Best Method for Propane Level guesstimates?
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Topic: Best Method for Propane Level guesstimates?
Posted By: Retroactive
Subject: Best Method for Propane Level guesstimates?
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 11:40am
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Here is my noob question of the day: what is the best method for determining a guesstimate on propane tank level? The tank gauges get very mixed reviews. And I am not sure if those stick on magnets actually work well. If there is no better method, I will just use my Bow Scale to weigh it before trips.
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Replies:
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 11:58am
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The most accurate method is weighing, but it's a PITA to remove the tank. Pressure types that screw on the valve don't work: they're only accurate when the tank is actually empty. Mag strips, hot water, etc. are inaccurate at best. I've tried them all. The best method I've found is the ultrasonic sensors. A few bucks, but they work great and very easy. Be sure to watch the video regarding good contact to the bottle. http://www.amazon.com/Dometic-LPGC10-LP-Gas-Checker/dp/B00Q7379X0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459353128&sr=8-1&keywords=dometic+propane+tank+gauge - http://www.amazon.com/Dometic-LPGC10-LP-Gas-Checker/dp/B00Q7379X0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459353128&sr=8-1&keywords=dometic+propane+tank+gauge ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 12:06pm
| I have that sensor and the only problem with it is when the gas level gets in the range of the tongue bracket band. In that case, you just have to check the levels above and below; if above is red and below is green, you know the gas level is somewhere within the width of the bracket band. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 12:07pm
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Pour warm water down the side, the warm area is empty.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 2:37pm
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The warm water side is probably the cheapest and most accurate method. Don't spend extra on tanks with gauges. Green, yellow, and red are only relative with these gauges. Red does not mean "empty" but merely "low" instead. This makes the gauges pretty much useless as on our trip out west, we had another day or two of use out of a tank where the needle had bottomed out in the red. The ultrasonic reader is a nice high-tech gadget, but I would not say it is going to be any more reliable than the warm water method. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 2:48pm
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Well warm water it is then! That should be easy enough at home. Definitely better than weighing the tank. ------------- |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 7:50pm
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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. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 8:07pm
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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. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 9:55pm
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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.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 11:46pm
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I have two tanks, when tank one is empty I hook up number two and keep my eyes open to refill number one ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 1:10am
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What Marwayne said.
TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 10:39am
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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. ------------- 2010 R-Pod RP-171 2010 Honda Ridgeline TV |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 9:47pm
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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.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 9:07am
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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. ------------- |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 2:56pm
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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.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 6:44pm
| I'm considering getting a 30-lb tank to save on weight vs. two 20-pounders. |
Posted By: Patriot Dave
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 7:49pm
I like your method. Its full proof and a no brainer. ------------- Dave & Joyce Never Forget, In God We Trust; This Our National Motto. Member; Patriot Guard Riders, Michigan Chapter Retired; So Every Day is Saturday.... Except Sunday |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 7:50pm
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I use the shake method. Pick it up and shake it and from the slosh and weight I just how full it is.I also have a 20 pound tank on my Weber Q that can be used if I ever run out. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 9:15pm
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I don't like to spend the time and hassle of removing my tanks so I prefer the hot water method. Tells you exactly where the liquid line is. Just remember that even when full it will only be 80% full, or just below the bottom of the top shoulder. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: P and D Podders
Date Posted: 08 May 2016 at 11:20pm
| Just how does the warm water method work? I have just returned from a trip to Colorado and after using the heat for 4 nights and cooking we only used 2 gallons. A 20LB tank holds about 5.5 gallons. |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 08 May 2016 at 11:34pm
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I do carry a scale ==> http://www.amazon.com/Grill-Gauge-GG-1100-Original/dp/B0012GTU3O - http://www.amazon.com/Grill-Gauge-GG-1100-Original/dp/B0012GTU3O I use it mostly at home for the three twenty pounders I keep. My neighborhood filling station charges me $20 for a 20 pounder no matter how empty the tank is. They've charged the same thing for three years - go figure. When camping, I mostly don't worry about it cuz one 20 pounder lasts a looooong time and propane is so easy to find. I do carry a 1 gallon tank for BBQing that I could easily hook up as main if I needed to ==> http://www.amazon.com/Worthington-281149-1-Gallon-Cylinder-Prevention/dp/B000SKX63U%20 - http://www.amazon.com/Worthington-281149-1-Gallon-Cylinder-Prevention/dp/B000SKX63U fred http://www.amazon.com/Worthington-281149-1-Gallon-Cylinder-Prevention/dp/B000SKX63U%20 - ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Patriot Dave
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 6:17am
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Just curious has to those of you that have two tanks; how many of you have both tanks mounted on the tongue?
