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Old 06-25-2017, 06:38 AM   #1
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Propane Tank Gauge Accuracy

(2017 Precept 31UL). When the mechanical gauge next to the tank says 1/4-tank of propane remains, I can only get the tank to take 8 gallons. Even taking into account the filling restriction, that seems awfully inaccurate. There are two red lights showing on the monitoring panel at that point, which seems closer to right. Stated another way, after you've actually "run out" of propane, how much does it take to "fill" the 16.5-gallon tank, and what does the gauge read when the appliances shut down? Seems that it should take at least 12, maybe 13 gallons? Thanks.
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Old 06-25-2017, 07:03 AM   #2
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Get yourself one of these


American Weigh Scale American Weigh H-110 Digital Hanging Scale, 110 X 0.05-Pounds

American Weigh Scale





I just had FIVE 20 lb. and One 11lb. tanks filled the above scale was extremely accurate Of all the tanks that were filled once I deducted the tare weight the tanks weighed within .1 lbs. of the weight they hold.
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Old 06-25-2017, 07:32 AM   #3
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Get yourself one of these


American Weigh Scale American Weigh H-110 Digital Hanging Scale, 110 X 0.05-Pounds

American Weigh Scale

I just had FIVE 20 lb. and One 11lb. tanks filled the above scale was extremely accurate Of all the tanks that were filled once I deducted the tare weight the tanks weighed within .1 lbs. of the weight they hold.
The Precept has a built-in tank.
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Old 06-25-2017, 08:05 AM   #4
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The Precept has a built-in tank.
I was thinking the same thing! Our Alante gauge is similar. Hopefully someone has a good solution.
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Old 06-25-2017, 09:30 AM   #5
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From my understanding of propane tanks you will get max 80% full. When a tank is filled they open the bleeder some and while filling vapor releases, when it turns to a liquid they stop. If you have a 16.5 gallon tank the most you will get is 13.2 gallons of propane.
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Old 06-25-2017, 03:18 PM   #6
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From my understanding of propane tanks you will get max 80% full. When a tank is filled they open the bleeder some and while filling vapor releases, when it turns to a liquid they stop. If you have a 16.5 gallon tank the most you will get is 13.2 gallons of propane.
Understood. But the most I've ever gotten in a "fill" is 8 gallons, when gauge was saying less than 1/4-tank remaining. So suppose I just wait until the appliances quit working altogether, how much propane will the tank accept to get to the magic 80 percent point? What I'm trying to do is get a feel for when I'll really have to find propane, which can in some situations be a big pain.
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Old 06-26-2017, 07:22 PM   #7
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Understood. But the most I've ever gotten in a "fill" is 8 gallons, when gauge was saying less than 1/4-tank remaining. So suppose I just wait until the appliances quit working altogether, how much propane will the tank accept to get to the magic 80 percent point? What I'm trying to do is get a feel for when I'll really have to find propane, which can in some situations be a big pain.
Sounds like when your gauge shows 1/4 full, you can start thinking about getting a refill. No rush, just know that you are maybe really half full (or maybe more!).
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Old 06-26-2017, 07:48 PM   #8
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That is what it seems like.
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Old 06-26-2017, 07:50 PM   #9
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Propane Guage on Jayco Greyhawk 31 class c, 2017

Is there an inside propane gauge ? If so, where
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Old 06-26-2017, 07:53 PM   #10
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Is there an inside propane gauge ? If so, where
Yes, part of the main monitoring and control panel.
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Old 06-27-2017, 07:04 AM   #11
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No obvious solution

Discovered this problem during my first refill. Propane delivery guy says all the tank mounted gauges are inaccurate, don't believe the gauge.

I now refill when I get below 1/4 tank and have learned to live with the problem. I do not have an inside gauge in my control panel, 2016 Precept 35S.
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Old 06-27-2017, 07:46 AM   #12
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AFAIK (I have no first-hand experience with these gauges), all tank mounted gauges measure the pressure in the tank. That pressure changes very little until the tank is nearly empty, then the gauge will show lower pressures.
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Old 06-27-2017, 07:54 AM   #13
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Old 06-27-2017, 07:56 AM   #14
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AFAIK (I have no first-hand experience with these gauges), all tank mounted gauges measure the pressure in the tank. That pressure changes very little until the tank is nearly empty, then the gauge will show lower pressures.
Many built in tanks with gauges do have floats. The float to gauge "connection" is magnetic (i.e. no mechanical joint to fail and leak.

As the connection is direct and magnetic it is prone to wild fluctuations due to minor movements and even temp.. And is also very inaccurate as they are not designed specifically for each application/tank size. They are designed to be an indicator only. Which is the same direction they took designing the fuel gauges on my Seneca lol.
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