Seren-y-dwr Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 Hi all, Can anyone tell me if there is a way (apart from lifting and trying to work out which one is heavier) to tell how much gas is left in a cylinder and if one of them is empty? Pic attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 3 minutes ago, Seren-y-dwr said: Hi all, Can anyone tell me if there is a way (apart from lifting and trying to work out which one is heavier) to tell how much gas is left in a cylinder and if one of them is empty? Pic attached. Yes. Bin the auto changeover. Then, when a gas bottle gets empty, you know about it whilst you still have a full spare. Sometimes simple is best. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seren-y-dwr Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 Just now, Sea Dog said: Yes. Bin the auto changeover. Then, when a gas bottle gets empty, you know about it whilst you still have a full spare. Sometimes simple is best. lol - yes but a bit extreme! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 10 minutes ago, Seren-y-dwr said: lol - yes but a bit extreme! Not at all - its normal. You can buy a magnetic 'fuel gauge' that sticks onto the side of the gas bottle it gives a 'rough idea' of the state of fullness. https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Magnetic-Propane-Butane-Gas-Bottle-Level-Indicator-Gauge-Caravan-Travel-Camping/529614018?iid=123763982165&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=123763982165&targetid=523090952595&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006944&poi=&campaignid=1782815643&mkgroupid=70885934802&rlsatarget=aud-629407027905:pla-523090952595&abcId=1139106&merchantid=110857205&gclid=CjwKCAjwq4fsBRBnEiwANTahcJTzAQvgJBmHTI-Y4IfyMKyYDsDSJvh5caOnpNxliO7YMebeoR0KnRoCdeQQAvD_BwE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seren-y-dwr Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 thanks Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 5 minutes ago, Seren-y-dwr said: lol - yes but a bit extreme! Actually no, it's not extreme, it's very common, simple to implement and is the sure fire way to eradicate what is a common problem amongst those with an auto changeover valve. For most boaters, it's simply unnecessary to have an uninterrupted gas changeover. When bottle 1 runs out, change the regulator to the second bottle, replace the first, now empty, bottle as soon as convenient. Worth a thought. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 1 minute ago, Seren-y-dwr said: thanks Alan yn falch o fod o gymorth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 4 minutes ago, Sea Dog said: Actually no, it's not extreme, it's very common, simple to implement and is the sure fire way to eradicate what is a common problem amongst those with an auto changeover valve. For most boaters, it's simply unnecessary to have an uninterrupted gas changeover. When bottle 1 runs out, change the regulator to the second bottle, replace the first, now empty, bottle as soon as convenient. Worth a thought. I removed the stooopid auto change over valve fitted to this boat. Makes complete sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 I retained my auto-changeover, but close the isolating valve on one bottle, so only one bottle feeds it. Then I hang a green label on the bottle I am using and replace the empty bottle at the earliest opportunity. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stegra Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 I read somewhere (probably here) that the auto changeover gizmos leave quite a bit of gas in the 'empty' bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeping Up Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 I would probably be murdered in my sleep if the gas ran out during the night so that the central heating stopped working and the boat was cold when my other half woke up. That's why I have always had an auto change-over valve. No I don't think they leave much gas in the empty bottle - as long as there is some tiny bit of liquified gas left there will be the pressure to keep the valve the right way. On mine a big indicator triangle changes from white to red when it changes over, so as long as I check it occasionally and buy a new bottle after it has changed over there is no problem. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murflynn Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 in many situations the level of the gas (liquid actually) can be seen by the level of the condensation on the outside of the cylinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machpoint005 Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 1 hour ago, mrsmelly said: I removed the stooopid auto change over valve fitted to this boat. Makes complete sense. Ditto -- well said. The only trouble is ... the gas bottle always needs changing over on a cold and wet night. That's still better than finding out on a cold and wet night that you have two empty gas bottles, though! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen-in-Wellies Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 1 hour ago, Alan de Enfield said: Not at all - its normal. You can buy a magnetic 'fuel gauge' that sticks onto the side of the gas bottle it gives a 'rough idea' of the state of fullness. https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Magnetic-Propane-Butane-Gas-Bottle-Level-Indicator-Gauge-Caravan-Travel-Camping/529614018?iid=123763982165&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=123763982165&targetid=523090952595&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006944&poi=&campaignid=1782815643&mkgroupid=70885934802&rlsatarget=aud-629407027905:pla-523090952595&abcId=1139106&merchantid=110857205&gclid=CjwKCAjwq4fsBRBnEiwANTahcJTzAQvgJBmHTI-Y4IfyMKyYDsDSJvh5caOnpNxliO7YMebeoR0KnRoCdeQQAvD_BwE I was given one of these gadgets. Problem was, you can't actually see them when they are deep down in the depths of a typical boat gas locker. 