Whatever happened to fiberglass LP tanks ?

SoundGuy wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
99% have auto switch over regulators, start with two full tanks, both open.

Downside is that with both tanks open you can easily drain both and be left with nothing, especially when the tanks live under a cover that hides the auto changeover regulator's gauge. :M Ergo, the reason I run the tanks sequentially - open one and use it 'til it's empty, then manually switch over to the second full tank. At some point later, at my convenience I'll get that empty tank refilled, then repeat the cycle once the second tank itself has emptied. This way I truly don't care about monitoring tank levels. :)

Been fulltiming now for about 4 yrs and this is exactly what I have done since day 1.

I have found that in most things the simplest and most fool-proof way is usually best.

SoundGuy wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
99% have auto switch over regulators, start with two full tanks, both open.

Downside is that with both tanks open you can easily drain both and be left with nothing, especially when the tanks live under a cover that hides the auto changeover regulator's gauge. :M Ergo, the reason I run the tanks sequentially - open one and use it 'til it's empty, then manually switch over to the second full tank. At some point later, at my convenience I'll get that empty tank refilled, then repeat the cycle once the second tank itself has emptied. This way I truly don't care about monitoring tank levels. :)

Well I would figure how to put a sight window in the cover. Personally we have a 5er, and simply need to open the door on the propane compartment door, takes about maybe 2 seconds to check.
In addition you should have a good idea on how much you use in different whether. That and I always refill the partial tank when we return from a trip.

Here's a couple pics. I like them for their light weight, and I bought them back when they were sold by Ragasco (eventually bought out by Viking) and they were only $120 at that time.

https://postimg.org/image/yuow6d4lh/
https://postimg.org/image/9d6hmrmv9/

rhagfo wrote:
99% have auto switch over regulators, start with two full tanks, both open.

Downside is that with both tanks open you can easily drain both and be left with nothing, especially when the tanks live under a cover that hides the auto changeover regulator's gauge. :M Ergo, the reason I run the tanks sequentially - open one and use it 'til it's empty, then manually switch over to the second full tank. At some point later, at my convenience I'll get that empty tank refilled, then repeat the cycle once the second tank itself has emptied. This way I truly don't care about monitoring tank levels. :)

:h

I just have a hard time getting head around the need to know the level in your tanks. I understand if you only have a single tank, then there is a need, but those with two tanks what does it matter???
99% have auto switch over regulators, start with two full tanks, both open. Once the current primary tank, is empty the regulator with show red in some way. Flip the lever to the new tank, and fill the empty one.
I have far more important things to worry about.

Time to refill!!

We owned two of the banned fiberglass cylinders. The company was put out of business by the government as they had no quality control testing as required by law and when tested had a high failure rate. Anyone who had one lost their money because they can't be refilled and the company filed bankruptcy.

IAMICHABOD wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Seeing is believing. Weight tells the same story. Automatic regulator also will indicate empty cylinder.

Weight is the best way to tell This is the best that I have found to tell how much is in the Cylinder.

Actually, IMO, there is a better level indicating system. It consists of a special OPD float, and a magnetic gauge that snaps on the valve. The gauge is magnetically connected to the float, and indicates the level of liquid in the cylinder. I have it on one of my 20 pound cylinders now, and I will get it put on the other one when I have it re-certified and filled.

one major brand has been discontinued after they were forced to recall all of them due to major failures. My local propane dealer has signs in the office about the recall stating it is illegal to even refill that specific cylinder.

Others are their and reliable but spendy.

They are advertised in Trailer Life and they are costly as they aren't main stream. So it costs more to make. I was wondering what the weight savings would be as I have two 30# on my tongue which would be my only motivation. As I have twin tanks, lp level is simple, when one tank runs dry, switch to the full one, then fill up the empty. I know that this method doesn't work for MoHo's B's & C's, but they do make guages for that.

I too was once interested in fiber tanks but passed due to the cost. With two steel tanks on the tongue I just run one 'til it's dry then manually switch to the second and next time it's convenient have the empty tank filled. In other words, I really don't care what may be in the tanks at any given time and have yet to ever run out. ;)