Question regarding propane regulator gauge

[bigmichael]

We have a new 08 36 TKE and are getting our first real constant use of the furnace the last few nights. The propane tank gauge is different than what we had on our last sob, and I just checked it now and have a question.

It looks like I can see the beginning of red on each end of the view, but its not completely red. My last one just went to red once the tank was empty, there was no gradual change. Do these change gradually? Does the fact that I can begin to see red mean the tank is getting near empty but not completely yet? Thanks.

[bigmichael]

We have a new 08 36 TKE and are getting our first real constant use of the furnace the last few nights. The propane tank gauge is different than what we had on our last sob, and I just checked it now and have a question.

It looks like I can see the beginning of red on each end of the view, but its not completely red. My last one just went to red once the tank was empty, there was no gradual change. Do these change gradually? Does the fact that I can begin to see red mean the tank is getting near empty but not completely yet? Thanks.

[rockintom]

BigMichael,

There is a lot of info on this subject....do a search. The short answer is the red indicator will vacillate back and forth off green to red as the original tank is empty. The second tank will be always give less service time than the first because when the regulator indicator with show solid red about 1/4 of second tank is used. So when you first see a solid-hard red, the second tank has about 3/4 of a tank left. Clear as mud huh? This is the info I got from senior design engineer (Mr. Lee) of this unit from Marshall Gas. Normal operation, but some folks don't know about this and think something is wrong. You may not like this feature....but a least you'll know what to expect. I have found no formal "written" literature to this affect, however. HTH rockintom

[Workshop]

Sorry I can't add anything to the discussion. My prior, a '89 SOB, had a differerent regulator/crossover than what I presently have. Being weekenders, I haven't had to deal with an empty tank very often, when I do the indicator is already red by the time I notice it.

Being in sometimes suny Florida, I run the furnance mostly to take the chill off and to run it on maintenance checks. Use a small space heater if I have 120vac availalbe and use there dime.

If you have the Marshall unit, here is an INFORMATION INDEX on their regulator and a few checks you can run. Your system, being new, should be operating correctly, but given as reference material if you don't have it.

As Rockin' has stated, I haven't read any hard information of the operation of the crossover.

[bigmichael]

Thanks. This helps understand how it's supposed to work--so now I'll see what happens.

The information index from Workshop is also helpful. It actually shows how to test both sides to see that they are working properly. I haven't done that yet as so far I don't have any reason to think they aren't.

I think part of what I need to get used to is just how much better insulated this unit is. In our last sob, by the time it was down in the 40's the furnace was running nearly non-stop. Thus, it was easy to go thru a bottle of propane every 3 or 4 days. This is an entirely different experience ( a pleasant one, I might add)

Thanks again.

[rockintom]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bigmichael:
Thanks. This helps understand how it's supposed to work--so now I'll see what happens.

The information index from Workshop is also helpful. It actually shows how to test both sides to see that they are working properly. I haven't done that yet as so far I don't have any reason to think they aren't.

I think part of what I need to get used to is just how much better insulated this unit is. In our last sob, by the time it was down in the 40's the furnace was running nearly non-stop. Thus, it was easy to go thru a bottle of propane every 3 or 4 days. This is an entirely different experience ( a pleasant one, I might add)

Thanks again. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Glad the info helped. Ed Lee, senior design engineer is the guy who wrote the info. He is a neat guy to call on the phone and sit back and listen to his knowledge. I had him on the phone for 35 minutes one time with one simple question. We engineer types are all alike! Gotta laugh.

You are right the Excel is super insulated. Currently we are in Portland, OR and we've already had a few nights in the 30's and the furnace runs a short jont and then shuts off. We supplement the propane furnace with the fireplace. Works great. Later, rockin'

[Squirrel]

I have had the same problem with the gage that is installed on our RVs. Today I bought a gage that measures the propane that is left in your tank. It is easy to install, with no extra fittings. It cost $19.00 and you can find it at Lowes, Home Depot and Sam's Club. I installed it on one tank and works great. I will be buying another one for the other tank and installing it. Easy to read with three areas that the needle drops to: Green Full, Yellow low gas and red refill.

The Squirrel

[rockintom]

Squirrel asked my to post this pic regarding the gas watch article he wrote in the post just above this one! Here ya go. I made it a little bigger than normal so you can see it good. rockin'

[Squirrel]

I wanted to add that another feature of this gage is that it has a leak detection system and an emergency flow limiter in the event of a major leak. This is important if you leave your gas on while traveling down the road. A real nice emergency feature. Thanks Tom for the posting of the picture. A picture is a thousand squirrel's....I mean words.

The Squirrel

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Squirrel, In regards to this gage it must be an indicator, I am trying to remember when I had a 1000 gallon tank, the gage was in the tank and not part of the valve. In you're Oct 31 post quote " I bought a gage that measures the propane that is left in your tank."� Have you tried it in cold and hot temps.? I know that the temp causes different pressure on the tanks. I think I'd trust the red reading for empty ,but I don' think I would rely on the full reading of this gage. I think I'll just keep on shaking mine and know that I'll have enough for heat.

[Squirrel]

"I think I'd trust the red reading for empty ,but I don' think I would rely on the full reading of this gage. I think I'll just keep on shaking mine and know that I'll have enough for heat."

Yes Book2roadtrash, I have shaken that bottle many a time!!! That short hose really made it difficult to shake. What I like is that I know what is in both tanks. When it is cold out side, I am not out there shaking the bottles any more. To get a true reading the instruction say to check the gauge when you turn off from using the heat, oven, or the gas to the hot water heater. I would think that would correct the outside temperature as you indicated.

The Squirrel

[rockintom]

Squirrel,

I like the new avatar of you. Looks like you've put on a few pounds ....nuts musta been good to ya this year!

Just to be back on topic....you aren't gettin' a little obsessed over this gas gauge doo-hickey is ya?

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Squirrel, I installed a 6 foot hose on the left side enabling me to use a 100lb tank. I then have one 40lb for a back up. Actually I use electric until the temps stay below 30 degrees. I feel for myself paying for electric is more covenant than coming home after work and spending over an hour running to get propane unless I am in a park that sells propane. I really like the ones that pick up you're tank and deliver it back full or the tank guy that fills them right in you're trailer .What is the web site for you're gage? I like the idea but want to read up on it more. TY Book2

[Squirrel]

"What is the web site for you're gage? I like the idea but want to read up on it more. TY Book2"

Book2 here it is: www.gaswatch.com

Squirrel,

"I like the new avatar of you. Looks like you've put on a few pounds ....nuts musta been good to ya this year!

Hey, Rockin you do know it is Fall and I am putting on my winter coat don't Ya!! Give a guy a break it is cold out there.

Just to be back on topic....you aren't gettin' a little obsessed over this gas gauge doo-hickey is ya?

If you lived outside you would make sure you didn't run out of gas too. That wood tree I live in is not as nice and warm as your oven. By the way did you ever find out where that vent goes??? Ps. please remove the steel wool so I can get back in, that stuff is real hard on my front teeth.

Squirrel