Propane Tank Level

[cyberrick1]

I'm new to all this but can anyone suggest how to tell what the level of my propane tanks are? We have Two 20gal tanks and I'm guessing that will last the whole summer but it would be nice to know the levels anyway.


Thanks.

[MillMitch]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-RV-...ector/21803283

I've been thinking about picking up a couple of these, but I'm not sure how they would fit in with the switchover valve; and whether theres room in the cover.

[DieselDrax]

Just make sure you have both valves open and keep an eye on your auto switchover valve/regulator, when it turns red that means the tank on that side is empty. Pull it off, get it refilled, and then flip the auto switchover valve to point at the tank that wasn't just filled in order to make it the primary tank. Then when that one is empty it will switch to the full tank (Make sure the valve is open) and you can get the now-empty tank refilled without interrupting the propane going into the trailer.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by cyberrick1

I'm new to all this but can anyone suggest how to tell what the level of my propane tanks are? We have Two 20gal tanks and I'm guessing that will last the whole summer but it would be nice to know the levels anyway.


Thanks.

You can weigh them, or pour hot water on the cylinders and run your hand over the tank till you feel the cool temp difference, which will be the liquid propane level.

This thread will explain how to weigh them with bathroom or luggage scales, and see how much is in the cylinders.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ng-133760.html

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by DieselDrax

Just make sure you have both valves open and keep an eye on your auto switchover valve/regulator, when it turns red that means the tank on that side is empty. Pull it off, get it refilled, and then flip the auto switchover valve to point at the tank that wasn't just filled in order to make it the primary tank. Then when that one is empty it will switch to the full tank (Make sure the valve is open) and you can get the now-empty tank refilled without interrupting the propane going into the trailer.

Here is also another detailed FAQ on the auto changeover valve DieselDrax explained above.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...or-146655.html

Since you stated you were new, these as well as some other things are linked to in this thread that may help in your RV adventures.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ts-157524.html

[bergy]

The most accurate way is to weigh them. Stamped on the tank will be the tare weight, often marked TW. That’s the weight of the tank when empty. So weigh the tank and subtract the tare weight. The result will be weight of the remaining propane.

Not quite as accurate, but usually accurate enough: https://smile.amazon.com/Original-Gr...=propane+gauge

And be aware that pressure based gages are not very accurate. The pressure doesn’t really change until the tank is almost empty.

[jd50i]

Originally Posted by bergy

The most accurate way is to weigh them. Stamped on the tank will be the tare weight, often marked TW. That’s the weight of the tank when empty. So weigh the tank and subtract the tare weight. The result will be weight of the remaining propane.

Not quite as accurate, but usually accurate enough: https://smile.amazon.com/Original-Gr...=propane+gauge

And be aware that pressure based gages are not very accurate. The pressure doesn’t really change until the tank is almost empty.

or one of these for almost half price.
https://www.amazon.com/iKKEGOL-Digit...=baggage+scale

[Gsykora]

I had thought about getting some of these wireless propane tank gauges. However, it now seems like more hassle than it's worth. If one tank runs empty, I just switch to the other tank and then go fill the empty tank. Ya, I may have a very momentary lapse in propane and whatever it was running, but it's not that big a deal - trying to simplify my life

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by Gsykora

I had thought about getting some of these wireless propane tank gauges. However, it now seems like more hassle than it's worth. If one tank runs empty, I just switch to the other tank and then go fill the empty tank. Ya, I may have a very momentary lapse in propane and whatever it was running, but it's not that big a deal - trying to simplify my life

I use those with the app. The monitor is not accurate enough. These are great. This way I can check both tanks yet leave the changeover valve open.....never run out but know when to fill one of the tanks.

It simplifies my life by not having to go open the door and actually check. Such First World problems!!! LOL

[UT_Grandpa]

I shut off the propane vales when I am back home and the fridge is unloaded. I made a ring out of some wire that I put over the valve on the primary tank so I know which one I am pulling from. I can't see the pointer on the changeover valve but with the wire ring I know which tank was in use.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Gsykora

I had thought about getting some of these wireless propane tank gauges.

