I have 2 30 pound tanks, both are full. when the one on the right runs out and I try to switch over to the one on the left, I can not get any propane to flow. It is just like the tank on the left is empty, which it is not. I have taken the tank from the left and put it on the right and it works fine. I just am not sure what is preventing the propane from flowing from the left. A regulator is hooked up to the tank on the left and then it goes to the switch over valve. Any ideas on how I can check out the regulator and the switch over valve?

How old is the switch over valve

Do you have one of those red secondary regulators on the line to the side that you can't get flow from? If you open the tank valve too quickly, it may think you've a leak and shut off.

mwool wrote:How old is the switch over valveSwitch over valve is 9 years old.

waltbennett wrote:Do you have one of those red secondary regulators on the line to the side that you can't get flow from? If you open the tank valve too quickly, it may think you've a leak and shut off.I do have the red regulator, but I have changed the tank and opened the valve a little, all the way and every other way I can think of. Thanks for the idea.

At 9 years ghere is a strong possibility the switch over valve is bad.

Automatic switch over on propane tanks | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

Earl_E
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Dave H M wrote:
I did not understand your second sentence. You mentioned you tried to switch over. That is spose to happen automatically. i do not have any control on my switch over valve. :h

If I turn the valve to left tank, it feeds from the left tank. If I turn the valve to right tank, it feeds from the right tank. When one tank runs out it switches automatically, but I then turn it to the tank that is feeding so I can remove the empty tank. Sounds like control.
rseymour21
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
I like it when there's a problem and solution, maybe he'll come back sometime and report his finding!
allen8106
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
greende wrote:
smkettner wrote:
Could be a stuck check valve in the pigtail that connects valve to the tank.

X2

X3 Happened to me and had to replace both pigtails.
Ron_Nielson
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
The EASIEST solution is to stop by your propane dealer (any propane dealer) tell him what is going on and in a few minutes he will diagnose your problem, and likely offer to fix it for you, at a rate probably lower than any place else you will find. And the job will be done CORRECTLY.
RockyMt
Explorer II
Aug 07, 2014
Same problem-replaced the red regulator and the pigtail,all is good!
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 07, 2014
Dave H M wrote:
I did not understand your second sentence. You mentioned you tried to switch over. That is spose to happen automatically. i do not have any control on my switch over valve. :h
Should be a lever to designate the primary tank.
And yes the secondary bottle should feed the RV with no adjustment.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Aug 07, 2014
I did not understand your second sentence. You mentioned you tried to switch over. That is spose to happen automatically. i do not have any control on my switch over valve. :h
edatlanta
Explorer II
Aug 07, 2014
My auto switchover regulator failed a few weeks back. A new one solved the problem.
car2900
Explorer
Aug 07, 2014
Every time I turn my tanks on, VERY slowly, I can't get gas. I have to lightly tap the regulator with a wrench and that does the trick. Think I should go ahead and replace the regulator?
greende
Explorer II
Aug 07, 2014
smkettner wrote:
Could be a stuck check valve in the pigtail that connects valve to the tank.

X2