Ep. 94: Mopeka LP Tank Check Update - Fail & Fix | RV gear tips tricks how-to

[@bobbreen9854]

I love my Gen2 sensor kit - have been using it for years. Your video showed me what was wrong with one of my sensors and I'm very thankful for that!!! The little rubber cover over the sensor had fallen out. I fixed it by putting a dab of clear silicone caulk on the back where the little rubber cover used to be. And BAM, it started working. I applied mine while the caulk was still not set up - so I'm thinking it formed a nice seal around the bottom of my tank. I realize this won't help when I need to move the sensor to a different tank and I'll have to do it again, but it was a quick fix I wanted to share.

[@GrandAdventure]

Very interesting that that worked, Bob. Thanks for the tip!

[@GallionAdventures]

I love our mopeka tank monitor. No more running out of propane. Thanks for sharing.

[@GrandAdventure]

And thank you for watching!

[@nonrevhogan8938]

Looks like a nice device. glad they recognized the problem and updated them. Great info.

[@jeffl8246]

Thanks for this video Marc. We ordered one direct from Mopeka this morning and put "we found your product through The Grand Adventure w/ Marc Guido" in the notes. The functionality of the app, specifically the low level alarm, sold us.

[@GrandAdventure]

Fantastic, Jeff! Let us know your feedback once you've tried it.

[@jeffl8246]

@@GrandAdventure Hey Marc, our Mopeka delivered today and is already up and running. Downloading the app for Android was quick. Pairing to the Mopeka via bluetooth even quicker. Very, very pleased with this solution. I've set the Alarm Threshold to 90% on our 100% full tank. This will help us to track propane usage and also serve as a check/balance for any leaks. Thanks again for this video!!!

[@GrandAdventure]

@@jeffl8246 you're welcome, Jeff! And thank you for sharing your experience. Here's hoping that you're as happy with yours as we are with ours.

[@TheRealHoagie27]

I was going to avoid buying these until I saw this video. Thanks for posting it!

[@GrandAdventure]

Happy to help Hoagie!

[@archersoutdooradventures3403]

Cool info, I did not know those existed.We will have to invest in this for sure. Nothing worse than boon docking and running out of propane especially here in Alaska...gets a little chilly at night still but we're into an early spring and so excited. We're hitting about 52 degrees during the day and around 30 at night...still cold for some people up here, but Sonny and I are like "heck yeah, let's go camping"!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Seriously, I'm sure that you'll love it as much as we love ours. And it feels like we tried every other solution out there. And those temps aren't much colder than ours right now, actually. That's camping season!

[@laureng8175]

We'd been talking about getting something like this - and you may have just convinced us! Thanks for another great video!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Lauren! Problems with the gen 2 units not withstanding, it's the best solution that we've found. And to their credit the company is making good on those gen 2 units.

[@mcclungfarm7965]

I have the new generation and my rubber seal came off after just 8 months. Works great when it works!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Surprised and disappointed to hear that, our second-gen sensors have been going strong.

[@gavinstreetie1473]

Interesting product never imagined that there was such a thing , but now you’ve shared I’m going to have a look to see if I can purchase , I’ll also have a look at the original film Thanks Marc for sharing G&Z

[@gavinstreetie1473]

Found it !

[@GrandAdventure]

If you need anything further, Gavin, just let me know.

[@tenkaraintheiowadriftless]

Similar to Jeff below, we ordered one direct from the factory this afternoon and put the statement "We found your 3rd Gen sensor through "The Grand Adventure w/Marc Guido" on KZbin" in the notes block. I'm glad they've worked out the major bugs. Thanks for your updated review...very helpful.

[@onmission316]

Even with new sensor you may have to apply some dielectric grease to the rubber pad after a season, especially if it’s hot. Think about an ultrasound, remember the technician applies more grease periodically to get a better image. Mine failed and I applied a little dielectric grease to the pads and we are back to working. I keep a tube in our junk drawer now.

[@GrandAdventure]

Great tip, and makes complete sense. Thank you!

[@paulnielsen7292]

Thanks for the info, I just got new batteries for mine but haven't taken them off to look at them yet. Still not camping season here in the snowy north and haven't gotten to take them for a refill yet.

[@GrandAdventure]

You're most welcome, Paul. Thanks for watching!

[@tomaustin4526]

Very cool information Marc 🚌😎❤️👍🌎🎥 thanks for sharing and safe travels

[@GrandAdventure]

You're welcome, Tom, and same to you!

