what am I missing?

[pd2436]

A bit perplexed.
I have two propane tanks on my 2618 VS.
I purchased two simple propane gauges so I can monitor the propane level. I attached one gauge to each tank then attached the original propane line to the gauges.
But with the gauges attached I don't get propane to my appliances.
I cant figure out why a gauge would affect the propane. The lines are the same, I just added a gauge....
What am I missing????
The camper is at the storage lot so no pics right now.

[doc73]

Those gages I have found are not very accurate. They need a higher flow then your camper usually flows to read correctly.

When you added them did you wrap the connections with gas tape? Maybe blocked a hole. Tanks also have a cut off incase of a major leak. If you open a cylinder too fast it might trip it. Unscrew the tank fitting to bleed the propane from the line and open the tank slowly.

[doc73]

Also could you have minded the line, not a lot of room in the tank holders.

[pd2436]

I checked for leaks and pinched lines. All looked good.

[A32Deuce]

Have tried 2 different gauges on my Extend a Stay, and neither one would flow enough propane. Good for your free standing grill, but not a rv.

[pd2436]

I checked for leaks and pinched lines. All looked good.

[Kaadk]

Have you tried flipping the regulator to the other tank? Tried removing one gauge at a time? It is possible you might have a bad gauge.

[ImTravis]

I use the Mopeka bluetooth sensors for my tanks. Easier, as I they attach to the bottom of the tank with magnets, and I can just view the tank level from inside the trailer, instead of going outside. I'm actually considering getting their XL version for the 500 gallon tank for the house.

[pd2436]

I don't think it is a bad gauge, as I put one on both tanks. They both showed full, I just couldn't get any propane to appliances when turned on.

[doc73]

Do you have a change over switch? Is it in one of the side or the other?

Remove a gage and see if you get propane.. I think you need to work back and see what you find.

Did you shut off the tanks, unscrew and retry hooking up and turning on slowly..

[Flybob]

Since you disconnected the lines, you released the pressure in the lines. After reconnecting the lines if you do not turn on the propane very slowly, you can activate the free flow safety shutoff as propane rushes into empty lines. Try

1.Turn off propane
2.disconnect each tank

3.wait a few minutes ( will reset valve)

4.reconnect each tank

5.Turn on very slowly until you hear propane flow.

6.Wait a minute or so until lines pressurize.

7.Turn propane valves fully open.


This will prevent the free flow valve from activating.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by doc73

... retry hooking up and turning on slowly..

... and be mindful of “slowly”. Open a tank too quickly and the safety valve with cut off the flow.

[5picker]

And if all that fails, remove those gauges and throw them away.
I've tried several different styles on an R/V and none of them flowed LP.

As mentioned, flow OK on a big gas grill but not an R/V.
They really don't accurately measure gas level either.

[Waterops1]

Originally Posted by ImTravis

I use the Mopeka bluetooth sensors for my tanks. Easier, as I they attach to the bottom of the tank with magnets, and I can just view the tank level from inside the trailer, instead of going outside. I'm actually considering getting their XL version for the 500 gallon tank for the house.

I didn’t have a need for constantly monitoring my propane tanks(only have one opened at a time). I went with a small handheld level indicator by Truma for approximately $60. About the size of a no-contact voltage detector. Press it against 20 or 30 pound propane tanks and it gives a red or green light for no propane detected or propane detected, respectively. Found it also worked on 100-pounders. It works by ultrasonics.

[DouglasReid]

two tanks, each flowing into opposite sides of a regulator. The regulator is a step down from high pressure (the tank) to low side, (the rest of yrou camper0

If the gauges you put on restrict the flow as does a regulator you won't get any at all out to your camper. Regulators work as designed and do not like to be in series.

[Bnrc73]

For what it's worth, I've never found a cheap gauge that works. My method is to only turn on one tank at a time. When it runs out, I switch and get the empty one refilled. If we're headed into a cold nigh, I will check the tank I'm using at the time to make sure it makes it through the night. To check, simply pour a glass of hot water down the side of the tank from the top. Run your hand down the tank and when warm turns to cold, that is your propane level. Works every time.

[mbcabinetmaker]

The gauges will not allow enough flow to run your RV. They don't even work well on a Webber grill. I have made the same mistake and wasted money on a couple of those POS.