LP Gas Tank Level Measurement Devices

[dewdev]

Sorry to bring this subject up again on the forum, but I want to find out what people are using to check the level in their LP tanks and if they use a measuring device.

I myself initially decided to not get anything to measure the LP level in my tanks as I can just fill up the empty tank when I switch the valve over to the 2nd tank. But I keep coming back to this subject. (MaybeI I am a little bored over the winter.)

There are tank gauges that you install in-line.

There are also the devices you install on the bottom of the LP tank like from Mopeka.

There are also hand held measuring devices that you scribe along the side of the tank to determine where the liquid level is inside the tank, such as:

1. Dometic makes a measuring device, model GC-100, $68.99

2. Truma also makes a similiar measuring device - $74.79

So my question is regarding only the two numbered devices above. For those that have used either of the devices, did they work ok and were you happy with the devices and would  you recommend for purchase?

Thanks

[Caddymv]

I use the Mopeka.  So far so good.  With automatic tank switchover it’s nice to know what’s left in the tank.  

[rich.dev]

x2 Mopeka! 

[mountainoliver]

I have been using the Mopeka sensors for the past six years. I’m able to see the levels on my phone without having to remove the propane cover. Rather than finding out when a tank is already empty, I can fill the lowest level tank when we are close to a tank filling station. We are many times in areas that may not be very convenient to a filling station, so the Mopeka sensors allow me to anticipate the need and fill the tanks where either the cost of propane is lower and/or convenient.

[Ronbrink]

15 hours ago, dewdev said:

There are also hand held measuring devices that you scribe along the side of the tank to determine where the liquid level is inside the tank, such as:

1. Dometic makes a measuring device, model GC-100, $68.99

2. Truma also makes a similiar measuring device - $74.79

So my question is regarding only the two numbered devices above. For those that have used either of the devices, did they work ok and were you happy with the devices and would  you recommend for purchase?

I purchased a Dometic LPGC10 model in 2020 and it is fairly accurate to date. It can be a bit finicky at times, mostly due to the device not being held perpendicular to the tank, as required. That may seem like a simple task, but when reaching in and looking downward, there is a degree of difficulty involved. A green light indicates gas, but sometimes defining the tank level is difficult in that the indicator light will toggle red/green; however further adjustment(s) will ultimately determine the tank level. In a brief look at the current Amazon ratings between the two devices, the Truma may prove better; perhaps a user of that device will chime in. I like having such a device, and if/when my Dometic fails, I will research the Truma.

[Rivernerd]

I bought the Truma before we took delivery of Hull #1291 in November, 2022.  It worked o.k., but required me to remove the  cover of the "doghouse" each time I wanted to check propane levels.

So, I invested in a pair of Mopeka tank sensors in 2023.  They have worked well.

So, I haven't used the Truma since!

[Tom and Doreen]

We have the ProSmart system that Oliver installed ( tank bottom sensor ) and we've had one of the devices fail and the other is difficult to connect to.  I did purchase the Truma handheld device as a backup and it works pretty well with the minor limitations listed in previous posts; the device must be placed at a right angle to the tank and multiple readings are required to determine the level at which the propane is found.  As I said it works pretty well but it's fairly expensive.  

The least expensive method, and pretty accurate, is to pour warm water down the side of the tank and then slide your hand down the tank to feel the point at which the tank goes from feeling warm to cold; that's your propane level.  I use this method at times and it's works well.  I used this method to verify the Truma device's accuracy. 

 

[Coastal Aggie]

I'll throw another vote in for mopeka sensors. No issues connecting to them. Once the tank gets nearly all the way empty the reading can start to get a bit erratic but if you're checking it once a day or so you can anticipate that so its not that big a deal. One of my first purchases for my first trailer when I found out the hard way how miserable it can be when you run out of propane on a cold night in alaska. When I ordered my second trailer I made sure I had a pair of then before I even took delivery.

[MAX Burner]

9 hours ago, Coastal Aggie said:

I'll throw another vote in for mopeka sensors

Same here - casting a vote for Mopeka sensors.  We've yet to experience any issues with the Mopeka kit and "halo rings" for the bottom of the LPG bottles...

[Dave Mazone]

I've had nothing but problems with the Mopeka. They are super sensitive to placement and I can get it right outside the doghouse only to discover it not working properly when the tanks are installed and secured. I tried many times and finally gave up. I simply use the "use one tank till empty and switch over" technique. It's a little uncomfortable when you run out after going to bed.

[johnwen]

We've had issues with mopeka and pro smart so I went back to my fail safe plan :)  We have 2 x 20lb bottles and open only 1 at a time.  If the open 1 runs out, we switch over to the other and go fill the empty.  We have a pretty good idea if we need to fill before we run out.  Cold weather usually depletes ours in 1 week and if we don't run the furnace we get about 3 weeks. If we cooked every meal in the trailer I'm sure we wouldn't get close to 3 weeks.  2 to 3 meals, and coffee most mornings, a week is about all we do inside. If anywhere close to those times we usually stop, when convenient, and top off.  We ran out this morning :)BTW and knew right away in Tucumcari, switched over and all was fine.  We were stuck in those 48-63 mph winds for 3 days so I couldn't follow my "gettin' close" plan.  Now that we're in 25 degree temps again we'll refill on the way to Amarillo today.  Don't get me wrong...if 1 bottle gets depleted, we fill it asap.  I'm not trusting my plan with 1 bottle empty.  I tried the sensor route and am not spending any more money on them.  Works for me so far.  BTW...full timers for 4+ years and lovin' it :)  If I was part-timin' I wouldn't have a clue as my time line would be tossed out the window.

