Both Tanks Open Or Only One At A Time?

rockhillmanor wrote:
Maybe you'all don't get why most of us leave just one tank on. Until they put a indicator lever INSIDE the RV it is more prudent to leave one tank on so that you 'know' when it is switching over to the other and can plan for when you will need to get the tanks refilled.

But you guys keep going out every hour and checking that lever and on that cold day you forget to check and run out of both tanks, have not heat and can't get them refilled, get back to us! :B

I find once a day is plenty. Even in subfreezing temps with the furnace running 75% on duty cycle. Every hour is ridiculous. Twice a day would be belt and suspenders.

Only those that don’t pay attention should run out, and if you do a lot of really cold weather camping, it is just smart to be prepared and have a spare bottle in addition to the already available for emergency use grill tank…

Starting out with two full thirty pound tanks you would have enough propane (approximately one million three hundred 18 thousand BTU’s of heating power) more than enough to do a normal full weekend without running out even in cold weather… almost enough for the full weekend in very cold temperatures with a almost continual running furnace…
No matter how you look at it, if you far from a filling station or there for longer weekends under these extreme conditions it shouldn’t be a choice to carry some extra propane…

Someone claimed these changeovers don’t work well but I would guess since most campers go to their grave using the original one, that they can’t be too bad or to unreliable…

If it’s too hard to check yourself, you can install a remote indicator inside the trailer…
http://www.rveparts.com/rv-lp-propane-remote-changeover-indicator-rci-24/

Product Description
The Remote Changeover Indicator allows you to monitor the gas supply from a 254 regulator to LP gas appliances. The sensor clip easily snaps onto the indicator window of the Marshal Gas 254 automatic changeover two-stage LP regulator. The sensor recognizes when the 254 regulator is drawing from the reserve cylinder and signals the light box installed in the RV. The blinking yellow light shows when the service cylinder is empty and needs refilling.

If I heard someone at 3 AM lifting the bottle cover, I might think there is a thief in the area…

smkettner wrote:
Both open for me. I like automatic stuff and using it as designed. Have never run out of propane because it tells when a bottle is empty.

I agree.... How simple is that?

As usual, there is an interesting middle ground in a thread full of opposing posts that say either "Yeah, I open my tanks one at at time too" versus somewhat condescending posts that ask "why in the hell do you not use the automatic switch over to automatically switch over"

I also have a leak in my LP plumbing and understand why someone might want to open one tank at a time- but then why not- when both tanks are totally full, keep the one you're not using turned off.

then when the feeding tank starts to get low turn on the "backup tank" and then the auto switch can do it's thing, as intended.

And an important note- you would have to be familiar with your LP consumption, and track it a litle- or you could have an unpleasant, cold wake up...not the end of the world but...

Our toyhauler came with 3 tanks, one is a spare, so we leave both tanks on and if we run out, we can put on the spare. It happened once when I forgot that I had switched the handle thinking I would replace the empty tank, and didn't. Oops.

exeter_acres wrote:

Atlee wrote:
What is unsafe about having both cylinders open at the same time?

RamTX wrote:
Just for safety purposes, I use one tank at a time, i.e. keep the cylinder valve closed on the tank not in use.

my question as well

I will third that question and add that i leave my propane tanks open 24/7/365.
I believe that this system should be as tight as a house gas system, so should be able to be charged all the time. We also try to get out at least once a month year round. If it is going to leak what better way to find out? I have a battery disconnect so no ignition source while store. I open door smell then activate the disconnect.

I used to leave both open. Had a leak and ran out two full tanks, and the power went off in the middle of the summer and we had stuff in the refer.
It took several months to get the smell out of the refer. Charcoal, vinegar, baking soda.

The clear plastic indicator is what leaked. Trailer was under warranty, had the valve assembly replaced, and the second one did the exact same thing. The third one has lasted several years now.

I smoked at the time, lucky I hadn't been lighting a cigarette near the front of the camper, plus cost me three tanks of propane, food and a nasty refer.

I store my camper at my home, and I keep a closer eye on those things now. You know that HIND SIGHT thing.

To each their own, I keep one closed for safety and to ensure I always have a full tank.

camperpaul wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
I really do not get the auto run out of propane deal.

When one tank gets empty the indicator shows red and it automatically switches over.

Soooooooooo, if the indicator is red the lever is pointing to an empty tank.

:S

I seem to think that a lot of folks do not know how to make good use of the auto change over. :h

X 2

Maybe you'all don't get why most of us leave just one tank on. Until they put a indicator lever INSIDE the RV it is more prudent to leave one tank on so that you 'know' when it is switching over to the other and can plan for when you will need to get the tanks refilled.

But you guys keep going out every hour and checking that lever and on that cold day you forget to check and run out of both tanks, have not heat and can't get them refilled, get back to us! :B

WoodGlue wrote:
Propane. Who here leaves open both tanks and let's the switch over do it's job and who only uses one tank at a time, and waits until it runs out to switch over?

I always leave both tanks open and let it do its thing.

WoodGlue

I only have one so I don't care.:B

I leave both tanks open and let the changeover valve work as it is designed. I do check the tanks regularly because it is on my "pre-flight" checklist. I also have a 20 lb tank in the truck because I have portable gas appliances (grill and stove) that I use it for. If I DO run my 2 30lb tanks empty, I have a mostly full 20 in reserve. Just the way I do it.