Propane tank gauge

Sidhalemm

Can anyone recommend a propane tank gauge?  I want to install one so I know how much fuel I have before I head out on a trip. Thanks

Bill

Verna

Walmart or Camping World has one that screws into the tank and the hose screws into the gauge. It's not precise, but it does well enough for you to know when you're getting low.  If you need a picture , do a search on gauge, maybe propane gauge. I think PXLated posted a picture of his gauge. 

JandJ92010

I use the gauge that Verna is talking about, not great, but it does work. I have it on my 4.25lb. tank. There is also a strip type that sticks to the side of the tank and changes color depending on the surface temp of the tank. It will be different where the gas is and isn't. Haven't used one but they are out there.

cbarnhill

You can trade in your empty regular tank to u haul and they will replace it with a tank with a gauge for $20.

Playc

I bought from Amazon for $20 Camco 59023 Propane Gauge/Leak Detector

Sidhalemm

Thanks to everybody for their reply

bill

Kevin@7

The weight sensors are the most accurate way to gauge.  I like this one that connects to your smartphone so you know exactly where you are.

http://store.tvlintl.com/index.php/gaswatchtm/smart-gaswatchtm-bluetooth-enabled-tank-scale-model-tvl-218.html

Maybe a bit of overkill for the casual user but could be useful if you do a lot of boon docking and want to know when you need to conserve.  Not too bad a price but then again all it's really doing is keeping tabs on the weight.

Nomad

Wonder if tha scale would fit in the T@B propane frame and if it did wether it would raise the tank too high.
Looks slick and not that expensive - not much more than a pressure gauge.

jdargis

They don't show it on a trailer.  I wonder how the scale plate will hold up to road bumps and vibrations.

RollingLagrima

I wondered the same thing PXLated...looks like 3-4 inches high?

jdargis

Also, for scale to read properly, you wouldn't be able to tighten the tank down, otherwise it would show full all the time. Just like pushing down on a scale with your hand

Nomad

Good point jdargis

Kevin@7

Forgot about that very important detail.  Guess it would't work out so well unless you did some major reconfigure of the supports and even then road bumps might damage it pretty good.  Guess it'll just have to be a device for the home grill.

Photomom

Related question: can you fill a partially empty propane tank? Say you use half a tank on a trip, but want to make sure you head out for the next trip with a full tank.

Verna

Photomom said:

Related question: can you fill a partially empty propane tank? Say you use half a tank on a trip, but want to make sure you head out for the next trip with a full tank.

Yes, you can.

Nomad

I'll somewhat disagree here - Finding refill stations totally depends on where you are/travel - I've had to do the exchange tanks thing far more than I've been able to find a refill station. In the heavily traveled tourist areas, refills everywhere. Off those routes, not. I never used to shop Walmart but it's become the one consistent thing in my travels, including propane availability.

Photomom

Thanks, we typically camp in the Adirondacks with the nearest refill station sometimes hours away. 

gilbutler

I Threw one of these in my miscellaneous box to allow use of the small single use canisters in emergencies: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/propane-steak-saver-adapter/24028

Photomom

gilbutler said:

I Threw one of these in my miscellaneous box to allow use of the small single use canisters in emergencies: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/propane-steak-saver-adapter/24028

Awesome. Need one of those for the backyard grill too!

Nomad

With full-on propane use - in cold weather - the Alde running, the fridge on propane, a tank lasts me 10-14 days. With just the fridge, 20-25 days.

Playc

PXLated said:

With full-on propane use - in cold weather - the Alde running, the fridge on propane, a tank lasts me 10-14 days. With just the fridge, 20-25 days.

Hi PXL - That's fantastic.  Thanks for the numbers.  It makes me sleep better when I'm out of nowhere.

Nomad

Sandra - It isn't just boondocking, most national campgrounds don't have hookups either so it's propane for heat and fridge.

Kevin@7

Sandra said:

...Since I have no Alde heating system or hot water heater and don't run the 3-way on propane ...

