My 5th wheel has two propane tanks, one on each side. The tank on the passenger side (curb side?)is where the auto change-over regulator is. It is the type that has the little glass gage on top that goes from green to red when the tank is empty. On the drivers side (road side) is the other tank. This tank also has a regulator that looks sort of like an inverted "V" shaped cylinder. The hose runs from the tank into this regulator then out the other side to the second tank's main regulator.Last week while camping my furnace would not light. I was running off the road side tnak. I manually switched over to the curb side tank and the furnace worked just fine. Thinking that perhaps the tank was empty, I removed it and took it to the propane dealer where it took only a little over two gallons. So now I'm thinking that either the main regulator is bad, or the smaller regulator on the road side is bad. I've noticed that this tank won't usually make the gage go all the way into the green. The guy at the RV service place I normally use said it sounds like I have too many regulators. He suggested taking the smaller one off and just running that tank directly into the auto switch-over regulator. What do you think? The trailer is a STARWOOD by McKenzie. I'm assuming that little regulator has a purpose so I told the tech. to just replace it first and then let's see what happens.

I would think only one regulator with a valve to select either tank.

Mine has the smaller regulator also. Did have to replace it once, but because it was leaking. That regulator drops the pressure leaving that tank. Don't know for sure, but read somewhere once that it dropped the pressure In the line so that the propane vapor leaving the tank would not condense back into a liquid in the line when propane was not flowing and the line pressure would be the same as tank pressure without it. But I do know some have eliminated them with no apparent problems.

Thanks for your input. I am considering just telling the tech. to remove it, but there's that little voice from way down deep that's telling me to leave it as is. I also replaced it once a few years ago but it was pretty much for the same reason as now. It just didn't seem to be allowing enough pressure.

Silly question: Have you ever swapped tanks from one side to the other? Maybe you've got a funny tank. You could also have a problem with one side of the changeover regulator.

Your 'other' regulator on the roadside tank is there for a reason!!!!!Propane cylinder pressure can be 200 PSI -----would you want that kind of pressure in a hose going across the front of your 5th wheel inside the front cap?DOT doesn't nor does RVIA......and so a 30# single stage regulator is installed at off side cylinder. This regulators are typically referred to as the RED Regulator (at one time they were ALL RED--now lots just have a red top)They fail..........buy a new RV 30# Single stage LP Regulator. Do NOT remove it from system...the long hose is not rated for cylinder pressure nor do you want liquid propane in that line.Also liquid propane will ruin the auto-change over 2 stage reg on opposite side.And your RV Guy......needs to bone up on Propane Systems ASAP. :S

Propane regulator question | Good Sam Community

Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016
I would think only one regulator with a valve to select either tank.
BB_TX
Nomad
Mar 23, 2016
Mine has the smaller regulator also. Did have to replace it once, but because it was leaking. That regulator drops the pressure leaving that tank. Don't know for sure, but read somewhere once that it dropped the pressure In the line so that the propane vapor leaving the tank would not condense back into a liquid in the line when propane was not flowing and the line pressure would be the same as tank pressure without it. But I do know some have eliminated them with no apparent problems.
salem
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016
Thanks for your input. I am considering just telling the tech. to remove it, but there's that little voice from way down deep that's telling me to leave it as is. I also replaced it once a few years ago but it was pretty much for the same reason as now. It just didn't seem to be allowing enough pressure.
Stefonius
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016
Silly question: Have you ever swapped tanks from one side to the other? Maybe you've got a funny tank. You could also have a problem with one side of the changeover regulator.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2016
Your 'other' regulator on the roadside tank is there for a reason!!!!!

Propane cylinder pressure can be 200 PSI -----would you want that kind of pressure in a hose going across the front of your 5th wheel inside the front cap?

DOT doesn't nor does RVIA......and so a 30# single stage regulator is installed at off side cylinder. This regulators are typically referred to as the RED Regulator (at one time they were ALL RED--now lots just have a red top)

They fail..........buy a new RV 30# Single stage LP Regulator. Do NOT remove it from system...the long hose is not rated for cylinder pressure nor do you want liquid propane in that line.
Also liquid propane will ruin the auto-change over 2 stage reg on opposite side.

