Propane fuel gauge

paradisePWoffrd

paradisePWoffrd

Recovering Project Junkie
Joined
Nov 5, 2005
Location
Newton, NC
I know that some of you on here are familiar with propane and forklift systems.

I am running forklift tanks & only have room for 1 tank in my rig. Currently i have a low fuel light setup but would like to have a fuel gauge on the dash as the light doesn't give much run time before empty.

I have seen the sending units that install in place of the gauge in the tanks but that seems pricey to outfit all my tanks.

Is there a way to measure level based off supply line pressure or anything else?
 
You can get the clear tanks and put a led under it if you can see the tank from your cab it works really well

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Set up a scale in the rig for them to sit on with a display on the dash

Sent while I should have been doing something constructive...
 
the pressure switch works, but it's not consistent as far as how much fuel you have left as temperature of the tank and environment will be the variable.

the one thing I have noticed with forklifts is that when the tank pressure does drop enough, with a good romp on the skinny pedal you're dropping line pressure enough momentarily to activate the light/alarm, then it shuts off until you do it again or get to the actual pressure set point.
again, part of the problem here is how much fuel draw you're creating on the liquid system ( where the switch should be, just before the lock off ) the larger the engine, the larger the draw

maybe adding an audible alarm along with the light will give you a better advanced warning ?

the gauges on LP tanks are notoriously inaccurate. and anything else would probably not be cost effective.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
Does liquid pressure change as the tank empties?
Click to expand...

YES

using a pressure gauge in place of the light switch could work, but again, temperature variances will not give you consistent pressure readings ( if you're snow wheeling, it'll read much lower than if you're wheeling middle of July )
 
Blkvoodoo said:
the pressure switch works, but it's not consistent as far as how much fuel you have left as temperature of the tank and environment will be the variable.

the one thing I have noticed with forklifts is that when the tank pressure does drop enough, with a good romp on the skinny pedal you're dropping line pressure enough momentarily to activate the light/alarm, then it shuts off until you do it again or get to the actual pressure set point.
again, part of the problem here is how much fuel draw you're creating on the liquid system ( where the switch should be, just before the lock off ) the larger the engine, the larger the draw

maybe adding an audible alarm along with the light will give you a better advanced warning ?

the gauges on LP tanks are notoriously inaccurate. and anything else would probably not be cost effective.
Click to expand...

I would be interested in hearing about the other ideas even if they aren't cost effective.

As mentioned, my tank gauges are all over the place. & the light gives me 5+ min of idle time but if you were a few miles from camp its not long enough.

Does the line pressure constantly drop as the tank empties? I could use a pressure switch set for higher pressure to give more run time?
 
Line pressure does drop as the tank empties, but again, temperature will cause a lot of variance, so what works one day, may not work another. ( when it's 70° or above, probably not much of an issue, but when temp goes down, so does pressure )

there are larger forklift style tanks, that'll add a little range, but still doesn't fix the original issue.

the composite tanks mentioned earlier are an option, though they're more expensive than the Aluminum ($300 new) but not all fill stations are smart enough to realize these are ok to fill ( cuz it's new and different, and nobody told them it was ok, i know of some RV'rs who've had this issue) and one brand has been recalled ( falsified certification documentation, failed certification ) the biggest benefit, you can SEE the fuel level in the tank

http://www.vikingcylinders.com/products/commercial/
 
Weight is the most reliable, pressure drop kicks in too late. Thought about several temperature sensors to determine liquid level. I think most evaporation occurs at surface of liquid and is accompanied by cooling so area above liquid which is gas would be warmer . This temperature differencee wouldd only occur when engine is running and movement may blur actual level. Just trying to provoke a thought..
 
Mount the tank where you can see the tank gauge and check it occasionally? Throw the tanks away and swap in EFI? The clear tanks aren't really that expensive.
 
don't know how well it would work on an aluminum tank (different heat transfer/absorption/etc) but on the 20# steel bbq cylinders, you can 'see' the level with an infrared thermometer. With a draw on the tank (motor running), run an I/R temp scanner down the tank...you'll see a slight temp change at the gas/liquid level. Would probably work better if your tank is mounted vertical, though.
 
I work on forklifts for a living and i have yet to see a fuel level gauge on one. Even the newest of new only have a low pressure switch. My toyota is on propane and i too only have one tank mounted. I usually unstrap my tank and rock it back and forth to feel it slosh and get an idea of weight (aluminum tank) steel is to heavy to get a good idea. The gauge on the end only sweeps when the tank is horizontal. If its mounted vertically you will notice the gauge says either ok or refill. They only read acurately if the tank is level. If your parked on a slant it can throw it off. The float in the tank works alot like a fuel level gauge on a torpedo kerosene heater. Im planning on mounting a second tank because running out in the middle of the trail and being "that guy" isnt much fun.


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gray said:
Throw two 2lb bottles in your rig and a adapter and there's your reserve to get back to camp! If you ever need it !
Click to expand...

This has been my plan, but havent searched deep enough to find all the fittings needed for an adapter.

I will likely just figure out a way to mount 2 tanks in the rig, and the low press switch gives plenty of heads up for that..
 
Haveing 2 tanks made me never worry I use to have one on my sami and I was always worried going on long trails

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I would go for two tanks or spring for the clear one.


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