Check propane without removing cover?

[drhroo]

First morning into our first real outing with our new 23IKSS (more on that later). Half way through my morning shower - just starting the rinse phase - the water goes cold. Fast. Yikes! We're up in the mountains and it is chilly. The problem, I believe, was the propane. I had only turned on one tank and when I checked it was empty.

Yes, I know I should have checked before setup. But I didn't.

Of course when I recovered, dressed and went out to check it was a pain as I had to lift the bed to get the cover off the propane tanks so I could see the gauges. Does anyone know of a way or a mod that allows you to check the propane levels without needing to remove the cover?

And while I'm on the topic of propane, is it best to run with only one tank at a time or use both together?

[aceinspp]

Use one tank first. That way when one is emty you will have a full reserve. Later RJD

[Jimandchris]

Many of us Roo owners have cut a rectangle in the propane tank cover and added a clear piece of lexan or plexiglass in order to see the changeover regulator without removing the cover. Thought I had a pic of it but couldn't find it.

Heres a post with a couple of photos on how to do it if interested.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...d.php?p=727760

[elundquist]

It would be better to run both tanks when it's cold. In each tank there is liquid propane that evaporates into the gas we use. The evaporation in the tank is reduced when the tanks are cold, so when it cold out run both.

If the Roo has an automatic change over regulator it will typically draw from the one bottle before switching to the second bottle.

In this case you will not have a choice of run two bottles at once. There are remote gas monitors that can be added to the panel of the Roo.


Erik Lundquist

[bikendan]

It's part of our setup procedure to take the tank cover off, before lowering the front bunk.
And we only use one tank at a time.
Much easier to switch over, than finding both tanks empty in the middle of the night.

[rockfordroo]

Here's what I did on my Roo 19:

[CNYCamper]

Originally Posted by bikendan

It's part of our setup procedure to take the tank cover off, before lowering the front bunk.
And we only use one tank at a time.
Much easier to switch over, than finding both tanks empty in the middle of the night.

That's what I do as well

[deartruc]

1 tank at a time and DW's make up mirror works great.

[drhroo]

Thanks, Everyone. Good stuff. I'll probably do the plexiglass rectangle but may also remove the cover when I remember.

[doc73]

I use one tank at a time so as not to get the cold shock.. I also painted the arrow of the selector yellow so I can see what way it is pointed.

[DobeFanatic]

I can tell you from experience that the down side of no propane on a cold morning, required me to partially collapse the popup so I could get at the tank to go for refill. Not a fun morning!
Now with the A frame, at least I have two tanks!

[doc73]

I wonder how long you could run on a 5lbs cylinder... An emergency backup for that cold shower. Of course and adapter would be needed and would prob only run a short time, 15 to 30 minutes maybe???

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by drhroo

First morning into our first real outing with our new 23IKSS (more on that later). Half way through my morning shower - just starting the rinse phase - the water goes cold. Fast. Yikes! We're up in the mountains and it is chilly. The problem, I believe, was the propane.

The propane was not the problem. If the propane tank was full, you would still run out of hot water. The water heater is not quick recovery. Even with the propane and electric elements both on, the water heater will not supply endless hot water. Short showers are the rule for a camper, both for the limited hot water, along with water consumption and gray tank levels.

The OP indicates that this is the 1st trip for him and the camper. There is a learning curve, but it will all come together.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by MtnGuy

The propane was not the problem. If the propane tank was full, you would still run out of hot water. The water heater is not quick recovery. Even with the propane and electric elements both on, the water heater will not supply endless hot water. Short showers are the rule for a camper, both for the limited hot water, along with water consumption and gray tank levels.

The OP indicates that this is the 1st trip for him and the camper. There is a learning curve, but it will all come together.

Very true, as stated even with propane and electric elements on you will NOT have an endless supply of hot water. Learn to conserve the hot water.

[drhroo]

Thanks, All. The only reason I suspect the propane being a problem was that the gauge showed it was empty when I checked. (Only the "left" tank was on at the time.)

As for conserving on showers, we certainly understand that part. We have done a number of 1 or 2 week sailing trips over the years with my parents on a 36' sailboat out of the Seattle area. Conserving battery, propane and water was a necessity (though I believe the water was heated by the diesel but in any case my Dad is a real Captain Bligh when it comes to conserving hot water.)

Yet there is a learning curve. Sailboat cruising had a big learning curve as well but at least I don't need to worry about tides, running aground or trimming the sails.

I'll take a look at the propane system today and ensure that I have things set up correctly. I did also use my gas grill so I bet that had burned through some gas.

[elundquist]

I bet you did go through one tank and if the second one was on, you would have had a nice shower.

The change over would have been automatic.

I have used a 6 gal water heater, w/o the electric heat, several times. While I shut off the water in between wet-soap/shampoo-rinse I have not had an issue of running out of hot water. I have found my 6 gal Suburban water heater to be nearly a instant water heater. Even with Cold Colorado snow melt water!




Erik Lundquist

[BooBoo23]

If I have access to electricity I only run the furnace long enough to take a chill of (if it is cold outside) and then get out the electric heater. Only use an electric heater that uses less than 1500 watts. Unless it is very cold out the electric heater will suffice. Save the propane and my dollars for better use. Now, if you are boondocking then you have no choice. My kittens have fur coats so they can withstand a little chill.

[lesptr]

With gas and electric on, we are able to take back to back showers. We like our showers and a short one is not in our vocabulary. We have never run out.

[MartiB]

Sort of along the same lines - my Salem CruiseLite does not have any indicator of tank level. On my old Dutchmen, I could see the little bobble indicator going red when the tank was getting empty. Is this just the type of regulator they put on these units now? I was thinking of replacing it with a different type. Suggestions?

[Filterman]

Always run with only one tank so you have a backup. My standard procedure is use my driver side tank first. If it runs out I switch to the pass side one and get the drivers side refilled at the first opportunity. That way, I always have most of a full reserve tank. In the spring I top up both and start with two full, again turning on the drivers side first.