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Sat Sep 19, 2015 3:07 pm

Do these propane tank level checker devices work our our Westy tanks?
- Dometic gc100 http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/lp-gas/propane-tank-level-checker.htm
- Truma http://www.levelcheck.com/us/

Sat Sep 19, 2015 6:41 pm

I suppose they would, if you want to climb under your van every time you wanted to check the propane level.

Sat Sep 19, 2015 7:27 pm

Corwyn wrote: I suppose they would, if you want to climb under your van every time you wanted to check the propane level.

Is there a better way?

Sat Sep 19, 2015 7:36 pm

1 - fill up every trip, not advised
2 - have some sort of back-up as in the threads below. When it runs out, use the back-up and fill up at your next convenience.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612317
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=518229

Sat Sep 19, 2015 8:55 pm

Corwyn wrote: I suppose they would, if you want to climb under your van every time you wanted to check the propane level.

That doesn't seem too hard, unless you're older or bigger.

I didn't know such device existed, I think I'll get one soon :)

Sun Sep 20, 2015 5:00 am

The refill adapter works really well, just make sure you order the right one for your tank. I ordered the wrong one at first, but the seller took care of me.

As long as you have your adapter and an extra 1 lb bottle on board, your eggs will never go half cooked. I haven't needed mine while camping yet, but I was able to clear up some shelf space by pouring a bunch of almost empty Coleman bottles into the van tank.

Sun Sep 20, 2015 6:28 am

Will they work on the Westy tank since there is no straight vertical surface to place them against?

Sun Sep 20, 2015 10:52 am

I set mine up as shown here with the bungee: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1567630

I have the 3.3 Gal Manchester tank that Gowesty sells.

Sun Sep 20, 2015 11:53 am

landkholdings wrote: I set mine up as shown here with the bungee: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1567630

I have the 3.3 Gal Manchester tank that Gowesty sells.
You can get all the parts to make that in the walmart camping section.

Sun Sep 20, 2015 1:22 pm

Tobias Duncan wrote: landkholdings wrote: I set mine up as shown here with the bungee: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1567630

I have the 3.3 Gal Manchester tank that Gowesty sells.
You can get all the parts to make that in the walmart camping section.

That's what I use. One can worry about their tank level on a daily basis, or arrange for a temp backup source.

Sun Sep 20, 2015 1:32 pm

Corwyn wrote: Tobias Duncan wrote: landkholdings wrote: I set mine up as shown here with the bungee: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1567630

I have the 3.3 Gal Manchester tank that Gowesty sells.
You can get all the parts to make that in the walmart camping section.

That's what I use. One can worry about their tank level on a daily basis, or arrange for a temp backup source.
How long will 1 can run your fridge?

Sun Sep 20, 2015 5:37 pm

I can say from personal experience that a full stock Westy propane tank will last over 30 days, using the stove for 1-2 meals plus washing per day, and powering the fridge about 10-12 hours per night. I don't know how much longer it may have continued to run, as I refilled it after our trip.

I just returned from a 14-day trip where I ran the fridge on propane 24/7, plus cooking 1-2 meals per day, and still have propane left.

I just keep an extra page in my glovebox notebook for noting how many days of camping since my last filling, then refill when I get close to 30.

Obviously, everyone's usage style is different, so YMMV ...

Sun Sep 20, 2015 6:33 pm

Tobias Duncan wrote: landkholdings wrote: I set mine up as shown here with the bungee: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1567630

I have the 3.3 Gal Manchester tank that Gowesty sells.
You can get all the parts to make that in the walmart camping section.

I don't visit Walmart's camping section often but it would surprise me if they stocked all the parts to make this adapter.

1) bulk hose
2) crimp on fittings
3) fitting that attaches to the 1lb canister
4) the above probably can be had in one form or another but the stumper is the 3175A ACME fitting (and the reducer adapter) on the right in the photo below used to attach to the fill fitting on the tank. It'd be pretty neat if the did stock it.

Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:16 pm

The acme fitting is the only thing they dont have but thats extra even on the kit that was linked.
They have the extension hose and the POL fitting. Both are coleman products.
Does hanging the bottle upside down really do much?

Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:31 pm

Jeffrey Lee wrote: I can say from personal experience that a full stock Westy propane tank will last over 30 days, using the stove for 1-2 meals plus washing per day...

What's "washing" got to do with propane level/usage in a "full stock Westy" unless you have added a hot water heater?

Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:36 pm

Tobias Duncan wrote: Corwyn wrote: Tobias Duncan wrote: landkholdings wrote: I set mine up as shown here with the bungee: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1567630

I have the 3.3 Gal Manchester tank that Gowesty sells.
You can get all the parts to make that in the walmart camping section.

That's what I use. One can worry about their tank level on a daily basis, or arrange for a temp backup source.
How long will 1 can run your fridge?

When I was living in my van, fridge has been running 24-7 for 2 years and half.
Everyday I was boiling water for my big bowl of tea and cooking dinner at night almost every night.

The tank lasted between 10 to 14 days like that. 10 to 12 was the average.

Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:39 pm

I meant how long does one green propane canister last.
I can usually get three weeks out of my propane tank but thats not cooking every day.

Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:53 pm

Tobias Duncan wrote: I meant how long does one green propane canister last.
I can usually get three weeks out of my propane tank but thats not cooking every day.

OEM LP tank is 3.0 Gal
GW Standard OEM Replacement LP Tank is 3.3 Gal
GW Oversided LP Tank is 5.9 Gal

Green Coleman LP canister is 16.4 oz.

Extrapolate from there depending on your needs/usage/appliances.

Sun Sep 20, 2015 9:11 pm

And propane weighs 67.84 ounces per gallon.

Sun Sep 20, 2015 9:30 pm

jimf909 wrote: And propane weighs 67.84 ounces per gallon.

Thats like the extra information on a math test designed throw you off!

So it looks like the green bottle runs the fridge for less than a day.
I think I want to know how much is in my tank before I head off into the mountains because that little green canister is not gonna last long.