2 minutes ago, Murflynn said: in many situations the level of the gas (liquid actually) can be seen by the level of the condensation on the outside of the cylinder. The cheap version of the magnetic fuel gauge! Relies on the local cooling of the cylinder wall from the gas evaporating from the liquid surface in the same way as the liquid crystal detector. I find the cylinder empties when making tea when it is dark outside, windy and raining stair rods. For something that you need to do only once every three months with cooking only on gas, I can put up with that. Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 23 minutes ago, Murflynn said: in many situations the level of the gas (liquid actually) can be seen by the level of the condensation on the outside of the cylinder. Only when significant gas is being drawn off, or has recently been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 Years ago there use to be a small set of scales that went under one edge of the cylinder so you can see the weight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 1 minute ago, nicknorman said: Only when significant gas is being drawn off, or has recently been. Joule Thompson effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 Just now, mark99 said: Joule Thompson effect. I used to know a girl called Julie Thompson (nice lass). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Seren-y-dwr said: Hi all, Can anyone tell me if there is a way (apart from lifting and trying to work out which one is heavier) to tell how much gas is left in a cylinder and if one of them is empty? Pic attached. The green flags change to red (or at least disappear) when the cylinder in use is empty and the device has switched to the other cylinder. The cylinder in use is pointed to by the protrusion on the white knurled ring (the left cylinder, in this case). When the flag goes red you fit a new cylinder and rotate the white knurled knob so that it is pointing at the other cylinder. A lot of people don’t like these because, if you are extremely incompetent, you can end up with both cylinder empty. However if you have any iota of organisation and discipline, you remember to check the flag every few months (or more frequently if using the gas for heating) and get a new cylinder when you find red. Not exactly rocket science, but seems to be beyond some people! As to the remaining contents of a cylinder in use, weighing it is the only reliable method. Edited September 18, 2019 by nicknorman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeping Up Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 2 hours ago, Seren-y-dwr said: Hi all, Can anyone tell me if there is a way (apart from lifting and trying to work out which one is heavier) to tell how much gas is left in a cylinder and if one of them is empty? Pic attached. I assume it is somewhat similar to ours, in that if the valve is pointing towards a full cylinder it shows green, then if it has changed over so that it is now pointing towards an empty cylinder it shows red. Then when you buy a new cylinder you turn the knob to point at the now half-empty one and it shows green again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 8 minutes ago, mark99 said: Joule Thompson effect. No, merely the latent heat of evaporation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 1 hour ago, nicknorman said: The green flags change to red (or at least disappear) when the cylinder in use is empty and the device has switched to the other cylinder. The cylinder in use is pointed to by the protrusion on the white knurled ring (the left cylinder, in this case). When the flag goes red you fit a new cylinder and rotate the white knurled knob so that it is pointing at the other cylinder. A lot of people don’t like these because, if you are extremely incompetent, you can end up with both cylinder empty. However if you have any iota of organisation and discipline, you remember to check the flag every few months (or more frequently if using the gas for heating) and get a new cylinder when you find red. Not exactly rocket science, but seems to be beyond some people! As to the remaining contents of a cylinder in use, weighing it is the only reliable method. Nick you like useless gimmicks of which auto changeover is one, a bow thruster on a tiny 70 foot narrowboat is another, there are many more, each cost money which could be better spent elsewhere, in the pub for one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 27 minutes ago, mrsmelly said: Nick you like useless gimmicks of which auto changeover is one, a bow thruster on a tiny 70 foot narrowboat is another, there are many more, each cost money which could be better spent elsewhere, in the pub for one Boat came new with autochangover as standard. Advantage is that the gas never runs out - eg when it is dark, snowing or pouring with rain and blowing a hooley. Therefore not useless. If you are very poor then I suppose you may not be able to afford one. Remind me to gift you a spare candle next time I see you - I am into chariteee. Advising someone to rip it out when they already have one is not helpful. We don’t have a bowthruster. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeping Up Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 We have auto changeover for the gas. We also have a pump-out toilet. We too do not have a bowthruster, wouldn't have one if it was a gift! And it's a cruiser stern, and overall too long for the L&L canal. All these were deliberate choices when we designed the boat, and for us they were all the right choices. Others may differ. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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