New style dual tank regulators have a status view window on the front as opposed to the top. This makes it difficult to check the status of the tanks if a switch over has occurred without pulling the plastic cover off. Of course, you can cut a hole in the front of the plastic cover and install a plexiglass piece to serve as a window, but I am wondering whether there is a nifty commercial item that would do the job. I've seen a commercial portal used, but I have no idea where it came from and searches have turned up nuttin. Any ideas.

I find it is easiest to simply take the whole cover off, and put it back on.Mine slips off and onn very easily.

No need to make something uncomplicated, complicated. Just take a 1-1/2" hole saw and punch a hole thru directly in front of the indicator. Why would you need to put plexiglass over it, the cover seams and lid are far from waterproof without the hole. No gadgets required.

For my trailer, I installed two of these hatches. One over each tank. It makes it really easy to check the gauges and open and close the valves. I like these because they have a pull tab rather than just a couple indents to unscrew thwm.They've never leaked.

I always wonder how often folks check their propane levels….In winter camping it gets used pretty quick, but aside from that, even shoulder season where one might use the furnace a little at night, it lasts a long time. And my cover literally takes 2 Seconds to remove maybe I don’t have a difficult enough cover?

toedtoes wrote:For my trailer, I installed two of these hatches. One over each tank. It makes it really easy to check the gauges and open and close the valves. I like these because they have a pull tab rather than just a couple indents to unscrew thwm.They've never leaked.The OP has the indicator on the regulator assembly that faces the front. Looking at it from the top down will tell you nothing. Sure you could spend $25 installing one of those waterproof hatch covers but what is the point. The tank cover itself is made in 2 halves and is riveted together with no sealant or gaskers. It's not watertight nor is it supposed to be.

Propane tank cover modification | Good Sam Community

Ltrip
Explorer
Oct 15, 2021
I find it is easiest to simply take the whole cover off, and put it back on.
Mine slips off and onn very easily.
Brandon_the_Tra
Explorer
Oct 15, 2021
No need to make something uncomplicated, complicated. Just take a 1-1/2" hole saw and punch a hole thru directly in front of the indicator. Why would you need to put plexiglass over it, the cover seams and lid are far from waterproof without the hole. No gadgets required.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Oct 15, 2021
For my trailer, I installed two of these hatches. One over each tank. It makes it really easy to check the gauges and open and close the valves. I like these because they have a pull tab rather than just a couple indents to unscrew thwm.

They've never leaked.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Oct 16, 2021
I always wonder how often folks check their propane levels….
In winter camping it gets used pretty quick, but aside from that, even shoulder season where one might use the furnace a little at night, it lasts a long time.
And my cover literally takes 2 Seconds to remove maybe I don’t have a difficult enough cover?
Brandon_the_Tra
Explorer
Oct 16, 2021
toedtoes wrote:
For my trailer, I installed two of these hatches. One over each tank. It makes it really easy to check the gauges and open and close the valves. I like these because they have a pull tab rather than just a couple indents to unscrew thwm.

They've never leaked.

The OP has the indicator on the regulator assembly that faces the front. Looking at it from the top down will tell you nothing. Sure you could spend $25 installing one of those waterproof hatch covers but what is the point. The tank cover itself is made in 2 halves and is riveted together with no sealant or gaskers. It's not watertight nor is it supposed to be.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Oct 16, 2021
You can install the hatch on the front.

As for why, the OP asked for ideas. If he likes this idea he can use it, if not he can ignore it. It's his choice to make not yours.
prichardson
Explorer
Oct 17, 2021
As said cut a hole in the front. If you don't like the idea of an open hole; make a cover with a piece of plastic a little larger than the hole and attach with one pop rivet above the hole. Now you have a little door to swing open and see the indicator.
philh
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2021
i put a 3" hole on the back side
Brandon_the_Tra
Explorer
Oct 18, 2021
philh wrote:
i put a 3" hole on the back side

How does that work if the indicator on the change over regulator faces the front?
philh
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2021
Brandon the Traveler wrote:
philh wrote:
i put a 3" hole on the back side

How does that work if the indicator on the change over regulator faces the front?

I made sure it faced rearward