20 LB LP tank Cylinder with Built-in Gauge |
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Blue Highways
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 20 Sep 2016 Location: NC mountains Online Status: Offline Posts: 84 |
Topic: 20 LB LP tank Cylinder with Built-in Gauge Posted: 21 Jan 2017 at 9:21am |
CORRECTION: not 3 pounds (I wish) but 3-gallon tanks.
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Blue Highways
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 20 Sep 2016 Location: NC mountains Online Status: Offline Posts: 84 |
Posted: 21 Jan 2017 at 9:20am |
Ribet, I have seen those little 3-pounders! They cost close the same as the normal ones, but I considered going that way for a back-up supply that's easy to switch to for a longer trip, where we might be leaving without our main tank in complete 'full' condition.
I may follow you with that plan. The little 3-pounder would also be easier (lighter, smaller) to tote and remove from the truck bed. Thanks for this, -B
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ribet
Groupie Joined: 26 Aug 2016 Location: Hillsboro, Oreg Online Status: Offline Posts: 64 |
Posted: 20 Jan 2017 at 9:19pm |
I installed a 3 gallon tank next to the battery, and thats my insurance that I always have some for that cold night or half cooked meal. I just disconnect the spent tank and move the hose to the small tank. Works for me!
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hogone
Senior Member Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Location: St. Louis Online Status: Offline Posts: 1043 |
Posted: 20 Jan 2017 at 5:00am |
same here as jato, only pay for what they put in. right now its a $1 a pound i think. hogone
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
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jato
Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3227 |
Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 10:37pm |
I take my empty cylinder to the local hardware store where I only pay for what they put into the tank. A refill runs $ 16.50 when the tank is empty, obviously less if I bring it in when it is only 1/2 empty. I would not go to one of those places like Blue Rhino because you are paying about 50% more for a tank that is only 75% full, even though they want you to think you are getting a full tank.
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God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
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Blue Highways
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 20 Sep 2016 Location: NC mountains Online Status: Offline Posts: 84 |
Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 6:38pm |
I have used the low-tech hot water pour-down test before; and I'll use it again... it works OK, but not always convenient, especially at dusk when you don't want to go out in the rain and try to 'feel up' the side of your propane tank.
There's also something I've recently seen but haven't tried yet, as it may be brand new. It's a longer patch of material you stick on the side of the tank, and the temperature sensitive material detects the temperature change above and below the level of the propane, changing colors at whatever level to show the propane amount. Has anybody seen or tried these or know how much they cost? Probably the pen style tester that Charlie in FL knows about (previous post) is another advancement of the same idea. I second Stephen's point that it's disappointing not to fully use up a propane tank, only because a gauge indicates the "general idea of empty", yet we still could have gotten two more meals cooked, and two more warm nights in our camper, but had instead made a side-trip to get this tank refilled, before we actually had to. It's not any big deal financially, but I still have traces of my parent's "waste not, want not" ethic from an earlier era.... Brad & Layli WonderPod towed by "BG" |
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 4:39pm |
Two thoughts on propane tanks: The second tank is a really good plan but most folks carry them on a two tank rack with an automatic switchover regulator. When the first tank goes empty at midnight the regulator automatically switches to the second. The next day you see the red indicator and know to get a tank filled. Second, the new ultrasonic sensors are really neat for checking propane levels. The device is like a fountain pen that you push against the side of the tank. Move it up and down until you see the red light go to green and you know exactly where the liquid level is. Similar to the hot water method but more precise and a lot easier than weighing the tank. Technology goes camping .
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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jato
Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3227 |
Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 2:22pm |
Good advice Stephen. I like cheap and easy, and that method includes both. The other method is to carry two tanks, wait for the 1st to run out, usually during the middle of the night and it's raining or sleeting outside, and then switch out your tank.
In our younger days with our pop-up we only had one tank. Of course we woke up early on a Sunday morning and it was snowing outside, you could see your breath inside the camper, yes it was pretty cold. The three kids didn't like it one bit, nor did my wife. That was in the mid 1980's and we were in the UP of Michigan and nothing was open. So, I told my wife after that episode that we would always carry a 2nd FULL tank, and we always have. |
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God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 1:44pm |
However, it is a pain to remove the tank to weigh it. That is why the hot water method works so well. The tank does not have to be removed. Just pour hot water over the tank and wait a few seconds. Feel the tank to where the tank's temperature changes from warm to cold. That is where the fluid propane level is.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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Bugout
Senior Member Joined: 01 Jan 2017 Location: S caroline Online Status: Offline Posts: 117 |
Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 1:33pm |
The only good way to tell how much gas is in the tank is by weigh.if you look on the tank it will tell what it weighs full.
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Jk Aiken South Carolina 2016 178 Toyota Tundra 2017 4.6
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