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06-06-2018, 08:25 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 12
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Propane Tank Gauge
Was looking online at different brands of propane tank gauges. Quite a difference of price, really don't want to spend $70. Has anyone had experience with any of them?
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06-06-2018, 08:35 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Stafford Springs, CT
Posts: 373
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Quote:
Originally Posted by campinsharz
Was looking online at different brands of propane tank gauges. Quite a difference of price, really don't want to spend $70. Has anyone had experience with any of them?
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I use this gauge and it's $16:
https://www.amazon.com/DOZYANT-Indic...dp/B007WH7S4A/
There seems to a lot in that price range with good reviews.
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06-06-2018, 05:18 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
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Be aware that gauges of that type basically only provide an Almost Empty" warning. They will remain in the large "ok" area until the last minute and then go quickly to Empty. That's because they can only read the vapor pressure at the outlet and that doesn't change much (if at all) as long as there is any liquid propane left in the tank. As long as there is any liquid propane in the tank to vaporize, the vapor pressure stays about the same.
The only way to get a true gauge reading is a mechanical float type gauge, which involves replacing the tank valve with one that has a float built in. That type will show the liquid level, which can be directly measured and will be accurate.
An alternate technique is to weigh the tank. After adjusting for the weight of the empty tank (stamped on the side of the tank), the remaining weight is the gas. You can determine the remaining liquid propane as the weight decreases. A full 20 lb LP tank contains 20 lbs of gas in addition to the weight of the bottle (about 16-18 lbs). If the weight drops to 10 lbs, the tank is half full.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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06-06-2018, 07:30 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Commercial Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 726
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Propane tank pressure depends on the temperature and remains high (100 to 300psi) until there is no liquid to vaporize (empty). This makes pressure gauges useless except for taking money from your pocket.
A float type valve, pouring water over the tank, weighing the tank or a ultrasonic sensor are your only choices. I use one of these
https://www.truma.com/us/en/products...check-gas.html
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06-07-2018, 05:03 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,698
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You don't need a gauge at all. All you need is some hot water and your hand.
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TeamFoxy ~ Traveling North America
2016 Newmar Canyon Star 3710
2017 Chevy Equinox in tow.
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06-07-2018, 06:36 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 3,722
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After a couple tries to find one that is reliable and long lasting, have chosen to guesstimate while on the road by loosening then lifting the tank. While at home, get the scales out.
there is one that uses a sensor and a smart phone app is supposed to work well but since my phones still have cords or flip open ..... wont work for me
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Dave W
2011 Ford F250 6.7 Lariat CCLB, Gone but not forgotten
2014 Montana High Country 343RL (sold it!)
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06-07-2018, 06:37 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Stafford Springs, CT
Posts: 373
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While a pressure is never going to give you and accurate level reading, I have found it to be helpful and does give an indications as to when the tank is getting low. I have never had an issue be that on my backyard grill, my maple sugaring operation or on my TT and based on the thousands of positive reviews I don't think others have as well.
I agree it's not going to be fully accurate but the OP sounded like they wanted a cheaper solution. The water trick might just do the trick!
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06-07-2018, 09:20 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chasing 70 degrees in lower 48
Posts: 2,031
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https://www.amazon.com/Dozenegg-0019...ane+tank+gaugeThis one seems to work pretty good for us on our big motor home tank - should be fine on portable tanks. Can't get much cheaper.Just pour hot water over strip and color changes to show level. Magnetic so it can be easily moved to different tanks.
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Suzie & Chuck USNR USAF USCGA Challenger Owners Club 2015 37KT Challenger, Demco Commander tow bar, Ready Brake, Sewer Solutions, Safe-T-Plus 41-230, 5-Star tune, towing 2017 Ford Edge FWD 3.6L V-6 four down & 385 FastTrack kayak in the basement.
Summer - Creede, CO Winter - Okeechobee, FL
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06-07-2018, 09:29 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Vancouver Wash
Posts: 7,227
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My Camco gauges seem to work on my bottles.....it's a gauge, not an absolute...
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06-07-2018, 01:39 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Orange, CA
Posts: 355
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I agree with TeamFoxy, Pour hot water on the side of the tank and you can feel the exact level where the temp cools off. I have a gauge now but used the hot water method for over 20 years.
__________________
This post is an opinion based on experience.
Hurricane 27K, Sea Ray 220SD, Jeep Wrangler, 2 door
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06-07-2018, 01:52 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 28
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I got this one for Fathers Day 3 yrs ago and it works great on my 20 Gal tanks. but it is not accurate for smaller/larger tanks.
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...l_8ec8u5t3iq_b
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Forrest River, 2016 Wildwood 263BHXL
2013 F-150 STX 5.0 4X4 w/Heavy Duty Payload Pkg
Blue-Ox Sway Pro WDH
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06-08-2018, 11:03 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 47
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Does this work during a hot summer day 90-100deg?
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06-08-2018, 03:07 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 2,750
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I found out my built in tank has a gauge on it. I have to get a flashlight and lie on the ground to read it but it's there, installed into the tank.
The guy I buy propane from locally says all built in tanks have them?
__________________
Burns & Diane
2005 Winnebago Aspect 26A/2012 Subaru Impreza toad
Illinois! - Where the politicians make the license plates......
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