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Topic ClosedBest Method for Propane Level guesstimates?

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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Best Method for Propane Level guesstimates?
    Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 2:56pm
Starting from the first post there are two issues: propane measurement and propane management. For measurement, how much is in a tank, I really like the ultrasonic devices. Much easier than removing and weighing a tank. For propane management the dual tank with automatic change over can't be beat. If you watch the switch indicator and refill when it's red you'll never even need to know how much is in a tank, except for beginning a trip/season. But we incurable techies do both. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 9:07am
I'll have to see how much propane the furnace uses in the early season. If all goes well we will be going to the beach every opposite weekend, starting on the 15th.  The cottage is near the beach inside a bay, the temps are as much as 10F higher than 50 miles inland this time of year. If the wind blows from the south it is warmer, if it shifts from the north it can still get chilly at night. If we use a lot, then double tank mod gets bumped up on the list to get done before fall.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 9:47pm
Make that a 3rd.  I do as Marwayne and Tars Tarkas.  No worries, when one tank is empty, switch over to the other (hopefully filled) one.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 10:39am
I have a tank gauge because I don't feel like unstrapping/unbolting the tank.  When we camp, we don't use the heat and electric for the water heater, so the only gas we use is for cooking.  I've camped 7 or 8 weekends and still have over half a tank left.  
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 1:10am
What Marwayne said.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 11:46pm
I have two tanks, when tank one is empty I hook up number two and keep my eyes open to refill number one
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 9:55pm
Built-in gauges are somewhat useful, if only to give a relative reading of tank contents. The warm water method is good because I don't have to take the tank out of the holder to use it.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 8:07pm
Thanks for letting me know those tanks with built in are useful enough, I may go this route. Once it reads zero I can give it a swish and evaluate. I could get two tanks, for swap out, and use the remains on my grill or something.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 7:50pm
I still find the best method to be: pick up the tank and swish it around.  Its fairly easy to tell how much is left.

But, that's not convenient for a tank strapped on the r-pod.  I've got a couple of propane tanks with built-in gauges.  They didn't cost that much more than regular tanks.  They gauges aren't perfect - they show empty when there's still 2-3 pounds left in the tank; but, they're not that bad.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 2:48pm
Well warm water it is then! That should be easy enough at home.  Definitely better than weighing the tank.
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