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Old 10-01-2024, 06:30 AM   #1
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Propane gauge

We have a 2024 Jayco Swift 20T Class B. When the propane was filled the indicator on the master panel shows empty. The dealer changed out the sensor and then the probe, but it still reads empty. The dealer said they did a conference call with Jayco and Firefly (maker of the master panel), Firefly stated when the propane is filled and exceeds 80% it will read empty until below 80%. In my opinion if true it is a design flaw. We are using the propane to get under 80% so we can see if the indicator will read the correct percent. Has anyone else with the 20T have this issue?
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Old 10-01-2024, 07:27 AM   #2
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While I have never heard of that happening, I would say it is possible. I have seen other controllers that if the range was supposed to be between 0~80% that any value above 80% would cause certain controllers to read 0.

In any case, the tank really should never be filled past 80% and as you mentioned that you were using some propane now so hopefully you will know for sure soon.

Does your tank have a gauge similar to this one on it? ~CA
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Old 10-01-2024, 10:41 AM   #3
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The gauge under the vehicle has one that is similar. It has E, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, F. This gauge works. It is the propane indicator on the Master Panel that won't give me a reading. I have doubt on what they are telling me because on our first trip the Master Panel indicated that the propane was full. The main reason for my post is to see if anyone else with a Class B has the same issue.
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Old 10-01-2024, 11:50 AM   #4
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I installed a sensor on my tank for my SeeLevel sensor system. They have the capability of calibrating the gauge when you fill the tank. Just a thought.

On my tank, the sensor just pops on. If you could pop off the sensor and move the insides to a lower reading, that may tell you if the 80% thing is going to work.

I personally think their explanation is somewhat suspect. The gauge is a linear scale basically. The sensor would just be a potentiometer that couples to the tank and goes from zero ohms to some high value. I seem to remember that it couples to the tank via a little magnet.
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Old 10-01-2024, 12:43 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob G View Post
The gauge under the vehicle has one that is similar. It has E, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, F. This gauge works. It is the propane indicator on the Master Panel that won't give me a reading. I have doubt on what they are telling me because on our first trip the Master Panel indicated that the propane was full. The main reason for my post is to see if anyone else with a Class B has the same issue.
I understand, my comment was intended to suggest if you had a working mechanical gauge, that you could use it to determine if your propane tank was overfilled as if it isn't overfilled (80%+) then what they told you wouldn't apply anyway. ~CA
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Old 10-01-2024, 12:58 PM   #6
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I just did a quick search and found this information on propanehq.com
Reasons Why Your Propane Tank Gauge Doesn’t Work
Propane tank gauges rely on pressure to function accurately. When the pressure in the tank is stable, the gauge can accurately measure the fuel level. However, pressure imbalances can cause the gauge to malfunction.
Reasons for pressure imbalances:
Overfilling the tank: When a propane tank is overfilled, the excessive pressure can cause the gauge to display inaccurate readings or even damage the gauge mechanism.
===============
At home in New Hampshire, we've been told by a few propane providers to only fill our tanks to 80%. I've always wondered why. Your question prompted me to do the research. Thanks!
Although the issue you report has not happened to us in our camper, I have experienced mis-reads more often than accurate readings. I'm glad we have two tanks.
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Old 10-01-2024, 02:21 PM   #7
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The gauge connection I was referring to is a mechanical float type. This should not be affected by pressure. In fact, from what I have read over the years, propane pressure gauges don't work. The pressure in the tank is pretty much constant until the tank is almost empty. Then the pressure lowers and the pressure gauge can reflect that. For measurement I believe you are after the liquid volume and not the resultant pressure.

I could be wrong.
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Old 10-01-2024, 02:37 PM   #8
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Thanks Jim. My gauge is reading accurate. It is the level on the Master Control Panel inside the RV that isn't accurate. With the logic they gave me, does that mean when my grey and black water is full it will read empty? I will open everything up tomorrow and fire up the heater, that should bring the propane level down below full.
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Old 10-11-2024, 08:52 AM   #9
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Nope. I have the same year and model as yours, no problem with the gauge.
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Old 10-16-2024, 02:57 PM   #10
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We have a 2023. When we picked it up it read full on the firefly. After a couple uses it read 1/4. Took it to get it filled but they said it must be full because it wouldn't accept propane. Later the gauge read empty. Later it read d/c (disconnected?). Right now it goes between d/c and 70%. When I crawl under the vehicle it looks like it is full?

Can't trust the display at all. BTW - the solar panels look like they are not charging the house batteries. Who knows if they are but the display says they aren't.

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Old 10-18-2024, 10:44 AM   #11
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Was camping for the last week of the year and found upstate PA it got cold here fast.
Woke up at 4am the first morning here to find the RV was 50 degrees inside. So of course, fired up the furnace - ran great. Oh, but after a few days, noticed was using up my propane and JC reported down to only 40 % .
So found a "local" Tractor Supply and had the tank topped off.
This is the first time I have had to refill propane so not much if any experience.
First issue - TS said would only take 6 gallons to fill and sure enough the tank gauge reads F. But now, the JC reads DISC - meaning it is disconnected? Not sure, but it flashes between 100% and DISC. So I read here that perhaps the JC is confused and maybe the reading will "self correct" when the tank gets down to 80%?
Is what what you guys find?
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