Talk about roughing it   When I use those small propane tanks for cooking on my portable Coleman they seem to last forever.  I can't imagine how long a 20lb tank would last if you only use the cook top.

Great idea for the backup.  I wonder if those small tanks would fit inside the PVC tube inside the battery/propane housing....of course making sure the bottom is closed off.  10-14 days of security is pretty good so unlikely I would ever need backup.

Nomad

I should add - I did have one anomaly where the tank only lasted 7-days... Don't know why, wasn't paying attention, maybe colder so the Alde ran more. I carry a spare tank so not a big deal.

Photomom

We always take a few of those cylinders camping since we have a propane stove, lantern, and portable grill, and will continue using those after we get our T@B. I did not know that the steak saver adapters even existed. I have one on order as I type this because the backyard grill has run out of fuel several times mid-cookout. (BTW Amazon has the same thing cheaper than Camping World with free Prime shipping.)

TerryV6

We bought a weight scale "thingy" to try to check our propane levels.  I saw this article for grilling out on this subject.  Not sure I'd do this, but it is an interesting tidbit...

To check your propane, simply boil a pot of water, and bring it out to your tank.  Pour the water all around your tank, letting it drip down the sides and touch all the surfaces.

Then, use your hand and feel around the tank.  If an area of the tank is hot, that means it has been warmed up by the water and there is nothing to cool it down, meaning there is no propane in that level of the tank.

If the tank is relatively cool at a particular level, that means there is a liquid absorbing the heat from the boiled water, meaning there is propane at that level in the tank.    

Hmmmm...

ericnliz

TerryV6, Yes it works. Doesn't even have to be boiling water, just hot. On another note, the propane "steak saver" valve that gilbutler mentioned above can also be used for re-filling the small propane tanks with the larger tank. I found the info on youtube when I was browsing for a way to re-fill them because I got tired of buying them all the time. I realized that on the top was a release valve and that could be used to re-fill. I bought my valve @ Walmart, and have not purchased any small tanks since, just save the old ones, and re-fill them.

Verna

I have two of those portable tank gauges. One is so far off all it's good for is being a cheap extention hose from the regulator. The other one at home is exactly accurate, as far as I can tell. 

But, when I needed a spare tank, I just couldn't resist one of the new tanks from Camping World with an attached gauge. It is accurate, but just like your car/truck fuel gauge--it goes to half really quickly and stays on the lower range forever. I decided to go ahead and get another tank with the attached gauge.

So, I now have a spare 10 lb and a 20 lb at home for the grill. Good for emergencies to use with a propane Heater (yes, there are safety considerations to be followed--sure could have used it in 2014 with -40F wind chills and no electricity for two days. Would have been nice to have had the T@B and Alde then!). 

Nomad

My Jeep gas gauge is the opposite - First half lasts forever, second half goes faster.
I have a propane gauge and about the only thing it's good for is if it hits yellow, change tanks. Up till that point I have no idea how much I have left. But I have the spare 20 lbr so not a biggy.

rfuss928

The pressure gauge on a propane tank will move up and down as the ambient temperature changes.  It is measuring the vapor pressure above the liquid in the tank.  This vapor pressure will stay in the green range as long as there is some liquid propane in tank.  As soon as the liquid has all vaporized the indicated pressure will fall quickly into the red as the last breaths of propane vapor are consumed.  These gauges are not capable of or intended to indicate fuel level - just some (green) or none (red).

The level indicators you attach to the side of the tank use the temperature difference of the tank surface above and below the liquid to display the current level.  Warm water poured over the area helps exaggerate the difference.

Many larger RV parks, suppliers like Tractor Supply Company or commercial propane services can refill your tanks and only charge for the amount delivered - just like at the gas station. 

Having a spare tank of some size is the best way to assure  you can get back up and running without having to run out and find propane

Have fun!
Bob
SUNT@B

Nomad

Yep - Mine has green, yellow and red. It can be in the green during the heat of the day but drop to yellow as the ambient temp falls and then to red - Usually at 3:00am. If it's yellow in the evening, time to switch or I'll be out there in my skivies in the middle of the night :-)