Propane gauge December 03, 2008, 02:16:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97629I am searching for a simple (and reasonable priced), reliable propane gauge for my 22' FL. What do you recommend, based on your past experience?Many thanks in advance,Sam
Re: Propane gauge Reply #1 – December 03, 2008, 04:36:09 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97633Quote I am searching for a simple (and reasonable priced), reliable propane gauge for my 22' FL. What do you recommend, based on your past experience?Many thanks in advance, Sam Is your tank DOT (vertical, portable) or ASME (horizontal, fixed)?Steve
Re: Propane gauge Reply #2 – December 03, 2008, 08:31:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97635"I am searching for a simple (and reasonable priced), reliable propane gauge for my 22' FL." I assume you have a vertical (DOT) tank, similar to the one in my 1985 22' LD "Gertie." I tried an add-on gauge that mounted between the regulator and the hose. It wasn't especially accurate, but it did let me see when the level was getting low, which was my main concern. However, it leaked! It took me months to find out where the slow leak was, and when I did, I threw away the gauge. I'm sorry that I can't tell you what brand it was, nor do I know whether my case was a design defect or a sample defect. I did find a $20 inline gauge advertised online--http://www.flameking.com/> --that is NOT that same brand as the leaky one I had, so it might be worth a try. One thing I know doesn't work: those liquid crystal strips that adhere to the side of the tank, I tried several and found them to be useless, even when doused with hot water per the instructions.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Propane gauge Reply #3 – December 03, 2008, 09:04:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97636Quote I assume you have a vertical (DOT) tank, similar to the one in my 1985 22' LD "Gertie." Andy and Steve: Thanks for the reply. Yes, I have the vertical, removable, portable tank.QuoteI did find a $20 inline gauge advertised online-- So this one (flameking) works ok for you?Sam
Re: Propane gauge Reply #4 – December 03, 2008, 11:01:11 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97643"So this one (flameking) works ok for you?"Sorry, I wasn't clear. No, I haven't tried the Flame King gauge; I just ran across it tonight. All I can tell you is that it isn't the same brand as the leaky one I had, so it *might* work. If I still owned Gertie, I'd try it out... but I don't. My current rig, Skylark, has a horizontal (ASME) tank, and my Garnet SeeLevel II digital tank gauge reads its level with 1% precision. :-) Unfortunately, I don't know of any way to fit that type of gauge to a DOT tank.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Propane gauge Reply #5 – December 04, 2008, 12:20:33 am Yahoo Message Number: 97645I have a Flame King on my bbq and it works fine. Of course I don't leave my bbq tank open all the time. I think it would be a tight fit in my propane cabinet.Michelle * http://safoocat.blogspot.com/%c2%a0 * http://flickr.com/photos/safoocat/ * http://amazon.com/shops/safoocat As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Propane gauge Reply #6 – December 04, 2008, 09:25:21 am Yahoo Message Number: 97654Our '83 came with a tank with two top ports - one with the valve and propane connector, the other with a gauge installed. When the switchover was required for the new overfill-preventing tanks, I simply purchased a new OPD valve and installed it in the old tank. I suspect most folks simply purchased new tanks, and they did not have a gauge. If you check with the previous owner, they might still have the old tank...Anyway, the oem gauge works fine, but essentially gives no idea of actual fuel level until it drops below 1/2. When using a high rate of fuel flow, such as stove, furnace, etc, in humid weather, look at the tank - you will see condensation on the outside up to the level of liquid propane. If it is dry out, you can still feel a temp difference at that point with your hand. Note that for this method or the liquid xtal readouts to work, they must be installed across the actual liquid line (which may require 2 to cover the range), and you have to have a large flow rate for awhile.Steve
Re: Propane gauge Reply #7 – December 04, 2008, 10:53:08 am Yahoo Message Number: 97657"I have a Flame King on my bbq and it works fine. I think it would be a tight fit in my [LD's] propane cabinet." Thanks for the firsthand report, Michelle. You're right about the fit problem. The big DOT tank is already a tight fit in the compartment, and adding the gauge makes it even harder--I had to angle the tank slightly in order to cram it all in. When I owned Gertie, several people suggested mounting the regulator on the propane compartment wall or door in order to make it easier to muscle that big tank in and out, which is a pain under the best of circumstances.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Propane gauge Reply #8 – December 04, 2008, 02:02:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97662We use propane for our stick and brick so the gas truck driver comes to our house. He was able to fill the LD tank in place though he did have to muscle it around like you said. Always glad to help. Wondering if the same IR thermometer used to check tire heat couldn't be used to check tank level?Michelle * http://safoocat.blogspot.com/%c2%a0 * http://flickr.com/photos/safoocat/ * http://amazon.com/shops/safoocat As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Propane gauge Reply #9 – December 04, 2008, 08:48:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97668Quote "So this one (flameking) works ok for you?"Sorry, I wasn't clear. No, I haven't tried the Flame King gauge; I just ran across it tonight. All I can tell you is that it isn't the same brand as the leaky one I had, so it *might* work. If I still owned Gertie, I'd try it out... but I don't. My current rig, Skylark, has a horizontal (ASME) tank, and my Garnet SeeLevel II digital tank gauge reads its level with 1% precision. :-) Unfortunately, I don't know of any way to fit that type of gauge to a DOT tank.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/ OK. Thanks for the clarification.Sam
Re: Propane gauge Reply #10 – December 04, 2008, 08:54:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97669Quote Our '83 came with a tank with two top ports - one with the valve and propane connector, the other with a gauge installed. When the switchover was required for the new overfill-preventing tanks, I simply purchased a new OPD valve and installed it in the old tank. I suspect most folks simply purchased new tanks, and they did not have a gauge. If you check with the previous owner, they might still have the old tank... Mine looks like a new tank, with one one port. It might have been a smaller (or at least shorter) tank than the original, as there is plenty of head room left in the compartment.Sam
Re: Propane gauge Reply #11 – December 05, 2008, 08:45:17 am Yahoo Message Number: 97683QuoteMine looks like a new tank, with one one port. It might have been a smaller (or at least shorter) tank than the original, as there is plenty of head room left in the compartment. The original was a 40# tank that holds about 9.6g propane. These are still available, but with the single port. Yours is likely a 30# tank, so it is puzzling why the PO installed one of lesser capacity. However, you can check level by another method - weighing - and this is highly accurate. The smaller tank will be lighter and easier to hoist out and onto a bathroom scale. The empty weight is stamped on the valve shield, and the difference with your reading will be the weight of fuel. Handy for a pre-trip check to see if you need to refill. Now, if you have the extra height, perhaps you can permanently slide a small scale underneath and dial out the tare weight...Steve
Re: Propane gauge Reply #12 – December 05, 2008, 11:56:40 am Yahoo Message Number: 97694Quote Now, if you have the extra height, perhaps you can permanently slide a small scale underneath and dial out the tare weight...Steve Ha ha ha... Great minds do converge! I was thinking of that too.Sam
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