Forum Discussion

woodworker414's avatar
woodworker414
Explorer
Dec 16, 2016

PROPANE ADD A TANK

Good evening everyone. I want to put stand alone 20# cylinders along side my mh, for extended stay and easy of refilling propane for the mh.
I want to use one of those auto change over regulators. When tank is empty it switches to the other tank. As you know, propane tanks go empty durning the cold nights. LOL
The question: Should I use a low pressure or high pressure regulator. I plan of installing the tap from the 2 cylinders between the mh propane tank and the regulator. I have already installed the Extend A Stay inbetween the tank and the regulator. I will tap in to one of the ports that is on the Extend A Stay.
I hope this is the right forum for such a question.
It is a mod.
Thanks everyone.

10 Replies

  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Dec 19, 2016
    We have some propane in our on board tank, but have the extend a stay with a 20# tank. The on board tank is left off and we run off the 20#. If it runs out, we switch over to the big tank until the 20# is filled and re-connected. So the big tank is like a reserve and will last a long long time.
  • jjrbus's avatar
    jjrbus
    Explorer
    Dec 19, 2016
    When I did my motorhome I added some high tech features such as the auto change over LP device.

    Worked really great, big improvement, no more worrying about running out of gas in the middle of cooking or in the middle of the night losing the furnace.

    Until I was sitting there with 2 empty propane tanks

    The inner idiot struck again :S
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Dec 17, 2016
    A high pressure regulator is only used if the feed line to the low pressure regulator is over 60 inches per code. Propane inside a dwelling area is always low pressure measured in water inches. Maybe about 13.

    High pressure might be used alone to feed an outdoor appliance such as a grill or fireplace.

    If you have a choice I recommend Cavagna brand regulator (amazon)
  • woodworker414's avatar
    woodworker414
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2016
    haddy1. As I mentiioned above. I have installed auto change over before. But could not remember what kind of regulator to use.
    Thanks for the info.
  • woodworker414's avatar
    woodworker414
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2016
    enblethen. Thanks. That is what I want to do. Only use the 20# cylinders and leave the mh tank turned off.
    Trying to make it as easy as possible when I winter in FL starting next mont.
    Thanks for the info
  • woodworker414's avatar
    woodworker414
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2016
    alid, thanks. Thats kinda what I was thinking. I put a auto change over on a large truck camper I had many years ago. 2 30# cylinders, sure made life easier. Never out of propane.
    Thanks for the info.
  • haddy1's avatar
    haddy1
    Explorer II
    Dec 16, 2016
    I don't recall ever seeing a high pressure auto changeover regulator. Therefore, I believe that Alid has provided your most practical answer. Tee or otherwise connect to your low pressure plumbing.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 16, 2016
    Most of the auto change over regulators are designed for vertical mount like the one alid posted. MHs normally use a horizontal mount.
    There is no way to fill the MH tank from the stand alone tank. Best thing would be use the extenda-stay with two stand alone tanks and leave the mH turned off.
  • alid's avatar
    alid
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2016
    Bill, I did this on my Motorhome.
    The problem is if you use the extend a stay you will be tapped into the propane system between the on-board propane tank and regulator. So to use the extend a stay you need a direct high pressure hose from only one tank.
    What I did was piece together a Duel stage auto changeover regulator so that I can use 2 - 30lb tanks. I then remove the MH's low pressure (rubber) propane feed and replaced it with the one coming from the auto changeover regulator.. basically removing the on-board propane tank.

    So over the winter I use just the 2 30lb tanks.. and then when I'm ready to travel in the spring I remove them and re-attach the onboard tank.

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