Anyone have recommendations for an LP Tank Gauge? A quick search on Amazon shows LOTS of choices, from $10 -- $100. If you have experience with which work best (or worst), I'd love to hear it.-R

ricks99 wrote:Anyone have recommendations for an LP Tank Gauge?Nope - 'cause they don't work. :M For any gauge to read accurately it needs to read the liquid level of propane, not the vapour as all these so-called LP tank gauges do. :R If you want to know what's in the tank, weigh it. ;)

What kind of an LP tank?If it's a built-in ASME permanent tank, it should have a float gauge on it already and that's as accurate as anything. Often there's a sender attached to the float gauge dial (at least partly obscuring it) for a readout in the RV, which readout is often very much less precise than the actual gauge.If it's a portable DOT cylinder, such as for a barbecue grill, probably the most accurate way to determine the propane level is by weight (though it's not very convenient to remove it and put it on a scale). The tare weight of the cylinder is stamped on the metal collar, and subtracting that from the total weight gives the weight of the propane. A 20 pound tank can safely hold up to 20 pounds of propane, though most exchange places gyp you out of five pounds and only fill them to 15 pounds.The gauges that adhere to the outside and require one to pour warm water over them also work well, and operate based on the cooling of the liquid propane while drawing off gas. You can often achieve the same thing without the gauge by examining the cylinder for condensation or frost (perhaps after dampening it).The pressure gauges that attach to the tank valve are useless for determining the quantity of propane left, as the pressure does not vary with propane level--it's always the vapor pressure of the propane at whatever temperature it's at. About all such a gauge can tell you is that you've run out of propane.

My propane distributor has magnetic gauge/OPD valves available for small propane cylinders (10, 20, 30 lb.). The gauge snaps on the outside of the OPD valve, and magnetically senses the float position.I have one on a 20 lb. cylinder. It works great. When I get the other cylinder re-certified I will have the new OPD valve and gauge installed in it.A propane "filling station" probably will not have the valves. It is likely that one would have to go to a propane distributor to get the valve changed.

I still do it the old fashion way.Pour hot water on it and touch the tank at the bottom and slide your finger upwards. Soon as you hit warm metal you know how much is left.Mark it and do it again for a few days. This way you will learn how much you use during a day, 1", 1/2" etc.

DrewE wrote:What kind of an LP tank?No need to complicate the issue :R ... considering the OP's SIG says he has a 2016 Kodiak 172e Hybrid it should be obvious he has a conventional "barbeque" propane tank on his hybrid. :WTo the OP ... if you have dual tanks just don't worry about it, when one tank empties you can revert to the second. If you have just one tank consider adding a second with an auto changeover regulator. Alternately, if you consider propane reserve a concern you could swap out your steel tank(s) for composite tank(s) that will reveal their content just by looking at them. :)

LP Tank Gauge? | Good Sam Community

time2roll
Nomad
Jan 21, 2017
Veebyes wrote:
You know what happens when you use the auto change over feature don't you.
Yes the indicator displays RED as soon as the primary tank is ready for refill.

No matter what indicator you use... if the indicator is ignored then you run out of propane.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2017
STBRetired wrote:
I have 20# LP tanks with built in float gauges that I bought at ACE Hardware. They seem pretty accurate. Were only about $5 - $10 more than the ones without the gauges if I recall correctly.

that's what I have on my 20# tanks for the BBQ etc. unfortunetly while this gauge is readily available on 20# tanks, 30# tanks with this gauge are hard to come by and expensive.

For the TT I have an old Marshall switchover valve that has an accy clip on top to the valve that will flash a light in the trailer when the valve switches. That way I know one tank is empty and I don't have to worry about a tank going empty in the middle of a cold night.

I've ordered the new system with the remote senders that attach to the bottom of the tank and a bluetooth reciever for the trailer. Haven't arrived yet so don't know how well it works.
STBRetired
Explorer
Jan 21, 2017
I have 20# LP tanks with built in float gauges that I bought at ACE Hardware. They seem pretty accurate. Were only about $5 - $10 more than the ones without the gauges if I recall correctly.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jan 21, 2017
Veebyes wrote:
You know what happens when you use the auto change over feature don't you.

Who is "you"? :h

Can't be me - I run my tanks sequentially. ;)
Veebyes
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2017
We do it the old fashioned way. When the flame on the stove turns yellow we know the tank is getting low. When the stove won't light we know that we need to change tanks & get the empty refilled. The fridge also displays a low propane message.

You know what happens when you use the auto change over feature don't you.
drsteve
Explorer
Jan 21, 2017
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
Well what the heck - this discussion got me to thinking maybe I should see if I could install a "viewing port" on my propane tank cover that would allow me to see the auto changeover regulator's gauge without having to remove the cover. Easy enough to do, only took a few minutes. :B
Harvey51
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
I am very satisfied with my suitcase weigh scale. Have one similar to the grill gauge from a dollar store and a little digital one. My regulator automatic switch to other bottle feature doesn't work so I get a firm reminder when one 20 pounder is empty. My bottles are in a compartment and easy to remove for weighing.
gotsmart
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
ricks99 wrote:
While weighing the tanks is obviously best, I don't think it is really practical.

It sounds like none of the gauges really work (pretty much what I expected). Sounds like the water/condensation method is the easiest.

(Oh, and I have standard 20# tanks on my HTT.)

Thanks!

-R

The Grill Gauge is made for 20# tanks. It is why my external tanks for my MH are 20# tanks. I use a Grill Gauge to weigh the tanks.
cubbear
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
I have the one that uses a smart phone app. it is called LPG tank have it installed but have not used yet. both tanks are full it says 100%

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