Posted 2012-06-21 9:12 AM (#145019) Subject: Propane Tank Gauge?
Regular
Posts: 68 Location: West Tennessee
I have two propane tanks on my trailer. Apparently when one runs out it pulls from the other until empty. I'm used to only having 1 so this is new to me. My question is: Is there a gauge that can be put on the tank(s) that can tell me when I'm about to run out?
I know they have those for grills but how (or which tank)would you put it on? Anyone have any brand recommendations?
Posted 2012-06-21 11:23 AM (#145023 - in reply to #145019) Subject: RE: Propane Tank Gauge?
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Tennessee
I had one of the gauges on a propane grill at home. It never really worked accurately enough for me.
I have two propane tanks on my trailer with one gauge. I only have one turned on at a time. When it runs out (I can visually verify that because the gauge will be in the red), I turn the other one on. Only once have I had to get up in the middle of the night and switch over so the furnace could run. So, some small inconvenience, but never totally run out which would be a LARGE PITA!
Posted 2012-06-21 1:06 PM (#145027 - in reply to #145019) Subject: RE: Propane Tank Gauge?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 800 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Virtually every LQ I have run across with two bottles will have a "self-change regulator". It feeds off of the bottle that the arrow is pointing to. When that bottle runs out, the regulator will then pull from the second bottle (which should have been "open" and on standby) and will throw a red flag.
So basically, when you see the red flag- it is pointing to the empty bottle. Swap it out or refil, then turn the flag, which makes the indicator go green again- And the whole process will repeat again.
Posted 2012-06-21 1:37 PM (#145030 - in reply to #145019) Subject: RE: Propane Tank Gauge?
Regular
Posts: 68 Location: West Tennessee
RTSmith - I've gotta look at mine. I'm not sure. I don't think it has an indicator on it, but it does have a switch I flip to either of the tanks. So maybe it does...? Now I'm really curious. This is a new trailer and I'm trying to figure out who to work everything!
Posted 2012-06-21 1:49 PM (#145031 - in reply to #145027) Subject: RE: Propane Tank Gauge?
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Tennessee
Originally written by RTSmith on 2012-06-21 1:06 PM
Virtually every LQ I have run across with two bottles will have a "self-change regulator". It feeds off of the bottle that the arrow is pointing to. When that bottle runs out, the regulator will then pull from the second bottle (which should have been "open" and on standby) and will throw a red flag. So basically, when you see the red flag- it is pointing to the empty bottle. Swap it out or refil, then turn the flag, which makes the indicator go green again- And the whole process will repeat again.
Richard - mine was explained to me that the switch is telling me which tank the gauge is reporting on. If I was to open the valve on both tanks they would both run out. At one time I looked at the cost of replacing with the self-change regulator and while I don't remember the $, it was not something I was willing to do. Is there a fool-proof way to tell which kind I really have?
Posted 2012-06-23 9:11 PM (#145064 - in reply to #145031) Subject: RE: Propane Tank Gauge?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
Originally written by Sheryl on 2012-06-21 1:49 PM
Richard - mine was explained to me that the switch is telling me which tank the gauge is reporting on. If I was to open the valve on both tanks they would both run out. At one time I looked at the cost of replacing with the self-change regulator and while I don't remember the $, it was not something I was willing to do. Is there a fool-proof way to tell which kind I really have?
I'd bet the regulator you have is a self changing reg. You can indeed run both bottles empty...if you're not looking for the indicator to show red. For that fact, some friends leave one bottle closed and run until the other is empty. Then they go out, turn the selector to the full bottle, open the valve and relight pilots. They feel that way they're never surprised.
Posted 2012-06-24 10:24 AM (#145076 - in reply to #145019) Subject: RE: Propane Tank Gauge?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
That is how we do it. We just leave the one bottle closed until it is almost empty, then switch to the full one. If you run them completeley empty...you MAY have some lag time relighting though.
Propane Tank Gauge?
