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X-Ray Spex

You know the comics we used to read when we were kids? Superman, Batman, Green Lantern (my favourite)? You know the adverts? Turn your black and white TV into a colour TV, weird fish, x-ray spectacles?

We have become consumers of LPG in the form of gas bottles or gas canisters, a bit like this one:

LPG Gas Bottle. Or Gas Canister. Or whatever they’re called

One for the caravan (except we carry two) and one for the boat (except we may carry two – IDK yet).

The reason why we’re potentially hauling four of these mothers around, when we can only use them one at a time in each location, is because there’s no reliable method of knowing how full (or how empty!) they are.

There are a few gadgets on the market. There’s a sticker thing that attaches to the side of a gas bottle (canister, whatever) that gives an approximate reading of how many % is left inside. I’ve heard not very good reports about this gizmo.

You could weight it, that’s pretty accurate. Except you need to carry around the right size of scales and they’re pretty bulky. Obviously.

I’ve been told you can pour hot water down the side of the gas bottle (canister, whatever) and that’ll give you a visual of how full/empty it is.

And there’s a new device, a magnetic device that you clamp to the side of the gas bottle (canister, whatever), and it sends the volume information to your phone. Neat, huh? Well it should be neat, at around £135.

6 thoughts on “X-Ray Spex”

  1. Ahhh… Schrodinger’s Gas Canister… that old conundrum.

    I would imagine the liquid inside is pretty cold, so yes, anything that can show where the temperature change is, might work.

    I like the hot water idea. You will have to try it – Science Experiment! – and let us know.

    1. This may be completely illogical, but pouring hot water down the side of a 20Kg bottle that may contain a substantial amount of LPG doesn’t exactly fill me with fun and confidence

      1. It IS completely illogical. A bit of hot water won’t get the canister hot enough for the gas to expand and then escape. Even if it did (which it won’t), hot water cannot ignite a gas.
        Captain.

  2. PS – I have Thur and Fri off work this week, if either of those days are suitable for you to assist me with my WordPress prob.
    Failing that, I’m around most of the weekend.
    Whatever suits you, sir. Ooh!

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