Propane indicator/switch

[karrun]

Not sure what this is exactly called. The gizmo that sits between the propane tanks that indicates green/red. Pretty sure its not the regulator. anyway, I looked all through my literature and can't find info specifically for this. If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it. I thought the dealer said when we did our PDI for our 2016 Roo 21SS that you can open both tanks, and when one empties, it will switch automatically to the full one and you can remove the empty and replace. Was I dreaming? Do you have to manually switch over when you run out of one?

[OldCoot]

The safest way is to turn on only one tank and when the gauge turns red, you can manually switch it over to the full tank and then get the empty one filled. If you open both tanks, it will switch automatically and you will wake up one morning or late night with no propane and it does get cold in a camper. VOE

[karrun]

Thanks for the fast reply. But can you tell that one tank has emptied and it has switched? If you only leave one tank open, isn't it just as likely to run out in the middle of the night, and then you have to get up and switch it in the dark? My thought is to keep each tank more or less full, so when it switches automatically (which I assume it will do from your reply) you always have that reserve and you can refill the empty in the morning..

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by karrun

Thanks for the fast reply. But can you tell that one tank has emptied and it has switched? If you only leave one tank open, isn't it just as likely to run out in the middle of the night, and then you have to get up and switch it in the dark? My thought is to keep each tank more or less full, so when it switches automatically (which I assume it will do from your reply) you always have that reserve and you can refill the empty in the morning..

The indicator will show red when it switches. As for using one tank at a time, at least when it runs out in the middle of the night you will have more propane. If you use both tanks and it switches over and runs that one dry, you are SOL.

[cpd1343]

Here is the product info.

[Hicks43]

There is a pointer on the regulator. With both tanks full the tank the pointer is pointing to is the one it's running off of. When it turns red that tank is empty turn the pointer to the other tank. Window will turn green. Fill the empty tank. Repete.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

The safest way is to turn on only one tank and when the gauge turns red, you can manually switch it over to the full tank and then get the empty one filled. If you open both tanks, it will switch automatically and you will wake up one morning or late night with no propane and it does get cold in a camper. VOE

Yep emptied one tank in March woke up freezing then knew I had to switch tanks . This process I know I always have one full one and when the other empty gets filled we reverse this process, I never run out this way.


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Hicks43

There is a pointer on the regulator. With both tanks full the tank the pointer is pointing to is the one it's running off of. When it turns red that tank is empty turn the pointer to the other tank. Window will turn green. Fill the empty tank. Repete.

If you have covers on the tanks, you never know when it flips and on a 5er they are in separate compartments. It's just something to overlook too easily. Out of site, out of mind.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

If you have covers on the tanks, you never know when it flips and on a 5er they are in separate compartments. It's just something to overlook too easily. Out of site, out of mind.

While I mostly agree with your premise, lots of people make a cutout in the cover and rivet a piece of Plexiglas in to act as a viewing area for the gauge.


EDIT: http://www.doityourselfrv.com/rv-pro...ank-cover-mod/

[wicked1]

How accurate are the propane gauges you buy? I was thinking of getting one to attach to the tank every so often to determine how much fuel I have left. I know they also sell magnetic gauges but don't know how accurate they are either


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[Hicks43]

The in line ones just read tank psi. You can check by pouring hot water on the tank and feel where it's cold.

[fonzie]

Here's instructions on my unit......

[karrun]

Thanks everyone for the info. I like the plexiglass window idea to view the indicator. I think we'll keep doing what we are doing and keep both open, and just make sure we top off the tanks before a longer trip.

[syogerst]

I still rely on the old fashioned magnetic ones. You just run very hot water over it and it reads pretty accurate. I use one tank at a time. Otherwise it seems I always
have two tanks that are half full. If we are going for a week or so I like to know that they both are full when we leave. Never know where the next fill station is.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by syogerst

I still rely on the old fashioned magnetic ones. You just run very hot water over it and it reads pretty accurate. I use one tank at a time. Otherwise it seems I always
have two tanks that are half full. If we are going for a week or so I like to know that they both are full when we leave. Never know where the next fill station is.

CW has them for like $7 each so the magnetic ones work well?


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[syogerst]

Yes, no problem with magnetic strip. Probably had this one for 5 or 6 years. Mine fits vertically on the tank. Changes colors to indicate amount of gas in tank.

[OldCoot]

One tank on, other tank off, nothing to remember or to look at. Automatic notification you can't ignore.

[Briorick]

We have dual tanks and when 1 of them goes empty we have to manually flip/ turn the dial between the tanks so as to show which tank is being used. Red Dot indicates empty tank, Green Dot indicates full tank ( or tank in use ). We learned this last weekend when we ran out of propane. ARGH! At least we though so. Phew!


We, too thought both tanks ran simultaneously. SURPRISE! LOL. Now we know just to refill when one goes dry. You only run out ONCE! LOL

[yetavon]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

One tank on, other tank off, nothing to remember or to look at. Automatic notification you can't ignore.

Yup, and if a cold night, turn the 2nd tank on and back off in the morning while making coffee on the stove...you will soon know if your in need of a refill.

[mud yapster]

We have 3 tanks and I use the old fashioned way like Oldcoot when one runs out I flip the knob to the other tank and know that one needs refilled. I've never been without propane in over 30 years using this method. The tank gauge works off pressure and the magnetic strip works off temp. neither are real accurate you can weigh your tank would be most accurate but who wants to do all that work. LOL I don't mind waiting on one to run out and then turning on another one. LOL