Problems with propane regulator(s).Bought RV 2 years old. (2013) When one bottle of propane is empty the indicator gauge does NOT flip to red, until both tanks are empty. Then flips to red. Replaced regulator with the same brand and model (2015) that came with RV. Same as the OEM installs, a cheap China model. Same problem, when one tank empty's the indicator stays green until both propane bottles are empty.Replaced regulator with different model (2016) that was pricey ($70.00) purchased at large propane distributor. Distributor said he has had only two bring backs with this regulator and says he goes thru many. Same problem...red indicator only shows when both tanks are empty.Question...I think my problem is somewhere else in propane system. But I have no idea what that would be. What would make a regulator (3 of them) only flip the red indicator when both tanks are empty? And not flip indicator to red when one tank goes empty? I think the odds of three regulators that are bad are slim. And I don't know where to look to solve the problem.Any help?Thanks

Stupid question: on the regulator...is the ARROW pointing to one tank or the other?g'luck!

path1 wrote:When one bottle of propane is empty the indicator gauge does NOT flip to red, until both tanks are empty. Then flips to red.If you have both tank valves open and are therefore using the tanks simultaneously with the inidcator lever set mid way between the tanks then of course that indicator will only show red once both tanks are empty. The alternative is to open the valve on just one tank and use them sequentially, setting the lever to point towards the in use tank ... once it empties the indicator will turn red and you'll know to close it's valve, open the second tank valve, and move the indicator lever to new in use tank, at which point the indicator will once again turn green. Surely your dealer must have explained the difference between using your tanks simultaneously or sequentially.

Try this. :hGet both tanks filled and hook them up with the valves closed.Only turn one tank on. Go inside and turn on a stove burner to make sure you got flow. Stove back off.Go outside and make sure the indicator control is slid or rotated to point to the tank that has the valve open. indicator should turn green.Now slowly open the other tank and let her rip tader chip.When the indicator turns red that should mean that the tank is empty that the indicator has been pointing to.Slide or flip the indicator to the other (full) tank and the sight glass should turn green.Remove the empty tank and get it refilled and put it back in and slowly open the valve. When the indicator turns red repeat the above procedure.That procedure should get you down the road for the duration.Last thing i would do is have an auto switch over valve and only run one tank at a time manually.

SoundGuy wrote:path1 wrote:When one bottle of propane is empty the indicator gauge does NOT flip to red, until both tanks are empty. Then flips to red.If you have both tank valves open and are therefore using the tanks simultaneously with the inidcator lever set mid way between the tanks then of course that indicator will only show red once both tanks are empty. The alternative is to open the valve on just one tank and use them sequentially, setting the lever to point towards the in use tank ... once it empties the indicator will turn red and you'll know to close it's valve, open the second tank valve, and move the indicator lever to new in use tank, at which point the indicator will once again turn green. Surely your dealer must have explained the difference between using your tanks simultaneously or sequentially.That's interesting, because I was told a little differently (but kinda the same?). Point the indicator lever towards one tank - it will use that tank until it is empty, the indicator thingy will go to red, and the inside valve will automatically switch to the second tank... without a person having to move that lever. That way you still have propane, but you know you have to fill up one of the tanks. This may be path1's issue? The indicator should be turning red, while the valve should be automatically switching to the second propane tank? But his valve is emptying both tanks without giving him a warning? As jerseyjim asked: path1, is the indicator valve pointing at one or the other tank, or is it in the middle? I have never actually ran a propane tank empty, so I have no idea if what I am doing is correct! lol!

