Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2001 21:57:02 -0700
Reply-To: Coby Smolens <cobys5@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Coby Smolens <cobys5@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: Propane Tank Gauge
In-Reply-To: <OE25q7Zm43ZbHLJHzid0002f078@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
'Course, there's the temperature strip gauge - a thing you stick on that
works essentially the same way a built-in Eveready AA battery tester works,
i.e. a chemical changes color with temperature. Installed on the propane
tank (a flat, self-adhesive strip stuck vertically on the side of the tank),
one pours a cup of hot water on the gauge and the area above the level of
the liquid in the tank heats up more than the area below the surface level
of the LP in the tank, the chemical changes color on the strip above the
propane surface level, and voila! - you know how much is in the tank. I was
given one to play with years ago, but I don't really know where to get them-
I suspect any RV or propane equipment parts dealer might know...
Coby Smolens
Valley Wagonworks
VW Bus and Vanagon Specialists
"Intimately acquainted with VW Vans since 1959"
1535 SF Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960
415-457-5628
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of harald_nancy
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2001 7:53 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Propane Tank Gauge
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.
