IIUC, the pressure in the tank is more of a function of ambient temperature than the gas level in the tank. As such, a pressure gauge isn't useful on a propane tank. But that doesn't stop them from marketing them and taking your money if you're willing to give it to them.
The only true way to know is to weigh the tank and we all know how impractical that is on a p'up. As Fritz said, the condensation is a wonderful indicator and is wholly practical for our purposes.
The add on gauges that you put on the tank then connect the ACME nut are useless as they measure pressure and the pressure stays the same until the tank is almost empty.
That being said, there are now tanks being made that have a gauge directly on the valve that is connected to the over pressure float inside the tank - these do work.
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As Phil said, this gauge doesn't work because propane is a liquid in the bottom and the remaining space in the tank is gas. It has generally the same pressure at 100% full as 30% full so the gauge reads the same until about empty.
I own two, they are a waste.
I've been told that Costo sells the tank with a built in gauge and float so it reads an accurate level.
Joe.....so not only did you buy one of those useless guages, you bought two of them :lmao:
I usually just do the lift the tank and see how heavy it is. If it is light, double check that the spare one is full so that I can switch it out when the other one runs out.
My RV has a huge tank and guage built into the RV. I wonder how that is hooked up. I just filled up at the beginning of the season and it took only 6 gallons which is the same as a 20# tank. I'll fill up again later in the season and see where I'm at.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
[quote author=Lone Lock link=topic=2355.msg22397#msg22397 date=1365003643]
My RV has a huge tank and guage built into the RV. I wonder how that is hooked up. I just filled up at the beginning of the season and it took only 6 gallons which is the same as a 20# tank. I'll fill up again later in the season and see where I'm at.
Both the Bayside and the Roo have auto changeover regulators. That's very convenient as long as you get in the habit of checking which tank it is pulling from.
I've been wondering about this too and stumbled upon this little beauty on clearance at Marshalls. Here's the link on Amazon:
qid=1365006518&sr=8-16&keywords=cuisinart+propane
I have no idea if it's accurate (we haven't been camping since I got it) but we'll check it out this weekend when we have the camper out and see how it reads. It was super-cheap though, so only wasted a few dollars if it's a total bust! 😉
Athread678, the only problem I have (with our hybrid) is that the propane tanks are held down with some sort of bracket (screwed down) and then there is a plastic cover over both tanks. To make it worse, the bunk is probably a foot and a half above the tank cover.
To utilize that device, I would have to close the bunk, remove cover, unbolt the bracket and then lift.
It seems like a perfect way to judge the tanks at the house though. Grill and spare.
I wonder if there will at some point be a scale you put under the tank (that always stays there) that will weigh it at the push of a button. Hmmmm, may have to work on this and get a patent going, lol. Could even tie this into a rv command center thing (where people can check blak and grey tanks, battery level, etc.).
Wizfisher, I think you're on to something with the permanant scale!
Our tank is secured and under our bunk, but we just planned on checking it and the beginning of a trip. We haven't (sadly) camped for any length that would require an additional tank for backup.
Let me know when you've got the scale mod going though; sounds like a great idea 🙂
I'm confused by you guys going the auto-changeover route. As Fritz said above, they're great "as you get in the habit of checking which tank it is pulling from."
Were I to add a second tank, I wouldn't do anything at all to the regulator. I'd run one tank until it's empty, then manually swap over to the other tank. Not only is it cheaper, but it's an easy reminder to me that I need to refill the one tank.
And I don't need a gauge any more. When I feel the need to know, I can do the water trick.
Win-win.
I have two 20 lb tanks and don't have an auto changeover... the bad thing is when you run out in the middle of the night. Most heaters don't turn off, they just blow cold air until DW wakes up yelling because it's so darn cold in the camper. Then you have to get up, get dressed, go outside and change it over in the middle of the night cause if DW ain't happy, well you know. :rofl:
Found a scale on Amazon that looks like the ne I thought about inventing. Lol
qid=1365727587&sr=8-2&keywords=Propane+scale
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