Keeping track of propane

[Loneoak]

I wonder how most people manage their propane tanks. My husband wants to use one tank (with the other tank turned off), and when it's empty, switch to the other one. I want them both on, because if I have something in the oven and the propane runs out, then I don't know about it right away, and then I cannot re-light the oven because it is too hot to put my hand in. Having both tanks on guarantees a steady supply.

So I leave both tanks on, and once a week (when we are camping) I test both tanks by turning off one, running something like the stove burner for a few minutes, and if it does not go out, then that tank has propane in it. I repeat for the other tank.

How do you people handle the propane situation? If you don't use the oven, then I am sure it is not a problem. Running out in the middle of a very cold night would also not be nice.

[DavisK]

From what I understand, I have an automatic switch-over selector valve. I open the valves on both tanks, but have the selector to the one I want to be the primary. If it runs out, the valve automatically switches over to the other tank.

[socoguy]

We use one tank at a time. When it is empty I switch over and refill the empty asap.
I understand your cooks delimna you could turn on both tanks when you use your oven.
Another way to check the tank level is pour a cup of hot water down the side of the tank and it will show condensation at the level of the fuel.

[Stan]

I splurged and bought gauges. Not a lot of $$ and they tell me at a glance how full they are.

[geondebi]

I never use the auto switch over as you really do not know when the tank is low. I wait until I run out on one then switch over as I know that one is full. I should have enough time to get it filled.

[Russb]

With both tanks open when the tank that has been selected runs out, it will switch to the second tank and the indicator will show red. Switch the regulator to the second tank and the indicator will go back to green. I like to keep one tank off so that I know when I have an empty tank. If both tanks are left open then the regulator has to be checked regularly to see if it has changed to red.

[DavidandJennifer]

We have always left both tanks open and I check the automatic selector every morning to see when it changes to red. Once it changes over we fill the empty tank that day so (knock on wood) we never run out

[Lloyd]

Leave them both open. The automatic switch over does the rest. It switches to the full tank when the first one go's empty showing red on the indicator instead of green. Turn the indicator to the other tank and it will show green again. Take the empty tank out and get it refilled. Pretty simple.
Some make it more complicated then necessary. Let it work for you the way it's suppose to.

[Tim D]

Originally Posted by Stan

I splurged and bought gauges. Not a lot of $$ and they tell me at a glance how full they are.

It has been my experience that those gauges read full till empty.

[Stan]

Tim, Not at all. I have them on my BBQ as well and they work fine.

[Loneoak]

I believe we have automatic switch over tanks, but I find those red and green indicators really hard to read. It sounds like quite a few people do what my husband wants to do - leave on tank closed. I guess running out is not an issue!

[Lloyd]

It shouldn't be to hard to tell the difference between red or green.

Al tho, I do have a friend that is color blind, and he can't decipher between the two.

[Loneoak]

I am not color blind, I just find those things hard to see. They don't make them really easy.

[coastn]

What Lloyd said in both his posts. It's what I've been doing for 12 years now.

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by Loneoak

I am not color blind, I just find those things hard to see. They don't make them really easy.

Being color blind isn't anything to be ashamed of. There are lot of people that have a problem with it. Some in different degrees of severity.
Some don't even know it until it's pointed out to them. Some are in utter denial.

I, by no means was implying that you were color blind.

[Loneoak]

Women are not color blind. They carry the gene, but are not affected in any way. It's just plain hard to read. Hubby is not color blind either and he finds it hard to read.

[Tim D]

Originally Posted by Stan

Tim, Not at all. I have them on my BBQ as well and they work fine.

The BBQ gauges are pressure gauges. The problem with propane is that the pressure remains fairly constant till it runs out. Unless you have a float level gauge that actually registers the percent of liquid in the tank you will not get an accurate reading. Tanks are only filled to 80% full. This allows the liquid to "boil off" producing the gas. The "gas pressure" remains constant till the "liquid" runs out. Only then does the "gas pressure" and your "pressure gauge" really start to move. By then you are out of gas fairly quick. Better to just have a spare tank for when the flame goes out. This is why your bulk tank at home has a float gauge. It actually registers the percent of liquid in the tank.

[Stan]

Tim, your right, however the gauge does slowly go down when it starts to get low. On the BBQ it gives me several weeks notice to get a new tank, on the RV I have a week or more depending on usage. It's not like one day it's full the next empty. As I said I can tell real easy how much I have....much easier than pouring hot water on the tank.

[1978steven]

Any inputs on a stick on gauge like this?

Amazon.com: Removable Accu-Level Propane Tank Gauge with Magnetic back: Health & Personal Care

[johnboytoo]

I got the stick on's (even that one) and none worked consistently...

but got two of these when we had the redwood and was really happy with them... are they perfect? no... but they gave us enough warning as to not take a cold shower

If u are in the dfw area, they are yours - I don't need them any longer with the new coach... come on by !