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ADK_Camper's avatar
ADK_Camper
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013

Mod makes checking propane bottle easy (pix)

To check the change-over valve on my propane bottles required removing the gas bottle cover. Not a hard job, but just enough of a hassle that I often postponed it. I installed a little window in the gas bottle cover and now checking is easy.

Here is an overview of the mod:



Here is a close-up.



You can see that the indicator is green.

To make this simple mod, I used a hole saw to make a hole in the gas-bottle cover and then used pop-rivets to secure a small piece of plexiglass. A local glass shop gave me a small scrap of plexiglass free.
  • I just have the marshal flashing yellow changeover indicator in my trailer that couples to the marshal auto channgeover valve. When the valve changes over (indicator on the valve turn red), a light starts flashing on the indicator in the trailer to tell me I'm on the secondary tank.

    No fuss, no muss, no going outside to check. Mounted the indicator just inside the trailer so you see it when going in, or anywhere in the living area. Once it starts flashing, I go outside, flip the changeover lever to the other side, and the light quites flashing. Then I get the empty tank filled.
  • I like it and will most likely modify mine the same way. Sometimes the simple fixes just don't seem to be all the obvious until someone points it out.

    In thinking a bit more about it, I'll bet you don't even need the plexiglass. After all the cover is just for aesthetics, it's not like the bottle is going to self destruct if it gets wet or dirty.
  • The gauge on your grill is a not very useful level indicator. The indicator the OP is talking about lets you know that your auto switching regulator has changed from the empty tank to the full one. Totally different concept.
  • GordonThree wrote:
    Have you ever noticed your indicator in a state other than green or red? I have one of those on my gas grill, and it always shows "full" - completely green, until I've run out of gas and then it's "empty" - completely red. There doesn't seem to be any warning before the tank runs out.


    That's all it's supposed to do. It is not intended to tell you the fill level of the tank - it just tells you if the tank the lever is pointed at has some (unknown) amount of propane or if it is empty.
  • Have you ever noticed your indicator in a state other than green or red? I have one of those on my gas grill, and it always shows "full" - completely green, until I've run out of gas and then it's "empty" - completely red. There doesn't seem to be any warning before the tank runs out.
  • I guess it isn't easy enough anymore just open the top!!!!

    JUST KIDDING!! Neat idea, and I'll bet a bunch of us will follow your lead!

    Gerry