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Topic ClosedLP gas indicator
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ron/roscoe View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 May 2016
Location: Hanahan, SC
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Posts: 84 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: LP gas indicator
    Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 7:59pm
Since I do not trust the gas indicators light, I bought a tank level screw on fixture, works great.  I guess carring two 20 pound bottles would be better.  I also use the fixture on my home grill tanks. Cost is about $10.00 from Lowes.
Ron Rowland
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 7:57pm
Gas indicator light?

The screw-on pressure-based indicators don't work until the very end when it is too late.  Pressure remains the same until the liquid level reaches the bottom shoulder.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Joined: 25 Jul 2011
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 8:24pm
Originally posted by ron/roscoe

Since I do not trust the gas indicators light, I bought a tank level screw on fixture, works great.  I guess carring two 20 pound bottles would be better.  I also use the fixture on my home grill tanks. Cost is about $10.00 from Lowes.


What "gas indicator light"?
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 8:46pm
Originally posted by techntrek

Gas indicator light?

The screw-on pressure-based indicators don't work until the very end when it is too late.  Pressure remains the same until the liquid level reaches the bottom shoulder.

+1. Those gauges are accurate only two times: When the tank is empty and when it's not. Useless.
Charlie
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Posts: 281 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 2:34am
Get a "steak saver."  It's an adapter for attaching a 1 lb canister to your gas hose.  Great if you run out of gas in the middle of cooking.  Or, if you want to spend the bucks, get a composite propane tank, they are see through so you always know how much fuel you have.
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Posts: 316 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 7:52am
I also purchased a propane tank gauge and I have to agree it is useless.
Ron & Sharon
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Posts: 1407 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 10:51am
You could try an ultrasonic tester. You press it on the outside of the tank and it will tell you if there's LP or nothing behind that one spot. You keep testing at different levels until you find two points very close together that give you opposite readings. That's where the LP level is.
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 11:04am
Originally posted by TheBum

You could try an ultrasonic tester. You press it on the outside of the tank and it will tell you if there's LP or nothing behind that one spot. You keep testing at different levels until you find two points very close together that give you opposite readings. That's where the LP level is.

+1. IMO there are only two reliable methods of measuring Propane levels. Weight (disconnect, remove, weigh, reinstall, reconnect Cry ) and ultrasonic. I've used both and now totally recommend ultrasonic. Hot water, magnetic strips, etc, are iffy and inconvenient. Gauges other than true float types are useless. Weighing is really inconvenient if installed on the trailer, but ultrasonic is accurate and easy. Don't leave home without it.
Charlie
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 12:08pm

IMHO, a second tank is the only way to go (if you can tolerate a little additional tongue weight). I have a dual tank setup and never run out of propane. I purposefully leave the "2nd tank" shut off at the tank - so I know when the first is empty (manually turning on and switching, when needed). I refill the first tank at my convenience, as a tank lasts me for most of a season. It then becomes the "second tank".

Save your money on the fancy smancy sensors and buy a 2nd tank!   
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TheBum View Drop Down
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Posts: 1407 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 12:20pm
If you can't afford the full weight of a second tank but can tolerate some extra weight, a 30-lb tank may be an option too.
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