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Old 07-12-2012, 03:35 PM   #1
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Propane Tank Levels

I am looking to find a good way to know what my levels are on my tanks.
I have one of these for my gas grill - http://www.amazon.com/GasWatch-TVL21.../dp/B000S5S3M4
but the way the gas lines are set up on the camper, this won't work.
I don't know the proper term buy my camper has the auto switch between tanks - the "old days" they had a switch with an indicator so you knew which side the propane was being drawn from and this one doesn't. Although when I refilled them yesterday, they boto took about 1 1/2 gallons.
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Old 07-12-2012, 03:55 PM   #2
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I only turn one side on until empty.In my area it costs the same for 1/2 gal as it does for a full tank so I like to get all I can for the dollars spent..
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Old 07-12-2012, 09:54 PM   #3
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Same/same. When one take is empty, I switch to the secondary then fill the first. Of course...that doesn't work if you only have one tank!
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Old 07-13-2012, 04:06 AM   #4
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Weigh the tank and subtract the tare weight stamped on the valve protection ring. Pick a tank to run on and use it until it's dry then remove, fill it, and run off the other tank.
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Old 07-13-2012, 06:58 AM   #5
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I plan on upgrading my tanks to these. http://www.litecylinder.com/ You can see the levels and they are lighter. Also, if you can find a UHAUL, they usually fill by the gallon. Around me, they are the only ones that do this. Everyone else charges a flat fee no matter how much your getting.
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Old 07-13-2012, 08:45 AM   #6
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I always used the "hot water method". Certainly not as accurate as a gauge, but I have never ran out of propane, not tried to fill a 7 gal bottle and it only take 1.5 gallons.

Take a large cup of hot water and dump it down the side of the tank. Then feel along the water line from the top down, where the tanks changes from cold to warm is where the approx propane level is.

This is what I was taught several years ago and have been using ever since...although the gauge you linked too looks interesting. Any experience with it from you your bbq...does it work well?
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Old 07-13-2012, 02:09 PM   #7
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I got my tank (1) filled and notice the propane guy has a mechanical gauge that can be added to a tank. A float goes in the tank and it has a small gauge on the valve. I seem to recall they were about $30. I'll probably have to have one soon.
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Old 07-13-2012, 07:41 PM   #8
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When I bought the camper it did not have the auto-failover valve. I depend on this - when it turns red I remove the empty tank and fill it - all while knowing I still have a full tank. Then after I hook the full tank back up, I flip the switch to point towards the one that didn't go empty.

It's a really easy install - this looks like the one I bought: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...egulator/24030

the little window in the center turns red when the current primary tank runs out and it fails over. Wouldn't go camping without it

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Old 07-14-2012, 06:20 AM   #9
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Don't waste your money. Unless you are running a furnace, the tank should last you a year, Just remember to fill it up every 6 months or so.
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Old 07-16-2012, 09:06 AM   #10
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Chakara......Had the RV dealer install the same auto switch over with green/red window on the new RV, my older one had it on and really relied on it. Just have to remember to take the cover off and check it once and a while.
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Old 07-17-2012, 04:50 PM   #11
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lite cylinders

Quote:
Originally Posted by jdorant View Post
I plan on upgrading my tanks to these. http://www.litecylinder.com/ You can see the levels and they are lighter. Also, if you can find a UHAUL, they usually fill by the gallon. Around me, they are the only ones that do this. Everyone else charges a flat fee no matter how much your getting.
I found the lite cylinders construction process fascinating. Noticed that the frames for the cylinders did not have holes that would allow the cylinder to be bolted to my RV. I expect that I could arrange something else but was surprised that holes were not already drilled. Has anyone used these on a RV yet?
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Old 07-17-2012, 07:23 PM   #12
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I found the lite cylinders construction process fascinating. Noticed that the frames for the cylinders did not have holes that would allow the cylinder to be bolted to my RV. I expect that I could arrange something else but was surprised that holes were not already drilled. Has anyone used these on a RV yet?
I didn't notice that. I also didn't notice that the propane was bolted to my frame. I haven't had to fill them yet. I did find another brand, I'll have to research again and see if they have the holes.
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Old 07-18-2012, 10:15 AM   #13
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The lite cylinders also don't have the ring that is standard on the bottom of steel tanks. That would impact mounting these as well.
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Old 07-18-2012, 03:28 PM   #14
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Looks like we have a spammer/troll.
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Old 07-18-2012, 03:31 PM   #15
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Looks like we have a spammer/troll.
Not anymore



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Old 07-18-2012, 03:33 PM   #16
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Just sent him to ban land!
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Old 07-18-2012, 05:28 PM   #17
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Nicely done!
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Old 07-19-2012, 04:04 PM   #18
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Spanner Troll... what are you talking about?
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Old 07-19-2012, 05:00 PM   #19
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Spanner Troll... what are you talking about?
There was a spammer posting on this thread but the mods deleted the post and banished them from future posts...it wasn't about you or this thread :-)
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Old 07-24-2012, 01:34 PM   #20
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I plan on upgrading my tanks to these. http://www.litecylinder.com/ You can see the levels and they are lighter. Also, if you can find a UHAUL, they usually fill by the gallon. Around me, they are the only ones that do this. Everyone else charges a flat fee no matter how much your getting.
I checked out that site. Looks like a great idea. Question, does that new cylinder fit in the tank holders on the campers?
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