Forum Discussion

Texas_Nomad's avatar
Texas_Nomad
Explorer
Mar 26, 2022

A Quick Question

I purchased a small, used TT and intend to take it out tomorrow for a couple of nights close to home. It has two propane tanks with an automatic switch-over function on the regulator. My question: Do BOTH tanks need to be OPEN for this function to operate correctly?
  • bob213 wrote:
    But... If you have both tanks open you will need to periodically check because you will never know when you have switched over to your other tank. Without checking you could deplete both tanks before you realize it.


    You will always know when a tank has emptied if you have a regulator gauge connected to both tanks which will then display a red color when a tank is empty.
  • bob213 wrote:
    But... If you have both tanks open you will need to periodically check because you will never know when you have switched over to your other tank. Without checking you could deplete both tanks before you realize it.


    You can install a regulator that will display the level of propane and when a tank is empty. I just make sure to check the regulator display once a week so I never empty both tanks.
  • I’m a fan of not using an automatic switchover and begin looking for a tank refill when one is empty. I would rather manually switch late at night than runout of propane…and miss breakfast!
  • valhalla360 wrote:
    We prefer to only open 1 tank. If you open both, it's easy to find yourself with no propane.

    If you run with 1 tank open, you know when the 1st tank is empty, so you can refill it before the 2nd tank runs dry.

    I'd much rather get up at 2am, spend 2 minutes opening a valve than wake up at 2am freezing and there is no propane left.


    Another idea is to open 1 tank. Then with furnace running before you go to bed, slide your fingers down the side of tank. When you find the level, decide are you sure it will last all night? If in doubt, open other valve. Morning coffee check to see if switched. Yes, pull tank. No, shut off, and repeat at bedtime. (The gods of propane will never let it switch in daytime)

    Over time, you will learn how long a tank will last
  • We prefer to only open 1 tank. If you open both, it's easy to find yourself with no propane.

    If you run with 1 tank open, you know when the 1st tank is empty, so you can refill it before the 2nd tank runs dry.

    I'd much rather get up at 2am, spend 2 minutes opening a valve than wake up at 2am freezing and there is no propane left.
  • >>Yes, both tanks. This will prevent you from having to get up at 2 in the AM. to open the second tank and keep all propane appliances operating.<<

    Thank you so much! I do not function well at 2:00 AM. ;-)
  • Well I have had this setup. What I want to know is "HOW" do you camp? (GLAMP)?...I just acquired a 2016 Jayco little Baja. Only one tank..no way for me to camp. Upgraded it to dual tanks. It is tiny and no genny. My Honda I2200e and fire pit will have it's own dedicated tank. Inside heat on it's own tank. I have had high end RV's..I dumbed it down...but you have to work at it and having the switch over worked well...this is a bit differant. Honda is already converted to LPG...It works great....no gas. I can pick the size of how much LPG I want to carry as I have 8 tanks of all size..I used to be a TC and 5TH wheel guy but this little guy came as a total surprise. You can not find one..it took me 3 months ...every 2 hours on every website to find this. Just keep the lipstick comming...lots of plans for this RV. The beauty of this story in as I close ....Is that the person sold it to me for literally half..half of what they sell for..stund and amazed. Never has that ever happend to me. I have updrades but wow....crazy.
  • But... If you have both tanks open you will need to periodically check because you will never know when you have switched over to your other tank. Without checking you could deplete both tanks before you realize it.
  • Texas Nomad wrote:
    I purchased a small, used TT and intend to take it out tomorrow for a couple of nights close to home. It has two propane tanks with an automatic switch-over function on the regulator. My question: Do BOTH tanks need to be OPEN for this function to operate correctly?


    Yes, both tanks. This will prevent you from having to get up at 2 in the AM. to open the second tank and keep all propane appliances operating.
  • Yes, both tanks need to be open to switch over. If you don't want it to switch over just leave one off.