LP Tank

[CHUCK52]

How can you test the gas level in your LP tank? My test lights say full and the gage on the tank says 3/4 to full, But I want to be sure it's correct. Is the only way is to have it filled?

[Bob Denman]

Why not use it for a while, and see how quickly the readings drop?
It seems kind of early to worry about something like this...

[Trkyte@msn.com]

Oh if we only paid more attention in our high school math class.
Indicators are in thirds, tank gauge is in quarters.
So if your tank gauge is above 3/4 , the indicator lamp is not going to drop until the the tank is 2/3 which is between 1/2 to 3/4.

Use it and let us know what happens.

[CHUCK52]

I've done this. Just don't know how much we have used, but it's been multiple times and still shows full. seems like it should be lower.

[Bob Denman]

You think that is should be lower; and it isn't?
That sounds like GOOD news!!

[CHUCK52]

Ha, Ha. Math is not my problem. it's that I've used plenty of gas I believe. But I can't trust the gauge or lights. If I run out of gas, will you help me explain to my wife that I checked the gauge and the idiot lights?

[CHUCK52]

Yes, Great news unless I've used a lot of gas, and I go empty because I trusted the lights and or Gauge.

[Trkyte@msn.com]

Ok let's go old school. Heat some water in a tea kettle. Go to the tank and pour the hot water on it . Then feel the tank. The tank will feel warmer ubove the liquid propane level and cooler below it.

You should be able to tell the level then. Just a note , they only fill a propane tank to 80 percent.

I camp and boondock quite a bit. Very little used between refrig and hot water.

Heater is where you going to see the high usage, unless wife is using the stove all day. If she is then let me know because I'd love a home cooked meal.

[blw2]

my KIB idiot lights are the same....
why do they even bother with them? Such a waste of good panel space

After a few refills in the blind, it seems that the mechanical gauge might be about right. It's low resolution so just a ballpark....

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by CHUCK52

Ha, Ha. Math is not my problem. it's that I've used plenty of gas I believe. But I can't trust the gauge or lights. If I run out of gas, will you help me explain to my wife that I checked the gauge and the idiot lights?

We will all SWEAR that you've been careully monitoring the propane level. The gauge must be busted, and it clearly isn't your fault...

[Murph]

I believe they won't fill a LP tank more than 3/4 full so maybe they have the lights calibrated accordingly.

[pstandiford]

This works for me. Pour hot water over the strip and get an accurate reading.

https://www.amazon.com/Dozenegg-0019.../dp/B00475GYF4

[blw2]

Originally Posted by Murph

I believe they won't fill a LP tank more than 3/4 full so maybe they have the lights calibrated accordingly.

You know I never thought about that.... screwy calibration....
Maybe 3/4 lights as full
so really 1/2 would light up as 2/3
and a real 1/4 would light up as 1/3 then???

ouch, my head is starting to hurt.

I'm not sure, but I don't think that's how mine was looking. I'll have to look at it again as I use this tank just refilled a couple weeks ago....

[Bob Denman]

Whatever you do... DON'T do this!

McClane-Crawling.jpg

[gmc]

I mainly use the mechanical gauge outside... and yes - it never reads full - they stop filling when liquid comes out the 'overflow' - which is 75-80% full...
It lasts longer than you think - as long as you aren't running the heater.
We ran for 5 months on a single tank - and still had a quarter left... limited heater use... used for stove and outside grill primarily...
The year before I emptied a tank in about 2 1/2 months - it was a bit cooler - and much more use of the heater...
If temps get near freezing for extended period - you can almost watch the propane gauge go down... kinda like the gas gauge on the V10s!

[Trkyte@msn.com]

Ditto on the gas gauge for my v10!

[RadioRanger]

Originally Posted by Trkyte@msn.com

Ok let's go old school. Heat some water in a tea kettle. Go to the tank and pour the hot water on it . Then feel the tank. The tank will feel warmer ubove the liquid propane level and cooler below it.

You should be able to tell the level then. Just a note , they only fill a propane tank to 80 percent.

I camp and boondock quite a bit. Very little used between refrig and hot water.

Or go new school and get one of these LP gas level checkers.

Dometic LP Gas Checker - Dometic LPGC10 - Propane Accessories - Camping World

I have not tried it on my ASME tank yet, no reason it would not work. But works great on my gas grill at home.


John

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by RadioRanger

Or go new school and get one of these LP gas level checkers.

Dometic LP Gas Checker - Dometic LPGC10 - Propane Accessories - Camping World

I have not tried it on my ASME tank yet, no reason it would not work. But works great on my gas grill at home.


John

unless your tank is > 14" diameter.

[RadioRanger]

Originally Posted by Tfryman

unless your tank is > 14" diameter.

I did not notice the diameter rating. I don't see why it would not work on any tank. It just looks at the level of the liquid thru the tank wall.

Will have to try it sometime.


John

[SuperD]

Go by the gauge on your tank, it tends to be the most accurate, it will never read 100%. Mechanical gauges do stick occasionally, but in general that's what I go by.