Propane tank Changeover Indicator

[cmerkert]

I have seen a post about a simple sensor light that goes on when you propane tanks switches over from the primary tank to the secondary. (See link (http://www.modmyrv.com/2009/12/07/rv-propane-tank-changeover-indicator#thumb) ) This is great to let us know we are on tank 2 and not have to open the nose cone on a Cougar. The only thing is it looks like it goes over a different type of propane regulator. Does anyone know what regulator is on the Courgar XLites. Mine is a '14 XLite and in storage and wrapped up. Just doing some pre-planning getting ready for the season.

1. What type is the Courgar XLites regulator?
2. Does anyone know off the cuff of the propane switch indicator that would work on it?

Thanks. Let the Mods of 2018 begin!

[sourdough]

This won't answer any of your questions but why would you want to go to the expense and trouble of putting this on?

I have a 14 Cougar High Country and it has the enclosed tanks in front. I leave both tanks on and about every 3 days pull the 2 rubber straps that hold it closed, lower it just a bit and see if the regulator shows red. If so, off comes the cowl and out comes the bottle for refill. Really simple and easy. With 2 bottles I've never found that I need to know if one is "partially" full or not - just run it till it's empty and fill it up.

[Pull Toy]

I only have one tank "on" at any given time. When it quits, I switch to the other tank, and know that I have 30# worth of gas to refill the first tank. I've been doing this for 40 years, and haven't run out yet.

Good luck,

[PARAPTOR]

I only have one tank "on" at any given time. When it quits, I switch to the other tank, and know that I have 30# worth of gas to refill the first tank. I've been doing this for 40 years, and haven't run out yet.

Good luck,

Also seems to work for me, however did buy two of those propane monitors as a man toy. so far they seem to work, although system is calibrated for 20 lb tanks mine are 30's. We all need our toys :popcorn:

[Harleydodge]

I only have one tank "on" at any given time. When it quits, I switch to the other tank, and know that I have 30# worth of gas to refill the first tank. I've been doing this for 40 years, and haven't run out yet.

Good luck,

To each their own I guess.
Doing it that way completely defeats the purpose of having an auto-switching regulator as far as I am concerned.
I will say that in my rig it's very easy to monitor and I check it at least daily, and usually every time I am running the grill out there. (mine is "T"'d off the house supply)
So long as we aren't running the furnace, I would say we would burn about 2lbs of Propane/day with just the fridge, hot water tank and the small grill. (fridge itself draws~1lb a day)
That equates to about 2 weeks of burn on one 30lb tank, which gives me lots of time to get the empty filled at my leisure.

We have not "boondocked" for longer than 5 days as of yet in our trailer, but we have a Camp that runs on the same principle (2x 30lb tanks with switch) and leave the fridge on all summer.

[chuckster57]

/\. /\

Having only one tank open at a time is something you do until that COLD early morning that you have to go out and open the other bottle to have heat. BTDT ONCE!!!

[PARAPTOR]

/\. /\

Having only one tank open at a time is something you do until that COLD early morning that you have to go out and open the other bottle to have heat. BTDT ONCE!!!

Thanks !! now I have a written justification for my man toy :lol:

[sourdough]

This won't answer any of your questions but why would you want to go to the expense and trouble of putting this on?

I have a 14 Cougar High Country and it has the enclosed tanks in front. I leave both tanks on and about every 3 days pull the 2 rubber straps that hold it closed, lower it just a bit and see if the regulator shows red. If so, off comes the cowl and out comes the bottle for refill. Really simple and easy. With 2 bottles I've never found that I need to know if one is "partially" full or not - just run it till it's empty and fill it up.


Just wanted to clarify the above. I check my tank status every 3 days or so during cold weather like we've had with my furnace running every night. In the summer I don't have to look at it much. Every 2-3 weeks if plenty.

And yes, running 2 tanks is far more convenient than running one IMO. On my first trailer it was recommended to leave one off and switch as has been explained. It takes only one trip at midnight in a foot of snow to make you question that practice - and why you would even need the auto change feature. I've ran with 2 tanks open ever since and never had an issue.

[travelin texans]

X2 on leaving both tanks open & also on the cold middle of the night outdoor switch, never again.
I've tried the gauges you screw onto the bottles, stickons to read propane level & both are about as accurate as my holding tank sensors, so now when the changeover turns red one tank is empty.
There was a mod on another forum that the fellow cut a window in the plastic cover at the changeover valve & sealed & bolted a piece of plexiglass over the hole, no more removing cover to check. This sounds cheaper & possibly more accurate than the sensor system.

