Date:         Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:57:10 -0800
Reply-To:     Pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Gauging propane level
In-Reply-To:  <200701190510.l0J5Ab3P027441@flpi100.sbcis.sbc.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Date:    Thu, 18 Jan 2007 20:50:26 -0500
From:    Mike S <mikes@FLATSURFACE.COM>
Subject: Re: Gauging propane level

One simply has to use Plan B. Pour some warm water over the liquid
crystal indicator. The part of the tank with liquid will absorb the
heat quicker, so there will be a temperature difference at the level of
the liquid, which will be indicated.

How to pour warm water onto a tank mounted under a Westy is an exercise
left to the reader. :-)

Howdeydodat:  First if you are OUT of propane invoke Plan C below.  If not
light the stove warm some water put it in the ever present NFL Authorized
GatorAde (tm) bottle.  Now by squeezing the bottle squirt lots of warm
gator^h^h^h^h^h water on the LCD indicator.  Remember, you have to heat the
METAL behind the LCD tape not just the tape.  Might just work.

Plan C:  Get a second manifold piece from your (FLRVS) and install so you
have a cappable tee fitting with the same pipe thread as the original. Now
you have a downstream tap into the system which you cap off.  Purchase a
regulator and hose that will fit a DOT portable bottle/tank (FLRVS).  TURN
OFF WESTY TANK AT VALVE.  Undo the cap, plug in the hose-regulator-tank
backup and put a cowpie on the instrument panel housing.  Now you're good to
stay until the propane runs out of the backup tank.  When this happens
notice the cowpie (meadowmuffin), recall it's there to remind you that you
don't intend to drag the spare propane setup all the way to the propane
vendor and remove it.  Take it with you and fill both the Westy tank and the
backup tank.  Reserve the muffin for emergency heat or to use again as a
reminder (works best with an already aged meadowmuffin, NB these are not
available at your Friendly Local Recreational Vehicle Store:

Plan D: (the roadhaus(tm) solution)  Buy a second Westy Tank and install
under the passenger side door, tee it into the existing system and keep it
turned off until you run out of propane on the main tank.  Turn off the main
tank, turn on the auxiliary tank and you're set.  Doesn't require hunting
for meadowmuffins in the dark or storage of such.  When the propex runs out
on the main tank you merely slide the door open a smidge and turn on the
auxiliary tank.  Remember to turn off the main tank at the first
opportunity.