Propane fuel gage

I usually fill up my MH propane, my home BBQ propane, my MH diesel, and anything else I can combine into one trip, but I like to get it done soon after getting home so its ready for the next trip. 5 miles round trip is all it takes to do it.

The rest of the pre-launch checklist takes much longer, a few things each day until finished.

Gonzo42 wrote:
I do read the gage on the side of the tank and make notes on my receipt and in my spreadsheet.

Sometimes the weather is cold, yes, but not always. As I mentioned, I like to keep things ready to go.

I have always mistrusted fuel gages and speedometers, so I look for ways to validate readings.

With an engineering mindset, I observe evidence and rely on instruments. Also with a metrology background, accuracy of those instruments is paramount.

Fuel tanks are not rocket science. Wait until the gauge on the wall,not on the tank, drops to 1/4 tank left, and go get a refill. Saves diesel and wear and tear on your C class.

Another option is to buy a spare 5 gallon propane tank for back up if your main tank goes empty.

I do read the gage on the side of the tank and make notes on my receipt and in my spreadsheet.

Sometimes the weather is cold, yes, but not always. As I mentioned, I like to keep things ready to go.

I have always mistrusted fuel gages and speedometers, so I look for ways to validate readings.

With an engineering mindset, I observe evidence and rely on instruments. Also with a metrology background, accuracy of those instruments is paramount.

MNtundraRet wrote:
There are two places to take the reading: at the gauge by the tank, or reading at your monitor panel.

When the tank is filled correctly by a knowledgeable person you should see "full" on the monitor panel. The needle on the gauge by the tank may actually read somewhere above 3/4 full since the tank requires a 20% vapor space.

The monitor with readings of: empty, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full are actually showing the reading when the tank liquid level is near the sensor mark. That means the "full" reading LED will go out rather soon since the tank should only be at 80% (liquid). Remember that you when you see "3/4 full" it means the tank is somewhere between 3/4 and full (just below the 75% level when first noticed). When 3/4 LED goes out and you see 1/2 full you are somewhere in between.

Thing to remember is that you would only know it is somewhere over 1/2 full. Unless someone checks often and happens to catch the 3/4 LED just go out you do not know you just went below 75% level. The needle-gauge at the tank tends to read lower.

I play it safe and tend to refill the tank soon after the monitor looses the 1/2 full LED. If propane is not available close to my location I make sure I refill when the tank gauge needle is dropping close to 1/4 reading.

Not completely true. Filling a ASME tank to full will result in the TANK gauge to show that 75% to 85%. Which is the correct liquid volume. Now, to the INSIDE monitor panel readout. It depends on the brand/model of the Monitor panel system. Some systems (the majority) have either E-1/4-1/2-3/4/F or E/1/3-2/3-F. These type systems will NEVER read full unless the tank has been overfilled or the RV is leaning to the LP tank side and the liquid float is higher than level. Some systems have an adjustable (pot) screw on the monitor panel and those you can fill the tank to 80% and then manually calibrate the remote readout to JUST the FULL light. Doug

Gonzo42 wrote:
This is the tank provided by Wynn E. Bagel on the sprinter chassis, about 18 gal capacity. the gage is on the side of the tank but almost impossible to read. I have to use a flashlight and a mirror. I haven't yet used the panel monitor. I refill by propane after each trip so as its ready to go ASAP.

As of now, the most I have filled is just over 6 gallons.

:h

How can you be complaining about the tank if you never read either of the gauges? Unless your now camping in cold weather, that tank should last a camping season. My tank gets refilled twice each year. I re-fill it when the tank nears about 1/3 full.

This is the tank provided by Wynn E. Bagel on the sprinter chassis, about 18 gal capacity. the gage is on the side of the tank but almost impossible to read. I have to use a flashlight and a mirror. I haven't yet used the panel monitor. I refill by propane after each trip so as its ready to go ASAP.

As of now, the most I have filled is just over 6 gallons.

There are two places to take the reading: at the gauge by the tank, or reading at your monitor panel.

When the tank is filled correctly by a knowledgeable person you should see "full" on the monitor panel. The needle on the gauge by the tank may actually read somewhere above 3/4 full since the tank requires a 20% vapor space.

The monitor with readings of: empty, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full are actually showing the reading when the tank liquid level is near the sensor mark. That means the "full" reading LED will go out rather soon since the tank should only be at 80% (liquid). Remember that you when you see "3/4 full" it means the tank is somewhere between 3/4 and full (just below the 75% level when first noticed). When 3/4 LED goes out and you see 1/2 full you are somewhere in between.

Thing to remember is that you would only know it is somewhere over 1/2 full. Unless someone checks often and happens to catch the 3/4 LED just go out you do not know you just went below 75% level. The needle-gauge at the tank tends to read lower.

I play it safe and tend to refill the tank soon after the monitor looses the 1/2 full LED. If propane is not available close to my location I make sure I refill when the tank gauge needle is dropping close to 1/4 reading.

If I'm not mistaken, mh tanks are to be filled to 3/4 capacity by design. Has to do with making sure there is space in the tank for the liquid propane to become a gas. So if you pull away from the tank and the gauge reads 3/4 you have gotten all you are supposed to.

The capacity rating is set by the tank manufacturer and states the total volume of the tank, not useful Max.

Is this in an ASME tank in a MH? I thought they were pretty reliable using a float inside the tank.