Viewing the Propane tank level

[mfschu]

Do people really take off the white propane tank cover every time they want to check to see if one of their propane tanks is empty and the manifold has switched over to the stand by tank? It seems like if the white tank cover had a small clear plastic window you could easily check the green & red/green level indicator. Thanks!

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by mfschu

Do people really take off the white propane tank cover every time they want to check to see if one of their propane tanks is empty and the manifold has switched over to the stand by tank? It seems like if the white tank cover had a small clear plastic window you could easily check the green & red/green level indicator. Thanks!

Most people do just that. It's not difficult to remove and replace the cover. But after you've camped for awhile, you kind of get the feel for how long your tanks last and how much propane you've used. Because of this, I find I don't check very often.

[Mark B1]

Although it is not that difficult to remove the whole cover, I use a mechanics mirror (like a large dentist mirror) and can see it through the top hatch easily without removing the whole cover. I am thinking of gluing a plastic mirror in there permanently.

[gbaglo]

The whole cover can be lifted off the tanks by a gust of wind on the highway.
I lift it off and set it down on the ground.

[casejh]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Most people do just that. It's not difficult to remove and replace the cover. But after you've camped for awhile, you kind of get the feel for how long your tanks last and how much propane you've used. Because of this, I find I don't check very often.

I agree, you do get a feel for propane usage and thus I do not check very often, but with a dental or mechanics mirror it is a quick and simple check so I have one that I keep in the trailer.

[Sean Murry]

Originally Posted by Mark B1

Although it is not that difficult to remove the whole cover, I use a mechanics mirror (like a large dentist mirror) and can see it through the top hatch easily without removing the whole cover. I am thinking of gluing a plastic mirror in there permanently.

I do the same. Works very efficiently. The mirror is on a telescopic handle so can reach in nicely to view the switch over levers. Bought mine at Canadian Tire

[Adventures in Nomadness]

Originally Posted by mfschu

Do people really take off the white propane tank cover every time they want to check to see if one of their propane tanks is empty and the manifold has switched over to the stand by tank? It seems like if the white tank cover had a small clear plastic window you could easily check the green & red/green level indicator. Thanks!

We mounted one of those small stick on auto mirrors on the inside of the propane cover so that we can see the color via the small lid. I think we got that idea from Eggscape. We also added zip ties to the small lid to help ensure we don't lose that.

[Amel]

We bought some adhesive backed mirror film from Amazon:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I cut one piece down to size a bit. It works pretty well. You have to find the right angle, but it beats removing the cover. See attached picture.

[Bea]

Here is a link that shows our solution to this problem:

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post300538

This is one of my favorite mods (perhaps a rather generous term for such a simple thing) but I do find myself looking at the mirror inside the propane tank cover every time I open the top hatch to open or close the propane tank values. So easy to see when it switches to red....and I only remove the big plastic cover to refill the tanks.

A 2 year update: the mirror is still on strong! With the left over mirror supply I cut them all up and enjoy handing them out to others. Cheers, -Bea

On edit: Amel, you beat me to to it! I like how you did your mirror!

[Amel]

Thanks! Glad to hear your's has lasted over 2 years. We used the same stuff!

Originally Posted by Bea

Here is a link that shows our solution to this problem:

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post300538

This is one of my favorite mods (perhaps a rather generous term for such a simple thing) but I do find myself looking at the mirror inside the propane tank cover every time I open the top hatch to open or close the propane tank values. So easy to see when it switches to red....and I only remove the big plastic cover to refill the tanks.

A 2 year update: the mirror is still on strong! With the left over mirror supply I cut them all up and enjoy handing them out to others. Cheers, -Bea

On edit: Amel, you beat me to to it! I like how you did your mirror!

[tractors1]

One ultrasonic sensor under each tank and a phone app. No need to remove the cover. https://mopeka.com/

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by tractors1

One ultrasonic sensor under each tank and a phone app. No need to remove the cover. https://mopeka.com/

yup, I have the mopeka sensors on my tanks, too. we often have a 3rd tank with us, for external BBQ and/or MrHeater use. when tank 1 is empty, and tank 2 on the trailer is getting towards low, we'll swap out tank one for the spare, and wait for 2 to empty, then go refill both 1 and 2.

[gbaglo]

If I had a dental mirror, it would take me three trips into the trailer and twenty minutes to find it.

[thunderworks]

I don’t use the cover at all. IMO, it’s a redundancy that has no value. I suppose everything looks a little tidier with the cover, but I really don’t see a functional value.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by thunderworks

I don’t use the cover at all. IMO, it’s a redundancy that has no value. I suppose everything looks a little tidier with the cover, but I really don’t see a functional value.

Well, the exposed tanks and hoses are an eyesore. So yeah, the cover does make things look tidier. But the cover also helps protect the tanks and hoses from flying debris, and keeps them cleaner, so there is at least one functional value.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Well, the exposed tanks and hoses are an eyesore. So yeah, the cover does make things look tidier. But the cover also helps protect the tanks and hoses from flying debris, and keeps them cleaner, so there is at least one functional value.

I would also think that less weather and UV exposure to the pigtails that already seem to dry rot in a few years can't be a bad thing.

[sherminator]

I use the tank cover only at home (for protectection from the elements), and camp without it. I don't consider the tanks and plumbing an eyesore.

I used to work on hydraulically powered robots, and found that the covers concealed small leaks and caught pools of fluid. If you left the covers off, you saw and fixed the leaks before they got big, and you never got doused with 3 gallons of fluid by removing a cover. My mind has been trained to believe exposed systems can be beautiful

[Mark B1]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

I would also think that less weather and UV exposure to the pigtails that already seem to dry rot in a few years can't be a bad thing.

I have had to change rubber propane hoses more than once on previous tent trailers where they were exposed to the elements and harden and crack. The sun is hard on any rubber or plastics, or fabrics, or skin.......

[Red]

Originally Posted by mfschu

Do people really take off the white propane tank cover every time they want to check to see if one of their propane tanks is empty and the manifold has switched over to the stand by tank? It seems like if the white tank cover had a small clear plastic window you could easily check the green & red/green level indicator. Thanks!

I had a bicycle rearview mirror that was on a short stem. It was destined for the garbage when I realized it was perfect for checking the propane indicator. It lives on top of the propane tank and reminds me to check the indicator every time I open the lid.

[dfandrews]

I added a plastic window when we first got our Escape. Now, 5+ years down the road, I don't even look. I pretty much know when to pull a tank and fill it. I will, occasionally, weigh a tank to see if it's worthy of a refill.