LPG shows empty....I think

12 months ago I had a full tank of LPG, which I’ve used slowly. I’ve noticed the lights on the gauge drop bit by bit, so when it got to the bottom one, I’ve filled up. It took 13 litres so it wasn’t completely empty. 

But when I checked the gauge after filling, it is showing the bottom light only, which looks like a triangle. All the lights above remain unlit.

It’s no big deal as because I use so little, I could simply fill at the start of each season, without needing a gauge.  But I’m just checking that it’s nothing obvious.

P.S. I’ve just remembered that I looked at the light as I climbed into the cab, but without the engine running.  I can’t remember if I checked it while the engine was running.  Perhaps that was it.

Yes Sally, engine (or at least ignition on) is needed for gauge to work.

I’m Paulmold wrote:Yes Sally, engine (or at least ignition on) is needed for gauge to work.

Hi Paul - I definitely had the ignition on. I can’t remember how it’s been on the past trips. I’ll have to check it on my next run out. I’ve just not seen it on the triangle before.

I think it needs the engine running on ours, not just the ignition switched on.

But I could be wrong. 

Gromit wrote:I think it needs the engine running on ours, not just the ignition switched on.

But I could be wrong. 

Tried to check mine the other day with just the ignition on as I was on a campsite and didn’t want to wake everyone up. Nothing on the gauge till the engine was started.

Dbvwt wrote:

Gromit wrote:I think it needs the engine running on ours, not just the ignition switched on.

But I could be wrong. 

Tried to check mine the other day with just the ignition on as I was on a campsite and didn’t want to wake everyone up. Nothing on the gauge till the engine was started.

I could have sworn I've had just the ignition on to read the gauge but I could of course be wrong.

I’ll find out this coming weekend 

Mine (a 2017 van) needs the engine running, and, it does take a few minutes to rise to full after I fill.
Perhaps it's only 30 seconds but it feels like minutes when I am waiting for it to settle down.

I have only filled it twice. Both times it was at 1 (red) LED and took 15 litres to fill. The tank holds 20 litres so the gauge is a little pessimistic.

I find my gauge is placed in quite an awkward position, needing the engine running but the drivers door open in order to read it.

Like the the others have said, engine needs to be running on ours too.
To give you an example ours had all lights Off which in theory means it should take about 20 ltrs of LPG. When I filled it up it took 12.5 Ltrs.

LPG in a tank or cylinder cannot be accurately measured.

The most accurate measure I have ever come across was a bit of plastic with a magnetized strip which you placed on the side of a cylinder (£1.48)  Alas we can longer use these with underslung tanks

Just checked mine and I don't need engine running, just ignition on. Whether the fact I have the older gauge (4 vertical LEDs not the later 9 light arc shaped gauge) makes any difference I don't know or is it just another example of every AS being built different depending on which fitter made it.

In our 2014 Warwick Duo, the engine needs to be running for the 9 light LPG gauge to work. It seems that AS have, as is so often their wont, used different methods at different times in the same basic 'van. The benefit of having the engine running is that a steady voltage is applied to the gas system and hopefully a more reliable reading given.

In our 'van the gauge has eight green LED and one red. When the red LED lights I can get in about 10 litres (half full). The 'van sits noticeably nose down when parked on level ground and I have found that the 'van has to be travelling on a straight and level road in order to get a meaningful reading. Now that I am used to the gauge, it is OK and quite liveable with.

As an aside, Belgium is way the cheapest country that I have found for LPG, about a half the UK cost.

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This is the type of gauge on my van. After filling up, the triangle on the bottom was lit when the ignition was on, but without the engine running. 

As I say I’ll check this weekend but I thought a photo would clarify which gauge I have as I know there are several.

Don't know Sally, and A/S have always changed minor details quite frequently (as do most I expect) so the wiring on yours could be different.

As you say, run the engine for a couple of minutes at the weekend, and come back to us if you still have concerns. No doubt someone will be able to offer definitive advice.

Gromit wrote:Don't know Sally, and A/S have always changed minor details quite frequently (as do most I expect) so the wiring on yours could be different.

As you say, run the engine for a couple of minutes at the weekend, and come back to us if you still have concerns. No doubt someone will be able to offer definitive advice.