[Alpine]

Just in case someone is counting.... I leave both tank open as well. When the indicator is red, time to fill the empty tank.

[Dave W]

I'm one at a time too and have been for many years./ I'll continue to do so even at the cost of getting cold or wet. With that said, we did have one instance this past year when a tank stopped feeding at about 2/3rds empty and a tank switch over at O dark thirty was necessary. This was the second time that it happened. Evidently the regulator is going to 'heaven' and is being replaced. Regardless, I'll still stay with one tank - we use about 1.5 tanks a season unless we travel into late October, then it's - maybe - two:D

[Tinner12002]

I leave both tanks open also but I also carry a full tank just in case!

[Brentw]

I leave back tank shut off and wait until first tank runs out. My tank set up is such that the front tank has to come out to get to the back tank, so I minimize the use of the back tank. Only use it for as long as it takes to refill and replace the front tank. Then transfer back to the front tank.

[Cqyqte]

I agree with most comments regarding two tank set ups, the cover manufactures could make it much easier if they simply put an access port in the area of the switch over valve. I got busy and added my own to make things easier.

[Rolling Along]

I never can figure out those who have auto features and refuse to use them. I turn both tanks on and let the auto do what it was designed to do.

My wife has had automatic clothes washers for over 40 years but insists on trying to use it as if it was an old wringer washer and after every cycle twirl the control knob until they quit working.

The one tank open folks are living 40 years in the past too. Makes me wonder if they drive vehicles with the power brakes and steering disconnected too. :) :)

AND this rig has auto level and I use it too although it can be done manually.

[Dave W]

I never can figure out those who have auto features and refuse to use them. I turn both tanks on and let the auto do what it was designed to do.

My wife has had automatic clothes washers for over 40 years but insists on trying to use it as if it was an old wringer washer and after every cycle twirl the control knob until they quit working.

The one tank open folks are living 40 years in the past too. Makes me wonder if they drive vehicles with the power brakes and steering disconnected too. :) :)

AND this rig has auto level and I use it too although it can be done manually.



Uhhhh why do ypu even care how some of us use our propane tanks? My preference is to KNOW when one tank runs out and not have a surprise with two empty tanks. That's my main reason for one at a time - and yes, I did have the unfortunate (dumb?) experience of totally running out/ Ever try to buy propane on a rainy Saturday evening with the temps in the 40s? With an upset wife? Not one of my more fun experiences:nonono:

[Rolling Along]

Uhhhh why do ypu even care how some of us use our propane tanks? My preference is to KNOW when one tank runs out and not have a surprise with two empty tanks. That's my main reason for one at a time - and yes, I did have the unfortunate (dumb?) experience of totally running out/ Ever try to buy propane on a rainy Saturday evening with the temps in the 40s? With an upset wife? Not one of my more fun experiences:nonono:

I don’t care. I think it is comical. When I see people who refuse to use the features they paid for I always see my great uncle in my minds eye. Old, slightly stooped, wearing stripped bib overalls and a matching train engineer style cap, saying, “done it this way for over 50 years.” He left a comical impression on me in my preteen years.

Power anything was junk and cause for tons of maintenance and even lifting the plow out of the ground hydraulically was dumb and for lazy folk. Only a big metal handle made sense to him. I guess I tend to the opposite extreme.

[ctbruce]

Too each his own. I do wish they made a pop up gizmo for the tank when it emptied and the regulator switched over. It would be easier to see and catch your attention. Maybe a flag that said, Hey Duke, your one tank is empty. (Duke was my bib overall wearing great uncle who was also known as, I'm a gonna!]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[MattHelm21]

Also seems to work for me, however did buy two of those propane monitors as a man toy. so far they seem to work, although system is calibrated for 20 lb tanks mine are 30's. We all need our toys :popcorn:

X2. I also have these. I have the one with a dedicated monitor which I mounted in the kitchen. My version also believes the tanks are 20 lbs so they don’t read until the tanks are 1/3 empty. I understand that the latest version now supports 20, 30, and 40 lb tanks though I don’t know if that means they changed anything.

http://mopeka.com/products/

[B-O-B'03]

I leave both tanks open also but I also carry a full tank just in case!

This!

If there is a chance we are going to need the furnace I also makes sure we leave with all three tank full for the trip.

Between gas grills and propane heaters, I have plenty of gas bottles to choose from.

-Brian

[Claudius]

When one is empty i just refill it. I go to Costco often enough, even when traveling there's one close enough. Never run out yet. I've always made sure that the opposite of where the lever points that that tank is always full. Its one thing to run out at home on your barbie, you don't want to run out in your trailer.