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Old 02-25-2018, 02:21 PM   #21
masterdrago
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Originally Posted by Starmaster View Post
Here’s another option for checking the propane level in your tanks. Its not as slick as a Bluetooth link on your phone, but works on the same principal and can be used on multiple tanks/rigs. Its less than half the cost of the Mopeka.

https://www.amazon.com/Dometic-LPGC1...70_&dpSrc=srch

Dave
Was wondering if that thing really works?? Hey Dave, where do you folks observe? I see your avatar is a telescope. Do you build them? Starmasters that is?
 
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Old 02-25-2018, 02:25 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by Starmaster View Post
Here’s another option for checking the propane level in your tanks. Its not as slick as a Bluetooth link on your phone, but works on the same principal and can be used on multiple tanks/rigs. Its less than half the cost of the Mopeka.
Dave
Is the pix in your sig at the High Finance in Albuquerque?
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Old 02-25-2018, 02:30 PM   #23
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@goldmedik & Loneoak - did you use anything else to attach your sensors to the tanks or do you rely on the magnets?
Just the magnets. The sensors have pretty strong magnets on them and they are going anywhere.
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Old 02-25-2018, 10:06 PM   #24
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Was wondering if that thing really works?? Hey Dave, where do you folks observe? I see your avatar is a telescope. Do you build them? Starmasters that is?
The thing works great, very accurate. Just press it up against the tank at various level from top to bottom. When the light turns from red to green, you’ve identified the propane level in the tank.

My avatar is a generic graphic, but I have several scopes, some like the refractor in the graphic, and also several reflectors. The pic in my sig was taken on top of Sandra Peak in Albuquerque. It was 70* at the base and 46* at the peak, darn cold in a T-shirt. Guess who’s wearing my sweatshirt!

I observe all over the US. I’ve logged observations in FL, MS, OK, NM, WI, MI, KS, TX, and MO to name a few. My main scope is a 14”, I always carry an 8” when we travel.

I have designed/built/modified several dobs of various sizes, but I don’t manufacuture any. Starmaster scopes were made by Rick Singmaster in Arcadia KS. Rick retired a couple of years ago, he was tired and had some health issues, its been about 6 months since I’ve talked to him.

Dave
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Old 02-25-2018, 10:21 PM   #25
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For those of you that use the Mopeka ... I have heard from Mopeka that they are calibrated for 20# tanks and although they tell you a level in your 30# tanks ... it's not the true level of the taller 30# tanks. Does it take a while for the level to drop from full then read from the dimension of a 20# tank?
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Old 02-26-2018, 04:47 AM   #26
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For those of you that use the Mopeka ... I have heard from Mopeka that they are calibrated for 20# tanks and although they tell you a level in your 30# tanks ... it's not the true level of the taller 30# tanks. Does it take a while for the level to drop from full then read from the dimension of a 20# tank?
Maybe that explains my issue. I have a gauge I bought years ago and decided I would try it on the new rig. I put the gauge on one tank and it evidently affects the pressure just enough to not allow the furnace to fire up. I could hear it trying to burn but it would not stay lit. Removed the gauge and problem solved.
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Old 02-26-2018, 07:15 AM   #27
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Ok - where and how do you carry a spare?
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Old 02-26-2018, 08:05 AM   #28
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We also have tags on our tanks and enter the date they were filled.We are longtime and the Rv is always on line.
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Old 02-26-2018, 09:27 AM   #29
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Mikendebbie ... your gauge and the Mopeka monitors are very different ... the monitors stick to the bottom of the tank and are wireless.
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Old 02-26-2018, 12:24 PM   #30
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OK thanks for that info - mine is probably a Camco gauge that screws on. Bought it camping world or walmart years ago for a tank I used with a grill at the time. Found it in a bucket of stuff and thought I would try it out on one of the tanks - but it evidently affected the pressure just enough to bother the furnace's pressure needs. It is going back to the grill tank.
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Old 02-26-2018, 02:00 PM   #31
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Ok - where and how do you carry a spare?
I carried a pair of grill bottles on our last trip. Was not sure if refill was close and it was going to get cold. I'm new so wanted to be prepared. Stowed 'em in genny room in plastic crates wedged in with DEF and box of wood leveling shims.
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Old 02-26-2018, 11:47 PM   #32
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Thx master
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Old 02-27-2018, 10:39 AM   #33
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I too used to not use the auto switchover on the propane tanks. I got tired of having to get up at 2 AM to go out into the cold to open the other valve (that is the only time the tank would run out). I now use the auto function and check the switch each morning during my AM walkaround. If it has switched over, I take the affected tank and get it refilled. I do the morning walkaround to make sure there are no water leaks, someone has not tripped over my sewer hose in the night or some other issue has not developed. I have yet to run out of propane at night or completely exhaust my propane supply. The spare tank idea makes sense and I might do that for emergencies.
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Old 02-27-2018, 11:34 AM   #34
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I have the gages that JOHNANDJOYCE have - one on each tank. They work well. It does measure pressure, but it shows when it is empty. when using more LP I check daily and if one is empty, I get it filled. And like many, I carry a 20 LB tanks for the grill / fire pit which can always be used as a spare. Saves being cold.
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Old 02-27-2018, 11:43 AM   #35
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For nearly 30 years now I have used the auto switchover and I have never run of propane. From experience you get to know how long a tank will last in difference weather and a habit is formed to check to see if the switchover has turned red indicating to go and fill the empty tank.
I always chuckle to myself when camping and I hear fellow campers complaining about getting up in the middle of the night to manually switch their tanks.
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Old 02-27-2018, 12:07 PM   #36
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Two ways I use to check the propane level are looking for the frost line but if not cold enough for a frost line and my IR thermometer after something has drawn propane to see where the temp change occurs. That is the level of liquid in the tank.
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Old 02-27-2018, 05:58 PM   #37
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Two ways I use to check the propane level are looking for the frost line but if not cold enough for a frost line and my IR thermometer after something has drawn propane to see where the temp change occurs. That is the level of liquid in the tank.
The frost line plan works great when in my home area with high dew points and fairly high usage of the liquid from the bottle. I was able to use it the few weeks we did shake down camping but when in dry locations where it is also cold, it does not work to well. My switch over valve did its job on the last campout and the fill station was not but 10 miles away. I've not purchased one of those ultrasonic checkers yet but have tried the infrared temp gun but have had not good luck finding the level. Spring is coming so LP issues will slowly go away for us.
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Old 02-28-2018, 08:49 AM   #38
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I don't use my heater at night. I use a electric heater in the bedroom. I make sure it's not going to catch fire while we sleep.
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Old 02-28-2018, 04:33 PM   #39
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The Bone ... I'll assume you don't frequent the COLD climates or you'd have some frozen water lines.
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Old 02-28-2018, 06:36 PM   #40
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Its pretty simple as others have stated. Only use one tank at a time. As soon as it is empty go get it filled ASAP while using the other. You will never run out.
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