LP Tank Gauge?

[ricks99]

Anyone have recommendations for an LP Tank Gauge? A quick search on Amazon shows LOTS of choices, from $10 -- $100. If you have experience with which work best (or worst), I'd love to hear it.

-R

[time2roll]

Veebyes wrote:
You know what happens when you use the auto change over feature don't you.

Yes the indicator displays RED as soon as the primary tank is ready for refill.

No matter what indicator you use... if the indicator is ignored then you run out of propane.

[ktmrfs]

STBRetired wrote:
I have 20# LP tanks with built in float gauges that I bought at ACE Hardware. They seem pretty accurate. Were only about $5 - $10 more than the ones without the gauges if I recall correctly.

that's what I have on my 20# tanks for the BBQ etc. unfortunetly while this gauge is readily available on 20# tanks, 30# tanks with this gauge are hard to come by and expensive.

For the TT I have an old Marshall switchover valve that has an accy clip on top to the valve that will flash a light in the trailer when the valve switches. That way I know one tank is empty and I don't have to worry about a tank going empty in the middle of a cold night.

I've ordered the new system with the remote senders that attach to the bottom of the tank and a bluetooth reciever for the trailer. Haven't arrived yet so don't know how well it works.

[STBRetired]

I have 20# LP tanks with built in float gauges that I bought at ACE Hardware. They seem pretty accurate. Were only about $5 - $10 more than the ones without the gauges if I recall correctly.

[SoundGuy]

Veebyes wrote:
You know what happens when you use the auto change over feature don't you.

Who is "you"? :h

Can't be me - I run my tanks sequentially. 😉

[Veebyes]

We do it the old fashioned way. When the flame on the stove turns yellow we know the tank is getting low. When the stove won't light we know that we need to change tanks & get the empty refilled. The fridge also displays a low propane message.

You know what happens when you use the auto change over feature don't you.

[drsteve]

[SoundGuy]

Well what the heck - this discussion got me to thinking maybe I should see if I could install a "viewing port" on my propane tank cover that would allow me to see the auto changeover regulator's gauge without having to remove the cover. Easy enough to do, only took a few minutes. :B

[Harvey51]

I am very satisfied with my suitcase weigh scale. Have one similar to the grill gauge from a dollar store and a little digital one. My regulator automatic switch to other bottle feature doesn't work so I get a firm reminder when one 20 pounder is empty. My bottles are in a compartment and easy to remove for weighing.

[gotsmart]

ricks99 wrote:
While weighing the tanks is obviously best, I don't think it is really practical.

It sounds like none of the gauges really work (pretty much what I expected). Sounds like the water/condensation method is the easiest.

(Oh, and I have standard 20# tanks on my HTT.)

Thanks!

-R

The Grill Gauge is made for 20# tanks. It is why my external tanks for my MH are 20# tanks. I use a Grill Gauge to weigh the tanks.

[cubbear]

I have the one that uses a smart phone app. it is called LPG tank have it installed but have not used yet. both tanks are full it says 100%

[time2roll]

jarata1 wrote:
Isn't there a new one that works by an attachment to the tank,and an app on your smart phone

http://shop.tankutility.com/products/tank-level-monitor

wifi monitor $189

[time2roll]

Well any gauge installed would need easy access to be seen.

My regulator tends to switch over at 2am when I like to sleep. I don't have any issues with using the manual method if that works for you. Does not work well for me. BTDT
If I was that concerned I would bring along a 3rd or 4th bottle to swap in.

[SoundGuy]

ricks99 wrote:
Oh, and I have standard 20# tanks on my HTT.

time2roll wrote:
If you have a working automatic changeover regulator... that is the gauge and will indicate when the primary tank is ready for refill. There is no reason that you would run out. Except maybe if you do not check the regulator... in which case no gauge would help.

I guess one might argue that most tanks these days are enclosed with a hard plastic tank cover, making it impossible to see the gauge on the regulator. One could solve this by cutting a hole in the tank cover and gluing a piece of clear plastic over that hole so the guage would be visible. I haven't bothered myself, I guess because I don't really care when one tank runs dry as I always have another full one right beside it. 😉

[jarata1]

Isn't there a new one that works by an attachment to the tank,and an app on your smart phone