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08-27-2014, 02:31 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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Propane tank level checker
I saw an ad for Truma in a mag recently and bought one. They are a well established German RV company and this device is a little handheld sonic detector. It seems to work well on a clean tank but gives false negatives on a dirty tank. So it is fine for my AS tanks, not so good for a bbq grill tank stored outside.
You may ask why bother...I like to start trips with two full tanks but I want to know whether I really I really need propane in the in service tank without having to wrestle it down and weigh it. Perfect device for the job!
Larry
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08-27-2014, 03:06 PM
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#2
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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There's an even cheaper tester: hot water. Pour it down the side of your propane cylinder, then feel the wet side of the cylinder. Where the cylinder switches from feeling hot to feeling cool, that's where the propane level is. Propane is very cold in its liquid state, and it will suck the heat right out of the water you poured on the cylinder.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-27-2014, 03:47 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Ditto, been doing it that way for years. Sometimes you just got to pass on the tech.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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08-27-2014, 04:00 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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Not me...tech is good. Why would I want water all over the tank and base when they are normally protected from the weather?
Larry
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08-27-2014, 04:16 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
There's an even cheaper tester: hot water. Pour it down the side of your propane cylinder, then feel the wet side of the cylinder. Where the cylinder switches from feeling hot to feeling cool, that's where the propane level is. Propane is very cold in its liquid state, and it will suck the heat right out of the water you poured on the cylinder.
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I tried that one time, it must not work on aluminum tanks.
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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08-27-2014, 04:39 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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We use the gadget and like like it, simple to know levels as we travel. No surprises. I think of it like the black tank, fresh and grey water and gasoline gauges, better than a dip stick.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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08-30-2014, 04:02 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2004 16' International CCD
Chicagoland
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 265
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Hmm. I like the water trick, but I like tech too. Thanks for sharing these tricks.
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08-30-2014, 04:10 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1999 28' Excella
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 883
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How much hot water?
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08-30-2014, 04:15 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
2004 28' Classic
Fresno
, California
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 150
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I just use a large glass of hot water and it works every time.
__________________
Doug & Lori
Fresno
2004 28' Classic
2007 Ram 2500
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08-30-2014, 04:23 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2021 25' International
Full timer
, Virginia
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 665
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At one hundred dollars for the Truma, I think I'll forgo the tech and use the hot water method
2011 Airstream International Serenity 28' - 30a/taupe
2013 Fors F150 v6-ecoboost with max tow and HD payload packages
__________________
2024 Airstream Globetrotter 30RB
2022 Ford F350 Lariat Diesel
WBCCI 4CU 8118
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08-30-2014, 05:39 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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I just bought one. It was $69. A bit spend, but isn't everything these days?
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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08-30-2014, 07:44 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2005 19' Safari
GLENDALE
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,453
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I weigh the propane tanks using a cheap scale that we got at WalMart near the luggage and travel stuff:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/17472591
The "tare weight" of an empty propane tank is stamped on the metal handle. To determine how much propane is left in a tank, just weigh it and subtract the tare weight. (I weigh the tanks right after I fill them, and write the weight on the top of each one, in pencil; that way I know how much they weighed when full.)
The scale isn't terribly accurate (+/- a pound or two), but this isn't rocket science. The measurements are close enough to determine whether a tank should be refilled. Besides the scale only costs about $6-7.
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08-30-2014, 09:06 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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You can also just pick it up and give it a shake. Pretty easy to judge how much liquid is in the tank.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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08-30-2014, 10:41 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IanPoulin
At one hundred dollars for the Truma, I think I'll forgo the tech and use the hot water method
2011 Airstream International Serenity 28' - 30a/taupe
2013 Fors F150 v6-ecoboost with max tow and HD payload packages
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Yea but once you pay to heat sixty thousand glasses of water you could have bought the device.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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08-30-2014, 11:59 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Saint Petersburg
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsbrodsky
I saw an ad for Truma in a mag recently and bought one. They are a well established German RV company and this device is a little handheld sonic detector. It seems to work well on a clean tank but gives false negatives on a dirty tank. So it is fine for my AS tanks, not so good for a bbq grill tank stored outside.
You may ask why bother...I like to start trips with two full tanks but I want to know whether I really I really need propane in the in service tank without having to wrestle it down and weigh it. Perfect device for the job!
Larry
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Possible that you could tell me how this device was listed in the Magazine, or even the Product name from the box it came in?
Thanks, Derek
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08-31-2014, 04:06 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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It is called the Truma Levelcheck and you can find it at truma.com
Larry
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08-31-2014, 05:59 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
1997 25' Excella
Waterville
, Minnesota
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 44
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I fill propane tanks here at the shop and seen various kinds of these, however after time or a slight "dropping" of tanks they seem to read inaccurate. I can only agree with Phoenix, the tare weight is stamped on the tank (TW) and depending on your tank size, being a 30# or 40# add the (TW) to the tank size and you will have the full limit of your tank. You should not have to write anything down, unless the filler is not giving you your moneys worth. A bathroom scale will work for this just fine. A 30# tank when full should be about 54 lbs. Aluminum of course is lighter and the TW would show this.
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08-31-2014, 06:39 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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You can get a double bung tank with a float gage in it.
Perry
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08-31-2014, 09:11 AM
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#19
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2020 Classic 33
Box Elder
, South Dakota
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,731
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I've got the MOSCAP tank ultrasonic checker and it works well. http://www.amazon.com/GasCheck-Propa.../dp/B00EUG1DCE
Also have heard that an IR thermometer will work. Just need to have some propane being used. When gas is flowing the propane will get colder.
And the most accurate way as previously mentioned is weight. 50# fish scale will do fine since most tanks empty are about 23# or so, at least the ones on late model AS.
__________________
Gary
2020 Classic 33 Twin, 2019 Ram 3500 Longhorn, ProPride
NØVPN
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08-31-2014, 09:29 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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Yes weighing is the most accurate, but my objective was to avoid having to disconnect and lift the tank off of the A-frame. The ultrasonic sensor is a more elegant and less physical solution for me.
Larry
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