Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge
| Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge [message #281607] |
Mon, 06 July 2015 23:13  |
Tom Whitton
Messages: 235
Registered: February 2004
Location: Paducah, KY
Karma: 0
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I had the propane tank out to repair a disconnected water line and accidently broke the gauge on the side of the propane tank. The bottom part of the old gauge is still on the tank. I have a replacement. Could someone tell me how to go about replacing the damaged gauge? There are two mounting tabs, one center upper and one center lower. The gauge is held in place with screws through these tabs. My tank is almost full of propane. To replace the gauge I started to remove the two screws. When they were about half way out I heard a slight hissing noise from gas leaking out and quickly retightened them. I was apprehensive about do this job anyway. Maybe I imagined the sound but I don't want to take a chance. Can anyone help? Obviously, my knowledge in this area is deficient.
Tom Whitton
26 foot updated GMC
Paducah, KY
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| Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge [message #281608 is a reply to message #281607] |
Mon, 06 July 2015 23:31  |
Bullitthead
Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013
Karma: 5
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There should not be any screws that you could loosen easily that would violate the seal of the tank. But anything is possible, especially when people get involved. Can you post any quick pics so we can see what you've got? Mine is out in the thunderstorm right now and may not be the same as yours anyway. You might want to put the year in your signature file.
Terry Kelpien
ASE Master Technician
73 Glacier 260
Smithfield, Va.
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| Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge [message #281610 is a reply to message #281607] |
Mon, 06 July 2015 23:46 |
Gadabout
Messages: 124
Registered: March 2013
Location: Edmonton
Karma: 2
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Tom - here are some photos of the float and gauge assembly that drives the sender and gauge.
You will notice that the assembly is sealed to the tank with a o-ring.
You should be able to replace the gauge portion (2 screws) , but not the float assembly itself unless the tank is emptied first.
If the float assembly is broken, you should have the tank safely emptied at a propane shop, then work on replacing the gauge.
Hope this helps
Carl Harr : Driver NASCAR Pro Series #2
1978 Gadabout-Restoring
1978 Palm Beach
1976 Glenbrook
Prevost Featherlite H3-45
[Updated on: Tue, 07 July 2015 00:21] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge [message #281639 is a reply to message #281607] |
Tue, 07 July 2015 11:00 |
Gadabout
Messages: 124
Registered: March 2013
Location: Edmonton
Karma: 2
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Tom below is a link to what you are up against. The face of the gauge is driven by magnets.
Propane Float Gauge Operation
The float gauge in a propane tank consists of moving parts located both inside the tank and outside. At the end of the stem is the float (pictured below) that rises and falls with the level of the propane in the tank. The top of the stem is the pinion gear (pictured left) that turns the gear in the shaft and causes the dial on the external face gauge to turn. As stated above, the float gauge is not considered a fully reliable instrument for measuring tank volume. Float gauges have a number of moving parts that are subject to wear and tear and can also become ineffective in any part of the assembly. If the gauge needs to be replaced, the propane tank must be empty. If the face gauge has a stuck dial, it can be quickly replaced as dial/face gauges use magnets and can be interchanged without the tank needing to be emptied.
http://www.propane101.com/floatgauge.htm
If your hearing gas hissing, I would recommend having the tank emptied, even if your just replacing the dial portion.
Carl Harr : Driver NASCAR Pro Series #2
1978 Gadabout-Restoring
1978 Palm Beach
1976 Glenbrook
Prevost Featherlite H3-45
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| Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge [message #281640 is a reply to message #281607] |
Tue, 07 July 2015 11:04 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Tom,
If you got gas leaking when you removed one two the little screws, you have a problem that needs fixing and soon. If you snug up the four fasteners that hold the gauge assembly in the tank and it still happens, you need to get it to someone that knows how to deal with this. That would probably be a commercial LP dealer, but many don't want to deal with people that are not already clients. The gauge assembly will need to be replaced.
The gauge capsule is magnetically coupled to the float shaft that rotates with the level. (See the little gear in the window of the bottom picture?) You (should be able) can remove the gauge capsule without and leakage. If that isn't the case, it is time to worry.
For Bruce...
As said the capsule is magnetically coupled. so it can be removed. It can even be replaced, but more then likely - in your case - the remote reading is
pegged high because the circuit is open (mine was). This is the result of a POS system to ground the resistive element. Mine was not even under a screw. It was just a folded tab that was supposed to connect to the gauge body. It only took a little tiny bit of 40+ years of corrosion to make that useless. I shined all the part up and put some silicone grease (thanks Les) on that tab and then ran a separate clean conductor to the house shell. It has been reliable ever since.
