On 5/16/05 4:33 AM, "Frank Condelli" <RAlanen@AOL.COM> wrote:

> Over the years, I have seen proper propane  level gauges on Westys imported
> from Europe that were built to European  specs.  These gauges were in the
> tank,
> they are mechanical level gauges the  same as we have in our fuel tank, the
> tanks are not the same as our  Manchester tanks and the tanks were also inside
> a metal box with a locking door  for access.  More trick stuff we were not
> permitted to have in North  America !

Depends on tank style.  You are describing the later style RV tank used in
many RV.  It is made to a slightly stricter code than the standard BBQ tank
that it looks like. The newer tanks of any type MUST use at least two
methods to verify fill.  Europe and the NA market are almost identical on
the rules for the tanks.  They just have heavy disagreement on what tanks
are legal and where they can be mounted.  Also in some european countries
the underside westy tanks were and may still be illegal.

1.  weight
2.  visual port (the overflow hole)
3.  OPD or other overflow detector
4.  fixed level gauge

Note that the tank weight (fill) must use at least two of the list items to
verify that it is not overfilled.
As you cannot weigh a fixed mount (ASME, westy, fixed RV) tank that leaves
the other three.

For your BBQ  tank and other tanks of the portable class of less than 50 lbs
(refillable) it is recommended that all of the first three be used. (and
number three is mandatory in the NA market)  for fixed position tanks at
businesses and homes the rule is also two points of verification.  Here in
aurora colorado the local propane suppliers tell me that code made many
people that didn�t have gauged tanks to retrofit.
Many of these rules were not put in regulatory positions until late 80s and
into the early 90 with the final phase in of the OPD sections being the
last.

jimt