One way to try to gauge the level of propane in your tank is to pour hot
water down the side, and then feel the tank for a temperature differential,
in that it will feel cooler from the point of the liquid level on down. The
idea is that the liquid propane absorbs the heat much more readily than the
gas.
I've done this on the 'regular/grill type' tanks and it sort of works... I
try to use fairly hot water and enough of it that the metal will take some
heat, and then you have to quickly feel for the line before the whole thing
cools down again.
I realize the architecture of the Westy tank is completely different- I have
no idea how much clearance there is above the tank or what not, but you
might be able to finagle the idea.
Mostly I just keep a spare full tank around, but apparently that's not a
readily viable option on a Westy.

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Aaron Pearson" <aarondpearson@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 7:09 AM
Subject: propane filling

> i've never filled a propane tank.  i have no idea how much is in my tank.
> since i bought it, i used the stove for a total of ~20 minutes.  when i
> went
> to fill it last night, the guy said a tiny bit went in at first, but none
> after that.  he was puzzled, since he "didn't see and fluid coming out the
> bleeder valve, so it must have an auto-stop".  so now we're heading out
> for
> an overnight... am i going to be able to cook a dinner and breakfast?
> does
> it sound like it's full?
>
> thanks.
>
> aaron
> '87 syncro westy ej22
>
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