Propane gauges on tanks question

[path1]

Trailer is 2013 and the propane "sight level gauge indicator" doesn't work right. Supposed to be "green" when enough propane is in tank then turn "red" when tank is empty. Then the turn knob and use propane from other tank.

Problem on 3 different gauges has been... The green shows until both tanks are empty. I replaced original propane regulator with same make and model as OEM. Still didn't work right. Then last winter replaced again with one that a large propane dist said they get very few returns on.

So that's 3 propane regulators with "sight gauge" not working right. The odds of 3 of them being bad seem highly unlikely to me.

Is there anything I should check or do?

What I'm I missing?

[wa8yxm]

Marshall brass used to be a very good company for regulators, Extend-a-Stay and Extend-a-flow and other propane handling devices,, They have dropped that line completly.. I have no idea why and my contact within the firm is no more (She died back about 1993, Old age will do that to ya)

But they completly dropped that line, They now make things like Gas Fireplaces and such. Guess we did not buy enough to keep 'em happy.

Mr. Heater (I think) now sells the "Stay-a-while" which replaces the Extend-a-stay, virtually identical device.. But the old Marshall Brass standards.. no more.

[Gdetrailer]

path1 wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:

path1 wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Where are you positioning the valve lever on the regulator when you hook up two tanks?

Valve lever knob...

with small arrow on knob is pointed toward tank being used.

Have one of these...

http://www.marshallexcelsior.com/sites/default/files/FORM%20973%20MEGR-253%20SERIES%20REV%20A.pdf

OK, so I missed this post..

So, the "problem" you are having is with the regulator/auto change over switch..

Got it! 🙂

OK, so.. The problem is that you are not understanding how this device works..

From the manual in your link I will see if I can simplify the instructions..

Here is what the manual says..

"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."

What I do is set the switch over pointer to my FIRST tank that I want to use first.

I then OPEN that first tank (SLOWLY).

The indicator on the switch over will turn green indicating you have propane available.

THEN AND ONLY THEN open the second tank valve slowly..

Now you are set for automatic switch over and when the FIRST tank (the one you set the arrow to and opened first) runs out the red flag will show..

The regulator will have automatically switched to the SECOND TANK and the RED indicator is showing the tank that is empty (arrow pointing to empty tank).

At that time you now switch the arrow to the SECOND tank which is your full tank..

The indicator in the window will turn green.

You can now REMOVE the FIRST TANK and get it refilled!

Once first tank has been refilled and reconnected it now becomes the backup tank to the one that is currently in use..

Once the second tank has been exhausted the red will show and the auto change over will have switched to the FIRST tank once again.. When that happens you simply flip the arrow back to the tank in use..

Hope that clears it up a bit..

Personally, I don't use all that much propane so what I do is only open the first tank.. When it runs out the red shows and I flip the lever to the second tank and then open the second tank..

Close the first tank and remove and refill..

Note: the green/red indicator is not there to tell you how much propane you have.

The green/red indicator is there to indicate WHEN the tank the arrow is pointing to is EMPTY and can be removed for refill.

Op here....

Thanks for your response. The problem is the red does not show until both tanks are empty. This is the 3rd regulator I've put on. Makes me wonder if something else is not going on. Guess I'll go back to opening only one tank and when its empty, then open other tank and get first tank refilled. Just seems odd to me that 3 regulators have the same problem. I did initially think I wasn't following directions, but I am.

Think I'll just order one of those other gauges.

I think I have figured out what is going on..

Mine has MARSHALL BRASS on it, what is being sold now is MARSHALL EXCELSIOR..

My Marshall Brass does work as described..

The Marshall Excelsior seems to be getting a lot of same complaints that you have voiced..

Looks to me like the Marshall Brass company may have been bought out/merged or at least has changed design (AND NAME) and the new design is failing to turn off the first tank properly..

If it is working correctly you SHOULD be able to disconnect the EMPTY tank without needing to turn off the full tank..

You could try disconnecting a tank and see if propane flows from the disconnected line.. It shouldn't and if it is then the change over part has failed.

You could try contacting Marshall Excelsior and complain (I would)..

http://www.marshallexcelsior.com/about-us

[wa8yxm]

There is nothing wrong with your gauge, It is one of several issues (I will list) including the ever popular OPERATOR ERROR. but frankly that is not #1.