[@NackDSP]

My sensor failed after one year on my RV. It was purchased Feb 2021 from Amazon. It seemed to collect enough moisture inside that despite the conformal coating on the PCBA there was a large plume of corrosion on the circuit board around the end with the button. The white corrosion crust was centered on capacitor labeled C1. This capacitor had failed shorted, measuring 6 ohms, and was killing the battery very quickly. I expect a combination of moisture soaking this capacitor that is constantly charged by the battery and possibly freeze thaw cycles cracking the conformal coat may be what killed it. I replaced the capacitor with a robust 1210 size ceramic 10 uF 50 V cap that was slightly larger and my sensor now works again. I suspect the original capacitor was maybe 1206 size 22 uF 6.3 V, but I didn't have one of those. I expect that the 50V cap, having thicker insulation layers, will not fail. I may coat the PCBA with epoxy to keep the moisture out of the part. Mopeka probably would have sent me a new sensor, but having worked in product development and failure analysis I just couldn't resist fixing it myself.

[@GrandAdventure]

Holy cow, bud! We're not worthy. 😄 Nicely done.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks for the tip

[@GrandAdventure]

Our pleasure.

[@SunsetSeekers]

Another great and informative video!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much!

[@SeleTraining]

Get the rubber feet for your tank. They work much better than the metal spacers that come with the unit: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HQZRR9F/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=seletraining-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07HQZRR9F&linkId=3250b7af5908f1daf86c64c28be63a95

[@secondlake]

These look snazzy

[@laughingram7287]

This looks like a pretty cool item. Our rig came with three tanks, so we are not in too much of a need for it at this point. Our problem is more to do with our battery levels and usage. The light indicators just don’t give enough information and are not too accurate. I know they have battery monitors out there that can give more information. I am curious to know if you have any special monitors for you batteries and if you do, would you be willing to do a little video on that? After all, you haven’t led us wrong yet. 😉

[@GrandAdventure]

We do, we have a bluetooth shunt at the batteries that sends data to a display inside the RV. However, we've been less than enamored with its performance, which is why we haven't profiled the device. We won't want to steer you wrong. ;)

[@laughingram7287]

“All About RV’s” did a video on a few different types. I think I had more questions at the end. I might have to watch it again. If you ever find a better one, please do a video. You’ve been spot on in your other recommendations. As it stands now, we actually have a larger set of batteries in place and the ones that came with the trailer as spare. We also have a 2200 KW Yamaha for back-up. We got the bigger set of batteries on our first trip when we ran our heater all night and dumped the batteries. Buying another set was a quick stop-gap. It allowed us to stay out a couple days more. :)

[@GrandAdventure]

@@laughingram7287 we're in need of a bigger battery bank ourselves. Right now our solar puts out much more energy than we're able to store. We'd love to go lithium, but we'd need a manufacturer to sponsor as we can't afford the changeover to lithium iron phosphate batteries, much less swapping out our converter to one that could handle them.

[@laughingram7287]

How many watt solar are you running?

[@GrandAdventure]

@@laughingram7287 200W. Our two GC-2 batteries are usually back up to 100% by 10 or 11 a.m.

[@topgun5399]

Are the upgraded pro puck sensors the way to go now? I also have the gray monitor in my camper will that work with the upgraded pro serious? Thank you.

[@GrandAdventure]

We've only tried the new pro "puck"-style sensor on our water tank. We haven't yet tried them on our propane tanks, but given that they're the newest generation we'd think that they're likely the way to go.

[@angusmaciver4242]

I love how you got a thumbs down and the video hasn’t even started yet. Some people.

[@GrandAdventure]

Yeah...joyous. We sure don't get it but hey, it's their right.

[@markhartley5708]

I have a couple of questions and hoping someone might know. One of my little rubber pieces fell off and is now missing, which as you stated earlier makes the gauge sensor not work. My questions are… 1) is this a special kind of rubber or can I easily replace it with a similar rubber piece? 2) Can these rubber pieces be glued in place so they stop falling off, or would that mess things up? Thanks

[@GrandAdventure]

We tried gluing them back on, Mark, relatively unsuccessfully. Anything that interferes with the ultrasound signal will render the sensors useless. It sounds like you'd probably be better off picking up one of the newer generation sensors, none of which have the issues that the 1st generation sensors did.

[@markhartley5708]

@@GrandAdventurethanks for the response. The one guy mentioned a silicone seal so it just got me thinking. Trying to save $100 😏

[@topgun5399]

I am also having a problem with my sensors I have a full tank and it's reading empty. My other tank has not been reading for a day. Yes new batteries cleaned the tank surface dilick grease and still reads empty and the other not getting a update. The pads are find to peeling nothing so what is the problem . I have had these for a little over a year it reads empty on my phone and the monitor in the camper .any input would be appreciated.

[@GrandAdventure]

Wow, not a clue if the sensor pads are intact. So sorry to hear that you're experiencing that.

