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Topic: Propane Readout on Range Hood Monitor Panel (Read 373 times) previous topic - next topic
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Propane Readout on Range Hood Monitor Panel
While on a trip recently in relatively cold weather, the propane indicator on the panel inside the LD (above the stove in mine) gave faulty readings. It might indicate the propane tank was empty when it wasn't, or vice versa, or something in between. I have not had this problem before; the indicator on the panel has been right on.

In reading the meter on the tank itself -- made easier when my son suggested snapping a picture with my phone! -- I noticed something is attached to or plugged into the middle of the meter that has wires attached to it. Is this the connection between the meter and the panel?

Ideas why the faulty readings on the panel?
Judy Dewey
2003 26' RK
Re: Propane indicator on panel
Reply #1 –

Hi Judy; If the gauge needle properly indicates the propane level, the black sending unit on the front is magnetically connected to the gauge. There are two wires at the sending unit. One connects the sending unit to your readout inside, and the other is connected to ground. You could have a bad connection on either wire, or the sending unit could be bad; worn out.
    This link is for a new gauge,   Amazon.com: Manchester Tank G12846 LP Gas Tank - Remote 90° OHM Sender:...

But first test the display unit. Disconnect the wire at the gauge that goes to the display inside, and connect it to a good ground. The display should either full or empty and would be steady. With that wire disconnected, the display should read the opposite.
My guess is an open wire would read full, and connected to ground , empty. I've never worked on one.
     If the needle doesn't read correctly on the gauge itself, then you could have something wrong with the actual float to gauge unit inside the tank. Someone else here would have to chime in on that. RonB

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RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Propane Readout on Range Hood Monitor Panel
Reply #2 –
RonB, the needle reads correctly, so it’s the sending unit wiring or the unit itself. Thank you so much for your reply. Super helpful!
Judy Dewey
2003 26' RK
Re: Propane Readout on Range Hood Monitor Panel
Reply #3 –
Whatever method you use to determine the amount of propane, either with the LEDs or the tank's gauge, take it with a grain of salt, neither accurately displays the same amount, all the time. Even with a SeeLevel indicator, I see a lot of variation over short periods of time.
When our LD's tank shows 'empty', we can usually run on it for a few more days, before having to switch to the auxiliary tank.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Propane Readout on Range Hood Monitor Panel
Reply #4 –
"Whatever method you use to determine the amount of propane, either with the LEDs or the tank's gauge, take it with a grain of salt, neither accurately displays the same amount, all the time."
----
Are the gauges in very recent LDs any more accurate than the "rough suggestion of what might be in the tank" type in my 2003?

After 15 years, I'm very used to the "ballpark - maybe" readouts of every gauge, so I don't worry about it. The fresh, black, and grey water gauges are all doing their own things, independent of actual tank levels, and the gauge on the LPG tank and the indicator inside the rig are never synched. When either or both LPG gauges show 1/4 full or even closer to "empty", the propane tank (9.9 nominal gallons; about 8 usable) still contains anywhere from 4-5 gallons of propane!   ::)

As ever, YM (and your gauges)MV.

 

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Propane Readout on Range Hood Monitor Panel
Reply #5 –
At least the propane gauges - inside and out - have been really accurate all 8 years I’ve owned the rig, which is why it was such a puzzlement on the last trip.

Ah well, I need to get the auxiliary system installed.

Thanks for all the responses!
Judy Dewey
2003 26' RK
Re: Propane Readout on Range Hood Monitor Panel
Reply #6 –
Hi Judy, um...auxiliary system??... I'm about 99+ percent sure it's just a dirty connection at the tank gauge sender. It is out in the weather and dirt. Try disconnecting the tabs, and cleaning them. Heck, just undo them and click them back on, that's what I would try first. If the gauge is reading normally, (what you are used to), there can't be very much wrong. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
 
Re: Propane Readout on Range Hood Monitor Panel
Reply #7 –
RonB, that sounds like something I can handle. Very logical. Thanks! I’ll try that.
Judy Dewey
2003 26' RK