Here is how it is supposed to work,, The gauge shown above will NOT work on a dual tank RV properly (Ok 2 of them will) I grew up with this kind of gauge so I have experience with it.
The Regulator shown above is in two parts, The top is the KNOB, which is a valve and "Pre-Regulator" The valve should "Select" one of the tanks and apply near full pressure (around 100 PSI) to the regulator below which then regulates to the proper pressure for your appliances.
When the selected tank can no longer supply the pressure (When it's empty) then the valve is supposed to apply a lower pressure from the back up tank. HOWEVER it has failed in that and is no longer working properly

The gauge by the way is connected between the top and bottom (Between the valve and the regulator) even if it is connected to say the top of the valve (The connection to the regulator side is internal)

Two solutions:
One: Close the tank vale on the back up tank and when the primary runs dry, Close the valve on it and open the back up tank valve making it the new primary, DO turn the valve over just for fun.
One of the other functions of that change over valve (This may or may not still work so CAUTION, is a check valve allowing you to remove the empty tank.

Solution 2: Replace change over valve.

[time2roll]

rhagfo wrote:
Once primary tank is empty, the indicator changes to half RED and Half GREEN. This indicates the primary tank is empty and you are running on the backup tank, time to flip the lever and refill the old primary tank!

Yes that is part of my gripe. This method makes it hard to tell. Especially with the tiny window.

Cavagna goes immediately full red in a large display when the primary tank is empty.

[rhagfo]

:h

Find this all interesting, every dual tank regulator I have had, works just a bit different than described.

Handle on primary tank, and both tanks open.

Once primary tank is empty, the indicator changes to half RED and Half GREEN. This indicates the primary tank is empty and you are running on the backup tank, time to flip the lever and refill the old primary tank!

[path1]

Gdetrailer wrote:

path1 wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Where are you positioning the valve lever on the regulator when you hook up two tanks?

Valve lever knob...

with small arrow on knob is pointed toward tank being used.

Have one of these...

http://www.marshallexcelsior.com/sites/default/files/FORM%20973%20MEGR-253%20SERIES%20REV%20A.pdf

OK, so I missed this post..

So, the "problem" you are having is with the regulator/auto change over switch..

Got it! 🙂

OK, so.. The problem is that you are not understanding how this device works..

From the manual in your link I will see if I can simplify the instructions..

Here is what the manual says..

"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."

What I do is set the switch over pointer to my FIRST tank that I want to use first.

I then OPEN that first tank (SLOWLY).

The indicator on the switch over will turn green indicating you have propane available.

THEN AND ONLY THEN open the second tank valve slowly..

Now you are set for automatic switch over and when the FIRST tank (the one you set the arrow to and opened first) runs out the red flag will show..

The regulator will have automatically switched to the SECOND TANK and the RED indicator is showing the tank that is empty (arrow pointing to empty tank).

At that time you now switch the arrow to the SECOND tank which is your full tank..

The indicator in the window will turn green.

You can now REMOVE the FIRST TANK and get it refilled!

Once first tank has been refilled and reconnected it now becomes the backup tank to the one that is currently in use..

Once the second tank has been exhausted the red will show and the auto change over will have switched to the FIRST tank once again.. When that happens you simply flip the arrow back to the tank in use..

Hope that clears it up a bit..

Personally, I don't use all that much propane so what I do is only open the first tank.. When it runs out the red shows and I flip the lever to the second tank and then open the second tank..

Close the first tank and remove and refill..

Note: the green/red indicator is not there to tell you how much propane you have.

The green/red indicator is there to indicate WHEN the tank the arrow is pointing to is EMPTY and can be removed for refill.

Op here....

Thanks for your response. The problem is the red does not show until both tanks are empty. This is the 3rd regulator I've put on. Makes me wonder if something else is not going on. Guess I'll go back to opening only one tank and when its empty, then open other tank and get first tank refilled. Just seems odd to me that 3 regulators have the same problem. I did initially think I wasn't following directions, but I am.

Think I'll just order one of those other gauges.

