What does 1/2 reading on LP Gauge mean

Kayteg1 wrote:
For me running out of propane is easy to figure out.
IT ALWAYS happen Saturday night.

I think that's a federal law. You are not allowed to run out when it's convenient or readily available. :)

For me running out of propane is easy to figure out.
IT ALWAYS happen Saturday night.

DrewE wrote:
It depends somewhat on the gauge and the shape and mounting of the tank (for a float gauge). I don't think most of the ones on horizontal tanks are calibrated much to the changing geometry of the tank, for instance, so the middle quarters are bigger than the top and bottom quarters. I also think mine shows circa 80% after filling (so it's percent of water capacity), but I am not completely sure of that.

To me, 50% means I don't have to start thinking about buying propane yet.

X2 on the above.

Pretty sure the gauge on our horizontal tank is a float type gauge. It indicates about 80% full at maximum. Also there is an auto shutoff on the fill connection that prevents the tank from being filled past the 80% point. As Drew already indicated, these horizontal mounted tanks have most of the liquid volume at the wider portion around the halfway full point. Your 28 gallon tank contains about 14 gallons at the 1/2 full point. At the 1/4 full point it doesn't contain 7 gallons. More likely only 3 or 4 gallons. I forgot this fact one time and almost ran out of propane.

The gauge should show the propane level, not the tank total capacity.
Same in cars and trucks, where you have air bubble for fuel expansion.
That said none of those gauges is too accurate so you might want to calibrate them.
The best way I figure out is take a look at propane tank on cold morning, where condensation sets on filled part.
They also make thermal tapes that can sense the actual level.
I wold advise to run the tank empty or very low from time to time.
Had it on older motorhome that was refilled too often and it accumulated heavy fractions at lower 1/2 of the tank.
When I start drawing that low, the water heater would smoke heavily putting sot on whole side.

It depends somewhat on the gauge and the shape and mounting of the tank (for a float gauge). I don't think most of the ones on horizontal tanks are calibrated much to the changing geometry of the tank, for instance, so the middle quarters are bigger than the top and bottom quarters. I also think mine shows circa 80% after filling (so it's percent of water capacity), but I am not completely sure of that.

To me, 50% means I don't have to start thinking about buying propane yet.

As explained to me by my propane guy,it is 1/2 of the 80%,regardless of size.

Next time you fill up watch the what happens. There's a gas bleed valve at the 80% level that will spit liquid propane when the liquid reaches the 80% point. Then check your gauge both on the tank and in the coach. You know the tank is physically filled to 80% so compare that to the various gauges.

I'm pretty sure with my rig the mechanical gauge on the tank will indicate 80% but the electronic indicator inside will read 100%.

Means that it is time to be looking for a refill, and/or how much you are using. Its just an indication of how much you are using, and how fast. And especially how much longer you can go on as you are. For an answer, the actual gauge indicates 1-100, with 100 being completely full. When filled to capacity,(80%), it usually indicates somewhere in the range of 80. So look at the tank net time it is filled, and see what it indicates for a filled to capacity tank. Without seeing the actual tank and gauge, it is impossible to say.

Hi,

If it is a float gauge it means 1/2 full when it says 1/2 full. If it is a pressure gauge....not so much--but you still have some propane left.