I have them...I like them a lot.

[nomad297]

Trauma Level Check. It is dead-on accurate and simple to use.

https://shop.truma.net/products/truma-levelcheck

Bruce

[babock]

Originally Posted by nomad297

Trauma Level Check. It is dead-on accurate and simple to use.

https://shop.truma.net/products/truma-levelcheck

Bruce

I was about to get one of those until I found the Bluetooth ones which are more simple and convenient

[cyberrick1]

Thanks everyone for your great comments.


I took the trailer down and had the tanks topped off for the first time. We only used about a fourth of the gas in the two tanks and been camping in it maybe a total of 10 days since we got it. We don't cook a lot in the trailer, just a small breakfast. Sandwich for lunches and dutch oven dinners or out to eat.


The man at the dealer explained the auto switch over and I think I'll just check that each time before leaving. I'm a big Gaget-holic, but I think this will be simplist.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by cyberrick1

Thanks everyone for your great comments.


I took the trailer down and had the tanks topped off for the first time. We only used about a fourth of the gas in the two tanks and been camping in it maybe a total of 10 days since we got it. We don't cook a lot in the trailer, just a small breakfast. Sandwich for lunches and dutch oven dinners or out to eat.


The man at the dealer explained the auto switch over and I think I'll just check that each time before leaving. I'm a big Gaget-holic, but I think this will be simplist.

Yep... anyone that understands how the auto-changeover regulator works and knows enough to read the integrated indicator, realizes that's all that is needed.

[bob213]

Originally Posted by MillMitch

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-RV-...ector/21803283

I've been thinking about picking up a couple of these, but I'm not sure how they would fit in with the switchover valve; and whether theres room in the cover.

I tried these and although they do work they extended my hose to the point that it rubbed on my cover. With the vibration and movement going down the road it eventually wore a hole in the hose and I leaked propane. For some reason safety valve did not stop excessive flow?

[67L48]

Originally Posted by MillMitch

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-RV-...ector/21803283

I've been thinking about picking up a couple of these, but I'm not sure how they would fit in with the switchover valve; and whether theres room in the cover.

Those gauges are a waste of money and a borderline scam.

When you have a propane tank that's full, you have propane that's under pressure to the point of converting it to liquid, hence LPG. Anyway, this is a fixed physical property of propane. On a warm 80 F day, the vapor pressure is 128 psi.

If you have a full tank, the propane vapor above a large volume of liquid propane will have a pressure of 128 psi. If you have a half full tank, the propane vapor above a medium volume of liquid propane will have a pressure of 128 psi. If you have a 1/4 full tank, the propane vapor of a small volume of liquid propane will have a pressure of 128 psi. If you have a tank of one drop of liquid propane, the vapor pressure above that drop will be 128 psi.

When the tank is nearly empty and all of the LPG has converted to gas, then the psi will drop as the gas is used ... but, at that point, there's really nothing left.

Any pressure gauge will be sort of useless until way after it's too late to react.

Good luck.

[MarkDNC]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Yep... anyone that understands how the auto-changeover regulator works and knows enough to read the integrated indicator, realizes that's all that is needed.

My 2019 only has the 524AS Double Stage Low Pressure Regulator with T check valve - so no auto change over or indicator here.

Entry level trailers don't get the good stuff, so that's is why people are looking for propane level indicators, battery shut off switches, voltage monitors, EMS etc.

[Scrapper]

FYI. As mentioned before the gauge that works on the vapor pressure inside the tank is not very accurate. On the large 250 to 1000 gallon tanks you see in rural areas there is an actual float inside that measures the level of liquid propane. This level is transferred to a gauge connected to the outside of the tank by magnets. The gauge can be removed without propane vapor leaking out.

[ImTravis]

The guard I use is sonar based and is based off the amount of liquid. Plus it’s Bluetooth, and I can check while in the camper or the house.