To everyone who wrote reviews about the gauge reading 'full' and then suddenly running out of gas, there is a reason for it. This item has a gauge that reads gas pressure, and you cannot determine ANYTHING about the level of propane in a tank by reading gas pressure.
The labeling and description of this item's function borders on fraudulent. The only meaningful measurement for propane is the level of liquid in the tank, and this item does not do that at all. The level must be directly measured with either a float device built into the tank, knowing the full/empty and current weight of the tank, or by reading a temperature sensitive strip on the side of the tank while it is in use.
The pressure in a propane tank is created by the liquid turning to gas. There are variables for ambient temperature, etc., but for the purpose of this discussion, that pressure will be relatively constant right up to the point where the last of the liquid has turned to gas, then you're done.
I would have given this zero stars if possible. I don't know how a product like this is even legal to sell.
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I purchased this product and am not that impressed. It is really just a pressure guage with some colored zones on it. It doesnt give you the greatest indication of the amount of fuel left in the tank. It does work, and as the needle indicates lower, obviously the tank contains less LP but it isnt that accurate. With the tank valve shut, the pressure will go up and indicate "GREEN," making you think that you have a lot of fuel. But when you turn on the grill and the pressure drops it indicates "RED" and you could run out of fuel before you cook your food.
Use this gauge as a general indication of tank level only, dont expect the greatest results. Take the $20 that you would spend on this device and apply it towards purchasing a second propane tank. That way if one tank runs out you have another to replace it with while you go and exchange the empty. You'll always have propane!
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Sorry gang, it can not work to accurately tell you propane level on earth or on the moon. Not to pick on this particular product, but this type of 'level indicator' works on pressure of the vapor in the tank, which has ZERO ZIP NADA to do with level, unless the tank is empty. Vapor space pressure in a propane tank is the same @ 95% full as @ 5% full. That's why you hear stuff like "it seems to work great, but then the 'level gauge' went to zero just before I ran out of gas." No kidding? It's just physics, and this product wont work the way you want it to. Dont be fooled, save your money. If it's critical, put a spare tank in service with a switching valve. Or use a scale. Or buy the new type tanks with "see thru" walls (I am not a salesman, a chemical engineer). Anything but this, my friends. And oh yeah, about the ad for this prodcut, understand that just about 100% of the tanks you buy or exchange (at the normal places we all know) have all the gov't mandated safety features you need, including overfill protection. I love the part of the ad that says "protects the environment", that's what the tank valve is for, what a laugh. Best wishes to all smart consumers.
More... and please see the link for backup of my comments...
This product uses PRESSURE to measure LEVEL = WONT WORK. Ever wonder why they dont sell "level guages" WITH the tanks? EVEN IF they work correctly, they will show full as long as there is 1 drop of liquid propane, then all of a sudden they show empty. It's just simple high school physics. Check the link gang! Save your money. Oh, yeah, all these types of home bbq tanks have overfil protection INSIDE them by law. Be an informed consumer. Your friend, chemical engineer, busting myths.
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Honest reviews on GasWatch TVL212 Propane Level Indicator and Safety Gauge
The other day I saw a plastic bag labeled, "THIS IS NOT A TOY"... and I wondered to myself who would need to receive that little pearl of wisdom. Then... I read some of the negative reviews for this product...
Let's start here: If you are unwilling and/or unable to read the instructions (written in English by someone who understands English), then do not by this product. If you think this is going to attach to your tank and miraculously tell you the level of propane under any and all use cases, you will not be pleased.
If, however, you do read the instructions, the key section is the following:
"REMEMBER: Allow propane to flow for at least 5 minutes before checking the gas level on the gauge. It is best to read propane level just before finishing the use of gas appliance and determine whether to refill the tank before next use."
Prior to the above `reminder', the instructions clearly note, "... gauge provides reading while propane is flowing..."
WHILE PROPANE IS FLOWING
Actual Review:
As usual, using Amazon Prime, my gauge arrived two days later for free. The gauge installs just as easily as your appliance supply line connects to the tank. The assembly swivels and pivots in all directions, so you should be able to adjust the display so it's easy for you to read in your installation. (Something I note under the category of `thoughtful touch', the needle on the display is made of `glow-in-the-dark' materials. While my patio is relatively well lit with torches, it's nice to know that I won't need a flashlight to check the reading after dark.)
Once you are hooked up, the leak check is a breeze. While I learned the hard way a few weeks ago that my system is tight (I turned the burners off, but not the tank... and didn't loose and fuel), over time it will be nice to know I have an easy way to be certain that I'm leak free.
In the past, I've kept a 2nd tank on hand in case I drained one in mid-cook... it's nice to know that I now have a way of knowing that the time to change out the tank is drawing near. The instructions clearly state, "'when ... gauge shows REFILL, you have only 20 minutes of propane left in the tank.
Bottom line: Portable propane tanks are a bear to track, no matter whether you are using a gauge or scale. Be proactive: Always have a spare, and use a gauge so you'll know the time to change tanks is coming!
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My original review is below. After reading the comment with the explanatory link, and reviewing the information in the linked article, it appears to me the person leaving the comment is correct. This gauge only measures the pressure in the tank, which is not a reliable indicator of how much propane is in the tank. We have had at least one instance of the tank suddenly going empty when all indications from the gauge were that we had still had propane.
My recommendation at this point is to review whatever source you wish in order to understand why the amount of propane in a tank is difficult to measure, then decide for yourself whether you wish to spend money on this product.
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First of all, had to wonder at some of the other 1-star reviews where people said the gauge read empty even though the tank was full. Did they catch that part of the directions that tells you to push the gauge face down several times to activate the gauge? It's not intuitive at all but follow the instructions or it won't work.
The first time we bought one of these it worked well until it broke late in the summer. So why'd we buy another one? We figured it was our mistake since the grill was accidentally left out in the rain and the product info mentions the importance of not letting rainwater get into the gauge.
Just tried the new gauge out yesterday and it indicated a gas leak. Broke out the spray bottle and soapy water and quickly found the leak it was this valve! It was screwed on tight, took it off and reattached it, checked again, still leaking just behind the black piece that screws onto the propane tank.
On the chance we'd gotten a bum unit, we exchanged our leaking unit for a new one and it works great. Knocked off a star for the third-time's-a-charm ordeal of getting one that worked properly.
