Dometic LP GasChecker (LPGC10)

I have the Truma as well as the Dometic (the Dometic was a gift)  I never have an empty tank to test them on, so I let my propane run the fridge after the Pismo Rally in hopes that I can get a reading with the Truma and the Dometic...

I'll post back here with a review of the Truma unit after I test it.  Thanks Jeff for the heads up on the "C" grade.

WoodGlue

You bet WG.

Yeah, it is just annoying after just 4 or 5 checks on a known tank level.  Not fun.  Not even close to precise.  Hit-and-miss.  Just frustrating.

I can see this thing in a year or 2 now - I'll find it in the garage with a dead battery.

I'm sprinting back to the good old hot water down the side of the tank with a quick feel and you always know the LP level method.

I purchased one of those a couple years ago and had similar results.........not consistent at all. I haven't yet seen the Truma in action and hopefully it works. Looking forward to your report Lauren.

Jeff, does the hot water method required LP being drawn from the tank at the time, or can you do it without any LP flowing from the tank?

Kent -

Either way.  Being drawn from, stationary, or even completely disconnected.

Kent -

Here is a demonstration that I did 17 days ago on a disconnected tank -

https://community.lanceowners.org/top...6#490650639679196176

Just had a positive experience on the back yard bbq tank (20 lb.).

The bbq was off.  I did not have a hand on the tank.  There were no lights on anywhere around (all of my previous tests were in the garage with lights on or outside with lights on nearby).

This time I cleaned the probe end with a wet paper towel & did not dry it off.  I then immediately checked the tank.  The results were pretty positive although with 3 missed/flashing readings.  The LP level is right below the weld on the tank.  I am going to go get this tank filled in a bit and will post the amount that fills the tank when I return.

Here are a few shots - current air temp, LP level shots, and hot water method level -

2 more pictures before I go get it filled -

Interesting. I wonder if the wet tip on the LP checker had anything to do with the new found increase in consistency.

That's what I'm thinking.

Plus there were no lights or other electronics on in the area.

So far a hand on the tank or not on the tank makes no difference.

Running a few more errands before getting the tank filled and back home ...

I have a Truma. I bought it and then had one donated for last years 50/50 rally. I'm not sure who won it but I'll bring mine up to the Big 26 if anyone wants to try it. I haven't had much luck with it. I think it might be the gauge mechanism in the tank causing problems. It always reads low even with a full tank.

I'm back with 6.2 pounds of LP and the tank is as full as is possible.

Once again, bbq is off, no hand on the tank, wet probe end, & no lights on.

3 readings with 4 misfires/flashing.

Also used the hot water method which gave the precise level.

The device doesn't work once you get off of a flat surface (90 degrees) as you can see below where the tank tapers at the top.

Pictures below -

Bottom line - I'm still sticking to my C grade/rating.

This will most likely get lost in the garage and I will continue to get a cup of hot water from the TT sink to pour on the TT LP tank to see exactly how much LP is left to run the WH to heat up the fresh water in the TT for me to drain from the TT sink.    

Looks like land fill to me Jeff.

GRUMPA posted:

Looks like land fill to me Jeff.

I agree GRUMPA.

Plastic packaging, plastic housing, battery inside, etc... all destined to be around long after we are decomposed.

I'm proud to be 99% biodegradable.

Haha! Same here.

I do have one fake tooth (still wish I had caught that fly ball in my glove instead of my face out in centerfield when I was 11) that will still be around.  Although the buzzards, maggots, & worms may eat that as well and "pass" it around occasionally.  

Yes, dental work is the other 1%

Anyone tried this one?  https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...e2fb56a65f8876169f4b

I'm new to this propane game so I'm still learning.  We took our new 1475 out for 5 days last month, did some cooking and heating of water and air, but ran the fridge on shore power.  We are generally frugal with heat, been keeping our house at 61 during the day, 59 at night.  The Truma was set pretty low at night.  The dealer supposedly gave us a full LP tank.  So I have no idea how much we used.