------------- Dave & Joyce Never Forget, In God We Trust; This Our National Motto. Member; Patriot Guard Riders, Michigan Chapter Retired; So Every Day is Saturday.... Except Sunday |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 8:37am
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I have two tanks mounted on the tongue with an auto switch. Makes it real easy. I can tell at a glance when a tank is empty, but I have plenty of time to get it filled. It's not a lot of weight anyway, but since both tanks are almost never full, and if they are, they don't stay that way long. So they don't weigh as much as you might think. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 9:07am
| If you are willing to spend the bucks, get a transparent tank. A secondary advantage for such tanks is they are lightweight |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 10:31am
It is really quite simple. warm water heats the tank. The liquid is a better conductor of heat than the vapors. Where there is liquid propane, the metal of the tank cools rapidly. You can easily feel that since the part above the liquid level will stay warm enough to let you feel the temperature difference. You should realize that while you may think a 20 lb tank should hold about 5.5 gallons, the actual capacity is 4.7 gallons. The overfill prevention device will cut off the filling at that point. If the bleeder valve is used, this is also the point where liquid will start to come out of the bleeder valve, indicating full. This site has some interesting information about tanks and filling: http://www.elivermore.com/propane.htm - http://www.elivermore.com/propane.htm ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 10:36am
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Two weeks back I had to get two new 20Lb tanks for my Weber grill, they were past the cert date. The place I got them only sold the type with the gauge on them. So those will become my pod tanks. I know they aren't accurate, but it is better than nothing. I'll post my review on them at the end of the season. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 10:43am
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I can already tell you what your review will probably be like. The gauge on the tank is only a relative indicator of the propane level. When it reads what one would expect to be "empty", it really means that the level is "low." There will still be a gallon or so remaining when the gauge its the red. I though it was a fault, but after talking to the manufacturer, it was explained that this was the case. I don't rely on the gauge except as a relative indicator. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 10:57am
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I'm not going to rely on the gauges either. I just want to know if I am on the low end on a cold night, that is the only time I care about suddenly running out. I would rather just swap tanks before I go to bed. I can always throw the low tank back on in the morning, and then kill that one off during the day etc. I have to put the new tank on this weekend anyhow, maybe I will play a little game and see how fast I can switch tanks out (Forrest Gump!). ------------- |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 1:22pm
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Has anyone asked fwunder his method for checking the propane level? I'm sure there is a PERFECT use of frozen peas. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 2:32pm
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LOL on the peas. The problem with the tanks with the pressure gauges is the tank pressure stays the same until near the very end. If the tank has a float gauge, that will be accurate. Still easier to pour some hot water to see the actual line, IMO. BTW, the hardware store where I usually fill my tanks recently noticed that one of them had expired a year or so ago (they kept filling it but not checking the date). They re-certified it for another 5 years for about $10. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 9:18pm
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Both tanks on tongue, mounted the second tank in the fall of 2011.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 9:24pm
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Are they Goober peas?
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 10:01pm
The tanks in question do not have pressure gauges. They have some sort of flotation device that uses a magnet to activate the gauge dial. There is nothing penetrating the valve for a direct connection. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow. I had a miserable weekend as I have been ill and have not been out except for a trip to the ER today. I should be feeling better as I got the antibiotic prescription I wish I could have gotten before the weekend. I was waiting on lab results (VA health care). Edit: I would think that in this case, beans would work better than peas for the gas level. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 10:34pm
Yes Green Giant Camper! You are almost correct. This method, however, involves only one frozen pea and 99 fresh thawed peas. You will chuckle at the simplicity. Simply bead 100 fresh (not frozen) peas using monofilament fishing line. You will note that the length of the beaded peas is exactly the height of a twenty pound propane tank. Amazing. Now hang the beaded peas from the propane tank valve. They will naturally lay against the tank. Depending on your altitude, the propea indicator may take a few minutes to activate. When activated, you will note one frozen (white) pea. Counting from the bottom, you will now have an exact measurement!! 10 peas from bottom - 10% left. 30 peas from bottom - 30% left!! I love science! And beer. Fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 10:56pm
obviously. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 1:13am
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Help us O-PEA-WAN! You're our only hope!
------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 5:54am
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Priceless!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 7:35am
I still say beans are the best method. They provide a Fast, Accurate, Reliable Test. If you have a F.A.R.T, you know you have lots of gas. 
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 7:57am
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------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 9:05pm
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BOOM! ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 10:28pm
My wife said that one should only use Picked Fresh beans for a P.F.F.A.R.T. One should never use dried beans because nobody likes an old F.A.R.T. 
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 11 May 2016 at 8:57am
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------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 11 May 2016 at 9:34am
Now I can't stop thinking of the Blazing Saddles campfire scene. ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 11 May 2016 at 7:18pm
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What a gas. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 11 May 2016 at 7:30pm
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you're killing me!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |