Propane tanks

[CasaDelSol]

DH wants me to ask about our propane tanks. What is a good way to tell how much LP gas is left in the tank? The gauges we have are unreliable. Thanks

[Clemson1881]

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I only use one tank at a time. I always keep a full tank in reserve.

[Waynem]

I also only used one tank at a time. A few times I had to go out and change it at 3:00 a.m., and it was cold outside, but at least I knew I had to go fill it in the morning. I would rather be cold for a few minutes than to run out on both tanks at the same time.

To answer your question, you can buy an inline gauge that will tell you how much you have left. Also, others have set up a "light" inside that will give you information. I'll let someone who has done that give more info.

[exav8tr]

I do as Waynem, one at a time, run out, change over, fill the next day. Always have one in reserve. When doing this way, no need for gauges. I fiddled with the mag strips that you pour water on to tell how much was left. Too much trouble and not very accurate.

[scductman]

I installed the marshall monitor that wingerphil posted about. Now I just leave both tanks on and it flashes inside to let me know to switch tanks and refill the empty.
bobby

[washley1]

I am now keeping a running log on when I fill and when I switch over. Twice in the last year I have run out, switched over, and discovered I had not refilled the opposite tank! Embarrassed and cold! Never again!

[Art-n-Marge]

What gauges do you use?

I use inline gauges at both my tanks and as a part-timer I always fill my tanks prior to a trip.

The size of these gauges forced me to buy a longer hose on one side to accomodate the extra length but I did get them to fit just fine. The irony of these gauges is that for the larger propane tanks like what is used in our Montys the indicator shows green for quite a while. Then when you start seeing the indicators showing yellow/red, it will be empty very soon especially if running the furnace. When that happens sometimes I just switchover to the other tank instead of waiting for it to empty. I can usually wait up to 2 days before a refill but I don't like to wait longer than that just in case the weather drops unexpectedly. This has happened to me twice. The worst was mid September at Grand Teton NP when the weather went from 95 degrees, then two days later it was 39 during the day (20 degrees at night)! No exaggeration!

BTW - I hope Clemson1881, like me, are in the majority. This way one tank is always a reserve until it becomes live and this gives you some time to fill the other tank back up and then it becomes the reserve.

[PapaBeav]

Like most others I just use one tank, and when I think it is near empty I will check it and refill if necessary.

[grampachet]

Another one tank at a time user.

[NCFischers]

Ditto, one tank at a time.

[garyka]

I keep both tanks open and check mine every few days when the furnance is used alto.When the Gage shows the tank switched over I pull the empty tank out and fill it.Tanks always run out about 4:00 am in the cold rain.

[Jolu]

I also use one tank at a time. Ace Hardware has a gauge for about $20 that screws inline to the tank. I use one of theses gauges to connect my BBQ. Easy connect.

[junglejim]

I also use one tank at a time.
I have found that if I leave both valves open and when the changeover occurs the "empty" tank is still about 1/4 full. So I leave one open and the other closed until I run out.

[Ozz]

I found this do-dad:
[IMGhttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/JimsSue13/Ozzsmods101/100_3780.jpg[/IMG]

Please reduce the size of your picture. Thank you. RVWheels

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by junglejim

I also use one tank at a time.
I have found that if I leave both valves open and when the changeover occurs the "empty" tank is still about 1/4 full. So I leave one open and the other closed until I run out.

Can't think of anything worse than to have to go out in 10° weather at 2:00 a.m. in the morning to have to turn that full tank on! Much more convenient to leave both valves open.

Orv

[junglejim]

Orv, I do keep an eye on them and when it is iffy at night I do switch them so that doesn't happen. I don't know if that is how those things are suppose to work or not (switch when the bottles not empty) but when your paying a flat rate for a bottle and its not empty I feel like I am not getting my moneys worth.

[Trailer Trash 2]

I use both of my tanks and use the auto switch over regulator, and use the street side tank first then when empty it changes over to the curb side tank which has a gage on it. I did purchase a new 7 gal tank for about $100.00 with a gage on it, that is the last tank used, but I can see how much propane I have left by looking at the gage.

[junglejim]

Trailer trash2, that's what I started to do when I bought this rig last year. However, before the tank is empty it switches to the other one. I have caught it at times to switch when there was almost half a tank left. So I run on one till its empty then open the valve on the full tank, turn the lever on the regulator and then turn off the valve on the empty on and take it to get filled.

[ols1932]

I've never had a problem with emptying the tanks. I think one time they only put 6.9 gallons in a tank that was empty according to the switchover gauge. I would suspect something wrong with the bottle if it's showing empty when it's still 1/4 full. That means there's still about 1.8 gallons left in the bottle. Something isn't right.

Orv

[Trailer Trash 2]

I guess what is easiest for the person using it, me I just look at the regulator on the curb side when I'm using a lot of propane, and if it is red I have a empty tank on the street side, I can pull the tank and get it filled when I want. the tank with the gage lets me know exactly how much propane I have no guess work involved, no lifting and shaking, weighing, just knowing. which also gives me a extra tank that I can transport if going into cold climent areas if I want.