Accurately measure propane level for under $10

[Snackchaser]

Although there are several ways to check propane tank levels, I’ve found the easiest way for me is a luggage scale. They have large hooks that balance nicely when hooked on to the fill valve, and they remember the weight so you don’t have to contort yourself to see the scale.  Mine has an analog dial with a memory needle, and thankfully no batteries.  I’d recommend these over ones with batteries that always seem to be dead when you need them.  Flame King sells a more expensive scale made for this purpose.  It conveniently reads in percentage, but it’s battery operated too.

A 30 pound tank weighs around 55 lbs when full, and about 25 lbs when empty.  A 20 pound tank is around 37 lbs full and 17 lbs. empty.  I’ve labeled my tanks with their weights and I can determine exactly how many pounds are left with the scale.  The tanks can be weighed in place with the spin-off clamp loosened, and it helps to put a stick or bar through the scale handle to lift with both hands.

I know some people swear by the Mopeka ultrasonic level detectors, and I heard the newer ones work pretty good.  But I’m still not over the problems and uncertainty of my old ones, so I’ll stick with my trusty scale for now.

Cheers!  Geoff

 

Edited 13 hours ago by Snackchaser
add pic

[John Dorrer]

1 hour ago, Snackchaser said:

Although there are several ways to check propane tank levels, I’ve found the easiest way for me is a luggage scale. They have large hooks that balance nicely when hooked on to the fill valve, and they remember the weight so you don’t have to contort yourself to see the scale.  Mine has an analog dial with a memory needle, and thankfully no batteries.  I’d recommend these over ones with batteries that always seem to be dead when you need them.  Flame King sells a more expensive scale made for this purpose.  It conveniently reads in percentage, but it’s battery operated too.

A 30 pound tank weighs around 55 lbs when full, and about 25 lbs when empty.  A 20 pound tank is around 37 lbs full and 17 lbs. empty.  I’ve labeled my tanks with their weights and I can determine exactly how many pounds are left with the scale.  The tanks can be weighed in place with the spin-off clamp loosened, and it helps to put a stick or bar through the scale handle to lift with both hands.

I know some people swear by the Mopeka ultrasonic level detectors, and I heard the newer ones work pretty good.  But I’m still not over the problems and uncertainty of my old ones, so I’ll stick with my trusty scale for now.

Cheers!  Geoff

 

Great idea. Do you have a link to the luggage scale?

[routlaw]

FWIW, Costco sells 20 lb tanks with a built in gauge. I have only one but it seems to work well enough. Like most things they have had a price increase recently but locally they are running around $42.

[jd1923]

I also had issues with a first batch of Mopeka sensors, however upon complaint the company sent me a new set that has worked well over our last 60 days of travel.

A physical/visual pressure gauge means opening the doghouse to check.

A weight scale means opening the doghouse, removing the LP tank hold-done bracket (ours is padlocked) and then having the strength to lift the tank to measure, make LB to % full calculation, and finally remount tank and doghouse!

I do like the scale approach better than the visual gauge (also often not accurate), but... How often do you want to do this?

When camping, every day we leave the trailer and every night before bed (also when in storage) we check all of our readings by Bluetooth apps. We check the Epoch batteries and all Victron devices to see that batteries are good SOC and amp usage is as expected. Then I check the Ruuvi app for temperatures of 6 sensors (fridge, freezer, truck fridge, basement, cabin, etc.) and we read the Mopeka app for % fill data on both tanks. Want to make sure there is no LP leak (though I would smell it) and I've found when a tank reads 10% or low teens, it's time to switch tanks and then I know we have one to refill.

And my favorite device and app is the LevelMate PRO. I would never want to back into a campsite w/o this great tool and app again! With Chris' help, positioning the Andersen Levelers, we get level without me even getting out of the driver's seat!

These are getting more expensive, but if I had to open the doghouse I just wouldn't bother, then we'd wake up one cold night, furnace cold, to realize one tank has emptied, time to switch (manually) to the other tank. Love app view of important trailer data!

https://www.amazon.com/Mopeka-Pro-Check-Bundle-Wireless/dp/B0BX1CQ6JQ/

Edited 8 hours ago by jd1923

[Corvus]

I've resorted to using a bathroom scale by taring my weight then lifting tanks to check their weight and several other valid methods. I prefer Mopeka for the convenience, but it's nice, and probably safer,  to understand options. Having a way to measure the weight could come in handy in some situations, like boon docking or hurricane dodging. 

[CRM]

Have two 30lb tanks and never even bother to weigh them. Run one tank until it's empty , switch to the full one, and then just plan on filling the empty one as soon as I can. 

[dhaig]

Like @Snackchaser, I use a luggage scale to get an accurate read on the propane level in the tanks.   I purchased a pair of Mopeka sensors and found them to be unreliable and not very accurate.  I had a couple replaced under warranty.  They also seemed to have need frequent battery replacement.  I would NOT recommend them.

Amazon has a large selection of luggage scales for about $10, that are compact and accurate.  With tare weight labelled on both tanks there is no mystery to the amount of propane when the total weight is known.

Such as: https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Portable-Handheld-Suitcase-Temperature/dp/B082LYC2TN/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2PAZR2PQNSA24&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lrxtiYiAaOxFumPFwJLLfi-V2pD7fJpKxfsl6UyzsKbSFL3YNBR0L1a7Px8SBzHhhW25VLBh912CrUyahxdkUjT1pqB3pRe933JDFfDr7ZaTgoTCb1mXdfINMMhl5OU0FibEUB2mMbq_9R89XeAeSb5MhrkSnnQ5YT6uUSpTQctrjSJqa-90Rcwkt-jGQLzD4jSFjCSRtp-YFlVIJhme_3etEGEES17uG605HrMmwLGyk2YZsL2lLr-nGzZUe7jC60bztrvKDpr9oVktN97bzUFLTJ8jfQEvF9T4OU-tq1A.NFHYzomQyFXtHPcZxq8NaPUGd5FyqkWMxZL0L2YMZgw&dib_tag=se&keywords=digital%2Bluggage%2Bscale&qid=1754537940&sprefix=digital%2Blugga%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-7&th=1 

Don