How to measure gas level in cylinders

[chenderson1965]

Our can came fitted with a 2x11 Gaslow system which had two flimsy plastic clip on gauges - one on the top of each cylinder. They didn't seem to be connected to anything but did give readings. Both have now snapped off so I need a new solution.

I see there are a variety of devices which seem to either fix to or be used to scan the bottle by hand. I can't find any info on how these work - or whether some types are more accurate than others.

I'm looking for something which I can 'fit and forget' that will be robust enough to last and give me a reasonably reliable reading - so I can plan ahead for fill ups.

What would you recommend?

Thanks a lot.

Chris

 

[Sundowners]

There is a device by Truma I think that you mount the bottle on and it weighs it---- there is a remote screen inside the van that gives a readout of gas level----- we had this in our flair but rarely used it as we had a big underslung gas tank------ we also have the same system in our caravan----- as long as nothing is touching the bottle it has to be fairly accurate

 

[TheMachMan]

Truma also make a hand held gizmo that you hold against the bottles and it shows the level. Bit pricey but looks very handy.
when I run out the last of our calor lite weights will get one.

 

[autorouter]

The gauges work by magnetism. You can get a slightly different gauge that has a Hall Effect sensor inside it. The sensor measures the magnetic field and transmits the information along a wire to a remote gauge. This may be more convenient to read and less liable to damage.

Gaslow Multivalve Gas Cylinder Remote Gauge

The Gaslow Remote Gas Gauge 01-4030 allows you to see the gas contents level of your Gaslow Multivalve cylinders without having to go to the gas locker compartment to manually check. The kit comprises of a replacement wired gauge for the multi-valve on the cylinder, 6 metres of cable and a...

www.gaslowdirect.com

The ultrasonic gauges are for cylinders with no magnetic gauge system inside them. They work, but the magnetic type is better I think.

 

[Minxy]

The original gauges can be reattached with a cable tie ... I've done it with one of ours and it hasn't dropped off since.

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[Two on Tour]

Many of use are using the Mopeka system which uses a sensor that attaches magnetically to the bottom of your cylinder and sends what the gas level in your cylinder is to a bluetooth app on your phone.
I find ours to be very accurate and reliable.
Do a forum search for Mopeka in the search box, and it will come back with a few threads on the subject.

 

[Stealaway]

I have always had two bottles.
When one goes empty I switch onto the other one.
I now know I have about three weeks to refill/replace the empty one.
Never yet needed to know the levels in 25 years.

 

[Spriddler]

I have always had two bottles.
When one goes empty I switch onto the other one.
I now know I have about three weeks to refill/replace the empty one.
Never yet needed to know the levels in 25 years.

I do the same and can't understand why a gauge is needed since you can top up a refillable at any time and don't have to hand in a cylinder which may have gas remaining in it.
My ex always ran the fuel in her the car well into the red and I could never get through to her that the fuel consumption would be exactly the same if she topped up when it showed a quarter or more full.

 

[Minxy]

I do the same and can't understand why a gauge is needed since you can top up a refillable at any time and don't have to hand in a cylinder which may have gas remaining in it.
My ex always ran the fuel in her the car well into the red and I could never get through to her that the fuel consumption would be exactly the same if she topped up when it showed a quarter or more full.

Ah but the lower she let it go the less times she had to spend going to actually fill it up ... no point wasting energy is there!

 

[chenderson1965]

Many of use are using the Mopeka system which uses a sensor that attaches magnetically to the bottom of your cylinder and sends what the gas level in your cylinder is to a bluetooth app on your phone.
I find ours to be very accurate and reliable.
Do a forum search for Mopeka in the search box, and it will come back with a few threads on the subject.

Thanks. This looks promising. It seems like it has to be fitted to the underside of the cylinder though and I'm not confident of remoting nd replacing my (Gaslow) ones. Is that easy to do?

