For my two propane tanks I can not tell how much gas is in each of the tanks. These are large/ heavy tanks, back inside a pull out tray on the side of the 5th wheel. Is this brand a good one, Astor Pressure Propane Tank Gauge? Don't want to have to unhook the tanks, pull them out and take them to be refilled if they a near full or run out in the middle of a trip.

I've not heard any good recommendations for pressure gauges to accomplish what you want to see. Propane cylinders will keep up the pressure just about all the way to "almost empty" ... pressure doesn't vary much with the LP level.2 methods that work for many of us are (singularly or combination of both):1. Auto change over valve - standard (?) in nearly all the RVs now, I think. I use a grease pencil on the tanks to indicate fill date and selection date when I put a full cylinder in, and the date I point the change over valve handle at the selected cylinder. I then check it with some regularity (daily or whenever I think about it?) and note when the flag goes red, switch the regulator handle to the other cylinder, mark the date and know I now need to fill the now empty cylinder sometime within or well before the "usage window" that the first bottle gave me.2. Pour a cup of hot water down the side of the cylinder and observe the frost line (or feel for the cold/hot demarcation line with my hand) to get an idea of how much LP remaining in that cylinder.

Only one is going to go empty at a time.When Indicator goes from GREEN to RED.....swap indicator lever to other cylinderThen remove the empty one and go get it refilled.TWO 30# cylinders (14 gallons) will last a long timeFTng we went 6 weeks on ONE 30#Pressure inside cyliders doesn't change a lot until almost emptyOverthinking the issue.

I have a buddy that has one of these, AND LOVES IT - Trauma gauge and it seams to be pretty accurate....

ford truck guy wrote:I have a buddy that has one of these, AND LOVES IT - Trauma gauge and it seams to be pretty accurate....X2 this is what I have been using for a few years now works pretty well But you still have to check several times on the side of the tank to be accurate, the only reason I check my tanks is because I try to stay on the easier tank to remove and fill , they are back to back and no slide out tray so in order to fill the back one I have to remove them both , So I try to stay on the outer tank and used the inner as a backup , but back to the point the device works pretty well ,

To expand on what's stated above, the cheap screw on gauges are absolutely worthless. Propane is stored under pressure as a liquid and it boils off at -22f creating the pressurized gas at the top of the tank. That is why when you turn over a small propane bottle you feel liquid sloshing around inside. Your appliances use the propane vapor at the top and not the liquid. So as the propane vapor is used to power the appliances the liquid boils up more gas. If you screw one of those cheap gauges on the valve it will read full right up until all the liquid is boiled off and then the gauge drops to empty. In order to get the true level you need a tank with a gauge that floats on the liquid propane. Aside form a float gauge you can use the hot water trick or one of the electronic devices as linked above.

Propane Tank Gauge,recomendations please | Good Sam Community

Rwake901
Explorer
Aug 07, 2020
Roger10378 wrote:
The other one that works quite well is the Mopeka. The only problem that I have had with it is that the battery life is only about a year(or less in cold weather). It uses sonar to check for the height of the liquid/gas interface. I ended up making a remote battery system for mine so that the battery can be changed without removing the propane bottle.

X2 on the Mopeka. Install the app on your phone. They work great!
Splashers3
Explorer
Aug 06, 2020
Our Tractor Supply sells propane by the gallon.....I think I paid $2.29 or $2.59/gal.....I can't remember...I topped both 30lb tanks off...one took 3.1Gal and the other 2.3Gal...getting ready for colder weather. When full they both weighed 54 lbs.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Nov 14, 2019
laknox wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
Wow! $260 for one with a built-in gauge. I supposed if you're not too strong, and have to lift the tank every day, it might be the way to go. But I think I'll give it a pass. $500 will buy a fair amount of fuel and overnights.

Well, you also pick up about 20 lbs of cargo capacity. :-)

Lyle
Ssh, don't tell the wife she'd have more room for stuff. LOL
laknox
Nomad
Nov 14, 2019
fj12ryder wrote:
Wow! $260 for one with a built-in gauge. I supposed if you're not too strong, and have to lift the tank every day, it might be the way to go. But I think I'll give it a pass. $500 will buy a fair amount of fuel and overnights.

Well, you also pick up about 20 lbs of cargo capacity. :-)

Lyle
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Nov 14, 2019
Wow! $260 for one with a built-in gauge. I supposed if you're not too strong, and have to lift the tank every day, it might be the way to go. But I think I'll give it a pass. $500 will buy a fair amount of fuel and overnights.
laknox
Nomad
Nov 14, 2019
Now, =here's= some nice tanks. Aluminum. 30# tank empty is ~18 lbs vs 25-35# for steel. Can be had with a wired float gauge for remote readout.

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VTS%2D169

I'd say it'd be worth the price to buy them when the current ones expire.

Lyle
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Nov 13, 2019
Contact your propane supplier/dealer about upgrading your bottles with float gauges/ valves. That ebay price might not look so good with the installation which must be done when they are emptied. you may end up with a higher cost than buying new bottles with the float giage valves.
Then sell your standard bottles to ?
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Nov 13, 2019
Those gauges/valves look like the way to go. Ebay had them for about $40 for two of them. Thanks for the heads-up.
GASMAN6674
Explorer
Nov 13, 2019
The industry offers an replacement OPD valve/gauge combo that uses a float inside the tank. Y can get it added next time your tanks are due for re certification.
Search OPD gauge in google.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 12, 2019
toedtoes wrote:
Obviously not everyone thinks they are a PITN if there are lines of them being refilled - neither the customers who use them or the business that fills them.
Was charged the same minimum as a 20# fill for each of the small cylinders. My 30# was just charged the straight gallon rate. Actions are motivated by local costs.

You might do the same if your local charged as such. Be glad they do not.

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Propane Tank Gauge,recomendations please

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