Gauge For Propane Tanks

I've seen some portable tanks with float gauges. They work pretty well. Most permanent mount propane tanks on motorhomes have that type too.

http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/30-Vertical-Aluminum-Tank-p/vts-169.htm

Google it and you can find more tanks with float gauges. Local and remote readable.

Any "gauge" based on pressure is useless on an LP tank. This is because, based on Boyle's gas laws, the pressure of the gaseous propane in the tank remains essentially the same until there is no more liquid propane to evaporate into gas in the cylinder. Therefore, the pressure gauges go from full to empty all at once. Scales are the best way to determine how much is left in a tank - or the warm water test. I have one of the ultrasonic "pens" that's supposed to tell me the liquid level in the tank. It's not much more reliable than warm water - and I still have to remove the tank from the bay to get a good reading. If you don't have a class A with a large, non-removable LP tank with a built-in gauge, the advice from several above on managing two tanks is the best (my regulator flips over automatically when the primary tank is empty - I just have to remember to check it every now and then!).

Rob

Personally I've never cared at all how much liquid propane may be left in the tanks as I've marked them CURB SIDE / STREET SIDE and always run them sequentially - i.e. with the second turned off I run the first until it empties then switch to the second, offering me plenty of time later to get the first filled. Sure, there's always the possibility of running the first tank dry in the middle of the night and having to go outside to switch over to the second but at least I CAN ... if I run both tanks together and run out in the middle of the night then I'm really pooched. :M

After five years both our tank gauges are along the highway some where. Both fell off when the plastic holding tabs broke.

Hot water for most of the time, ice water if you are in AZ :-)

Poor it down the tank and feel the propane level. Takes only a few seconds and you don't have to tear anything apart.

1L243 wrote:
Was wondering if any use a gauge on their propane tanks. If so what kind and are they accurate?

Wireless monitor inside the trailer would be nice but probably overkill...

Depends..

External gauges are a hit or miss thing.

Like this type..



Which works when you splash hot water down the side of the tank..

Or this type..



Which uses propane pressure, tends to not give much warning, therefore not accurate.

Or this type..



Which is basically a weight scale, but tends to be very accurate.. The downside is you must disconnect tank and remove from tank holder.

The ONLY other accurate tank gauge is an INTERNAL FLOAT gauge..

Basically the valve assy must be removed and a new valve assy which has a internal float must be installed..

IF you can find one it will not be a DIY project, the tank must be emptied by a pro, valve removed and new valve installed.. Then tank will get pressure tested and re certified and refilled.

Not cheap and will cost a lot and in most cases not worth the hassle.

If you have a two tank setup with auto change over why worry about it.. The changeover will indicate when a tank is empty, then you rotate the valve over to the full one and you can remove the empty tank.

Looks like this..

RoyB wrote:
I picked up two of these for my two tanks on my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer... Both gauges jumped to full green when I turned on the tanks...

I had an older version of one of those on my BBQ, it worked for a bit but didn't last very long, I recall it not even lasting for one season.

I picked up two of these for my two tanks on my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer... Both gauges jumped to full green when I turned on the tanks...


I was thinking this is going to be great... SO I started my usual camping runs and everytime I would look at them they both read green...

I would feel the tanks the first thing in the morning and I could see the one I was using was showing the liquid line dropping and when it finally got to half a tank I noticed the gauge was still showing full. I continued on using it until it was about 1/8 full and finally switched over to the full side...

I never did see the gauge show anything except full haha...

The sweat line in the mornings has always been my measure of how much liquid I have in my tanks...

Sure glad those gauges didn't cost very much...

One thing I do here is I have one of those D-RINGS and I move this to the side I am using to tell me which tank I am on. Helps me keep track... One guy told me it was better for him to do the same thing but he would hang it on the empty tank haha...


Roy Ken

I've tried multiple "gauges" for my at home propane BBQ cylinders and never found anything that was very accurate or long lasting. I understand the most accurate way to know is per a hand-held luggage scale via weight but that requires removing the large RV cylinder which would be a pain.

I find it simpler to just have one tank open and cycle filling the tanks based upon running one out at a time. I usually start the season with two full tanks. The last one used has the manifold lever pointing towards it.

One of these might work:

Digital Infrared