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An introduction to Monitoring Fundamentals strictly from the perspective of telecom network alarm management.

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How to Monitor Your Propane (LPG) Tank Level With a Float Sensor


Propane is a critical fuel source for backup power at remote sites, data centers, and utility infrastructure. It belongs to the LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) family, a group of light hydrocarbon gases commonly used for energy storage and emergency power generation. If your organization relies on propane to keep operations running during grid failures, ensuring a steady fuel supply is important.

For mission-critical operations, manually checking propane tank levels isn't just inconvenient - it's also risky. Unexpected fuel shortages can lead to downtime, service disruptions, and costly emergency refills. Luckily, you don't need to rely on manual checks or guesswork. Remote propane monitoring allows you to track fuel levels in real time to make sure your backup generators are always ready when you need them.

With the right technology, you can connect an "R3D-ready" tank gauge to a network-enabled RTU (Remote Telemetry Unit). This setup converts mechanical readings into digital data which allows you to monitor propane levels remotely from a central dashboard. Whether you're managing a telecom shelter, utility substation, or large-scale network infrastructure, this solution provides reliable fuel level tracking to help you prevent outages before they happen.

Check out RTUs that work with this lp gas level sensor.

How Remote-Ready Propane Gauges Keep Your Tank Secure and Accurate

Modern propane monitoring has advanced significantly, making it easier to ensure uninterrupted power at remote sites. One key innovation is the remote-ready propane tank gauge, designed for accurate fuel level tracking without compromising tank integrity.

Unlike traditional gauges that rely on mechanical pass-through components - which introduce potential risks like leaks - these advanced gauges use a magnet-based system. As the gauge's needle moves, an internal magnet shifts accordingly. A Hall Effect Sensor, housed beneath a protective cover, detects this magnetic movement and converts it into precise, real-time fuel level data.

For telecom sites, data centers, and utility substations that depend on backup generators, this technology makes sure there's reliable, leak-free monitoring. This allows you to track fuel levels remotely and avoid unexpected outages.

Is Your Gauge Remote-Ready?

To enable real-time monitoring, your propane system needs an LP tank level sensor or digital propane tank gauge that's "remote ready." In the U.S., this means using an R3D-compatible propane tank remote gauge, which typically costs between $9-15. If your existing gauge has this label, you're already set for integration. If not, upgrading is easy: remove two screws, replace the old gauge with a new propane tank level sensor, and you're ready for remote monitoring.

With this setup, your propane tank becomes a connected asset, delivering real-time data and reducing the guesswork involved in managing fuel levels. It's a simple, cost-effective upgrade that brings modern convenience to your propane system.

How Can Sensor Values Be Logged and Analyzed Over Time for Better Propane Usage Management?

Managing propane consumption efficiently involves leveraging modern technology to gather and interpret data continuously. Here's how sensor values can be logged and analyzed to optimize propane usage:

  • Remote Monitoring with DPS RTUs: Deploy DPS RTUs like the NetGuardian series to monitor propane tank levels and site conditions. Access real-time data through DPS's T/Mon platform for instant updates and remote visibility.

  • Automated Data Logging & Analysis: Use T/Mon's integrated data logging to capture sensor readings continuously. Generate custom reports and trend graphs to identify usage spikes or potential issues.

  • Actionable Alerts & Preventive Maintenance: Set up T/Mon alerts for abnormal propane levels or environmental changes. Respond proactively with automatic notifications via email, SMS, or voice calls, ensuring uninterrupted site operations.

The LPG Controller

For telecom networks, ISPs, utilities, and other industrial operations, fuel continuity is needed for keeping remote sites powered during outages. The NetGuardian LPG Controller is a purpose-built propane and diesel tank monitoring device designed to provide reliable, real-time fuel level tracking - ensuring your backup generators are always ready when needed.

This industrial-grade propane monitoring system allows you to remotely manage up to five propane or diesel tanks from a single unit. Unlike basic Wi-Fi propane monitors or digital tank gauges designed for residential use, the NetGuardian LPG Controller integrates with Rochester analog sensors and other industrial LP gas level monitors to provide highly accurate, real-time fuel level data.

Automated Fuel Management for Continuous Uptime

Beyond simple monitoring, the NetGuardian LPG Controller features automatic and manual fuel tank cycling. When a tank is nearly empty, the system automatically closes its valve and switches to the next available tank. This makes sure you always have a supply of fuel for your critical infrastructure. Automating this process eliminates the risk of generator shutdowns due to fuel depletion, reducing manual intervention and operational costs.

Remote Access & Proactive Alerts

With a built-in web interface, you can check fuel levels anytime, from anywhere - using just a standard web browser. The front panel also provides clear LED indicators for propane threshold levels and valve status (open/close).

When paired with a NetGuardian RTU, the LPG Controller allows for customized SMS and email alerts when fuel levels drop below preset thresholds. This means you'll receive early warnings - long before a tank runs empty - giving your team time to schedule refueling and avoid costly outages.

Keep Your Network Running Without Interruption

The NetGuardian LPG Controller helps eliminate preventable outages by providing continuous, accurate fuel level tracking. Instead of relying on manual checks or guesswork, you'll have a proactive monitoring system that ensures backup power availability at all times. This reduces downtime, improves network reliability, and minimizes operational costs.

For organizations that rely on uninterrupted connectivity and infrastructure stability, remote propane monitoring with the NetGuardian LPG Controller is a must-have solution.

Be Proactive: Get a Quote

At DPS, we receive many urgent quote requests after an earlier "Do Nothing" decision comes back to bite you. You have no reason not to be proactive (and maybe you'll manage to impress your boss).

Don't run out of propane, invest in a sensor monitor to check on the fuel level in your tanks. Give us a call and talk to an expert for 10 minutes. We'll email you a detailed quote with a custom application drawing of your monitoring solution. We'll even include a summary of business benefits you can use to justify your project budget.

Call 1-800-693-0351 now for your quote or you can send us a quick online message instead.


Do you Still need support?

All DPS Telecom products include comprehensive technical support. If you've purchased one of our products and are encountering any kind of issue, contact DPS Tech Support today at 559-454-1600.

At DPS Telecom, the representative who answers your call isn't an intern reading from a script. DPS Tech Support representatives are engineers who contribute to product development. And, if your problem requires additional expertise, the DPS Engineering Department that designed your product is right down the hall.

Help us connect you to the right engineer by filling out this quick questionnaire. Simply leave your contact information to get started, and we'll call you back. Most preliminary discussions are about 15 minutes, and afterward, we'll send you a custom application diagram of a recommended solution that'll make it easier to justify your project to management.