I tried the hot water trick on my tank this afternoon, had absolutely no idea what it was telling me.  There was a difference in the wet tank surface above and below the central weld, but I don't know if was real or if it was just the way the water rolled down the surface and past the weld.  I could imagine I believe I thought I think I saw a difference between the surface on the sloping curved top surface and the vertical side, but since the slope was changing I have no idea if it was believable.

Bottom line, I have no idea how much profane, I mean propane is left.  I'm leaning toward wanting a tool that gives me an unambiguous reading, even if I have to try it three or four times to make it speak.  That Dometic pencil probe is looking nice right now.  Of course we won't be going out again for several months, but I don't want to get two days into a planned five day trip and run out of propane.  Then my speech may actually become profane.

Here is what some of us use  -  Just the sensor and Bluetooth app. 

https://mopeka.com/ 

@VicH posted:

Here is what some of us use  -  Just the sensor and Bluetooth app.

https://mopeka.com/

That seems like a nice device but I have one quesiton.  How thick is it, which is to say will it fit in the half inch I have between the bottom of the tank and the surface which the tank's ring pedestal sits on?  Are those aluminum feet really necessary?

I'm not sure how many questions that ended up being.

@jimmuller posted:

That seems like a nice device but I have one quesiton.  How thick is it, which is to say will it fit in the half inch I have between the bottom of the tank and the surface which the tank's ring pedestal sits on?  Are those aluminum feet really necessary?

I'm not sure how many questions that ended up being.

The latest version is much thinner  than  the older one that I am using.  The older one is 0.42 inches,  new one is 0.28 inches.

Thank you, @VicH.

I ordered one of those Mopeka gauges and it came a day or two ago.  A few minutes ago I installed it and boom, just like that, it told me I had 70% in the tank.  Pretty slick.  Now, if it is accurate that's even better!  After consulting with my more experienced brothers I think that 70% figure seems about right.  I'm not sure how full the tank was when the dealer delivered the trailer to us, despite an offhand comment that it was prepped and ready to go.  But after a 5-day trip in cool weather with significant cooking and nice hot showers it seems in the ballpark of what they typically consume.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Don't know about the newer version. On my older version Mopeka says to apply a very, very thin coat of thermo grease to keep the rubber sensor from sticking to the paint other wise the sensor might stick and get pulled out when removing.
Also a good idea to sand most of the paint off where the sensor sticks.
Oh, very important..when removing carefully twist the sensor, do not just pull off.

We too have the older, thicker mopeka, works great for us with the phones bluetooth app. They sell a rubber ring for the bottom of the tank, this gives more clearance for the older, thicker sensor. The little aluminum feet are near worthless.

@Rvcrzyjeff posted:

We too have the older, thicker mopeka, works great for us with the phones bluetooth app. They sell a rubber ring for the bottom of the tank, this gives more clearance for the older, thicker sensor. The little aluminum feet are near worthless.

              I too use the rubber ring -  works great 

@pau hana posted:

Don't know about the newer version. On my older version Mopeka says to apply a very, very thin coat of thermo grease to keep the rubber sensor from sticking to the paint other wise the sensor might stick and get pulled out when removing.
Also a good idea to sand most of the paint off where the sensor sticks.
Oh, very important..when removing carefully twist the sensor, do not just pull off.

     Yep &  Yep   mine had no thermo grease and it shelf destructed when I removed it the fourth time.   It was the old style w/ a 3 year warranty - They replaced it for me  -  FREE.    Most happy with it.     

I understood the grease to be an aid for ultrasonic coupling, like an ultra sound, smear the couplant on mama's belly.

Mine included a tiny tube labeled ultrasonic grease but no instructions one way or the other except how to pair to the phone or receiver.  It fits under the tank without needing any spacers.  What impressed me the most was that it just worked.  Or it seemed to.  Maybe it tells everyone they have 70%.

I have two Mopeka units one on each tank, the units fit neatly in the space between the tank and the bottom shelf on our new 1995.  They provide for peace of mind to be able to check the tank levels from inside the trailer so I know when to switch the tank lever to the other tank (or when spotting a propane refill station on the road and wondering if I need to top off) .  When I installed mine the units came with the grease to apply between the unit and the sensor.  

I have an extra unit that I installed on my home Weber grill tank. Neat product.