Gas cylinder level monitoring

[Sinbad]

So I've seen on the intarwebs you can get ultrasonic gadgets that will tell you the level of gas in your cylinders. They all advertise it for propane - will it work for our LPG as well?

And then - know where one can be obtained in SA?

 

[bwana]

Use your bathroom scale. The tare weight is printed or stamped on the cylinders so it's just basic maths.

 

[satanboy]

I purchased one that magnetically attaches to the outside of the cylinder. Cost R50. Doesn't work.

 

[The_MAC]

I read this somewhere, and tried it, it works, its a bit crude, but it doesn't cost anything.

You basically run some hot water down the length of the bottle, there where the water on the surface is cold, that's what level the gas is at i.e. Empty upper section will be warm, lower gas-filled area will be cold.

The scale is best, as mentioned, but you don't always have one handy when camping for instance.

 

[Sinbad]

I purchased one that magnetically attaches to the outside of the cylinder. Cost R50. Doesn't work.

Don't want one of those, they work on temperature changes which if you ask me are snake oil at best.

Use your bathroom scale. The tare weight is printed or stamped on the cylinders so it's just basic maths.

I have 48 kilo cylinders. Don't want a hernia!

 

[bwana]

I have 48 kilo cylinders. Don't want a hernia!

Lift with your legs then.

 

[Fox1]

Scale.

 

[Sinbad]

Lift with your legs then.

I was hoping to measure using a kid.
"Hey go and check the gas level, I'm busy with a sex scene in Witcher 3"

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Mechanical scale with weights.

 

[MickeyD]

Gauge on the regulator?

 

[Sinbad]

Gauge on the regulator?

Never gonna happen, the cylinders are under a pretty much constant pressure until they're empty.

 

[MickeyD]

 

[Sinbad]

View attachment 222634

Won't work though, I run a high pressure regulator at my bottle installation.

 

[MickeyD]

Won't work though, I run a high pressure regulator at my bottle installation.

Who installed your gas line to your tank? They should have the correct valve...

 

[Sinbad]

Who installed your gas line to your tank? They should have the correct valve...

Valve or gauge?

 

[MickeyD]

Valve or gauge?

It's a single unit.

 

[BigAl-sa]

Don't want one of those, they work on temperature changes which if you ask me are snake oil at best.

Actually, it's not snake oil, it's a fundamental physical principle. As the liquid evaporates it cools down, so the gadget mentioned can only work while the gas cylinder is being used.

This is also why you sometimes see dew formation on a cylinder (in use) on very humid days. The temperature of the liquid in the cylinder is lower than the dew point which causes the water vapour in the air to condense on the colder regions of the cylinder.

If the cylinder is in use for a reasonable length of time you can actually feel the difference in temperature between the liquid and gas level. Just remember that it does take the cylinder a certain amount of time to react to temperature changes of the liquid inside, and this delay will be influenced by the thickness of the cylinder wall.

 

[savage]

It's a single unit.

+1

You get valves with the gauge as part of the unit...

 

[The_Unbeliever]

*troll post start*

Just drill a hole at the top and insert a dip stick. Make sure the dip stick seals well when fully inserted.

When measuring gas level, quickly remove the dip stick, take a look at the measurement and put it back in before any gas escape

*troll post end*

@sailor - your installer should know what equipment you'll need to measure gas level(s).

Do let us know how it pans out...

 

[satanboy]

Actually, it's not snake oil, it's a fundamental physical principle. As the liquid evaporates it cools down, so the gadget mentioned can only work while the gas cylinder is being used. ..

Never worked for me. Threw it in the bin after a few months.