On Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:33:49 -0800 (PST), bob haller
wrote:

On Jan 25, 2:50Â*pm, "Jon Danniken"
wrote:
wrote:

The ONLY accurate and simple way to know how much propane is in a
tank is to use a scale and weigh it.

I've seen a setup on older BBQs that employed a sprung carriage to hold the
tank. Â*The carriage has a hinge on one end, and a compression spring on the
other.

When the tank is full, it compresses the spring, and the indicator needle on
the carriage points to the "Full" line. Â*As the tank gets lighter, the
spring lifts up the indicator needle, and it starts heading up towards the
"Empty" line, letting you know it is emptying.

I'm usually too lazy to bend over and look at the indicator, so I just keep
a one pound bottle of propane handy should I run out of gas in the middle of
a cook. Â*I can usually avoid that, however, by noting that when the tank is
on it's last legs, the pressure appears to actually increase, giving a much
more aggressive flame pattern.

That's what usually lets me know it's time to go get the tank filled.

Jon

years ago machines I serviced use 1 gallon cans of liquid stored in
the base cabinet of the machine.

Ditto machine can weighing unit.

_________________________________________________ ______________________________

I REALLY DONT UNDERSTAND why the OP doesnt just keep a spare tank, and
swap it out when needed.......

I mean you gain nothing weighing the tank when its empty doesnt matter
its still empty and must be changed...

just run till empty and change
I THINK he has answered that several times.
Due to age and health he is physically limitted - and he uses this rig
to melt ice from steps. If there is not enough propane to finish the
job he wants to know BEFORE the torch quits, leaving the job half done
and him too worn out or sore to change the tank.

Some days I can personally see his point.