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07-22-2021, 01:51 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Portland, Maine
Trailer: 2023 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 233
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Propane tank monitor?
I tried a search but got nothing, so I'll ask- does anyone know of a good product to easily AND accurately see how much propane is in a tank? Simple systems are preferred, but looking for reliable and accurate. Thanks!
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07-22-2021, 02:07 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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A digital luggage scale will tell you what the tank and contents weigh. Subtract the tare weight ( stamped on the tank ) and you will know what's left.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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07-22-2021, 02:09 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: East of Austin, Texas
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0 / 2022 F150 SuperCab
Posts: 2,928
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Perhaps of interest, this post with a product link and the 'endorsement' in the post that follows:
mention of Mopeka LP tank monitor system
(forum search "mopeka" for more hits on this particular item)
Have Fun!
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07-22-2021, 03:10 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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There is a reason why you have 2 tanks, one to use when the other is empty and needing refilling.....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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07-22-2021, 03:44 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Portland, Maine
Trailer: 2023 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 233
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Helpful.
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07-22-2021, 03:59 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,377
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You can purchase 20 pound propane tanks that have a dial attached to a float inside the cylinder. While they look a lot like the add on tank monitors, the float based actually work. Of course the problem is you need to purchase new tanks.
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07-22-2021, 04:14 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,886
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I have followed Glenn's recommendation and travel with a sub $10 luggage scale. Since I also have a 5 # tank it works across different weights. I have a pool of four total 20 # tanks and always have a filled one stored at home. Sometimes a partially depleted tank makes it to the outdoor grill.
Yes, you have to remove the tank to weigh it, but you have to remove it to fill it as well. The big thing is: THERE ARE NO SURPRISES. Gauges can have a mind of their own.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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07-22-2021, 04:31 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Blairsville, Georgia
Trailer: 2018 E19
Posts: 25
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__________________
Doug_B
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07-22-2021, 04:44 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Wake Forest, North Carolina
Trailer: 2020 5.0TA
Posts: 154
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These are great and very accurate. Works using sonar. iPhone connects.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C5RQJHS...p_mob_ap_share
__________________
2020 Escape 5.0 TA
2014 Escape 19 - Sold
2004 Casita 17 - Flooded by Hurricane Florence
2019 Tundra Crew Max TV
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07-22-2021, 04:47 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fudge_brownie
I have followed Glenn's recommendation and travel with a sub $10 luggage scale.
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And, you can use it to weigh your luggage. Try that with other gauges.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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07-22-2021, 06:48 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Northern California, California
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 762
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vermilye
You can purchase 20 pound propane tanks that have a dial attached to a float inside the cylinder. While they look a lot like the add on tank monitors, the float based actually work. Of course the problem is you need to purchase new tanks.
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Fortunately, for us it wan't a problem to buy 2 new tanks because our back yard LP tanks were past the expiration date (10 years??) and they could no longer be refilled. So we decided to demote our 2 Escape LP tanks to the back yard and in its place we bought 2 Costco 20 pound LP tanks with the attached dials - and they are great! The dial on these tanks always shows the amount, regardless if it's turned on or off (unlike the add on kind). Very nice feature. They are a seasonal item at Costco so if you see them and want them, go for it. -Bea
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07-22-2021, 08:15 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Portland, Maine
Trailer: 2023 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 233
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Around here, most LP tanks are drop off the empty one and pick up a filled one. I'll have to find a filler.
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07-22-2021, 08:48 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lanesboro, MN, between Whalan and Fountain, Minnesota
Trailer: 2016 Bigfoot 25RQ - (2018 Escape 5.0 sold)
Posts: 2,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AuthorSP
Around here, most LP tanks are drop off the empty one and pick up a filled one. I'll have to find a filler.
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Tractor Supply fills tanks. We've used them all over the us. There are 16 Tractor Supply locations in Maine.
Enjoy,
Perry
__________________
Those who know everything use pens. Intelligent people use pencils.
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07-23-2021, 04:59 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, Ontario
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 1,120
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Pour boiling water on the tank for 5 seconds and then feel for the cold spot. The empty section will be hot. I have used this on all seven trailers, it hasn't broke, I haven't lost it and it didn't cost me money. I keep everything simple.
__________________
Had 2 Escapes, 17b, 19, went back to a pop up that fit in the garage. 2018 Coachman Clipper RBST HW AFrame
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07-23-2021, 07:02 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Portland, Maine
Trailer: 2023 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 233
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Perryb67
Tractor Supply fills tanks. We've used them all over the us.
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Good tip, thanks. I'll have to check that place out.
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07-23-2021, 08:42 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,377
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AuthorSP
Good tip, thanks. I'll have to check that place out.
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A couple other places to check - Ace Hardware and U-Haul. Not all have propane but many do...
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07-23-2021, 08:53 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Some campgrounds also refill tanks........ask around.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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07-23-2021, 11:51 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Northern California, California
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 762
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AuthorSP
Around here, most LP tanks are drop off the empty one and pick up a filled one. I'll have to find a filler.
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Just a friendly note of caution to those who 'exchange' LP tanks (drop off empty tank and pick up a new filled one). I would suggest bringing along a luggage scale or a scale like this https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CTG...055438&sr=8-34 to ensure that you are getting a 'full' tank of propane. It is known that they sometimes only partially fill to 3/4 full (to about 15 pounds) but lead you to believe you're getting a full tank. Thus, I prefer to 'refill' our current tanks and use those until the certification expires. When we travel, we just do a search on google maps for propane supplier/refill but I think there are apps for your phone that also help locate suppliers. If anyone uses an app for this, please share! -Bea
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07-23-2021, 11:54 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Portland, Maine
Trailer: 2023 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 233
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Another good tip, thanks!
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07-23-2021, 01:00 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bea
Just a friendly note of caution to those who 'exchange' LP tanks (drop off empty tank and pick up a new filled one). I would suggest bringing along a luggage scale or a scale like this https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CTG...055438&sr=8-34 to ensure that you are getting a 'full' tank of propane. It is known that they sometimes only partially fill to 3/4 full (to about 15 pounds) but lead you to believe you're getting a full tank.
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I doubt you'll find anyone who completely fills exchange tanks, although the amount of propane will vary between suppliers and some might not even be filled to the claimed amount. The amount should be clearly marked on the label.
Blue Rhino is a major exchange brand in the U.S. They never filled their tanks (with the 20 pound capacity), and reduced the amount of propane from 17 pounds to 15 pounds in 2008. In Canada, PetroCanada only puts 16 pounds in them (which legally should be marked as about 7.2 kg). I've seen some marked as containing 7 kg (it would be 9 kg if filled). I've never seen one, but there are apparently pro2go vending machines (kiosks) in Canada - they claim 7.8 kg (17.2 lb).
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