Tvov wrote:That's interesting, because I was told a little differently (but kinda the same?). Point the indicator lever towards one tank - it will use that tank until it is empty, the indicator thingy will go to red, and the inside valve will automatically switch to the second tank... without a person having to move that lever. That way you still have propane, but you know you have to fill up one of the tanks.It would seem you and others are not understanding how an automatic changeover gas regulator is designed to work. First, that indicator lever you set yourself according to which one of the two tanks you're using at the time. If you want to use the tanks sequentially you would only open the valve on the in-use tank, not both tanks, and point the lever to this tank as a reminder that that's the tank you're currently using. If on the other hand you prefer to use both tanks you would open both valves which in turn will allow the auto changeover regulator to automatically switch over from the first tank once it empties to the full second tank. The obvious disadvantage is that both tanks will eventually empty and and if you don't keep an eye on the indicator you'll end up with no gas at all. That's why my own personal preference is to open just one tank valve at a time and run the tanks sequentially, as once my in-use tank empties I can then manually switch over to the spare tank, making it the new in-use tank. That process reminds me to refill the original but now empty in-use tank and once reinstalled on the trailer it becomes the new spare tank. I've even marked my two tanks "Curb" and "Street" as a reminder where each tank normally lives.Edited for clarity ... shouldn't write this stuff when I'm in a hurry! :W

Propane system question/regulator | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

time2roll
Nomad
Dec 13, 2016
SoundGuy wrote:
BFL13 wrote:
SoundGuy must not yet have had the furnace quit at 3am when his open tank runs out.
Actually, in the years we've been camping with any one of trailers we've owned with dual tanks and an auto changeover regulator I've run out of gas in the middle of the night just once. Yea, like anyone else I could run with both tank valves open but I choose not to as I'd much rather not end up in a situation when both tanks have run dry ... using my tanks sequentially, that can't happen. Personal choice. :)
I had a manual swap system on my POP-UP and ran out once at 2am. Blower then continued and drained the battery. by the time I had the other propane bottle on I had maybe 30 minutes before the furnace quit from low battery voltage.

Never again. Added the automatic regulator and two new batteries.

If I was that concerned about not checking or fully running out of propane I would carry a 3rd bottle long before I went back to a manual system.

To each their own. If it works for you there is no harm in that.
path1
Explorer
Dec 13, 2016
Op here again.....

After another cup of coffee and thinking about where to start as it seems my problems seems to out of ordinary. Here is my plan of attack. I think this a "pressure" problem. Reading that manf spec's and fittings are NPT 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch. And pressure is pressure. I don't think it matters if pressure is from propane or air whatever. And fittings are not the weird propane fittings or flared, I think I have enough fittings laying around the house to expermint around. I'll break out air compressor play around. I'll put around 80 psi to one side and other side no pressure and vice versa, etc.

I'm set up pretty good with pressure testing stuff, got a real good pressure gauge tester with bleeder needle valve and lots of fittings... Thanks to Dodge Ram with the famous VP44 fuel injection pump and there fuel system :)

Here is exactly what I have and I called them couple months ago. There response was "take it to authorized dealer", so not much help there.http://www.marshallexcelsior.com/sites/default/files/FORM%20973%20MEGR-253%20SERIES%20REV%20A.pdf
SoundGuy
Explorer
Dec 13, 2016
BFL13 wrote:
SoundGuy must not yet have had the furnace quit at 3am when his open tank runs out.

Actually, in the years we've been camping with any one of trailers we've owned with dual tanks and an auto changeover regulator I've run out of gas in the middle of the night just once. Yea, like anyone else I could run with both tank valves open but I choose not to as I'd much rather not end up in a situation when both tanks have run dry ... using my tanks sequentially, that can't happen. Personal choice. :)
time2roll
Nomad
Dec 13, 2016
path1 wrote:
I'll make a special point to point the lever to other tank before removing the tank.
The actual timing does not matter so much as that it gets done. You can switch the lever as you remove the tank or when you install the full tank. Just so that the lever is pointed away from the most recently filled tank before you step away and call it good.

BTW the second tank may not take as long to empty as it has already been feeding the RV for some time.

If you have a choice I recommend Cavagna brand regulator and pigtails (amazon).
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2016
:S Gees i been doing this as described for decades and all has been well. now I am confused.

