AM   #19
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Got any equipment rental places near you? That's where I fill my tanks and they have the best price and the service is excellent.
Yes Larry, my wife and I were just talking about this yesterday, there is a rental yard about 2 miles away, will hit them up

Looks like you are in San Diego near the boarder, we are on the opposite end of the county before the Camp Pendleton
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Old 01-08-2022, 04:42 PM   #20
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Went by the rental yard today topped off a five gallon tank that was newly swapped. They still put 2.3 gallons in it then topped off the RV. Put six in it. All good to go now

Paid $3.91/gal
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