Date:         Mon, 20 Aug 2001 19:53:10 -0700
Reply-To:     harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Propane Tank Gauge
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi all,
Surprised there isn't more response about the propane gauge,
because a working propane gauge would be the greatest thing to have
on a westfalia. The new Eurobago does have a gauge, and I think it uses
a float inside the tank.
The gauge Frank shows on his website is commonly available, and
is used on bbq upright tanks. I installed the same gauge a few years
ago on my westy tank. The problem with that gauge is that it is basically
a propane pressure gauge, and doesn't show you the actual propane level
in the tank.
The reason:
Propane pressure changes dramatically, depending on temperature.
The gauge can show plenty of propane pressure, even if there is only
a small amount of propane left in the tank. Guess how I found out.

It is useful to show if there is any pressure in the tank, but it doesn't
tell you how much propane is in it.
It is also useful to show if there is a leak in your propane system.

I recently installed a second propane tank (same as original) on
my westy under the sliding door. Now when one tank is empty,
I just run the appliances off the auxiliary tank.
Maybe sometime I'll make a writeup on how I did the installation.
Harald
'90 westy
http://www.geocities.com/harald_nancy/

In a message dated 8/17/2001 7:00:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
abagdan@powersurfr.com writes:

> This propane gauge is an excellent addition to the van.  But how does the
> gauge work? I mean by what principle can the gauge tell how much is left
in
> the tank?
>
Frank Condelli wrote:
       I have no idea !  I did not invent this gizmo.  I just came across it
at my local Canadian Tire and thought it may work on our Westy tanks.  I
have
installed two so far one on my camper and one on a customers camper.  Both
seem to be working.  So who need to know all the details !  I would suggest
you call the tool free line for Keanall and ask them this question.