Propane tanks ad gauges

[Coolbreeze196]

Just took my Avalon out for the first time this weekend! Everything went well but it was cold at night about 20 degrees and windy. I read somewhere that the propane valves on the distribution control can get frozen during cold weather stopping the flow of propane? I have 2, 5 gallon tanks on this unit.

I was wondering if anyone has heard of this and could recomment a good propane gauge to attach to the tank (in line) to read the remaining level of propane in the tank. I don't want to use the "stink on type" of gauge.

Thanks!

[AustinBoston]

I don't want to use the "stink on type" of gauge.

Assumption: By "stink" on you mean the magnetic devices that work based on a temperature difference.

Why not?  They will *always* be more accurate than a pressure gauge.

Austin

[flyfisherman]

Just took my Avalon out for the first time this weekend! Everything went well but it was cold at night about 20 degrees and windy. I read somewhere that the propane valves on the distribution control can get frozen during cold weather stopping the flow of propane? I have 2, 5 gallon tanks on this unit.

I was wondering if anyone has heard of this and could recomment a good propane gauge to attach to the tank (in line) to read the remaining level of propane in the tank. I don't want to use the "stink on type" of gauge.

Thanks!

As long as your using 100% propane you really do not have much worry about it shutting down.  On the other hand, butane, will be about done for at freezing. Altitude will also effect efficiency, too, but again, the propane will work just fine.  When you get your tanks fe-filled, just make sure it's from a propane dealer. Not too sure about some of the exchange places - some of them might be supplying a blend of butane and propane.

Good luck on finding that propane gage and when you do find it, please let us know, too!  There are pressure gages you can attach on the tank and they will indeed tell you if there's propane coming out of the tank. I've got one of my tank and the main reason is the hose that attaches to it from the camper just barely reaches and the gage gives just a little distance so the line can be hooked-up easier; also, like I said, I know there's propane coming out of the tank when the tank is turned on.  The gage reads green with a good flow, as it is restricted it turnd yellow and then red when there's no more flow. If the tank was going empty (and I was watching the gage) by the time it turned yellow I'd be lucky to finish perking the coffee before it was red!




Fly

[Coolbreeze196]

Thanks,
I failed to mention that I was at about 7ooo feet ele and the temp was about 29 degrees.

I don't know enough about the magnetic stick on types but I would assume that they are affected by elevation and outside temp but I'm not sure.

With an In- Line gauge I'm assuming that they are more accurate.

I did a search on the internet for gauges and found a few different types for about $25. I'll check locally and see if Home Depot or some other place stocks them and post what I find.

Thanks all for your replies.

[AustinBoston]

With an In- Line gauge I'm assuming that they are more accurate.

In-line gauges are not accurate, nor can they be made to be accurate.  The problem is, until the tank is almost empty, all the gauge really measures is the temperature of the gas.  At a given ambient temperature, the pressure in the tank will be the same whether you have a gallon of fuel or four gallons of fuel.  If a pressure gauge could be made that would accurately reflect the contents of the tank, it would cost $50-100.

The magnetic ones that stick on the outside, to the best of my (somewhat limited) knowledge, are not affected by temperature, but they are only accurate when gas has been flowing for at least a few minutes.  They work on the temperature difference between the liquid and the gaseous propane (and as long as gas is coming out of the tank, there will be a temperature difference).

There are other methods that involve pouring hot water on the tank that are known to be accurate.  I'm sure a couple will be posted by others.

Austin

[TXpopper]

I wonder how my buried propane tank's "gauge" works at the house.  It is a 500 gallon tank, and shows percent full.  Maybe it is not that accurate either, but it seems that when it gets to about 30% and I call, they usually fill it back up to 80%, which takes about 250 gallons.  The propane company uses a flow meter on their truck, so I assume they are being honest on the amount they added.  I guess what we really need is a small flow meter to measure the gallons used in our PUP's that could be reset after each fill up, however; I bet those are not cheap.

