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05-20-2017, 10:45 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Post Falls
Posts: 424
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Installing gauges on propane tanks...
We are debating putting propane level gauges on our tanks. Any recommendations? From looking on Amazon they show the gauges facing in a direction that would face away from the opening. I would guess that can rotate the gauge any direction.
Anyway, recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you...
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Rick and Patti
both now happily retired
2002 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500 HD
8.1 / Allison / Long bed / Crew Cab
2016 Keystone Cougar 284RDB
GOOOOO MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BOBCATS
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05-20-2017, 11:18 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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I had a pair the attached to the cylinders and then the feeds attached to the gauges. Found the gauges didn't work that good and leaked after a couple of years.
There are several different kinds of gadgets including tape, point and shoot and others. I quit using any of them and have learned to judge close enough by lifting them.
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2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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05-20-2017, 11:38 AM
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#3
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Western PA
Posts: 2,732
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Here is latest thread on propane monitors
http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums...ropane+monitor
I bought one of these, you know guys like their toys
Seems to work, designed/calibrated to 20 gal tank
Raptor has dual 30 gallon tanks, central indicator gauge and an auto switch over valve. I should be fine with all that but nice to also have toys
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2013 RAPTOR 300MP w/Rear Patio Deck NO Folding Side Ladder
2013 Silverado 3500HD LTZ CC LB 4X4 DRW
Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel; Allison Trans
Reese 20K; Carlisle Radial Trail RH/HD; TPMS (12 Tires)
Veteran
PSU (GO LIONS)
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05-20-2017, 11:56 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Huntington Beach, Ca
Posts: 250
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__________________
2013 Passport 2890RL GT
2015 Silverado CC LTZ 4x 2500 Duramax
HB Cal
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05-20-2017, 11:59 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by srvnt
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Those are ones I have sitting on my workbench. Just haven't moved them to the garbage can. Hope yours last longer.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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05-20-2017, 12:06 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Huntington Beach, Ca
Posts: 250
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
Those are ones I have sitting on my workbench. Just haven't moved them to the garbage can. Hope yours last longer.
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LOL! Yes, so far three years, they all look like they come from the same place, pretty cheesy for hazardous gas service.
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2013 Passport 2890RL GT
2015 Silverado CC LTZ 4x 2500 Duramax
HB Cal
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05-20-2017, 12:10 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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Mine came from Camping world about 7 years ago. I went on a spending spree. Chairs are still good! Sitting in one at the lake, typing.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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05-20-2017, 12:35 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Palm Coast, FL
Posts: 64
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We've been using this:
AP Products 024-1000 Tank Check LP by Mopeka. The sensors attach magnetically to the bottom of our 20 lb tanks and use sonar to read the liquid level and communicate this to a monitor we put inside the trailer and/or to an app on our iPhone. Seems to work pretty well.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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05-20-2017, 01:52 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: B.C
Posts: 1,399
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My brother inlaw has lent me different ones over the yrs that he doesn't use anymore. I think that those cheap peel and stick ones work the best.
The way that I do it now is when one's empty I just switch over and get the empty one filled. Or I just lift it up and it gives me a better idea. Also in the winter I'll pour hot water on the tank and that's dead accurate.
I've yet to find an LP outlet that'll fill half bottles which can be a pain when I hook up and leave.
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2010 Keystone Cougar 25 RL.
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05-21-2017, 06:35 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Post Falls
Posts: 424
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Really appreciate the posts.
With a consensus that I got we will be saving a few dollars and NOT buying gauges. This forum is so handy.
Thanks again...
__________________
Rick and Patti
both now happily retired
2002 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500 HD
8.1 / Allison / Long bed / Crew Cab
2016 Keystone Cougar 284RDB
GOOOOO MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BOBCATS
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05-21-2017, 07:18 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southeastern Connectiut
Posts: 1,306
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I have found over the years that Agway and most farm co-ops will fill partial tanks. They will charge by the gallon. The A and C classes have perm tanks and need to fill up partials also, so most campgrounds will work with you, (probably at a premium).
