Question About Propane Pigtail ?

[jimmyfred]

..........I have 2-40# propane tanks , both connected to a transfer switch ! When one tank empties , the indicator goes red and I mechanically switch over too the other tank . So , one tank ran out on Sunday , I switch over to the full tank , but indicator stays on Red . I remove empty tank and move full tank over to the side from where I had just removed the empty tank . Turn on valve and indicator goes back to green .
...........So , either there is a mal function with one side of the transfer switch OR the Pigtail is blocked . To check the pigtail from the mal functioning side , I unscrew it from the transfer switch , and then screw it onto a full tank I have sitting on the ground . I , then very slowly open the tank valve , expecting to see propane hissing out of the open end of the pigtail..........Nothing comes out , at all ! Conclusion , the pigtail is Blocked !
............Question , should there be propane squirting out the end of the open end of the pigtail ..........? Is my conclusion correct ? , thanks , jf

[jimmyfred]

allen8106 wrote:
Jimmy, I had the same issue a few years back. The pigtails have a high flow valve built in to them that shuts off propane in the event of a major leak. These valves can get stuck closed keeping propane from flowing correctly. Changed both pigtails, problem solved.

...........I think you had the same problem I am having now ! I've ordered (2) new pigtails as well as a new transfer valve so I can simply replace defective components if my existing parts become inoperable . , thanks , jf

[allen8106]

Jimmy, I had the same issue a few years back. The pigtails have a high flow valve built in to them that shuts off propane in the event of a major leak. These valves can get stuck closed keeping propane from flowing correctly. Changed both pigtails, problem solved.

[Old-Biscuit]

**rhagfo**
Notice I said 'SHOW RED' not TURN RED.......indicating in service cylinder is empty


As for those 'excess flow devices'....those are there in the event a downstream hose should rupture, get ripped/torn, broken off etc. in the event of an accident.

The spring loaded shutoff valve in the OPD Service valve is so NO propane can flow out of a cylinder IF there is NOT a pigtail hose connected and the OPD Service valve is opened.

[lynndiwagon]

I guess at one time some idiot forgot to turn off the valve going to the pigtail and blew himself up or started a big fire so they put those safety valves in the pigtails.

Also, do not bypass all of those safety devices on your garden tractor.

[rhagfo]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Indicator will show RED when in service cylinder goes empty.
Auto changeover reg will then swap over to secondary tank and IF OPD Service valve is OPEN propane will continue to flow.

Indicator will change back to Green when you change position of lever.

If it goes red again process will repeat (provided empty cylinder has been refilled and valved in)

Changing lever position allows pressure from in service cylinder to act on red/green indicator

Not full RED for all regulators. If mine goes full RED and both tanks are open, I am out!!!

[Old-Biscuit]

Indicator will show RED when in service cylinder goes empty.
Auto changeover reg will then swap over to secondary tank and IF OPD Service valve is OPEN propane will continue to flow.

Indicator will change back to Green when you change position of lever.

If it goes red again process will repeat (provided empty cylinder has been refilled and valved in)

Changing lever position allows pressure from in service cylinder to act on red/green indicator

[time2roll]

That Marshall Gas regulator's indicator was always misleading to me. Never quite knew when the cylinder was empty. Indicator would ease up a little bit at a time with too much in between. My new Cavagna OTOH snaps right over to red in a large display so no more squinting either.

[Mont_G_J]

Some of the posts on the operation of the regulator indicator are incorrect or misleading.

[rhagfo]

bpounds wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

bpounds wrote:
I suggest you let the automatic change-over valve work as it was intended.

I always find this statmet interesting, as my indicator goes Red/Green!

Are you referring to the red and green colors both showing? Mine does that too, and it took some getting used to. But at least on mine I know that if there is any red visible at all, I have an empty tank. When both are full, all is green.

I wonder if it would be completely red if both tanks were empty? I've never let that happen, so I've not had a chance to see that. Don't think I will do that. I don't like air entering the lines any more than necessary.

Yes, this indicates that the selected tank is empty and running off the second tank. If it goes full red I have a problem!

[bpounds]

rhagfo wrote:

bpounds wrote:
I suggest you let the automatic change-over valve work as it was intended.

I always find this statmet interesting, as my indicator goes Red/Green!

Are you referring to the red and green colors both showing? Mine does that too, and it took some getting used to. But at least on mine I know that if there is any red visible at all, I have an empty tank. When both are full, all is green.

I wonder if it would be completely red if both tanks were empty? I've never let that happen, so I've not had a chance to see that. Don't think I will do that. I don't like air entering the lines any more than necessary.

[rhagfo]

bpounds wrote:
Propane will not spit out the open hose. When I pull a tank out to fill it, I never turn the other side off. The design is so that you can pull and swap a tank without taking the system off line.

Also, when one tank goes empty, the red indicator is supposed to display. You need both tanks full for a green indicator. Red tells you ONE tank is empty. Although it is possible when swapping tanks around like you did that the green indicator would pop up. But I don't think it will stay that way for long.

I suggest you let the automatic change-over valve work as it was intended. I know some guys won't, and insist on leaving a bottle turned off. But there is no good reason to do that IMHO.

I always find this statmet interesting, as my indicator goes Red/Green!

[Mont_G_J]

[pigman1]

These days just about every fitting in you propane system has a flow restrictor in it. The green (or other color for different flow rates) Acme fitting, just about every spud (the pointy part of a fitting or hose end) and just about any other fitting in your system. These DO GO BAD. Two choices--- either replace the bad piece, again and again and again or fix it. If you actually have 2 working brain cells (and seriously, no insult intended) you can drill out these restrictors and you'll have a system that now works and won't fail again. The down side is that you need to shut off valves when changing tanks, loosening and tightening fittings and you can't use your cigarette lighter for finding leaks. Of course, anyone who wants to RV and keeps his rig in reasonable condition DOES have those 2 working brain cells and many more, and loss of these "protect you from you" pieces won't bother you at all. For the other 1 of a million idiots out there, the government has got your back, regardless of how much the rest of us need to spend or deal with problems that should never have happened.

[rockintom]

Once again, Old biscuit is gnat's-ass on the money.