Automatic switch from empty propane tank?

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by Brother Les

That is on a 2007, very strange? I had a 1995 model and it is 'auto'.

Maybe not so strange. Have a friend who used to have the exact year/model as mine and she says hers was manual. They now have an auto on their new 5er.

[Rev Roy]

Just talked to the original owner and was assured it's an auto. Hmmmmm....

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

Just talked to the original owner and was assured it's an auto. Hmmmmm....

Well I'd believe him to not being very truthfull.

The valve you have pictured is 100% manual.

I guess its only automatic if he tells someone to switch it for him !

[QCCowboy]

Originally Posted by KyDan

If you've ever had to get up in the middle of the night in COLD weather
and get dressed and go outside to open the valve on the 2nd tank you
might re-think how you manage your tanks!

So true! I just couldn't convince the DW to go out and turn the other one on that night either

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Well I'd believe him to not being very truthfull.

The valve you have pictured is 100% manual.

I guess its only automatic if he tells someone to switch it for him !

Original owner bought it new in 2007, kept
It in perfect condition until I bought it from him a few months ago. Very nice old guy...but not very knowledgable about his TT.

He told me the a/c was 13,500 BTU. Sounded strange to me cause few dealerships in OK order that small one given our hot summers. So I called Forest River, gave them the VIN and they said it was definitely a 15,000.

So , for me, checking with the original owner isn't always helpful...

[MtnGuy]

Test that puppy !!

With 1 tank empty, turn the knob to the empty tank, see if the green indicator in the knob turns red, and if you still have propane in the camper.

Also, if you can find a make and model number on the regulator, do an internet search and see what you can find out.

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by KyDan

If you've ever had to get up in the middle of the night in COLD weather
and get dressed and go outside to open the valve on the 2nd tank you
might re-think how you manage your tanks!

Oh yea, been there, done that on my pop up. Crawling under a bunk end on a cold, rainy night made me put an auto on my pup. I have one on Rocky, too. I check the indicator at the end of every trip and have never been surprised.

Teach

[onetonford]

If the arrow is pointing to the empty tank and you have both valves on it will draw from the full tank and the indicator will show red. You flip the pointer towards the full tank and you can remove the empty tank and have it refilled. I have the same unit and that is how it works. I usually have them both on and have the pointer towards the Door side of my fiver so when I walk by I can check it when I see red I then know to remove that tank and have it filled when I return from filling I flip lever toward filled tank then when I return from my trip I stop by my propane dealer and have both tanks filled and ready for next time. I have done it this way for 35 years and have never ran out yet!

[VTX Al]

IMHO Not using the full capabilities of your propane auto changeover regulator is like getting up out of your Lazyboy chair and manually changing the channels of your brand new 3D HDTV instead of using the remote ! Just sayin'

...VTX-Al

[rockfordroo]

Put a window in your gas bottle covers and it's easy to check.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Put a window in your gas bottle covers and it's easy to check.

OK, I am going to have to do that mod.

[OldCoot]

Have the autochangover and also put gauges on both tanks, but only turn on one tank at a time so I don't have to check the tanks. When one is out, I just turn the other one on. I don't go camping to have to check numerous things all the time. I go to relax from the hectic schedule of being retired and doing nothing all the time.

[pwb01]

Originally Posted by ependydad

As they say- there are many ways to skin the ole cat. I leave both tanks open and usually have a good feel for how long one tank lasts. Now that I understand my switchover, I haven been surprised yet.

On edit- I'm not implying that others don't know how to use theirs. I literally didn't understand it and ran out of propane entirely before I got a grasp on mine.

ditto! pay attention, check the indicator once in a while and fill the empty soon after it switches over and you'll never run out. I don't want to wake up with the fridge turned off just because I had the second tank turned off.

Water level in the batteries, tire pressure, lug nuts, water filter condition, air pressure in the accumulator tank, many things have to be checked for proper maintenance and checking the propane indicator takes less than 5 seconds.

[tanddc]

I pull the covers off the tanks at the end of every other trip to look at the at the auto switch and verify I'm still on my "primary" tank. I usually take that opportunity to feel the primary tank and get an idea how much I have left. I have noticed that I use VERY little unless I am running the furnace.