[time2roll]

Have one of these...

http://www.marshallexcelsior.com/sites/default/files/FORM%20973%20MEGR-253%20SERIES%20REV%20A.pdf

This brand gets a very poor review from me.

[Gdetrailer]

path1 wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Where are you positioning the valve lever on the regulator when you hook up two tanks?

Valve lever knob...

with small arrow on knob is pointed toward tank being used.

Have one of these...

http://www.marshallexcelsior.com/sites/default/files/FORM%20973%20MEGR-253%20SERIES%20REV%20A.pdf

OK, so I missed this post..

So, the "problem" you are having is with the regulator/auto change over switch..

Got it! 🙂

OK, so.. The problem is that you are not understanding how this device works..

From the manual in your link I will see if I can simplify the instructions..

Here is what the manual says..

"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."

What I do is set the switch over pointer to my FIRST tank that I want to use first.

I then OPEN that first tank (SLOWLY).

The indicator on the switch over will turn green indicating you have propane available.

THEN AND ONLY THEN open the second tank valve slowly..

Now you are set for automatic switch over and when the FIRST tank (the one you set the arrow to and opened first) runs out the red flag will show..

The regulator will have automatically switched to the SECOND TANK and the RED indicator is showing the tank that is empty (arrow pointing to empty tank).

At that time you now switch the arrow to the SECOND tank which is your full tank..

The indicator in the window will turn green.

You can now REMOVE the FIRST TANK and get it refilled!

Once first tank has been refilled and reconnected it now becomes the backup tank to the one that is currently in use..

Once the second tank has been exhausted the red will show and the auto change over will have switched to the FIRST tank once again.. When that happens you simply flip the arrow back to the tank in use..

Hope that clears it up a bit..

Personally, I don't use all that much propane so what I do is only open the first tank.. When it runs out the red shows and I flip the lever to the second tank and then open the second tank..

Close the first tank and remove and refill..

Note: the green/red indicator is not there to tell you how much propane you have.

The green/red indicator is there to indicate WHEN the tank the arrow is pointing to is EMPTY and can be removed for refill.

[2oldman]

path1 wrote:
with small arrow on knob is pointed toward tank being used.

According to directions that seems correct. And both tanks' valves are open? Hard to imagine 3 being defective.

[nickthehunter]

Are you opening the tank you want to draw on (the one the valve lever is pointing to) first, then opening the other tank?

[time2roll]

Bad by poor design.
Get a Cavagna brand regulator from Amazon.

Forget those dial gauges based on pressure.

[Gdetrailer]

path1 wrote:
Trailer is 2013 and the propane "sight level gauge indicator" doesn't work right. Supposed to be "green" when enough propane is in tank then turn "red" when tank is empty. Then the turn knob and use propane from other tank.

Problem on 3 different gauges has been... The green shows until both tanks are empty. I replaced original propane regulator with same make and model as OEM. Still didn't work right. Then last winter replaced again with one that a large propane dist said they get very few returns on.

So that's 3 propane regulators with "sight gauge" not working right. The odds of 3 of them being bad seem highly unlikely to me.

Is there anything I should check or do?

What I'm I missing?

Gauges like this?...



These types use tank PRESSURE to measure how much propane is left.

They tend to be rather inaccurate BUT if you understand how the pressure drops as the tank nears being depleted you can use them to warn you it is low..

The stick on the side gauges which use temperature difference tend tend to be more accurate since they measure the actual liquid left..

The most accurate if you can find them is the in the tank gauge.. These use a float inside the tank to move an indicator on the top of the tank.. The downside is these are built in to the tank valve so you would have to have a real propane supplier install then pressure test the tank..

Supposedly THIS 20 lb tank has a built in gauge (although the pix does not show it) for $45

Found THIS tank which is a 30 lb tank WITH gauge for $103..

[path1]

2oldman wrote:
Where are you positioning the valve lever on the regulator when you hook up two tanks?

Valve lever knob...

with small arrow on knob is pointed toward tank being used.

Have one of these...

http://www.marshallexcelsior.com/sites/default/files/FORM%20973%20MEGR-253%20SERIES%20REV%20A.pdf

[2oldman]

Where are you positioning the valve lever on the regulator when you hook up two tanks?