On Tank Indicators

[candrews768]

I have a 2018 classic with 2 40lb tanks. each tank has an indicator with wires that go to the inside cabin indicators on the multiplex panel. Can anyone answer the following

These indicate full at 3/4 and empty at 1/4. Can they be recalibrated?
The number one tank does not register but number 2 does on the multiplex panel. How can I fix it.
I have attached pictures on these gauges.

[kidjedi]

From what I can tell, all propane gauges suck. If they are based on pressure (like the one in your photo), they can only approximate, and they also vary greatly depending upon ambient temperature. Even the marketing materials for pressure-based gauges let you know that they read full until they are almost empty (there's a pretty limited window for knowing when to refill). There are gauges that use strips glued to the side of the tank to read differences in temperature or density to calculate the level, but again, variance in ambient temperature causes issues, as does parking on any sort of unlevel surface. If you have vertically mounted takes, there are gauges that actually display a live weight for the tank. Those seem to be the most reliable, as long as the tank doesn't shift (the tank and scale need to be aligned properly).

[dznf0g]

Those gauges on the tank are not based on pressure. They are floats and a rotating magnet which in turn rotates the needle (and variable resistor). The varying resistance is what the inside gauge uses as a signal to indicate level.

[kidjedi]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Those gauges on the tank are not based on pressure. They are floats and a rotating magnet which in turn rotates the needle (and variable resistor). The varying resistance is what the inside gauge uses as a signal to indicate level.

Really? Well that would be great (an actual float vs. pressure like most of them are). I had never heard of that.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by kidjedi

Really? Well that would be great (an actual float vs. pressure like most of them are). I had never heard of that.

YEP....18 Seasons, SFSG.

Bob
🇺🇸

[dznf0g]

I had a good chance to see the guts. When new, one of mine had the gauge float hanging up on the opd float. I took it to the propane distributor and watched the tech remove it and reinstall in a slightly rotate position. All fine with both for the subsequent years.

[kidjedi]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I had a good chance to see the guts. When new, one of mine had the gauge float hanging up on the opd float. I took it to the propane distributor and watched the tech remove it and reinstall in a slightly rotate position. All fine with both for the subsequent years.

Interesting. I've got a horizontal tank on my Argosy Motorhome that appears to have the same kind of gauge, but it never moves. Maybe mine's hung up similar to the way yours was. I guess some day I'll have to figure that out (though, at this stage of 'streaming, removing the tank from the chassis and then having a propane tech disassemble the tank to fix the gauge seems like more effort than it's worth just to be able to see the needle move).