I tried searching the forum with several search word varieties and could not find an answer to this probably simple question:
Is it necessary to put an LP fuel gauge on each tank to know which tank is empty and to prevent letting both tanks going empty? I am sure there is a simple and already supplied answer to this, just can not find it.
thanks
Lonnie
Short answer: No.
That's provided your automatic transfer valve is working correctly. With both tanks known to be full, the selector switch should be pointed to one side or the other. DO NOT POINT IT TO THE MIDDLE. The indicator should be green. When tank #1 empties, the indicator will turn red and the transfer valve will start drawing from tank #2. But the selector will still point to tank #1 until you manually turn it to #2 (or left/right, however you want to look at it). Once you change it to #2 (the indicator will turn green again), shut the tank valve on #1 and take it for refilling. Reinstall it, open the valve, and you're done. The process will reverse itself when tank #2 is empty. If you set the selector to the middle position, both tanks will draw down before the red indicator says they're both empty. But that only occurs in the middle of the night when the temps are in the teeny weenies and canines and felines are falling from the clouds.
Some folks will only open one tank and then manually switch to the second tank when needed. Supposedly guarantees a full tank always available. But brings us back to the middle of the night, rainstorm, and/or temps in the teeny weenies, depending on remembering to look at it.
Personally, when we've been running the furnace at night, I check the tank compartment every morning just to be sure it hasn't switched over in the middle of the night. Actually, a full 30 lb. tank lasts quite a while unless you're in the Arctic. But complacency will get you cold in a hurry if you don't check it.
As for gages on the tanks, they are available (I have two I can't use). Depending on your rig, there isn't enough room for them in the cabinet unless you put longer hoses on the regulator and turn the tanks 90 degrees. Maybe a future mod, just for the heck of it.
View attachment 9539