howdy all, has anyone got any shortcut ideas on how to check how much gas is left in the cylinders. I do know that one can buy certain items from camp/van suppliers to tell how much is left but one fellow nomad said to run hot water down the side of the cylinder and when it turns to a frosty type level that is how much is left. just being a bit stingy but always on the lookout for other ideas.
This works for me, look for the temp diference to get the level. If there is gas being drawn from the cylinder at the time of measurement there will be a greater temp difference.
The boiling water works for me, did it just yesterday and also explained to my 40 year old son how to test it now he has a camper trailer with 3 gas bottles. You will certainly notice the difference as the empty is really hot and the bit that still has some is really cold. You can't get much easier or cheaper than that.
Hi Jules, Its an Infrared surface temperature sensor, I purchased from Dicksmith Electronics, there are cheeper ones on Ebay. I use it alot on refrigeration jobs & Mechanicing jobs. To check the gas liquid level just hold the read button down, & slowly go down the side of the cylinder until you see a temp change. That is where the liquid level is. Also use it to check for hot wheel bearings on the Van.
-- Edited by DeBe on Monday 24th of September 2012 09:46:41 AM
Hot water poured down the side is easiest, for an average measurement Alternatively, weigh the cylinder - the weight difference between that and an empty cylinder will give you the weight of gas left. Gas tank adhesive stickers (from camping stores, etc) are VERY Cheap
There is a stick on strip like those thermometers used to take a kids temp . they are designed for checking gas bottle levels ,most camping stores stock them for around $3.00
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Just remember when you turn the gas on you need to push the fuse down but if you get a sudden massive leak it shuts it down so you don't get a fire.
I don't know if they work very well, I bought mine from Bunnings for about $20 each and they seem to work but I have had no failures so I wouldn't know about the safety side of it but it's handy to have the gauge.
The gas fuse will only indicate the quantity of LPG in the cylinder if it is near empty as the gauge reads the pressure not the quantity. I have found it is still handy as it does give some warning when the gas is about to run out.
The the LPG inside the cylinder is mainly in liquid form and the pressure remains approximately constant. (Techie types know this as the "critical pressure", about (from memory) 480 psi for propane). The hot water method works by showing where the level of the liquid is.
Yeah spot on Jim, but I normally get about a night out of my bottle cooking once it says its low but yes when Im heading out for a trip I hit the bottle with hot water, quick simple and accurate.
I use a gasfuse- gas dealers sell them and Aldi have them about once per year. They are not cheap at about $25.00, (I think) but if your gas hose perishes and the gas starts to escape they will turn the gas off. Worth it IMHO
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If there is such a thing as a tourist season.... why cant we shoot them?
howdy all, has anyone got any shortcut ideas on how to check how much gas is left in the cylinders. I do know that one can buy certain items from camp/van suppliers to tell how much is left but one fellow nomad said to run hot water down the side of the cylinder and when it turns to a frosty type level that is how much is left. just being a bit stingy but always on the lookout for other ideas.