[Tim5055]

I wonder how my buried propane tank's "gauge" works at the house.  It is a 500 gallon tank, and shows percent full.  Maybe it is not that accurate either, but it seems that when it gets to about 30% and I call, they usually fill it back up to 80%, which takes about 250 gallons.  The propane company uses a flow meter on their truck, so I assume they are being honest on the amount they added.  I guess what we really need is a small flow meter to measure the gallons used in our PUP's that could be reset after each fill up, however; I bet those are not cheap.

The guage at your house may just be a float guage, meaning a float in the tank actually registers how much "liquid" propane is left.

 In an LP gas tank there is liquid on the bottom and pressurized gas on the top.  As you use the gas more liquid turns to gas (actually it "boils' to gas) until the liquid is depleted.  When this happens, the tank pressure drops off quickly.  For this reason, pressure gauges are usually inaccurate.  In a large tank, they clould actually have a float guage to read how much liquid is remaining.

Now, as other have said the "other" type of LP gas tank gage (meaning the long narrow strip that is attached to the side of the tank; either  magnetic or glue) has a chemical coating which senses the temperature change from the liquid level to the gas. Many times you need to pour water on these gauges to activate them, but they are accurate as they show where the level of liquid is.

[TXpopper]

propane meter
Here is another way (LOL).... just add your own propane meter, then you can monitor your usage.. might be a bit large to hang on the front of the PUP.

[flyfisherman]

There is a couple other "methods" to consider ...


IF ... the temperature and dew point is right when you first arise in the morning, and your heating some water for the morning coffee, take about a cup of warm water and pour it down the side of the propane tank and you just might be able to see the fuel of the tank by the consensation line caused by the fuel's different temperature inside. Well ... I've got it to work a couple of times!

The other is to just bite the bullet and buy one of those super plastic L/P tanks where you can see the contents!

There is one more ~ when the regular 20# L/P tank is getting near empty it will begin to smell ... just like maybe there was a fuel line leak. In my case that means I have maybe a day and halfs suppy on hand before it runs empty ... before that in line gage I have on the tank goes from green, rapidly passing yellow and into the RED zone




Fly.

[LACamper]

Just my $.02... my local propane dealer puts my tank on a scale before and after filling the bottle. It wouldn't be precise, but if you're going to be relatively stationary for a few days and you have a spare $10 bathroom scale why not give it a shot. I don't remember the weight difference between a full and empty bottle, but it should be significant. PS Don't forget elevation and temp change would affect the weight of the bottle (gas vs liquid, I guess?)

[Old Goat]

I have always had duel propane tanks on my popups and like a lot of others, I never worry about propane levels. When a tank runs dry I hook up the other. I have the empty refilled as soon as possible so I always have a full one aboard. I have also carried an extra tank in the truck when going on a long trip.......

[wernstriumph]

Just my $.02... my local propane dealer puts my tank on a scale before and after filling the bottle. It wouldn't be precise, but if you're going to be relatively stationary for a few days and you have a spare $10 bathroom scale why not give it a shot. I don't remember the weight difference between a full and empty bottle, but it should be significant. PS Don't forget elevation and temp change would affect the weight of the bottle (gas vs liquid, I guess?)

I weighed my empty tank and it was around 17 lbs. When I filled it it weighed about 33 lbs. IIRC, altitude and temp affect the volume not the weight of an object but I could be wrong can somebody else confirm this?

[tknick]

Altitude does affect weight.  Weight is based on the pull gravity and the distance from the center of the Earth.  That being said, I doubt any measuring device the average camper would have with them is sensitive enough to measure the differences between the different altitudes.  I would bet the scale would be accurate enough for what you are talking about.  The easiest solution is to have two tanks.  If that isn't an option, I would go with the stick on type.  They will give the most accurate reading at the lowest price.

travis

[wynot]

I wonder how my buried propane tank's "gauge" works at the house. It is a 500 gallon tank, and shows percent full. Maybe it is not that accurate either, but it seems that when it gets to about 30% and I call, they usually fill it back up to 80%, which takes about 250 gallons. The propane company uses a flow meter on their truck, so I assume they are being honest on the amount they added. I guess what we really need is a small flow meter to measure the gallons used in our PUP's that could be reset after each fill up, however; I bet those are not cheap.

Ours has a float.  It's been replaced twice...and I was there both times.