Propane level gauge-do I need one in each tank??

[pirlbeck]

My new to me 2009 Lance 845 TC came with a level gauge in only one of the 2 5 gallon tanks. Do I need one in each tank or is it not a big deal with just one. These are horizontal tanks and I know from my forklift experience that the gauges in a horizontal tank are not real accurate.It seems they show pretty much full until they are almost empty, at least that seems to be the way the one in my forklift works.

Anyone know a good place to buy the complete gauge for these tanks? I can come up with the replacement head display but not finding anything as far as a complete gauge setup. I can install it myself so I would prefer to purchase it online for convenience.

Thanks!

[time2roll]

Yes that indicator is all you need. Although I had that particular regulator and after a few years it was hard to read ad the lens became foggy and the red would sort of creep up. Made it hard to tell when the bottle was actually empty.

Much happier with my Cavagna brand regulator. Red snaps into place and the is no longer any guess work.

[rhagfo]

fyrflie wrote:
My gauge is not very accurate as well but I do like some sort of visual indicator.

Have you checked at a real Propane Dealer?
Not the gas station or hardware store.

Good luck

Is this not a visual indication??? This is free with regulator, start with two full tanks. Check from time to time. When this happens then move lever to new active tank and take the other to be filled. It isn't nor does it need to be rocket science.

I also when I get back from a trip flip the lever and have wht was the active tank filled, starting out with two full tanks.

[JohnG4706]

bob213 wrote:
Saw a video on these the other day. Sound good but yet I hear they are calibrated for a 20# tank and anything above is a little bit off.
Too expensive for me, I wait till one tank runs out, switch tanks and refill empty. Indicator on regulator cross-over is enough for me.
tank sensors

I'm looking at getting two of the tank checkers and using the app for my cell phone. The app will allow you to enter your tank size: 20, 30 or 40. Yes the tank checker is set to read to the 20 lb tank in either percentage or inches of propane. For the 30 and 40 lb tanks it will register 100% until it gets down to the 20 lb levels.

The phone app gives more detail than the wall monitor you can buy with the tank checks. They will also allow you to read your tank if it is laying on its side.

[bob213]

Saw a video on these the other day. Sound good but yet I hear they are calibrated for a 20# tank and anything above is a little bit off.
Too expensive for me, I wait till one tank runs out, switch tanks and refill empty. Indicator on regulator cross-over is enough for me.
tank sensors

[wa8yxm]

There are 3 types of gauges and two ways to find out when it's time to refill
Gage type one: The best: is a float in the tank and a dial on the tank, The dial accurately displays the height of the float.. Ideally the float goes all the way to the bottom.. but not always.

Gage type two: A magnetic or adheasive LCD crystal strip that attaches to the side of the tank, to measure the level you first put a pan of water on the stove and using PROPANE heat the water to boiling (A tea kettle works very nice for this and is in fact what I'd recommend) Then pour the boiling or near boiling water over the tank, NOTE the spot where the color change is on the strip. ANd that is how full you are.

For portable tanks you can use a scale, not a gauge but a measurement of the weight of the tank, then there is a "Tare" weight stamped on the tank, Actual - Tare = Propane.

The last "Gauge" is a red/black thing which can be in-line or it can be mounted on teh changeover valve.. Green = "You have gas" Red means "Selected tank is empty" or "You are all out". Not really a gauge at all.

Do you need a gauge in both tanks?

With two tanks and proper valving no, you do not, you run one tank till it's dry, then haul it to the refill place while the other tank supplies gas.

[beemerphile1]

You don't really need a gauge and one is better than none. Use the non-gauged tank first and when empty use the tank with a gauge.

[downtheroad]

I'm an RV gadget junkie. Drives my wife nuts!
I've had an whole bunch of propane level gauges - none of them really worked.

[fyrflie]

My gauge is not very accurate as well but I do like some sort of visual indicator.

Have you checked at a real Propane Dealer?
Not the gas station or hardware store.

Good luck

[time2roll]

The auto-transfer regulator should indicate when a tank is empty.
No other gauge is needed IMO.

[tvman44]

I do like itchyfeet, check ocassionally to see if the auto transfer has switched, then refill the empty. A tank last us so long as we only use it for cooking because we usually have electrical hookup.

[Itchey_Feet]

I had to purchase new tanks a couple of years ago, neither one have gauges on them (sorry, do not know where to buy an accurate gauge). What works best for us is operate off one and when auto switch valve goes to other tank I get the empty one filled then when it switches back I fill that one. Always have a full tank in reserve that way. Just the way I do it without gauges.