Think it is time for another beer. :B
path1
Explorer
Dec 13, 2016
wa8yxm wrote:
He said he replaced the REGULATOR.. Did he replace the CHANGEOVER valve. Yes, all built into one piece

.
path1
Explorer
Dec 13, 2016
Op here.....
Thanks for everybodys input. OK, I thought time of posting maybe a simple fix/answer that I didn't know about. From the answers posted seems to me maybe different regulators work differently. Or atleast the tab on some valves can be set in more positions than what I have.

Mine is a MEGR-253 / 253H Series

(from manufacture instructions)

"Operation

Ensure that the regulator has been mounted with the vent pointing downward so that water or debris cannot gather in the regulator. Place one of the two cylinders in “primary” by switching the black changeover lever in the direction of the selected cylinder. The arrow on the lever will denote the “primary” side. Open both cylinder valves slowly. The indicator on the top of the regulator will turn green.

The “primary” side of the regulator will continue to supply gas as long as sufficient gas is present in the “primary” cylinder. When pressure in the cylinder drops below a designated pressure, the “reserve” side will open and continue to primary gas to the regulator. At the time that the “primary” cylinder becomes exhausted, the indicator on the changeover lever will turn red indicating a cylinder change can be made.

Cylinder Exchange

Prior to removing the empty cylinder, position the black changeover lever so that it points to the alternate cylinder that is now supplying the regulator. Close the valve on the empty cylinder and remove. After the empty cylinder is refilled and reconnected, slowly open the cylinder valve. The new cylinder is now the reserve cylinder. The indicator at the top of the regulator will turn green."

After re-reading instructions the only thing I think I could be doing wrong is....

"Prior to removing the empty cylinder, position the black changeover lever so that it points to the alternate cylinder that is now supplying the regulator."

I'll make a special point to point the lever to other tank before removing the tank.

(other info)
BTU/HR MEGR-253 100 PSI 11” W.C. 225,00* 150,000 MEGR-253H 100 PSI 11” W.C. 350,000* 200,000

Inlet: 1/4" NPT Outlet: 3/8” NPT UL Listed to UL 144 ? Based on 100 PSIG inlet pressure and 20% droop at manufacturer’s set point. ? Manufacturer's set point = 100 PSIG Inlet and 11" W.C. outlet flowing at 30 SCFH propane.
WNYBob
Explorer
Dec 13, 2016
I replaced my non-indicating manual dual tank setup with an automatic one.

The instructions said the following:

1. Open one tank. Then bead the system (with the stove as mentioned previously)
2. Open the second tank. This system will fail over to the second when the first tank is empty.
Note: lever on indicator does not change whI have tank is being used! It changes the indicator ONLY,

That's what I have, sounds like there are multiple methodologies used by the mfg's.

JMO
BFL13
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2016
SoundGuy must not yet have had the furnace quit at 3am when his open tank runs out. It is supposed to go to the second tank (open too of course) so you can stay in bed.

As a camper, of course you do "morning rounds" every day including checking to see if the indicator has gone red yet. If it has, of course you leave it there showing red until you take the empty tank out to get it filled up. Of course you change the lever over to the one tank then ( ISTR the gas escapes from the dangling hose if you don't)

If you switch the lever over before you actually are going to get a refill, the indicator goes green and something happens so you forget to get the tank filled and when you look again it is green so you think you are ok until 3am next time only now you are SOL.

That is what they are supposed to tell you as a newbie when you buy your first RV.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 13, 2016
wa8yxm wrote:
He said he replaced the REGULATOR.. Did he replace the CHANGEOVER valve.

2 stage regulator and auto switching changeover are ONE UNIT

OP........
Operator error?

Are you pointing arrow on lever/knob AT the cylinder that is in service (1st cylinder that service valve is opened on)'primary'
Second cylinder service valve opened is 'reserve'/'backup' cylinder

Where are you pointing arrow??????