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[Spriddler]

Ah but the lower she let it go the less times she had to spend going to actually fill it up ... no point wasting energy is there!

Cuh! You two would have got on well together!
I think the truth is that she hoped I'd need to use it and fill it up to save her spending her gin money.

 

[Minxy]

Cuh! You two would have got on well together!
I think the truth is that she hoped I'd need to use it and fill it up to save her spending her gin money.

Yup, I can totally see her point ... she's not daft is she!

 

[Chrisvh]

Gaslow sell a system called Wave. I have it fitted to my cylinders and works perfectly. Gives gas level and you can’t set alarms. Works by Bluetooth through an app on a phone.

Gaslow Wave Bluetooth Gas Level Gauge Kit

PLEASE DOWNLOAD 'ROTAREX DIMES' WITHIN YOUR APP STORE. SYNC THE DEVICE TO YOUR HANDSET USING YOUR UNIQUE PIN CODE ON THE WAVE SENDER UNIT, OR SIMPLY SCAN THE QR CODE ON YOUR FITTING INSTRUCTIONS. With the new Gaslow WAVE wireless module, you can now view the exact fill level of your cylinder on...

www.gaslowdirect.com

 

[sweetie]

I have always had two bottles.
When one goes empty I switch onto the other one.
I now know I have about three weeks to refill/replace the empty one.
Never yet needed to know the levels in 25 years.

I do exactly the same can't see the point in buying something else to go wrong that is not needed.

 

[Pete5996]

I have a Mopeka and well-pleased with it but the simplest, almost no-cost, low-tech method for establishing gas level is to pour a stream of boiling water down the side of the cylinder. Above the level, the cylinder wall stays warm for a time, below the level it cools instantly

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[peterc10]

Another vote for the Mopeka system here. Had it fixed for a while now and it has not let me down.

It is very easy to fit. Just unstrap the first bottle, slide it slightly out until you can get your hand under the bottle, stick the sender unit to the underside which will attach with its magnet, slide the bottle back in enough for it not to tip, register the bottle using the app and make sure it is working. Once you know it is working, slide the bottle back in fully and restrap it and then repeat on the other bottle. No need to disconnect anything and took me about 20 minutes to do.

I do exactly the same can't see the point in buying something else to go wrong that is not needed.

The problem with that is the law of sod. This states that the bottle will always run out when it is either p***ing down outside or in the middle of the night (usually when it is either p***ing down or freezing cold). In the latter case this triggers the fridge alarm and wakes her ladyship up who insists on the matter being dealt with forthwith.

 

[jumar]

Pour boiling water on the outside of cylinder, classroom science method..Results are self explanatory....

 

[WillH]

I have always had two bottles.
When one goes empty I switch onto the other one.
I now know I have about three weeks to refill/replace the empty one.
Never yet needed to know the levels in 25 years.

I do the same with wine, not so much with ale, though I've never managed three weeks.

 

[autorouter]

The gauges work by magnetism. You can get a slightly different gauge that has a Hall Effect sensor inside it. The sensor measures the magnetic field and transmits the information along a wire to a remote gauge. This may be more convenient to read and less liable to damage.

Post#6 from Lenny HB in this recent thread explains how the (non-electric) gauge works.

Anyone any experience of these?

We had 2 off 6k LPG bottles fitted and they came we these guages. Neither guage has moved despite cooking and heating on gas. Are they unreliable? Can they be easily fixed? The guages are on the top of the cylinders so the arrow saying to TOP is pointing horizontally??!! Thanks :xThumb:

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Dave_E]

Why not fit an automatic change over valve costs about 60 quid.

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[gwyntaxi]

Pour boiling water on the outside of cylinder, classroom science method..Results are self explanatory....

Does this work on Aluminium cylinders please. Tia

 

[Realist]

I use the Mopeka system with auto change over accurate as well.

Best bit of money you’ll spend and this way you don’t need to go outside to monitor and change over bottles.