I have the standard two bottle set-up (30 lb each?) and was wondering a couple of things. This will also solidify my status as a rookie since what I am asking is probably pretty obvious to most.First of all, if there is no gauge on the tanks, how does one know when they are near empty and need refill?Is it OK to take off one tank (preferably an empty one) and take it to get filled while teh other is supplying the RV?Is it difficult to add gauges if there are none cuurently on the tanks?I will be parked for some time and just want to make sure that when I need to refill that I do it in the proper and most efficient manner.Thanks gang.

You should have an auto switchover regulator between the two tanks. The red lever on the regulator points to one of the tanks. You open the valve on that tank first then open the valve on the other tank. The window in the center of the regulator shows green. The regulator now draws propane from the tank the red lever is pointing to. When that tank is empty the regulator automatically switches over to the other tank. When that happens, the window in the regulator shows red. You switch the little red lever over to the other tank, the window in the regulator not shows green again. You take the empty tank off and go get it filled. Hook it back up and you're good to go. Same process as above but now your drawing off the other tank with the recently filled tank standing by and ready to go for the next auto switchover.

I use off one tank at a time, just because. I pour hot water over tanks to check gas level.

When I have two full tanks I always take propane off the starboard tank and keep the other tank valve closed. When the first tank is empty I open the 2nd tank valve and take the first one to be filled.For an unknown reason when any tank is getting low we smell propane in and around the RV. That's a clue to open the 2nd tank valve particularly in cold weather so as not to run out.I never worry about how much is in either tank with this method.

In most cases you can fill one tank while using the other. It may depend slightly on how the propane system is plumbed. Many RVs with dual tank setups have an automatic switchover device that uses propane from one until it's empty and then switches to the other, usually with a flag or other indicator to show when this has happened.You can fairly accurately determine how full a tank is by weight (subtracting the tare weight, which should be stamped or marked somewhere on the tank) or by observing the line where the condensation or frost reaches while in use. If there is no such line, pouring a little hot or very hot water on the side can often encourage it to appear. You do need to be using propane, or have used some recently, for this to work; it's based on the cooling of the liquid propane when the gas boils off.In terms of efficient refilling, if you have 20 lb tanks, avoid the exchange places if possible. Most of the exchanges do not put the full 20 lb in the 20 lb tank, often only around 15 lb. (It is true that you can't fill a propane tank to the tippy-top, but a 20 lb tank is designed to hold 20 lb with the appropriate extra margin for expansion. If improperly filled all the way up, it would hold about 25 lb of propane.)

There are gauges you can buy and install on the tank in-line between the tank and supply hose. You can also get an ultrasonic checker if you like gadgets. The switchover system works well.For all of them, you have to remember to actually CHECK the tanks. You can guess how I learned that lesson... (Actually, I never turned the second tank on, not that I ran both tanks dry!)

propane question(s) | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 03, 2016
Well this my indication it is time to fill what was the active tank! I will flip the lever to the other tank and take the empty one to be filled. As you can see the indicator is red/green showing that the first tank is empty second tank is good.
JWRoberts
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
mikemc53 wrote:
I have the standard two bottle set-up (30 lb each?) and was wondering a couple of things. This will also solidify my status as a rookie since what I am asking is probably pretty obvious to most.

First of all, if there is no gauge on the tanks, how does one know when they are near empty and need refill? Most changeovers has a green and red indicator. If it's red, the tank that the valve handle is pointing to is empty and you are using gas from the other.

Is it OK to take off one tank (preferably an empty one) and take it to get filled while teh other is supplying the RV? Yes. That is the preferred method.

Is it difficult to add gauges if there are none cuurently on the tanks? No. I bought two from Bass Pro Shop.

I will be parked for some time and just want to make sure that when I need to refill that I do it in the proper and most efficient manner.

Thanks gang.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
We have been wintering for 14 winters and only one stay in Camp david below Benson did we have any heat on during the night. Now that our bottles are 14 years old refilling them is a problem according to the law. I will fix that problem when we are back to Arizona soon.

chevman
golf_bears
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
I have an Infrared temp sensor that I use when I want to know how much is left in the tank. I just take a few readings up and down the tank. Paid about $15 for the sensor and it works just fine for me.

Also use the sensor to check the tire temps when we are traveling.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 22, 2015
Dave H M wrote:
bid time

wow you gave an excellent description on how to with management of the two tanks with auto change over.

At least no one in this thread has indicated that the selector valve is used to select the tank that propane is used from. :S

Well it does in the beginning,when starting out and both tanks are on the tank selector points at the tank in use, once empty, the indicator turns red and it automatically switches to the other tank.
Foggy
Explorer
Dec 22, 2015
Tap on the side of the tank, from top down or bottom up. A change in the ringing tone will be about where the propane level is.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2015
bid time

wow you gave an excellent description on how to with management of the two tanks with auto change over.

At least no one in this thread has indicated that the selector valve is used to select the tank that propane is used from. :S
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 19, 2015
This system has worked well for me and I have never ran out of propane doing so.

Starting with two full tanks I shut off the back tank and run off the outside tank. When it is empty I open the back tank close the front and turn the flipper valve to the back tank. Within a couple days I get the outside tank filled and repeat. After doing this for several tanks I will place the newly filled tank at the back and use the now partially full tank until empty and repeat.

Yes it's possible to run out of propane at night but I usually had small space heaters going. I have had it happen and it's not that big of a deal on the rare occasion it happens. Better than running out completely!
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Dec 18, 2015
http://www.amazon.com/Removable-Accu-Level-Propane-Gauge-Magnetic/dp/B0010P3OU2/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1450484942&sr=1-1&keywords=magnetic+propane+tank+gauge
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Dec 18, 2015
I have a cheap magnetic tank indicator tape that you can get just about anywhere. By sticking it to the side of the tank and then pouring hot water over it will change color to tell you the level of propane in the tank.

I only open one valve on the top of my tanks at a time.

I use the tanks as a Primary and a Secondary. When the Primary gets empty I open the Secondary if I need to get through the night or something. Then as soon as possible I refill the primary and then close the secondary tank and open the primary. In this way I'm almost always running off of the first tank and hardly ever the second. The second tanks last for years this way.

By using my magnetic level indicator I keep a eye on the propane amount in the secondary tank. When it gets to half empty I move it to my home gas grill the next time the grill tank runs empty. Then I purchase and put the full tank back on the RV in the secondary spot.

I hope you understand what I mean I may not have explained that very well.