Will do. If there’s a couple of things I’ve learned it’s:

A) autosleepers do tend to change things as they go along 

B) everyone on here is knowledgeable and helpful. 

Sally
X

I’ll try and keep a comprehensive comment brief but in doing that it will lose completeness so please be understanding.

For the last ten years or so, when AS develop a new model, it is built in R&D. When they are happy with the build its design is transferred to CAD for use on CNC and other machines to make components and a build list of components is compiled. That CAD design and build list are not amended as long as that model is in production unless a specific component becomes unavailable and then a redesign and revision is made.

The vehicles are built on a production line consisting of several ‘stations’, vans moving between stations at approximately every three hours. The van is met at its new station by trolleys containing components from the model specific build list and they are installed in accordance with specific build instructions (that these days can vary with customer specific requirements). The van then moves on.

No van includes components selected at random by the fitters but even now some models still come with the 3 generations ago EC328 electrical system because that’s what they were designed to have. The same principle applies to the gas installation.

Peter Brown wrote:I’ll try and keep a comprehensive comment brief but in doing that it will lose completeness so please be understanding.

For the last ten years or so, when AS develop a new model, it is built in R&D.  When they are happy with the build its design is transferred to CAD for use on CNC and other machines to make components and a build list of components is compiled.  That CAD design and build list are not amended as long as that model is in production unless a specific component becomes unavailable and then a redesign and revision is made.

The vehicles are built on a production line consisting of several ‘stations’, vans moving between stations at approximately every three hours.  The van is met at its new station by trolleys containing components from the model specific build list and they are installed in accordance with specific build instructions (that these days can vary with customer specific requirements).  The van then moves on.

No van includes components selected at random by the fitters but even now some models still come with the 3 generations ago EC328 electrical system because that’s what they were designed to have.  The same principle applies to the gas installation.

As a Group Quality Manager within the automotive industry, formally trained in R&D, applications, CNC and DNC, Lean and a Six Sigma Black Belt, I would expect nothing less. 

In addition to my professional career, the above has helped tremendously in baking; my output of cherry scones for the WI is something to behold 

Sally
EngTech AIED Six Sigma Black Belt

My gauge is the same as Sally's and as I said, it only needs ignition on and not engine running.

Same model and similar ages so they should be the same.

Well, having done a very long journey, with motorways etc, the gauge with the engine on is showing one level. I filled it to the auto stop, so for some reason it’s no longer showing the correct level. 

Strange. 

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I would not be content with that. I find it useful to know how much LPG is in the tank.

I don't know if this will help you but FWIW mine has a gauge on the underslung tank.  I am thinking the fault will be either the gauge or the electronics but either way I guess it will need referral to a gap fitter.

What is needed is a camera as part of the underslung tank's "turn off valve" cover, focussed on the tank's dial gauge and displayed on the reversing camera screen say when gas checking is selected for the video feed. 

I am sure technology is already available for Gasit or others to provide a more accurate idea of what's left in the tank without having to crawl under the van or count fairy lights! 
Martin

Nah!!

Old technology is more reliable. A small hole in the van floor and a dipstick would be foolproof!! 

I think that after owning the van for a while, you tend to not take too much notice of gauges and use your common sense as you tend to know how much and how long the gas will last dependant on use.

After 4 weeks in France it took £5.50 worth of gas and last week in Dorset I use £1.55 worth and this was on a CL site and no EHU. Both times the gauge showed more the 1/2 full. Likewise the waste tank kept telling me full, which I found odd.
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Richard

marbarsymbol wrote:What is needed is a camera as part of the underslung tank's "turn off valve" cover, focussed on the tank's dial gauge and displayed on the reversing camera screen say when gas checking is selected for the video feed. 

I am sure technology is already available for Gasit or others to provide a more accurate idea of what's left in the tank without having to crawl under the van or count fairy lights! 
Martin

Technology is already out there . Gasit sell Bluetooth guages to send info to your phone. What I cannot see on their website is whether this can be retro fitted to underslung tanks. No doubt if it's available, AS will fit it as standard.

Gasit are still working on a bluetooth version for underslung tanks. Not sure if it will be able to be retrofitted if they eventually come up with a version.