Option number two is more expensive, add a second tank on the other side.  You still have no guage but have doubled your supply.  I got lucky last week and scored a practically new tank minus the regulator when I picked up a NEW in the box spare fridge for a very low price from a former VW parts person that was moving and having to clear out all of his goodies.

Mark in AK

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2007 10:31 am
Subject: Gauging propane level... was early 80s fridge question
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> When I've asked about the possibility of adding some kind of level
> indicator at RV stores and on this list, I've run into a number of
> problems I won't bother to recount here. Suffice it to say that if it
> were possible, some of the guys I've talked to would have done it.
> They haven't.
>
> Anyway, the best solution is probably the extend-a-stay product
> (google it) that allows you to keep an regular store-bought propane
> container handy and hook it into your westy's tank to keep you going
> for a while. It's about $50 to $60.
>
> Others have used it and like it. I haven't gone that far. My simple
> method is to keep a sticky note labeled PROPANE DAYS on my dash or in
> the ashtray, and make a mark for each day camping that I used the
> fridge and stove. I make two marks if I'm using the Wave three heater
> much. When the marks equal 14, I refill. I am always way under where
> I think I am, but better to be safe than hungry.
>
> Jim
>
> On Jan 18, 2007, at 1:05 PM, Dave Vickery wrote:
>
> > That makes sense, it reads the voltage off the flame and was what
> > they used
> > before the LED.  Besides it's location inside the door, it seems
> > better than
> > the LED on the panel.  Too bad it isn't a tank level gauge--I hate
> > running
> > out in the morning when my coffee water is heating up.  Or the time
> > I camped
> > a few miles down the national seashore 45 minutes from the nearest
> > propane,
> > and ran out before making dinner.  Yah, sure good planning on my
> part.> Still.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Dave in Denver
> > Syncro 2.5
> >
> >
> >> From: Mark Drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
> >> Reply-To: Mark Drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
> >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >> Subject: Re: EARLY 80s FRIDGE QUESTION
> >> Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:45:50 -0800
> >>
> >> The very early Westy Dometics have a gauge like device inside the
> >> door
> >> that indicates the burner flame on condition. Much better than the
> >> dim
> >> led on the panel that the rest came with, other than having to
> >> open the
> >> door to see if still lit.
> >>
> >> The same type of gauge has been used on lots of RV fridges. It
> >> runs off
> >> the thermocouple like the later LED. It is possible to fit the
> >> later LED
> >> panel, run one wire, and have both the inside meter and the
> >> outside led.
> >>
> >> The model number of these older fridges is RM182A, replaced by the
> >> newer
> >> RM182B in about 1982. These both look very alike but there are
> >> differences in wiring details and many different internal parts
> that>> don't interchange. Many more of the A version parts are NLA.
> >>
> >> The Westy kitchen main wiring harness is different for the 2
> >> models too
> >> so mixing kitchen parts can be confusing.
> >>
> >> Mark
> >>
> >> Dennis Haynes wrote:
> >>
> >>> What gauge? Is it a Westy?
> >>>
> >>> Dennis
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> >>> Behalf Of
> >>> Dave Vickery
> >>> Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 10:46 PM
> >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>> Subject: EARLY 80s FRIDGE QUESTION
> >>>
> >>> Someone probably knows this answer off the top of their head.
> >>>
> >>> How does the LP gauge on the early 80s fridges work.  It
> >>> obviously shows
> >>> if
> >>> the fridge is getting gas but is that it.  Can it actually tell
> >>> relative
> >>> amounts of propane left in the tank?  It sure looks like it, but
> >>> if it can
> >>> do that, how does it do it, and why would they not include
> that nice
> >>> feature
> >>> on later campers.
> >>>
> >>> Anyone know?
> >>> Thanks
> >>>
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