And your RV Guy......needs to bone up on Propane Systems ASAP. :S
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 23, 2016
salem wrote:
He suggested taking the smaller one off and just running that tank directly into the auto switch-over regulator. What do you think?
:E

I would not let that person or dealer touch my RV again.
salem
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016
Thanks, Old Biscuit, excellent answer to my question, as always.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2016
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Your 'other' regulator on the roadside tank is there for a reason!!!!!

Propane cylinder pressure can be 200 PSI -----would you want that kind of pressure in a hose going across the front of your 5th wheel inside the front cap?

DOT doesn't nor does RVIA......and so a 30# single stage regulator is installed at off side cylinder. This regulators are typically referred to as the RED Regulator (at one time they were ALL RED--now lots just have a red top)

They fail..........buy a new RV 30# Single stage LP Regulator. Do NOT remove it from system...the long hose is not rated for cylinder pressure nor do you want liquid propane in that line.
Also liquid propane will ruin the auto-change over 2 stage reg on opposite side.

And your RV Guy......needs to bone up on Propane Systems ASAP. :S

I would also have the cross over hose checked also! It may have kink or pinch restricting flow.
I only have one regulator, and a black iron pipe between the two. Personally I would replace the long hose with Black Iron pipe.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2016
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Your 'other' regulator on the roadside tank is there for a reason!!!!!

Propane cylinder pressure can be 200 PSI -----would you want that kind of pressure in a hose going across the front of your 5th wheel inside the front cap?

DOT doesn't nor does RVIA......and so a 30# single stage regulator is installed at off side cylinder. This regulators are typically referred to as the RED Regulator (at one time they were ALL RED--now lots just have a red top)

They fail..........buy a new RV 30# Single stage LP Regulator. Do NOT remove it from system...the long hose is not rated for cylinder pressure nor do you want liquid propane in that line.
Also liquid propane will ruin the auto-change over 2 stage reg on opposite side.

And your RV Guy......needs to bone up on Propane Systems ASAP. :S

Old-Biscuit, I do understand what you are saying about the rubber hose through the front storage space.
I my mind far safer to replace with a section of black iron pipe. Rubber hoses have a service life, and need to be replaced from time to time.
BB_TX
Nomad
Mar 23, 2016
You might also try replacing the pigtail hose from the tank to the regulator. Those hoses have a ball valve in them to control the tank output and pressure when the valve is first opened. The ball is supposed to restrict flow until the pressure balances in the line. And those hoses are known to also fail. And they are not expensive to replace.

From this propane info site.

Let’s talk about a couple of the features on these new pigtails. Both features are parts of the big green nut.

The first is a black thermal-sensitive bushing found just behind the green nut. If this bushing is ever in a fire with temperatures between 240°F and 300°F, it melts and allows the brass nipple inside the nut to move back about ¼ inch, which closes a small piston inside the cylinder valve totally shutting off the flow of propane. This innovative feature will help mitigate fires or explosions.

The second new safety feature is called a “flow-limiting-device.” Its purpose is to restrict the flow of escaping gas if there is an excessive leak in the RV’s gas system. It’s this second “flow-limiting-device” feature and how it works, that forms the core of the secret! Almost every time the cylinder valve is opened, a small ball in the center of the brass nipple (inside the green nut) is pushed forward into a brass seat. This seat doesn’t totally shut off the gas. By design, it allows a small amount of gas (by-pass flow) to go into the RV’s gas system. If everything in the gas system is closed and in the off position and if there are no leaks, the by-pass flow builds up a back pressure that equalizes the pressure in the ball back of the seat and allows unrestricted flow through the system. All this happens in about five seconds and the owner doesn’t even know it’s happening, appliances light, furnaces and water heaters run and everything is normal.

Forum Discussion

Propane regulator question

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Propane Regulator Noise

propane regulator

Leaking Propane Regulator

Propane Regulator

Propane question