Installing gauges on propane tanks...

[msubobcats]

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...

[chuckster57]

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.

[PARAPTOR]

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

[srvnt]

12.99 each at Lowes.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Master-Forg...FZNafgodA-QBwg

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by srvnt

12.99 each at Lowes.



https://www.lowes.com/pd/Master-Forg...FZNafgodA-QBwg

Those are ones I have sitting on my workbench. Just haven't moved them to the garbage can. Hope yours last longer.

[srvnt]

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.

LOL! Yes, so far three years, they all look like they come from the same place, pretty cheesy for hazardous gas service.

[chuckster57]

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.

[bfisher003]

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.


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[Steve S]

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.

[msubobcats]

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...

[Pull Toy]

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,

[chuckster57]

I used to do the manual switchover. ONE time having no heat in snow at 3AM, changed my mind.

[Desert185]

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.

[BuxCamper]

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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[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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[srvnt]

My gauges at this point have enough gas to cook dinner and heat all night, then it's empty.

[shiggs68]

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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[rsl]

I bought the Moopeka Tank Check last year and love it, it works well.

[bfisher003]

Originally Posted by rsl

I bought the Moopeka Tank Check last year and love it, it works well.

X2 Works great!


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[flybouy]

Originally Posted by bfisher003

X2 Works great!


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X3 on that. Love it.