Dumb propane question

The motorhome tank operates like your tow vehicle fuel gauge. You just have to look at the indicator.

If you observe your regulator it will also indicate when a cylinder needs to be refilled without running out in the middle of the night.

RoyF wrote:
You did not ask about what to do with your two tank system, but BLF13 has given good advice. If you install an auto swith-over and develop the habit of checking its indicator once a day, then you will be able to sleep at night without worring about propane.

Depending on expected usage, we have RV Comfort Systems "Cheap Heat" electric add on unit on our 5er. Use propane only for quick Hot water recovery, and cooking. I check the tanks about once every 3 to 5 days.

We were on a 30 amp service which cuts down on the amount of heat from the "Cheap Heat" system can put out 1,800 watts compared to 5,000 watts on 50 amp. It would hold heat down to the mid 30's out side, but struggled to raise the temp. So we would switch to gas to raise then back to electric, to maintain. Really still didn't use that much gas.

You did not ask about what to do with your two tank system, but BLF13 has given good advice. If you install an auto swith-over and develop the habit of checking its indicator once a day, then you will be able to sleep at night without worring about propane.

Why have the first tank run out at 3 am, and have to go out in the rain in your PJs to open the other tank????

The auto switch-over will do that if you leave both tanks open. That's what it is for. Had that in the 5er we had.

In the morning, doing your "morning rounds" of the RV, one day, you will see the indicator is red. That means go get the first tank refilled. DO NOT switch the lever over yet!!!! Leave it pointing at the empty tank.

(Or else it will go green and you will think next look that all is well--until it goes red and now both tanks are empty. Oops!)

Once the refill is done, open that tank too and now switch over to the tank in use, and it goes green.
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Our C has an "extra" light-set in the "monitor" over the stove to indicate how full the propane tank is. There is another hard to see gauge on the tank itself. Routine is to notice when low on propane, go get some more.

Around here there is a shortage of places that do MH tanks, so if near one, and getting down, I fill up whether need it or not, in case I don't get back near a place that does tanks. (Lots of places do cylinders, but that is no use) It is like you need "local knowledge" where to get propane for the C. I pity any tourists! :(

I have an Extend-a-stay and a luggable (20 pound) tank... If the main tank runs out (Rare) I splice in the back up via the extend-a-stay. Works for me

Motorhome built-in tanks have a gauge that actually shows how much propane is in the tank (with a float to measure the level), so it's not too hard to avoid running out. This is generally hooked up to the tank level panel inside, or you can peek outside at the pointer and see a much more precise reading than 1/3 - 2/3 - F from the little lights. Most motorhome tanks are also a good bit larger than a cylinder; mine has a usable capacity of around 60 pounds if memory serves.

Most RVs with dual cylinders have an automatic switchover regulator that will draw propane from one tank, and when it gets empty automatically swap to the other one, popping up a little flag or other indicator to show when that happens. You generally don't need to open and shut the cylinder valves to use them one at a time; just check the indicator as needed and refill the empty tank and switch a lever on the regulator so it can switch over to the just-refilled one once the other one is empty. It's much nicer than having to go out in the middle of a cold night.

I keep an eye on the inside tank level gauge and fill up as needed, usually at the 25-30% level. We also carry a 30 lb cylinder that can be connected to an Extend-A-Stay hose for longer stays. Right now we're just using the cylinder, leaving the full main tank as the backup since it's easier to load the cylinder in our toad to get it refilled than it is to move the coach since we're staying in this park for a couple of weeks.

Yep.. Keep an eye on consumption

Yes, always fill ours when it is down to about 30%. Usually at truck stops when getting gas.
Also, our MH has a heat pump and electric water heater so propane consumption less.