Propane and elevation questions

[scarletbison]

So, we've made our way to Denver from NJ, by way of a reverse check mark down to Chattanooga TN, up through St Louis and across Kansas.

Checking my levels today and propane now has all
Lights on, where previously it never showed more than 2/3, which according to my dealer is all it will show due to the legal volume that a propane supplier can put in.

Is this just due to pressure differentials at the higher elevations? What if I go higher, is that going to be a problem? Is there something I'm supposed to do at higher elevations?

Thanks

[Protagonist]

The reason why you're not allowed to fill a propane tank or propane cylinder beyond 80% is to provide room for expansion. You should not be alarmed if the propane does expand when you go to a higher altitude or a higher temperature; it takes a lot of altitude and/or heat to exceed 20% expansion, and even if it did, the pressure relief valve would bleed off the excess.

If you haven't already done so, you might want to check out this link to "Propane 101":
Propane 101 - Promoting Propane Safety Through Understanding

The website is geared more toward home propane tanks rather than RV tanks and cylinders, but there's still lots of useful info there.

[scarletbison]

Thanks protag, I was pretty sure things were okay. Always good to have a second opinion.

[73shark]

I've learned to treat the propane lites as a rough indicator and not a gauge of the amount of propane left.

[Tiato]

Originally Posted by 73shark

I've learned to treat the propane lites as a rough indicator and not a gauge of the amount of propane left.

Yup. Mine showed a full tank when the generator stopped from lack of propane.

Turned out to be a faulty propane tank level sender.


How are you enjoying the trip Grant? My 2015 trip was over before it really began. Only got as far as Niagara Falls, Canada when I had to return home for a family emergency.

[scarletbison]

Trip has been great so far. 14 day on the road 2500 miles, parts of 11 states. 7 nights camping, 3 nights with relatives, 4 hotel nights. Next up is 7 straight days of camping, 2-3 in black hills, then 4-5 across Wyoming, idea and Oregon before I get to our western terminus for this trip