Matt
Tom Whitton wrote on Tue, 07 July 2015 00:13I had the propane tank out to repair a disconnected water line and accidently broke the gauge on the side of the propane tank. The bottom part of the old gauge is still on the tank. I have a replacement. Could someone tell me how to go about replacing the damaged gauge? There are two mounting tabs, one center upper and one center lower. The gauge is held in place with screws through these tabs. My tank is almost full of propane. To replace the gauge I started to remove the two screws. When they were about half way out I heard a slight hissing noise from gas leaking out and quickly retightened them. I was apprehensive about do this job anyway. Maybe I imagined the sound but I don't want to take a chance. Can anyone help? Obviously, my knowledge in this area is deficient.
Tom Whitton
26 foot updated GMC
Paducah, KY
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge [message #281687 is a reply to message #281607] |
Tue, 07 July 2015 19:58 |
Tom Whitton
Messages: 235
Registered: February 2004
Location: Paducah, KY
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I appreciate everyone's input on the propane tank gauge replacement. I decided to see what the local propane gas guys had to say on the subject. Richey, the guy that normally fills my propane tank, told me there is a metal plate behind the gauge with a magnet that picks up a signal causing the dial to register. He said there is no danger in replacing the gauge by just removing the top and bottom screws, removing the old gauge and then reversing the procedure to install the new gauge. He did say there would be a big (huge) leak if the four screws holding the whole apparatus on were taken out. He cautioned me to never do that with propane in the tank.
Thanks again for everyone's input.
Tom Whitton
26 foot updated GMC
Paducah, KY
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| Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge [message #281693 is a reply to message #281692] |
Tue, 07 July 2015 23:58 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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I supplied the gauge to tom.
People must be ashamed that they do business with us.
Tom did not hesitate to call me and ask if we had a replacement and had me
concerned when he mentions a leaking noise.
I had to make few calls before it became evident that it was not a gas leak
but something else .
He advised me that it was a noise he heard, not a leak.
On Tue, Jul 7, 2015 at 9:35 PM, Robert Mueller
wrote:
> Tom,
>
> This sounds like good advice but I can't understand why you got hissing
> when you loosened the two screws that hold the gauge dial
> in.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom Whitton
>
> I appreciate everyone's input on the propane tank gauge replacement. I
> decided to see what the local propane gas guys had to say on
> the subject. Richey, the guy that normally fills my propane tank, told me
> there is a metal plate behind the gauge with a magnet
> that picks up a signal causing the dial to register. He said there is no
> danger in replacing the gauge by just removing the top and
> bottom screws, removing the old gauge and then reversing the procedure to
> install the new gauge. He did say there would be a big
> (huge) leak if the four screws holding the whole apparatus on were taken
> out. He cautioned me to never do that with propane in the
> tank.
>
> Thanks again for everyone's input.
>
> Tom
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge [message #281694 is a reply to message #281618] |
Wed, 08 July 2015 00:11 |
Len Novak
Messages: 676
Registered: February 2004
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Mine always read full. We took it apart and the float was jammed against
the sidewall of the tank.
Len and Pat Novak
1978 GMC Kingsley
The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!
Fallbrook, CA new email: B52Rule@Roadrunner.Com
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375
www.bdub.net/novak/
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Bruce
Hislop
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2015 5:39 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge
Carl,
Interesting photos of the propane tank float. My gauge on the tank gives a
reading, but my remote propane gauge is stuck at full. Its an issue in
the variable resistor on the tank gauge.
So from your photos, I can remove the gauge itself off the tank without
releasing any propane, but that begs the question... what drives the gauge
from the float within? a magnet?
thanks
--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
Hubler 1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
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No virus found in this message.
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Len and Pat Novak
1978 GMC Kingsley
The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!
Las Vegas, NV new email: B52sRule@Gmail.com
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375
www.bdub.net/novak/
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| Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge [message #281696 is a reply to message #281694] |
Wed, 08 July 2015 07:12 |
RicksGMC
Messages: 145
Registered: May 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Mine always reads empty since the last time I had the tank filled, I'm guessing the float broke off (?).
Rick
Rick&Tammy Drummond
Prior Lake MN
'74 (re)Painted Desert
> On Jul 8, 2015, at 12:11 AM, Len Novak wrote:
>
> Mine always read full. We took it apart and the float was jammed against
> the sidewall of the tank.
>
> Len and Pat Novak
> 1978 GMC Kingsley
> The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!
> Fallbrook, CA new email: B52Rule@Roadrunner.Com
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375
>
> www.bdub.net/novak/
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Bruce
> Hislop
> Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2015 5:39 AM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] propane tank gauge
>
> Carl,
> Interesting photos of the propane tank float. My gauge on the tank gives a
> reading, but my remote propane gauge is stuck at full. Its an issue in
> the variable resistor on the tank gauge.
>
> So from your photos, I can remove the gauge itself off the tank without
> releasing any propane, but that begs the question... what drives the gauge
> from the float within? a magnet?
>
> thanks
>
> --
> Bruce Hislop
> ON Canada
> 77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
> Hubler 1 ton front end
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
> My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2015.0.6037 / Virus Database: 4365/10185 - Release Date: 07/08/15
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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Rick
Rick&Tammy Drummond
Prior Lake MN
'74 (re)Painted Desert
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