How Much Propane Remains?

[curtiscapk]

These are great I have one on each tank!

https://www.amazon.com/Mopeka-Check-...1zcF9hdGY&th=1

[notanlines]

I caught it and deleted. Thx!

[Gemde]

Mopeka is outstanding!! We have on each tank and they are extremely accurate. The app allows you to monitor multiple devices. The batteries last about 2 years and are very easy to replace.

[Gypsyrose]

Yes you're local rv dealer or hardware store sells a gauge that attach 1 on each tank.
Not an exact but close measurements I use them on mine and are a great helper

[Gypsyrose]

Yes your local dealer sells gauges for both tanks

[RV Crazy or what?]

I have been using the Mopeka sensors for 4 years now and they are great. Pretty accurate too and you can set the size of the tanks you use up to 100 lbs. I use the app with Bluetooth most of the time as the push button checker only has it in 1/4 units. The app measures in %. I have had to swith tanks for the furnace when the readings are down to 5%.

[WoodGeek]

I use the Mopeka system. It may not be 100% accurate but at least I know when a tank is getting low vs full. Been living in our trailer during a complete house remodel and with the cold weather here in New Mexico it's very convenient to quickly check my phone to see how much propane I am using.

[rlh1957]

You are correct.
As long as a rig owner has a personal method to monitor their tanks, it works.

Whether using some type of tank monitor system or manually monitoring the rig owner must still check and monitor the propane. There is no set it and forget it.
Folks monitored their propane tanks for many decades before the tank monitor systems and auto gauges.
We all did great. Just as checking tire pressures manually or using TPMS

[OldJimi]

I don't worry about how much propane is in the tanks. When the weather is moderate, I hardly use any propane - a very little for baking, but most of our cooking is on a convection cooktop or air fryer. We only use the funace when the temp gets down in the 30s since the furnace heats the belly. When we use propane, a lot recently, I monitor the tanks and check often - when the indicator turns red, I flip the pointer, pull the empty tank and get it filled at the first opportunity, then put it back in. Even when pretty cold out, my tanks last at least a few days, but I put the fresh tank back in and turn the gas on, ready to take over when the current feed tank goes empty. The exact level in the tanks just doesn't matter to me because i have a full tank ready almost all the time. I don't flip the pointer and change tanks in mid-stream - that's asking for confusion and trouble.

[Mikelff]

I have 3 30 gal. Tanks. Two in the rig and one in the bed of the truck. I use the auto change over regulator as others have suggested and check periodically to see when the indicator turns red. I then replace the empty tank with my full spare third tank. This way I never run out of gas in the middle of a cold night. I always have at least one full tank to get me through the night. I will re fill the empty tank as soon as possible. I typically have at least 1 full tank and a partially filled second tank in the morning. I have never run out of gas by doing this. Not even close.

[Panacash]

Originally Posted by Florida5thWheel

Thank you. I will get both tanks filled and follow the procedure you pointed out.

I always make room and carry a spare tank

[freewayrandy]

I simply heat some water then pour it on the tank. Wait a minute then slide your hand from top to bottom. Tank will be cooler where level is.

[jxnbbl]

I've used Mopeka for 3 years and basically have had to replace the sensors and one was very inaccurate. For 2 years it was great...most of this has to do with the exact placement on the tank and movement due to road travel (I believe) For christmas I got a gift basically another brand Echocheck which basically is the same thing but the design looks like it won't move. Don't know if it will work better until after our first long trip.

[rwreuter]

Unless you are boondocking, just use an electric heater......it's free as you already paid for the spot and the electricty.

We hardly ever use our propane furnace.

[jxnbbl]

Originally Posted by rwreuter

Unless you are boondocking, just use an electric heater......it's free as you already paid for the spot and the electricty.

We hardly ever use our propane furnace.

I do, but with the trend of on-demand water heaters....

[L. Rempel]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

There is a very simple and no cost method, you have an auto switch over regulator. Start with both tanks full, point the regulator valve to the first tank you want to draw from, slowly open the valve on that tank then slowly open the valve on the other.
Now when the first tank is empty the regulator with automatically switch to the second tank, and the indicator will turn red. Then you would flip the valve to the second tank and get the first filled.

Excellent advice!
I learned this the hard way having one tank empty on a cold night, and then going out to switch the valve to the new tank and opening it.

[NH_Bulldog]

Originally Posted by jxnbbl

I've used Mopeka for 3 years and basically have had to replace the sensors and one was very inaccurate. For 2 years it was great...most of this has to do with the exact placement on the tank and movement due to road travel (I believe) For christmas I got a gift basically another brand Echocheck which basically is the same thing but the design looks like it won't move. Don't know if it will work better until after our first long trip.

I have been researching and EchoCheck looks promising. It is less expensive than the Mopeka and seems to have a lot less issues reported. I found them at Home Depot with free shipping for less than Amazon.

[jxnbbl]

Originally Posted by OldJimi

I don't worry about how much propane is in the tanks. When the weather is moderate, I hardly use any propane - a very little for baking, but most of our cooking is on a convection cooktop or air fryer. We only use the funace when the temp gets down in the 30s since the furnace heats the belly. When we use propane, a lot recently, I monitor the tanks and check often - when the indicator turns red, I flip the pointer, pull the empty tank and get it filled at the first opportunity, then put it back in. Even when pretty cold out, my tanks last at least a few days, but I put the fresh tank back in and turn the gas on, ready to take over when the current feed tank goes empty. The exact level in the tanks just doesn't matter to me because i have a full tank ready almost all the time. I don't flip the pointer and change tanks in mid-stream - that's asking for confusion and trouble.

Actually as someone else stated you still need to know when you will be empty. For our long trips (early spring/late fall) where we know we will be using the furnace/HWH and cooking we bring a third tank in case we run into a cold snap and it is the backup to our dual fuel generator.


I previously mentioned I had one Mopeka in particular that was giving me problems so I took it out of the equation by setting the trailer tanks to autoswitch over and having the bad sensor on the "primary tank". So when the level of the backup tank started going down I knew the switchover had happened.


That is basically how I managed it all of last year....but is still didn't really like it :-)

[sjrobb50]

A friend put me onto 'Truma LevelCheck Gas Indicator' after I ran out of gas while using an add-on device. It's about the size of a small tv remote. You place it on the side of the tank (not a seam) and press the button. If the light turns green, you have gas at that level. Move the Truma to a different level and press & hold the button. When you reach a level where your light is red, instead of green, you don't have gas at that level. It cost me $70.00.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by sjrobb50

A friend put me onto 'Truma LevelCheck Gas Indicator' after I ran out of gas while using an add-on device. It's about the size of a small tv remote. You place it on the side of the tank (not a seam) and press the button. If the light turns green, you have gas at that level. Move the Truma to a different level and press & hold the button. When you reach a level where your light is red, instead of green, you don't have gas at that level. It cost me $70.00.

Hah! Now you got me wondering if you can do the same thing with a $22 sonic stud finder from Amazon. (I'd try it, but I don't have a part-empty tank.)