No propane from far side tank on auto switch system

[SSmbs]

I have to physically switch tanks when I run out out of LP on the side with the auto regulator. The far side tank has its own regulator which I just changed thinking that was the problem. The tank is ok since it works fine when I move it over to the auto change side. There is a bend in the rubber line where it takes a turn but not sure that would stop gas. Do the auto switchovers go bad?
Anyway to check?

[Jestercyco]

I have had an issue with my XLR, that you would have to open the valves slowly or they would not open. Never found out why, but had the TH 4+ years and it did it the hole time.
Jester

[Kaadk]

Silly question, but was the tank turned on? I've made that mistake twice. Turn on the partial, forgot to also turn on the full. And both times it was about 3-4 in the morning when the furnace quit because it ran out.






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[SSmbs]

I will try the slow turn on. Right now I have both tanks on and both full. When I put the pointer toward the far side tank it shows red and gets gas from the alternate tank. As I understand the system it should not auto switch until the designated tank is empty.

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by ssyrett

I have to physically switch tanks when I run out out of LP on the side with the auto regulator. The far side tank has its own regulator which I just changed thinking that was the problem. The tank is ok since it works fine when I move it over to the auto change side. There is a bend in the rubber line where it takes a turn but not sure that would stop gas. Do the auto switchovers go bad?
Anyway to check?

You don't say what model, but your description is confusing. How many tanks in you setup? Are you saying there is a regulator between one tank and the switchover?

[pryner]

I have the same problem with my 2012 Crusader. I have the manual switch over. Not sure it ever worked right. When I select the far tank the indicator is slow to go green. After it is green I can light a burner but it slowly goes out and I find the indicator is red again. It takes about 30 seconds to go back to green. There is a high pressure regulator (30 psi) between the far tank and the two stage regulator on the curb side. I thought it may be bad so I replaced it. Same problem. Then I replaced the hose from the high pressure regulator to the tank. When I tried to run some air through it I could hear a click inside and no air flow. Just installed the new hose and have the same problem. The only thing left is the long hose that goes across the trailer but it is open and air flows freely. There is another check valve on the end of the long hose right where it goes into the two stage regulator but I haven't been able to find the valves for sale to replace it. Any help is certainly appreciated. Quite a pain to swap tanks at 3AM in cold weather to get the furnace going again.

[donanddona]

changeover valve is bad.... Mine showed the same symptoms, had to replace mine.

[SSmbs]

Pryner-I believe what you describe as a manual changeover is actually an auto with the green/red indicators. You point to the tank you pick as primary and it stays green until the gas runs out and it auto changes to the other tank and stays red to let you know the primary is empty.
I am going to try a new auto changeover. Found a Camco one on Amazon for $28

[pryner]

I believe you are correct. I assumed it was a manual valve as it hasn't worked from the beginning. I had to move the valve manually to get it to switch. Now I guess it doesn't switch even if I move the valve manually. Guess I'll pick up a new one. Another part to change....
Thanks

[youroo]

Originally Posted by ssyrett

Pryner-I believe what you describe as a manual changeover is actually an auto with the green/red indicators. You point to the tank you pick as primary and it stays green until the gas runs out and it auto changes to the other tank and stays red to let you know the primary is empty.
I am going to try a new auto changeover. Found a Camco one on Amazon for $28

Correct answer,even though our switchover valve is auto I only turn on (1) tank at a time. I do NOT want to run Totally out of propane. I know we always have a Full (30#) this way! Youroo!!

[KyDan]

The tank "pig tail" hose that goes from tank to regulator has a built in
excess flow preventer. These also can stick shut causing similar results.
I'm betting on the auto regulator as others have said but can't rule out a
bad hose either.
IF your rig is a few years old and hoses are stiff you'd be doing yourself
a favor to replace them at the same time as the regulator. They aren't that
expensive.

[Black]

Originally Posted by youroo

Correct answer,even though our switchover valve is auto I only turn on (1) tank at a time. I do NOT want to run Totally out of propane. I know we always have a Full (30#) this way! Youroo!!

Same thing here

[elind]

Originally Posted by youroo

Correct answer,even though our switchover valve is auto I only turn on (1) tank at a time. I do NOT want to run Totally out of propane. I know we always have a Full (30#) this way! Youroo!!

X2 It sucks at 3am when both tanks are empty and your cold .

[KyDan]

It also sux when the one tank you turned on runs out in the middle of
a cold night! Getting out of bed and yanking on clothes and shoes just
to go outside to spin a valve is not fun either! Been there done that!

I open both so as to be able to stay in bed BUT I check the
little tell tale red/green window every morning to see if I'm on tank 1 or 2.
That way I don't run out and I don't have to get up in the night either!

[youroo]

Originally Posted by KyDan

It also sux when the one tank you turned on runs out in the middle of
a cold night! Getting out of bed and yanking on clothes and shoes just
to go outside to spin a valve is not fun either! Been there done that!

I open both so as to be able to stay in bed BUT I check the
little tell tale red/green window every morning to see if I'm on tank 1 or 2.
That way I don't run out and I don't have to get up in the night either!

Most Campers are Not that diligent about checking that Little (Green/Red) gauge. My tanks are (Inside) most 5w are inside as well! Youroo!!

[robert.beck.7737]

I had the same problem with my 2011 XLR TH. Turned out there is a backflow valve in the short gas pig tail that comes out of the secondary tank. Replace this line and I think you will be good to go. Also, check all your connections for leaks with soapy suds. The red regulator on the secondary tank is a high pressure regulator. The silver or white regulator is the low pressure regulator. How do I know all this? Pain and suffering!

[Hagar28]

Youroo has it right. Ours is supposed to switch automatically but first time we depended on it, it didn't and ran both tanks dry.

[palmetto rogue]

My changeover valve was bad from first time I ran down one tank. Bought a new one and sent old and receipt to FR factory. It was refunded. I found a better valve that is US made instead of the Italian one.

[SSmbs]

Before ordering more parts I decided to take the far side tank, regulator and hoses apart and start putting them back together to see where the block occurs. Didn't take long. I connected the 18" pigtail to the tank and turned the gas on and no gas came out. Must be the internal valve in the hose fitting that connects to the tank. A couple of you mentioned this issue.

[dcheatwood]

Ran out of propane on DEC 26, 2013 in little rock. You might remember they had the worst snow blizzard in 25 years Christmas day 2013. Tank had switched automatically earlier and I didn't know it. Managed to wait out the cold night with 2 space heaters. I switch manually now. When one is empty I fill it.
But I did have switchover problem once. Was opening valve too fast. Now I turn so slow until I hear the gas flow then open it up. Good luck.