Propane regulator display

[radargil]

I have had 2 or 3 different propane regulators and the red-green displays have always quit working. They will show green until both bottles are empty. They only last about 3 years. The regulator works ok but I don't know when one bottle is empty so I can get it filled. I've tried all kinds of brands. What do ya'll consider is the best brand? One that will last longer on the display. Thanks

[bsmith0404]

I’ve never had one quit working. Just curious how you set the valve. Are you setting it in the center or towards one tank and then the other? Sorry I don’t have a recommendation for you, but like I said, have never had one quit working.

[chuckster57]

which way is the "pointer" faced? so far just about every automatic switchover regulator I have dealt with has operated correctly. I test them at intial PDI.

[JRTJH]

I've never had an automatic regulator fail. I did have one with a selector valve "twist off in my hand".

On most, the "red/green indicator" provides an indication of the pressure in the tank to which the selector valve is pointing. If the selector valve is pointing "up/down" (to neither tank) some will shut off gas flow and others will "draw from both tanks". The ones that draw from both tanks will have a green indicator until both tanks are empty, then change to red....

My guess is that you've got your selector valve incorrectly positioned. Try pointing the indicator (not necessarily the handle) toward one of the tanks and see if it resolves your issue.....

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I've never had an automatic regulator fail. I did have one with a selector valve "twist off in my hand".

On most, the "red/green indicator" provides an indication of the pressure in the tank to which the selector valve is pointing. If the selector valve is pointing "up/down" (to neither tank) some will shut off gas flow and others will "draw from both tanks". The ones that draw from both tanks will have a green indicator until both tanks are empty, then change to red....

My guess is that you've got your selector valve incorrectly positioned. Try pointing the indicator (not necessarily the handle) toward one of the tanks and see if it resolves your issue.....

That’s the same thing I was thinking when I asked how you had it set. John went into more detail.

[flybouy]

This may help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjqE00P2aPY

[LHaven]

When we got our first RV, I expected to be able to select the full tank with the manual selector valve while I removed the empty tank to bring it in for a fill. Imagine my surprise when propane from the full tank came across the valve and started rushing out of the hose I had just disconnected. To this day, I still don't know if the valve is expected to work that way, or if I just had a bad one. As a result, I simply work the valves manually and shut everything off before bringing the empty one in for a refill. Curiously, I've come across many references and videos like the above, and none of them address the point of whether one should be able to disconnect an empty tank on a running propane system.

[purebred]

Originally Posted by LHaven

When we got our first RV, I expected to be able to select the full tank with the manual selector valve while I removed the empty tank to bring it in for a fill. Imagine my surprise when propane from the full tank came across the valve and started rushing out of the hose I had just disconnected. To this day, I still don't know if the valve is expected to work that way, or if I just had a bad one. As a result, I simply work the valves manually and shut everything off before bringing the empty one in for a refill. Curiously, I've come across many references and videos like the above, and none of them address the point of whether one should be able to disconnect an empty tank on a running propane system.

I have disconnected our tanks many times with one full and the other empty. Never leaked out the disconnected hose once.

[JRTJH]

I disconnect the empty tank to refill it with the full tank operating the trailer. I've never had any "leakage through the selector valve to the open pigtail while the empty tank was off the rack.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I disconnect the empty tank to refill it with the full tank operating the trailer. I've never had any "leakage through the selector valve to the open pigtail while the empty tank was off the rack.

Well then, I will be emboldened to attempt this again on my current rig next time I need a refill.

[jasin1]

I bought the “AP products” tank monitor on Amazon for $78. It seems pretty good so far. Two magnetic sensors for bottom of tanks and a wireless display. Or you can use the Bluetooth app. I didn’t trust the factory gauge. I was sure I was pretty low on one tank and installed the new system and Configured for thirty lb tanks and unreality I was at 78% on one tank and 100 on the other. I keep one tank shut off

[roadglide]

I installed a new valve the second year of ownership. I found out the first time when I ran out of fuel both tanks are open regardless of where the valves is positioned it will drain them both. Now I shut the back tank off when the front tank goes empty I turn the back on and haven’t smelled propane coming from the free hose .

[flybouy]

I've removed an empty tank while the full tank was in use many, many times and never had it escape from the disconnected pigtail.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I disconnect the empty tank to refill it with the full tank operating the trailer. I've never had any "leakage through the selector valve to the open pigtail while the empty tank was off the rack.

The only leakage is the far side tank on our 5er, it bleeds the pressure out of the crossover line just a bit.
I never leave a tank closed, don’t want to have to go outside at 2:00 am in a cold driving rain to open the second tank! I check the regulator regularly!

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

The only leakage is the far side tank on our 5er, it bleeds the pressure out of the crossover line just a bit.

Yup. Both of our tanks are side by side, so no "low pressure crossover regulator. I can see how that would allow the "side without the main regulator" to bleed off the pressure that's in the line when disconnected, but once that propane is dispersed, there should be no further leakage from the operational tank.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

The only leakage is the far side tank on our 5er, it bleeds the pressure out of the crossover line just a bit.
I never leave a tank closed, don’t want to have to go outside at 2:00 am in a cold driving rain to open the second tank! I check the regulator regularly!

Agree with this. The purpose of having an automatic changeover valve is to go from an empty tank to a full tank without interruption. Leaving one tank closed off defeats the purpose and you may as well have one pigtail and a regulator.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

The only leakage is the far side tank on our 5er, it bleeds the pressure out of the crossover line just a bit.
I never leave a tank closed, don’t want to have to go outside at 2:00 am in a cold driving rain to open the second tank! I check the regulator regularly!

Originally Posted by flybouy

Agree with this. The purpose of having an automatic changeover valve is to go from an empty tank to a full tank without interruption. Leaving one tank closed off defeats the purpose and you may as well have one pigtail and a regulator.

So my DW does a great job of reminding me to check the regulator, I do it somewhat regularly we have the Cheap Heat system on our furnace and only us propane for hot water and cooking. Seems like we use about a tank a month or so.

This is time to switch and fill the empty.

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by flybouy

Agree with this. The purpose of having an automatic changeover valve is to go from an empty tank to a full tank without interruption. Leaving one tank closed off defeats the purpose and you may as well have one pigtail and a regulator.

What do you do when both tanks run low or you need to fill both tanks everything that’s on propane comes to a standstill in my camper.That’s not true I could run solar battery power for the fridge. My camper the burners and wave heater will go first for some reason the refrigerator work well everything else shuts down. There will be many times I will be 15 miles or more from propane service and I refuse to leave my refrigerator not working. I always have the back tank full or almost full and very seldom take it in to be topped off.

[JDDilly]

Your refrigerator would be good for a few hours if you do not open it. That gives you enough time to get LP.

[Ribtip]

Originally Posted by roadglide

What do you do when both tanks run low or you need to fill both tanks everything that’s on propane comes to a standstill in my camper.That’s not true I could run solar battery power for the fridge. My camper the burners and wave heater will go first for some reason the refrigerator work well everything else shuts down. There will be many times I will be 15 miles or more from propane service and I refuse to leave my refrigerator not working. I always have the back tank full or almost full and very seldom take it in to be topped off.

I leave both mine open too. The system will only run off one tank then when i see red on one of the tanks i refill. You just got to check the regulator on occasion to see if one is empty. Leaving them both open allows noninteruptuon service. How often i check the regulator depends on what kind of camping we are doing. We dont use much gas.