Propane Gauge - recommendations, pls

[Kirk W]

15 hours ago, Jennifer Ministries said:

I think float gauge in a propane tank consists of moving parts situated both inside the tank and outside.

That is true for tanks found in motorized vehicles as they are ASME tanks while the removable cylinders found on most trailers are DOT. The cylinders do not typically have a built-in gage.

                        

Edited November 30, 2019 by Kirk W

[Ray,IN]

On 11/23/2019 at 7:54 PM, mptjelgin said:

What is this talk about going out in the dark and rain to swap cylinders?  With the automatic changeover regulator they swap themselves.

I use my sensor (in the daylight) to give me an idea when the "primary" tank is getting low so that I know to keep an eye on the regulator over the next couple of days, depending on usage. When the red indicator shows that the regulator has switched to the secondary tank I take the empty tank in to get filled. This is all very controllable, and I've never been outside in the dark of night messing with tanks...

I always utilized the automatic changeover feature of the regulator when we owned trailers. There is no doubt when it switches over, the green band begins to turn red as pressure begins to drop. Not checking the regulator is directly on the owner/occupants.

Edited December 1, 2019 by Ray,IN

[Jennifer Ministries]

On 11/30/2019 at 5:15 PM, Kirk W said:

That is true for tanks found in motorized vehicles as they are ASME tanks while the removable cylinders found on most trailers are DOT. The cylinders do not typically have a built-in gage.

                        

Hi Kirk, you are exactly right and i'm as well agree with you. Many thanks. 

[Dutch_12078]

Note that Worthington, Manchester, and others do make DOT propane cylinders with built-in float gauges though.

https://www.amazon.com/Worthington-20-Pound-Cylinder-Overflow-Prevention/dp/B00JBPDLQK

[Ray,IN]

Dutch that is  not a gauge, it is a preset open/closed valve to limit re-filling to 80% of total volume.

[Kirk W]

8 hours ago, Ray,IN said:

Dutch that is  not a gauge, it is a preset open/closed valve to limit re-filling to 80% of total volume.

Quote

Worthington 336483 20-Pound Steel Propane Cylinder With Type 1 With Overflow Prevention Device Valve And Sight Gauge

 

[Dutch_12078]

10 hours ago, Ray,IN said:

Dutch that is  not a gauge, it is a preset open/closed valve to limit re-filling to 80% of total volume.

[mptjelgin]

3 minutes ago, Dutch_12078 said:

Sure looks like a gauge to me!!  More than the required OPD device.

[Dutch_12078]

1 minute ago, mptjelgin said:

Sure looks like a gauge to me!!  More than the required OPD device.

Yep... A bit pricey though...

[ms60ocb]

On 11/23/2019 at 6:58 PM, agesilaus said:

I'd rather swap it over myself then I know that the MT needs to be filled.

I would want the auto switch over option to keep the little lady happy especially when preparing my meal. If you elect to still swap over yourself just leave the full tank valve closed. The 2AM tank change then just requires opening a valve and not a noisy experience for your neighbors .

Clay

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

I definitely understand the auto change over valve and how it works BUT when I am in a cold climate where lines can freeze I would rather the tank run out, and  for me to switch it over than for me to not remember and use up the two tanks and not have any back up propane. At least when I switch it over my self when MT I can remove the M T and get it filled.  Just my thinking.  I did just purchase the propane level detector Dometic LPGC10 LP Gas Checker so before going to bed I can get an Idea of the level of the take in service.

[mptjelgin]

12 minutes ago, ms60ocb said:

I would want the auto switch over option to keep the little lady happy especially when preparing my meal. If you elect to still swap over yourself just leave the full tank valve closed. The 2AM tank change then just requires opening a valve and not a noisy experience for your neighbors .

Clay

 

I noticed in his message Agesilaus mentioned that they'd not used their furnace on the road yet.  I guess if all you're doing with propane is cooking and heating water running out isn't a big deal.  To me furnace operation, and the convenience of automatic switching in the middle of the night is what the auto-changeover regulators are all about.

I  don't understand the concern about burning through both tanks and being left completely empty. It just isn't that hard to be aware of when you run one out. 

