I use weighing scales. Weigh the bottle when it’s full, minus the tare weight of the bottle and that lets you know how much gas is in it. Then you can periodically weigh it and see how much is left
A scale is less than $30 so its worth it, if you add a little more you have some with bluetooth so no need to open the panel.I have a big one outside and I'm thinking to add a scale to check it, will be more expensive than a regular one but as you write I think its the best solution.
@RVProject Hello, did you purchase the ultrasonic device to check the the level of propane.? I know this video was taken 7 years ago, but can you provide a link? Thank you.
Just pour hot water down the side of the tank, feel with your hand the temperature difference. Where the liquified gas is will be icy cold. Where the gas is absent will allow the steel tank to heat up. It takes naff all water and is basically free if you use a little left over water from your morning brew.
@@RVProject it may, but I have good success so I don't think it's necessary.. it's how I check my bottles before I use them to.make sure they have sufficient gas.. feels like a definite line of hot vs cold
As a rule we use electric during the day and use the furnace at night but we keep it at 60 we have a small ele heater in the bed room for night time built in from ceder creek ,also we use the holding tank heaters ,got to admit black tank emptys fast when heated up,guess it helps the chemicals work better, great videos very good information thanks
The magnetic monitors work best on the shorter 20# bottles. Downside, hard to see if your RV has a propane bottle cover shielding them from the elements. You have to take the cover off to see the level on the side of the tank.
The only caution I would have is for those RVs that have underbelly heating (mine does for example). For these RVs, some of the forced air from the propane heater is diverted into the underbelly so that the pipes won't freeze. If you use electric heat, the risk is that the propane heater will not pump enough heat into the underbelly to keep the pipes from freezing. So my recommendation - if you have underbelly heating - is to run your electric heat (we have an electric fireplace) for temps over 32Deg, but fire up the propane heat in freezing weather. You can probably run both electric and propane heating, but keep an eye out for the temperature in the underbelly.
the simple answer (break open that wallet ) is one of the two Milwaukee thermal imaging cameras 2300/500$ depending on which model. i got the first one that came out a few years ago (2400$ w/extra capacity battery ). having extensive experience using these devices as a professional firefighter sence the late 80s i know the value of such a tool. I have used it to check my LP tank, tire temps, A/C function, refrigerator function, find the steel tubing that makes up my sidewalls of my class C. i even found a lost dog in a large open field at night ( i used a Hoodman DSLR LCD view screen device to use the thermal camera as a night vision scope ) the uses around the home and on the road are limitless. the cheaper unit is a new product i believe, but i didn't compare them. pricey? yes, valuable tool? most definitely.
I can see how you can measure a temperature difference when the tank is in use, but how about when the tank is not currently in use? Is there enough temperature difference to detect. Otherwise, a cool idea.
I use weighing scales. Weigh the bottle when it’s full, minus the tare weight of the bottle and that lets you know how much gas is in it. Then you can periodically weigh it and see how much is left
A scale is less than $30 so its worth it, if you add a little more you have some with bluetooth so no need to open the panel.I have a big one outside and I'm thinking to add a scale to check it, will be more expensive than a regular one but as you write I think its the best solution.
@RVProject Hello, did you purchase the ultrasonic device to check the the level of propane.? I know this video was taken 7 years ago, but can you provide a link? Thank you.
Just pour hot water down the side of the tank, feel with your hand the temperature difference. Where the liquified gas is will be icy cold. Where the gas is absent will allow the steel tank to heat up. It takes naff all water and is basically free if you use a little left over water from your morning brew.
Doesn't this method work best if you are using the propane? Expanding gas will cool the sides.
@@RVProject it may, but I have good success so I don't think it's necessary.. it's how I check my bottles before I use them to.make sure they have sufficient gas.. feels like a definite line of hot vs cold
You went to all the trouble of showing how to install it and never bothered to mention if it read your tank levels.
Let le check the video and see if I need to update it.
If there are 2 tanks, why can't you turn one off until the used one is empty, then switch tanks and fill the empty one the next chance you get?
That is currently how we do it.
As a rule we use electric during the day and use the furnace at night but we keep it at 60 we have a small ele heater in the bed room for night time built in from ceder creek ,also we use the holding tank heaters ,got to admit black tank emptys fast when heated up,guess it helps the chemicals work better, great videos very good information thanks
Thank you for your support.
The magnetic monitors work best on the shorter 20# bottles. Downside, hard to see if your RV has a propane bottle cover shielding them from the elements. You have to take the cover off to see the level on the side of the tank.
Safeirey has an ultrasonic tank monitor you can plug into your Victron Energy Cerbo GX. They are $99.00 a piece, kinda pricey!
Thanks for the tip
Our fifthwheel in cold weather can eat 2 tanks in 3 days use electric heaters when you can,our 5er is 42' so takes a good while to heat up
The only caution I would have is for those RVs that have underbelly heating (mine does for example). For these RVs, some of the forced air from the propane heater is diverted into the underbelly so that the pipes won't freeze.
If you use electric heat, the risk is that the propane heater will not pump enough heat into the underbelly to keep the pipes from freezing.
So my recommendation - if you have underbelly heating - is to run your electric heat (we have an electric fireplace) for temps over 32Deg, but fire up the propane heat in freezing weather. You can probably run both electric and propane heating, but keep an eye out for the temperature in the underbelly.
so did it work or it didn't?
The strips are about worthless in my view.
the simple answer (break open that wallet ) is one of the two Milwaukee thermal imaging cameras 2300/500$ depending on which model. i got the first one that came out a few years ago (2400$ w/extra capacity battery ). having extensive experience using these devices as a professional firefighter sence the late 80s i know the value of such a tool. I have used it to check my LP tank, tire temps, A/C function, refrigerator function, find the steel tubing that makes up my sidewalls of my class C. i even found a lost dog in a large open field at night ( i used a Hoodman DSLR LCD view screen device to use the thermal camera as a night vision scope ) the uses around the home and on the road are limitless. the cheaper unit is a new product i believe, but i didn't compare them. pricey? yes, valuable tool? most definitely.
Ha Re
Lol you can buy a phone that does that for $400. Plus makes calls.
You're saying my IR thermometer can show me if it's full?? Damn.. I'm going to try that when I get home.
Buy two or three of them .
Hi! I think you would be highly satisfied with a Mopeka lp tank check sensor! You should check it out
I did several follow-on videos where I did test the Mopeka sensor.
www.rv-project.com/projects/rvtankcheck.php
Just feel with your hand. Human skin can detect temperature changes as little as 1 degree.
Always an option.
I use a laser temperature pointer, very accurate and it's less than $20 on Amazon.
How do you use it with a propane tank?
@@drinkinslim if he hit it with laser it will explode otherwise it will not.
@@kahitanongcontenttv1826 Hahaaa. :D
I can see how you can measure a temperature difference when the tank is in use, but how about when the tank is not currently in use? Is there enough temperature difference to detect.
Otherwise, a cool idea.
Just go buy a gas grill indicator from Webber as long as it's indoor it's fine. They last for 5 years
j s have you used the product before
Clarice Davey where do i get it
saved me $3.
The app you mean is actually impressive, but it's overpriced. Some people may see it as an ineffective tool.
Thank you for supporting the channel.
Buy 4 and run it down the whole tank
Ok.
Lol
thats not a monitor. thats a gimmick
I wasted 1 dollar on ebay for this...
Save the receipt and take it back for a refund.
There is always that option.
3
Thanks.... I guess.