Internal Propane Gauge

Joe

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Jul 9, 2009, 1:35:01 PM7/9/09

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I have one of those gauges that lights up to show the water, black
tank, gray tank, and propane level.

All are working except the propane one. The gauge on the tank itself
is working fine.

Any suggestion on where to look first to trouble shoot.

Thank you

Joe H.

Lone Haranguer

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Jul 9, 2009, 2:52:31 PM7/9/09

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The wires and connections on the tank and the readout.
LZ

Technobarbarian

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Jul 9, 2009, 6:54:23 PM7/9/09

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"Joe" <joeho...@cs.com> wrote in message
news:279f32d6-9d88-41fc...@h2g2000yqg.googlegroups.com...

With troubleshooting you generally want to start with the easy stuff
first. So I'd look to see if the wire from the gauge to the receiving unit
was connected at both ends. While you're in there I'd look closely at the
back of the receiving unit for any obvious problems like broken connections
or discolored parts on the circuit board. On a typical propane tank the
gauge is controlled by a magnet inside the tank, so there's no opening into
the tank at the guage. Usually the gauge is held in place by a metal ring
and some small screws. I'd remove the gauge from the tank and check to see
that the resistance changes as the gauge moves. IIRC the change in
resistance from full to empty should be something on the order of 100 ohms.
As long as you can get a significant change in resistance as the gauge moves
it's likely to be ok. Next I would check to see if there's continuity
through the wire from the gauge to be sure the wire was ok. Once you've done
this you've eliminated all the easy problems and you're down to where the
problem is likely to be--at the receiving unit inside your RV. The most
likely fix at that point is to replace the receiving unit, or ignore the
problem and look at the gauge on the tank every now and then.

TB

Joe

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Jul 9, 2009, 11:11:59 PM7/9/09

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On Jul 9, 5:54 pm, "Technobarbarian" <Technobarbarian-
ztopz...@gmail.com> wrote:
> "Joe" <joehoec...@cs.com> wrote in message

Thanks for the suggestions. I have looked at some of the simple stuff
and it all looks good. I will try some of the things you have
suggested.

This year has been tough. After 9 years of not one problem, this year
I have had the refrigerator fail, the propane gauge break, a running
board break and the muffler pipe fall off the generator.

Joe H

Lone Haranguer

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Jul 9, 2009, 11:25:55 PM7/9/09

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You were living on borrowed time.
LZ

Mickey

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Jul 10, 2009, 10:27:37 AM7/10/09

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One thing to add to Techno's comment. Be careful which screws you
remove for the gauge. NOT the (4) screws that hold the whole assembly
in but just the couple smaller screws for the smaller light duty ring
for the gauge itself.

Removing the (4) outer screws is dangerous as the pressure in the tank
will blow the assembly out of the tank. Even just loosing these screw
is asking for trouble as getting the assembly to reseal could be a problem.

Don't asked how I know. Some days I seem to check to ole brain at the
door when I head out to face the world. :-(

Mickey