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

Dick_B
Explorer
Dec 18, 2015
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.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Dec 18, 2015
I use off one tank at a time, just because.

I pour hot water over tanks to check gas level.
bid_time
Nomad III
Dec 18, 2015
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.

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propane question(s)

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