Both Tanks Open Or Only One At A Time?

I exchange my propane tanks weekly when boondocking if the amount is 1/2 or below (keep two on the TT, have two in my truck's bed and switch them out), so I leave both open. On a very cold weekend where the weather was in the teens, I've gone through two bottles before.

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.

We winter camp a lot so we only open one at a time. We have an auto change over but, from experience, the gauge doesn't work too well. I'd rather walk out in the cold to switch it over than freeze until 6AM and then try to find an open propane dealer.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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...