John

[rich.dev]

14 minutes ago, Dave Mazone said:

 

I've had nothing but problems with the Mopeka.

 

Which mopeka do you have? 

[John Dorrer]

We use the Truma hand held unit. As previously mentioned you need to take the housing cover off. I have been happy with the results. Depending on amount of use (i.e. stove, furnace, grill, fridge, fire pit) I will periodically or every couple of days. I may consider switching down the road. I paid around $75 for the unit.

[Dave Mazone]

4 hours ago, rich.dev said:

Which mopeka do you have? 

Honestly, I don't even know if I got the brand right (I hope I didn't "bad mouth" the wrong product). I purchased mine when picking up my Ollie in Feb of 2022 - straight from the mothership. It seems as though when installed, my tanks put too much weight on them (apparently sticking out a tiny bit further than the tanks' rims).

[rich.dev]

21 minutes ago, Dave Mazone said:

I purchased mine when picking up my Ollie in Feb of 2022 - straight from the mothership.

I could be wrong but I don't beieve Oliver sells the Mopeka.

[MAX Burner]

FYI- the rubber “Halo Rings” allow the bottles to sit a bit higher in the rack giving the sensors a bit more space.  Makes a tight fit - and keeps the rust from taking over on the bottom of the tank rack.

[Patriot]

23 hours ago, johnwen said:

We've had issues with mopeka and pro smart so I went back to my fail safe plan 🙂 We have 2 x 20lb bottles and open only 1 at a time.  If the open 1 runs out, we switch over to the other and go fill the empty.  We have a pretty good idea if we need to fill before we run out.  Cold weather usually depletes ours in 1 week and if we don't run the furnace we get about 3 weeks. If we cooked every meal in the trailer I'm sure we wouldn't get close to 3 weeks.  2 to 3 meals, and coffee most mornings, a week is about all we do inside. If anywhere close to those times we usually stop, when convenient, and top off.  We ran out this morning :)BTW and knew right away in Tucumcari, switched over and all was fine.  We were stuck in those 48-63 mph winds for 3 days so I couldn't follow my "gettin' close" plan.  Now that we're in 25 degree temps again we'll refill on the way to Amarillo today.  Don't get me wrong...if 1 bottle gets depleted, we fill it asap.  I'm not trusting my plan with 1 bottle empty.  I tried the sensor route and am not spending any more money on them.  Works for me so far.  BTW...full timers for 4+ years and lovin' it 🙂 If I was part-timin' I wouldn't have a clue as my time line would be tossed out the window.

John

John, haha! Love your plan, we are on the same plan! 😄

I agree and use pretty much the same plan. On our 42 day 6000 mile trip last fall out west we topped off one tank 3X during the trip and again when we arrived home. Never a concern of being out of LP. We have 30# tanks and never ran into any issues getting a refill. We don’t swap tanks on refills for many reasons. We also never got into our second tank. We don’t use tank sensors. Based on our use, I don’t see the need for LP sensors along with the added frustration of reading about the failures and complaints. 
 

Hang On to your hat in Amarillo, that’s a windy place. You and Wendy go enjoy a big steak at the Big Texan! 

Safe travels and hope to see you both at the rally!

David & Kathy
 

 

[Patriot]

1 minute ago, MAX Burner said:

FYI- the rubber “Halo Rings” allow the bottles to sit a bit higher in the rack giving the sensors a bit more space.  Makes a tight fit - and keeps the rust from taking over on the bottom of the tank rack.

Agree Max! I use the rings and installed custom cut 1/4” rubber mat on the tank floor to keep it looking purdy.👍🏻

[MAX Burner]

Purdy is good - we like purdy!  Ha!

[johnwen]

56 minutes ago, Patriot said:

We have 30# tanks

If I possessed your physical attributes I would have those 30 pounders as well :)  And you read our minds concerning the Big Texan!  But not the 72 oz.  Sadly we are unable to make the rally since Oliver service (annual maintenance) was booked up and we have our revisit with CGI mid April.  We have a plan for northern Maine and the Havelina Rally in Texas with Ohio golfing in between.  So the month between CGI and the Oliver rally is no longer time we can spare.

You and Kathy have a blast out there 

John

[Jason Foster]

I use the cheap, tried and true method of lift and shake.

[mossemi]

22 minutes ago, Jason Foster said:

I use the cheap, tried and true method of lift and shake.

I do the same with my 1 pound tanks! 😂  I use the Mopeka tank monitors on the 30 pounders.

Mossey

[topgun2]

1 hour ago, Jason Foster said:

I use the cheap, tried and true method of lift and shake.

There for a second I thought that you were going to say you used a lighter!😬  That would NOT be a good thing!

[Jason Foster]

1 hour ago, topgun2 said:

There for a second I thought that you were going to say you used a lighter!😬  That would NOT be a good thing!

Nope.  I use the lighter method to determine if I have any leaks.

[SeaDawg]

8 minutes ago, Jason Foster said:

Nope.  I use the lighter method to determine if I have any leaks.

I know you are joking.

  Disclaimer:

 Just to educate the absolute newbies, soap/soapy water is better. None of us ever use flame to find gas leaks. Including @Jason Foster above, I'm sure. That was a joke, for sure.

A propane sniffer is even better.