As already mentioned, I also only run one tank at a time and then switch over manually. That way I have plenty of notice, before going "Bone Dry" at 2:00 in the morning.
I have found too many of the aftermarket in line gauges tend to leak, just not worth it
Good luck,
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Pull Toy
Steve & Jan, Ava & Emma (Mini Schnauzers):
2016 F350 Lariat 4X4 Powerstroke CC/SB "PULLTOY V"
2013 Alpine 3535RE "MAGIC CARPET IV"
Proud Navy Vet!
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05-21-2017, 07:27 AM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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Installing gauges on propane tanks...
I used to do the manual switchover. ONE time having no heat in snow at 3AM, changed my mind.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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05-21-2017, 09:13 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
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The auto changeover feature seems to work well for us. I monitor the indicator daily and do a refill at first opportunity when one tank goes empty. Seems like the best method without going gizmo...and I do like certain gizmos.
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Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
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05-21-2017, 01:02 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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The online gauges show you propane pressure which remains very constant until the tank nears empty. Had one on my grill and it never left me prepared for an empty tank. Basically they are useless.
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-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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05-22-2017, 07:01 AM
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#15
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Highland, IL
Posts: 512
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Installing gauges on propane tanks...
The inherent problem with propane gauges that measure pressure is, propane maintains a consistent pressure until all liquid has turned to gas... which means you are damn near out.
As propane gas is pressurized it turns to liquid and shrinks in size. In a full tank you have 80% liquid and 20% gas (the recommended fill level to allow for temperature increases). As you use the propane gas the temperature in the tank drops slightly... then one-by-one, the liquid propane molecules turn to gas and expand, raising the pressure back to its equalized state again. Only after some more propane gas is used does more liquid propane molecules turn to gas. This process continues until all liquid molecules have turned to gas and is used.
If you listen carefully, you can hear this taking place as you use it.
In any case, a full tank and a tank with ANY amount of propane in its liquid state will have the same pressure in the tank. Only until the last liquid propane molecule had expanded to its gaseous state will the pressure start to drop... at which point will be a fast fall to empty.
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11-07-2017, 10:21 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Huntington Beach, Ca
Posts: 250
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My gauges at this point have enough gas to cook dinner and heat all night, then it's empty.
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2013 Passport 2890RL GT
2015 Silverado CC LTZ 4x 2500 Duramax
HB Cal
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11-08-2017, 03:29 AM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Pataskala
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Outback 325BH
The inherent problem with propane gauges that measure pressure is, propane maintains a consistent pressure until all liquid has turned to gas... which means you are damn near out.
As propane gas is pressurized it turns to liquid and shrinks in size. In a full tank you have 80% liquid and 20% gas (the recommended fill level to allow for temperature increases). As you use the propane gas the temperature in the tank drops slightly... then one-by-one, the liquid propane molecules turn to gas and expand, raising the pressure back to its equalized state again. Only after some more propane gas is used does more liquid propane molecules turn to gas. This process continues until all liquid molecules have turned to gas and is used.
If you listen carefully, you can hear this taking place as you use it.
In any case, a full tank and a tank with ANY amount of propane in its liquid state will have the same pressure in the tank. Only until the last liquid propane molecule had expanded to its gaseous state will the pressure start to drop... at which point will be a fast fall to empty.
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Brian, you are basically correct except the tank pressure is directly related the outside temperature. As the temperature increases, the pressure increases. There are numerous online charts showing the exact conversion.
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11-08-2017, 08:15 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern Shore of MD
Posts: 133
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I bought the Moopeka Tank Check last year and love it, it works well.
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11-08-2017, 08:34 AM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Palm Coast, FL
Posts: 64
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rsl
I bought the Moopeka Tank Check last year and love it, it works well.
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X2 Works great!
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11-08-2017, 09:32 AM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bfisher003
X2 Works great!
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X3 on that. Love it.
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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