Propane Tank Gauge

beemerphile1 wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:

myredracer wrote:

...Those fiberglass tanks with a see-through side would have been cool, but AFAIK, they got taken off the market because of safety issues. They were very expensive anyway.

and if you happen to have one of the see through fiberglass tanks, you can't even get it refilled. Propane filling stations have been instructed to confiscate them and destroy them. There were safety issues and the company went out of business after they started the recall on them.

I thought there were two manufacturers of the fiberglass type cylinders. Only one was recalled and bankrupted.

BTW - RV LPG tanks are permanently mounted like in a MH. DOT (Department of Transportation) cylinders are portable, the cylinders are also called bottles sometimes.

I also though there were several, but the local propane gas distributor had a recall notice sheet and when I talked to them they said they were only aware of one mfg for the fiberglass tanks with the see through feature and they were bankrupt. I didn't ask about just plain fiberglass tanks, there may be other mfg of that style, but maybe not "see through".

ktmrfs wrote:

myredracer wrote:

...Those fiberglass tanks with a see-through side would have been cool, but AFAIK, they got taken off the market because of safety issues. They were very expensive anyway.

and if you happen to have one of the see through fiberglass tanks, you can't even get it refilled. Propane filling stations have been instructed to confiscate them and destroy them. There were safety issues and the company went out of business after they started the recall on them.

I thought there were two manufacturers of the fiberglass type cylinders. Only one was recalled and bankrupted.

BTW - RV LPG tanks are permanently mounted like in a MH. DOT (Department of Transportation) cylinders are portable, the cylinders are also called bottles sometimes.

X2 on the regulator having a green and red indicator, been using it for ever and when it goes red I unhook that tank and get it filled since it automatically switches over.

myredracer wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
Do not waste your money on the inline kind. The inline kind read pressure, and will read pressure right up until the cylinder is empty.

Agreed. Knowing this, I bought a pair of them anyway (I found them cheap at Kohl's) and put them on our 30 lb tanks. They indicate full all the time. But, when they actually do get really low, if you look closely at the 2 gauges, you can tell that one needle has moved a bit towards empty compared to the other and that the tank is indeed low. I had to buy a couple of 90 degree LP fittings to make it work. I love doing mods, but this is one that I wouldn't bother recommending.

We have a changeover indicator but it doesn't seem to work. The factory installed the indicator so it was facing towards the rear and you could not read it so I had to flip it around. Argh.

Those fiberglass tanks with a see-through side would have been cool, but AFAIK, they got taken off the market because of safety issues. They were very expensive anyway.

and if you happen to have one of the see through fiberglass tanks, you can't even get it refilled. Propane filling stations have been instructed to confiscate them and destroy them. There were safety issues and the company went out of business after they started the recall on them.

Was over at the RV dealer not long ago, they had an electronic gauge, ultrasonic I think. Hand held, I guess it could detect the liquid level. A brief googling just now did not turn it up.

'Bout $90, I didn't think I needed one all that bad :)

Your automatic regulator should have an indicator when one bottle is empty.
If you check weekly you will never run out of propane. Heavy use check daily.
One brand even has a remote indicator.

beemerphile1 wrote:
Do not waste your money on the inline kind. The inline kind read pressure, and will read pressure right up until the cylinder is empty.

Agreed. Knowing this, I bought a pair of them anyway (I found them cheap at Kohl's) and put them on our 30 lb tanks. They indicate full all the time. But, when they actually do get really low, if you look closely at the 2 gauges, you can tell that one needle has moved a bit towards empty compared to the other and that the tank is indeed low. I had to buy a couple of 90 degree LP fittings to make it work. I love doing mods, but this is one that I wouldn't bother recommending.

We have a changeover indicator but it doesn't seem to work. The factory installed the indicator so it was facing towards the rear and you could not read it so I had to flip it around. Argh.

Those fiberglass tanks with a see-through side would have been cool, but AFAIK, they got taken off the market because of safety issues. They were very expensive anyway.

Do not waste your money on the inline kind. The inline kind read pressure, and will read pressure right up until the cylinder is empty. There are only two ways to know totally accurately what is in the cylinders.

1. weigh it, I carry a digital fish scale and weigh the cylinders occasionally.

2. Buy a cylinder with a built in float gauge.


Some people pour hot water on the cylinder while using LPG to see the condensation line on the side of the cylinder. It works, sort of.

I have (2) 5 gallon propane tanks on my TT with a plastic cover. I would like to get some type of level indicator for the propnae tanks either electronic or anolog. I would also like to keep my cover so that rules out the piggyback anolog units as I don't have enough room with the cover in place. Anyone have a suggestion?

Camping World has propane gauges that fit between your tank and your propane hose. The gauge just screws on and off just using your hand. The gauge is a color display with a needle showing you the apporx. amount of propane left in your tank. I put one of each of my 30 propane tanks. So far, they have been reading accurately :)

There is at least one alternative.

Often Costco etc. will have 5 gallon tanks with a REAL float based level indicator. That's what I use on my BBQ tanks. Tanks are still reasonable priced. Float moves a magnet up and down to move the level indicator. I've used them for years and they are pretty accurate. So for your 5 gallon tanks it is a pretty viable and affordable option.

For those with bigger tanks, well those gauges are available for other tanks as well. that's the good news. Now for the bad news. I checked with my local propane supplier. They are a unit that replaces the existing valve/float etc. Cost is about $75 for a 30lb tank. And I haven't seen any 30lb tanks being advertized/sold with the float based gauge.

His comment is, they haven't sold any, but they must be a "loss leader" on 5 gallon tank sales.