(propane) gas change over

[fhenn]

Rather chilly here last night (17) at 2 the furnace stopped blowing broke out the electric heater. Pulled the tanks this morning the drivers side was still filled all the way the passenger side was empty I was told that there was an automatic change over when on tanked emptied what am I doing wrong?? Thanks

[cavie]

Originally Posted by fhenn

Rather chilly here last night (17) at 2 the furnace stopped blowing broke out the electric heater. Pulled the tanks this morning the drivers side was still filled all the way the passenger side was empty I was told that there was an automatic change over when on tanked emptied what am I doing wrong?? Thanks

Automatic change over doesn't make sense. You would never know one or the other was empty. You would wake up one morning with no gas. If there was one I would disconnect it. I like having some responsibility for myself.

[Bama Rambler]

Which way was the pointer on the changeover regulator pointed?
Were the valves open on both cylinders?

[fhenn]

can not find a change over valve not any where near our last rv. I like the responsibility also when I change ot over went and refilled the empty tank asasp. where would this pointer be

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by fhenn

Rather chilly here last night (17) at 2 the furnace stopped blowing broke out the electric heater. Pulled the tanks this morning the drivers side was still filled all the way the passenger side was empty I was told that there was an automatic change over when on tanked emptied what am I doing wrong?? Thanks

This is a FAQ, and we have a tutorial on it at this link. Let me know if you have more questions.


http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...or-146655.html

[fhenn]

Found it thanks like the top one hard too see with the black back ground.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by cavie

Automatic change over doesn't make sense. You would never know one or the other was empty. You would wake up one morning with no gas. If there was one I would disconnect it. I like having some responsibility for myself.

Cavie, you need to read up on how auto change over valves operate.
Almost all trailers/5th wheels have them and they absolutely do alert you when one tank is empty, as long as you understand what you are looking at.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Cavie, you need to read up on how auto change over valves operate.
Almost all trailers/5th wheels have them and they absolutely do alert you when one tank is empty, as long as you understand what you are looking at.

What I do understand is not all trailers/5th wheels have such devices as mine is 15 years old and such things were not installed. Being an electrician for 45 years I also know that such things do malfunction. I also know that a newbie may not know what he is looking at. I prefer a manual change over so I know what is going on and not having to guess.

[wildcatter]

Mine (2015 Wildcat 295ESX) has the auto change over as well, it doesn't work all the time, sometimes I have to go out flip it over and then back to get it to change tanks.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by fhenn

Found it thanks like the top one hard too see with the black back ground.

Excellent, so you are good to go now?

[fhenn]

Yes maybe we can stay warm with all of this Yankee weather.

[ben31]

Originally Posted by wmtire

This is a FAQ, and we have a tutorial on it at this link. Let me know if you have more questions.


http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...or-146655.html

Thanks for the link. I had never wanted to depend on the auto-changeover. However, this being a crazy cold winter, I didn't want the heater going out, so decided to use it. I still check the levels periodically, and keep an eye on the change-over valve (to check indicator color). It has changed over twice. I had expected it to and was ready to refill the empty tank as soon as it did. I am beginning to trust it a bit more with use.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by ben31

Thanks for the link. I had never wanted to depend on the auto-changeover. However, this being a crazy cold winter, I didn't want the heater going out, so decided to use it. I still check the levels periodically, and keep an eye on the change-over valve (to check indicator color). It has changed over twice. I had expected it to and was ready to refill the empty tank as soon as it did. I am beginning to trust it a bit more with use.

Don't be afraid of using the change over.
As long as you regularly take a look at the visual indicator (as intended) it will alert you when one tank empties and it switches to the full one. You will never have to go out in the rain or the cold in the middle of the night to manually switch tanks. I've been using auto switch over valves this way for the better part of 30 years when we got our first R/V that had dual tanks, with zero issues.

If you decide to ignore what it is telling you (indicating) all bets are off.

[RussPastuch]

Originally Posted by cavie

Automatic change over doesn't make sense. You would never know one or the other was empty. You would wake up one morning with no gas. If there was one I would disconnect it. I like having some responsibility for myself.

When the flag goes red, I immediately turn the knob to the other side and pull the empty tank.

[CedarCreekWoody]

My trailer came with documentation explaining the auto crossover valve, only to find it did not have one. Perhaps switched out by the dealer before I got it. But that is ok with me. I had one on another trailer but didn't like it. Crossover indicator was difficult to see, and confusing. Tank levels difficult to gauge, plus I didn't like the idea a gas leak could drain both tanks before I became aware. I have an automatic but made a personal choice to stay with the manual crossover.