LP Tank Sensor

[Topvoile]

Hello,
I have a propane tank lying horizontally, is it still possible to install a Lippert sensor that will work properly since from what I saw in their video, they install their sensor on the bottom of vertical tank and did not talk or show horizontal ones.
If it is not possible with that kind of sensor, do you have any recommandations ?

 

[Mikmal]

Hello,
I have a propane tank lying horizontally, is it still possible to install a Lippert sensor that will work properly since from what I saw in their video, they install their sensor on the bottom of vertical tank and did not talk or show horizontal ones.
If it is not possible with that kind of sensor, do you have any recommandations ?

Quoted from Lippert's website, "Optimized for vertical-standing steel LP tanks". So, my guess is, "No".
What's wrong with the OEM tank sensor?

 

[david_reaves]

This has probably been listed before, but I've had great luck with the Mopeka Tank Check Pro. When I checked, there is a Lippert sensor that looks very much like the Mopeka sensor. If so, as long as the app allows you to customize, you can enter a horizontal tank with no issues. The Mopeka branded app definitely allows horizontal tanks. It works great on my 16 horizontal tank which is approximately 100 pounds of propane.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mopeka-024-2002-Tank-Pro-Sensor-with-Magnets-for-Steel-LP-Tanks/902607225

 

[Bob Nodine]

This has probably been listed before, but I've had great luck with the Mopeka Tank Check Pro. When I checked, there is a Lippert sensor that looks very much like the Mopeka sensor. If so, as long as the app allows you to customize, you can enter a horizontal tank with no issues. The Mopeka branded app definitely allows horizontal tanks. It works great on my 16 horizontal tank which is approximately 100 pounds of propane.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mopeka-024-2002-Tank-Pro-Sensor-with-Magnets-for-Steel-LP-Tanks/902607225

We use the Mopeka on our horizontal tank. Yes, it will be off if the RV is parked on a hill but so will any other sensor.

The OPD valve on the propane tank can often shut off before the 80% level is reached. On our 12 gallon propane tank that should fill to 9.6 gallons the OPD will shut off at 8.2 gallons. I like the Mopeka because I can fill the tank to the maximum and call that 100% and then we usually fill up when the level reaches 50%.

 

[16ACE27]

We use the Mopeka on our horizontal tank. Yes, it will be off if the RV is parked on a hill but so will any other sensor.

The OPD valve on the propane tank can often shut off before the 80% level is reached. On our 12 gallon propane tank that should fill to 9.6 gallons the OPD will shut off at 8.2 gallons. I like the Mopeka because I can fill the tank to the maximum and call that 100% and then we usually fill up when the level reaches 50%.

Our built-in tank is horizontal and I discovered the Mopeka sensor last year. Installed per instructions and it works great.

 

[PreCambrian]

We use the Mopeka on our horizontal tank. Yes, it will be off if the RV is parked on a hill but so will any other sensor.

The OPD valve on the propane tank can often shut off before the 80% level is reached. On our 12 gallon propane tank that should fill to 9.6 gallons the OPD will shut off at 8.2 gallons. I like the Mopeka because I can fill the tank to the maximum and call that 100% and then we usually fill up when the level reaches 50%.

I assume that you completely emptied your tank and then filled the tank to determine this. I think that I have the same problem. I guess that I will leave the refrigerator or heater on in the driveway to empty the tank so I can find out for certain if it is the gauge or the OPD that is off.

 

[Bob Nodine]

I assume that you completely emptied your tank and then filled the tank to determine this. I think that I have the same problem. I guess that I will leave the refrigerator or heater on in the driveway to empty the tank so I can find out for certain if it is the gauge or the OPD that is off.

We ordered this motorhome and when we went to pick it up the dealer had not filled the propane tank. We complained and a tech took the motorhome back to their propane filling location and then brought it back. We noticed it did not show full but wanted to be on our way so just said thanks and headed out.

It seemed like the tank was low in no time at all so we went to a filling location and watched while a tech filled the tank. He could not get any flow out of the bleed valve before the OPD valve shut off the input. He could only get a few gallons into the tank. This put me on alert so the next time we had the tank filled I ask the tech to make sure he got some propane coming out of the bleed valve. He could not. That was when I realized the OPD valve was shutting off before 80 %. I did some research on propane tanks to confirm this. I even found a cutaway view of the insides of our propane tank. If you look at the cutaway you can see the overflow tube and the OPD valve.

We emptied our tank and had it filled again and could only get 8.2 gallons in a 12 gallon tank. Math says I should be able to get 9.6 gallons in the tank but never can.

I did a search in our area for a place to get the propane tank serviced but every time I would contact one of these places they declined to work on the tank. So I ordered a new OPD valve, emptied the tank, and removed it from the motorhome. I was never able to break loose the old OPD valve because of thread locking glue. I even used a pipe for leverage. Ended up putting the tank back in the motorhome and we just live with it. I still have a new OPD valve.

 

[PreCambrian]

We ordered this motorhome and when we went to pick it up the dealer had not filled the propane tank. We complained and a tech took the motorhome back to their propane filling location and then brought it back. We noticed it did not show full but wanted to be on our way so just said thanks and headed out.

It seemed like the tank was low in no time at all so we went to a filling location and watched while a tech filled the tank. He could not get any flow out of the bleed valve before the OPD valve shut off the input. He could only get a few gallons into the tank. This put me on alert so the next time we had the tank filled I ask the tech to make sure he got some propane coming out of the bleed valve. He could not. That was when I realized the OPD valve was shutting off before 80 %. I did some research on propane tanks to confirm this. I even found a cutaway view of the insides of our propane tank. If you look at the cutaway you can see the overflow tube and the OPD valve.

We emptied our tank and had it filled again and could only get 8.2 gallons in a 12 gallon tank. Math says I should be able to get 9.6 gallons in the tank but never can.

I did a search in our area for a place to get the propane tank serviced but every time I would contact one of these places they declined to work on the tank. So I ordered a new OPD valve, emptied the tank, and removed it from the motorhome. I was never able to break loose the old OPD valve because of thread locking glue. I even used a pipe for leverage. Ended up putting the tank back in the motorhome and we just live with it. I still have a new OPD valve.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I probably have the same size tank as yours (12.2 gallons, 9.76 gallons water capacity). I have never put in more than 6 gallons even when filling it with the tank gauge reading less than 1/8. I will try using my infrared camera when I get home to check if it’s the gauge or the OPD. Final check will be emptying the tank and refilling it. I haven’t emptied the tank on a trip because I know that my wife won’t appreciate spoiled food and cold water just for the purpose of an engineering investigation.

The propane cutaway article was very interesting.

 

[PS89]

I haven’t emptied the tank on a trip because I know that my wife won’t appreciate spoiled food and cold water just for the purpose of an engineering investigation.

Yeah, they can be a real wet blanket when it comes to that...