[Barbaraok]

When you are first starting out you really don't know how much of anything you will use and either underestimate or overestimate usage, and probably rely on the indicator panel lights as being 'right on' rather than 'in the neighborhood'.   I know that the first year we filled our 40 gal propane tank (in a motorhome, with 32 gal onboard when full at 80%) twice when the light indicated just a 1/4 of a tank left.   Each time it took 15 gallons or less.  That's when I started to compare the lights on the utility panel in the coach with the actual gage on the tank.   Now I know about how much we typically use (not much as we almost always have full hookups) and we refill tank once a year,  usually about 20 gallons.   We maybe run the furnace twice during the spring in Western Washington if it is cold and damp just to get the chill off everything.   We avoid cold weather and use electric space heaters (front and back) for cool evenings in the northwest. 

[Randyretired]

Our old Teton came with gauges on the 40 pound propane tanks.  These are fairly accurate.

[Kirk W]

Dometic LPGC10 LP Gas Checker   on Amazon for $49.40.

[mysticmd]

36 minutes ago, Kirk W said:

Dometic LPGC10 LP Gas Checker   on Amazon for $49.40.

Thanks, Kirk - I'm looking at it right now.   WalMart is cheaper but 'out of stock' and I'm trying elsewhere before resorting to Amazon.

[Ray,IN]

On 12/2/2019 at 9:14 AM, Dutch_12078 said:

Note that Worthington, Manchester, and others do make DOT propane cylinders with built-in float gauges though.

https://www.amazon.com/Worthington-20-Pound-Cylinder-Overflow-Prevention/dp/B00JBPDLQK

I apologize dutch, I was wrong. that liquid level gauge is an option. I assumed it was just another pressure gauge. It is not shown or listed on Worthington's website that I could find.

Edited December 4, 2019 by Ray,IN

[Dutch_12078]

No worries, Ray, it was an honest mistake...

[Lou Schneider]

12 hours ago, Barbaraok said:

When you are first starting out you really don't know how much of anything you will use and either underestimate or overestimate usage, and probably rely on the indicator panel lights as being 'right on' rather than 'in the neighborhood'.  

Indicator panels only work on motorhomes with a level gauge on their permanently mounted tank, not on the portable tanks used in trailers.  That's why we're talking about an automatic switchover device and how to determine how much propane is in a trailer cylinder.

When I was living in Santa Rosa 15 years ago my neighbors moved from an apartment into a new 5th wheel the dealer delivered to the site.  No one explained the propane system to them and late on one 30 degree night I heard them banging on their propane tanks - both were empty and they had no heat.

I gave them my spare tank to use since I had enough in the other one to last until morning.

Edited December 4, 2019 by Lou Schneider

[Barbaraok]

2 hours ago, Lou Schneider said:

Indicator panels only work on motorhomes with a level gauge on their permanently mounted tank, not on the portable tanks used in trailers.  That's why we're talking about an automatic switchover device and how to determine how much propane is in a trailer cylinder.

When I was living in Santa Rosa 15 years ago my neighbors moved from an apartment into a new 5th wheel the dealer delivered to the site.  No one explained the propane system to them and late on one 30 degree night I heard them banging on their propane tanks - both were empty and they had no heat.

I gave them my spare tank to use since I had enough in the other one to last until morning.

I'm sorry, I was trying (and obviously not succeeding) to comment on how after one is on the road for a while they learn how much they will typically use as they go about their daily routine.   

[noteven]

First camper I had with a auto changing regulator I’m all proud of it sayin how great this luxury will be camping at 15F ... then I’m out there at 01:00 hrs cause I guess you have to open the valves on both cylinders...

I just did it again a couple weeks ago...

[richfaa]

We have two propane tanks that changeover  when one is empty and a red indicator shows which one is empty. We use our eyes  to check which one is empty .After years of RV'ing we kind of have a feel for when we should look. This system has been flawless for many years.

[Ray,IN]

9 hours ago, noteven said:

First camper I had with a auto changing regulator I’m all proud of it sayin how great this luxury will be camping at 15F ... then I’m out there at 01:00 hrs cause I guess you have to open the valves on both cylinders...

I just did it again a couple weeks ago...

Been there, done that too. Everyone has a starting point, as Barbraok said. When we began, I too didn't know to open both tanks so the automatic changeover function could do its job.

Quite often sales folks know even less than the prospective buyers.

[Kim 'n Val]

This is what I've used for about a year, with no problems.  

https://www.campingworld.com/mopeka-tankcheck-lpg-tank-check-dual-sensor-kit-90405.html

[MNRon]

I also have the Mopeka sensors.  They work great when they work, but are a little finicky.  Putting a dab of dielectric grease on the sensor before attaching it to the tank helps.