[@EverydayIsSaturday2]

Do you still need to add the lubricant grease between sensor and tank?

[@GrandAdventure]

We haven't done that at all, although we have sanded the paint off the contact point on the tank.

[@thomasdarby6084]

What if your tank is, like my RV, a horizontal 20-gallon unit? Will it read accurately? The actual fluid level, on a horizontal tank, will seem like less if it just measures the vertical height of the fuel in the tank.

[@GrandAdventure]

Yes it will, Thomas -- the app just needs to be calibrated for your horizontal tank using the "arbitrary" setting, where you tell it the normal height of LP in inches. From the website mopeka.com/products/: "The Mopeka Check Standard Sensor works on 20, 30, and 40 lb (5, 7.5, and 10 gal) DOT cylinders, and on horizontal RV tanks."

[@stevec2665]

That was my question too Marc, so thanks

[@MYCHANNELWITHMYSTUFF]

when purchasing new, online, how do I know if its Gen 3 or the older model?

[@GrandAdventure]

That's a really good question, Dan. I don't imagine, though, that by this point there are many Gen 2 models still in the commerce stream, if any.

[@joebenckert8740]

great video but I'm having a problem getting an error Start Scan Error after clicking the scan button. tried calling Mopeaka. they do not answer and they dont call back.

[@GrandAdventure]

We haven't encountered that ourselves, Joe. I presume that you're using the app trying to scan for the sensors? If so, it sounds like that could possibly be a Bluetooth error with the phone. Silly question, but presumably you have Bluetooth turned on within your phone?

[@BiggBaddVVolf]

I don’t understand why there isn’t an option to change the frequency on how often it updates. Max you could do is 10 seconds, which just kills the battery because it is constantly updating. I can’t imagine the propane would change that much within a 10 second period.

[@GrandAdventure]

Great point. Have you shared that with Mopeka? Even so, we get a full camping season out of the batteries.

[@steveh7857]

Mine broke, lasted about a year and we part time. Didn't get much use out of them.

[@GrandAdventure]

Were yours first gen or second gen? Our replacement second-gen sensors are running strong.

[@steveh7857]

First gen, I'm going to call them and see if they will upgrade them. They were great for a little while.

[@journey2fifty]

Have you noticed yourself better managing your LP since you’ve been using this system?

[@GrandAdventure]

We can't really say that we have. We're already pretty careful with all of our resources -- water, battery, and waste tank capacity, in addition to propane. This just gives a comfort level both in knowing how much we have left, and how certain actions impact our propane resources so that we can make better informed decisions.

[@journey2fifty]

Same here we are very careful with our LP and water usage. We mainly only use LP for hot water and kitchen stove top.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@journey2fifty with the addition of the fridge and furnace if it's cold, and both only while boondocking, that's how we use ours as well. Oh and the BBQ grill, too.

[@alfindigo]

It’s not a fix, it’s about a new updated sensor.

[@topgun5399]

I might just put a standard Guage on my tank at least it gives me some idea and much cheaper. I just don't trust these sensors because for the money they should be WATERPROOF and take the cold harsh weather. 2 TANKS $100 ya I think I will stick with the old way. No big deal anyway. That's money I can get more propane without the pain of trying to trust a sensor. Lost all faith with this design. This manufacturer should know better and make these weather proof period.

[@GrandAdventure]

We've had no issue, and we've had ours for 6 years now. They spend all winter on our tanks in Salt Lake City without issue. But as you correctly point out, they're not inexpensive, either.

[@rottenbear8930]

Not to be negative or critical, but the way I check propane is very simple and FREE !! I simply pour hot tap water down the side of the propane tank until the side of the tank is warm. Then I feel the tank and can tell exactly how high the propane level is because it cools the metal tank from the inside. This tip is free and there's no chance of censor failure (haha). I know, I know, I have to uncover the tank and do it manually. Anyone too lazy to do that should definitely spend the money on one of your devices.

[@jeffl8246]

Sorry but I'm not pouring hot water inside the propane bay of my $200K motor home. If that method works in your situation, good for you. The Mopeka is an elegant solution, and for $58 shipped direct is well worth the money considering the functionality and app support.

[@rottenbear8930]

@@jeffl8246 Well of course not. Anyone with such a fine and expensive luxury motor home should not hesitate to buy such an "elegant" solution. You must be very proud. Good for you.

[@jeffl8246]

@@rottenbear8930 Yes we are proud of what we have worked for, thanks. And that's the point here. Being "too lazy" has nothing to do with owning these products.

[@rottenbear8930]

Jeff L I’m sure that’s true for you, but I would have to be pretty lame to buy one, since my tanks are on the front of my towable.