blakew76
Western Canada
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Joined: 07/30/2012
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I have a gauge that threads to the tank & then the line. I can't seem to fit the cover over the tanks when the gauge is installed. I think my only option is to remove the gauge each time.
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opnspaces
San Diego Ca
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Joined: 12/22/2004
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My understanding of the thread on gauges are that they do not really tell you anything until the tank is on it's last gasps. If you have that type of gauge, I would just unscrew it and leave it off. Those types of gauges tend to read all is well and then suddenly all is empty. There really isn't any in between.
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L_R_G
Puyallup, WA
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I'm sure someone will be along to correct me if I'm wrong, but here's my understanding of how gauges work. The kind that go inline with the tank valve like you describe just measure tank pressure. There is liquid propane in the bottom of the tank that vaporizes to fill the top of the tank from the liquid level on up to the valve. This pressure stays pretty constant and as propane is consumed the level of the liquid lowers. Since the inline gauge only measures pressure and the pressure stays pretty constant even though the level of liquid falls it's not very useful. Only when the liquid is used up does the pressure begin to fall so you end up with as opnspaces described above only knowing it's getting empty when it's on it's last gasp.
They do make tanks with floats in them that measure the level of the liquid propane in the tank, you have to buy them already installed, you can't retrofit existing tanks with the floats and they're more money but will give you and accurate indication of how much propane is in the tank.
If you have dual tanks with auto-changeover like I do I wouldn't even mess with the gauge. It takes so long to go through a 30# tank (when I'm not running the furnace that is) that I've got plenty of time to get the empty tank filled before the other tank is empty.
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blakew76
Western Canada
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I might just put the gauge on the BBQ at home. For what it takes to lift the cover off, loosen the big wingnut & lift the tank slightly to tell how heavy it is, is probably just as easy.
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CavemanCharlie
Storden,MN
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I have one thats a flexible magnet and you attach to the side of the tank then pour hot water over it too see how full the tank is. But, this would require you to remove the cover to do I suppose. (My tanks don't have a cover.)
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Mark and Linda
Smyrna, Tennessee
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Was shopping this weekend at my local Sam's Club. They had propane tanks with gauges on them...is this an option?
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beemerphile1
I'm 57, I'm not a
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I saw those cylinders at Sam's. I picked one up and shook it watching the gauge. They do have floats in them which would be far superior to the pressure gauge.
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mobeewan
Hampton, Va
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All OPD tanks have floats in them. It is part of the OPD valve. It is what is supposed to stop the flow of propane into the tank when the liquid reaches the proper level to keep the tank from being over filled. The factory installed gage doesn't do anything different than the add on gage except getting you to waste your money sooner.
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christopherglenn
a little over an hour from Yosemite
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I find the pressure type guages is more of a propane temp guage. The hotter the tank, the higher the pressure (till it is empty).
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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"They do make tanks with floats in them that measure the level of the liquid propane in the tank, you have to buy them already installed, you can't retrofit existing tanks with the floats and they're more money but will give you and accurate indication of how much propane is in the tank."
The last time I went to my propane distributor (V-1 Propane), laying on the counter was an OPD valve with the gauge built in. they have them for small bottles, 20 and 30 pounders, and they say they can install them in any certified bottle. I just might have them put in my 20 pounders for the grill the next time they go empty.
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