Low-propane alarm

[hedgehopper]

On several occasions we have discovered that our refrigerator is running on 12 volts because we are out of propane. Has anyone figured out a way to sound an alarm when the fridge switches from propane to 12 volts because the propane tank is empty?

[AnEv942]

Splice in an annoyingly bright LED on the 12v feed to 12v heater (or from board output). Or a buzzer like used in our boat- pretty sure I could hear that over my 7.3 (since replaced with light).
If you positively don't want the 12v heater to come on, unplug it, but feed your indicator.
Ours is not supposed to be able to switch to 12v in gas/auto mode, but it has happened twice, though not in many years. Once flat lineing the batteries while we were out all day. Ive tried to duplicate but couldn't- don't know what the combination is that allows it to happen.

[hedgehopper]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Might invest in a DC Voltmeter will LOW Voltage Alarm.

This idea has possibilities. Now if I could figure out a way to make it sound in the cab as well as in the camper, that would be great.

[hedgehopper]

Fridge can run about a year on 5 gallons of propane, so I wonder how you can run out of propane so often.

The furnace and the range use propane too.

Moreover, we have had the camper for three years. And for a while we had a propane leak that we were not aware of.

[time2roll]

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/AP-Products-024-1001-Propane-Level-Indicator-p/06-2191.htm

[Kayteg1]

Fridge can run about a year on 5 gallons of propane, so I wonder how you can run out of propane so often.
Last time I run out of propane was 12 or 15 years ago, so if fridge switches to 12V on such occasion- I would not know.
So as suggested above, don't run out of propane.

[hedgehopper]

Chris Bryant wrote:
I cannot think of any model that will switch to DC without intervention, other than tag line controlled models. Most that I know of are automatic AC/LP, but need to be manually switched to DC.

What is the make and model?

2002 Northern Lite 10-2 CD

[Chris_Bryant]

I cannot think of any model that will switch to DC without intervention, other than tag line controlled models. Most that I know of are automatic AC/LP, but need to be manually switched to DC.

What is the make and model?

[K_Charles]

They make an alarm that you can put on your changeover valve. If you changed the tank then you would not run out.

[work2much]

Our fridge has setting for LP, DC and AC. Also "Automatic to go from AC to LP and finally DC.. Check to see if your fridge has setting to only use the one source you want or nothing.

[Old-Biscuit]

Don't run out of propane

Two 20# cylinders.....that is a lot of propane.

Pay more attention to usage and fill empty soon after auto swap happens.




Might invest in a DC Voltmeter will LOW Voltage Alarm.
https://www.bluesea.com/products/8251/DC_Digital_Voltmeter_with_Alarm