Mod makes checking propane bottle easy (pix)

[ADK_Camper]

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.

[Doug33]

This would have been really useful on my previous TT that had a hard shell tank cover with no top opening. That cover was a bear to get on and off. I replaced it with a soft zipper-on cover, but that got destroyed after about 2 years, so I had to go back to the hard cover.

My new TT has the easy opening top to access the propane.

[Gene_Ginny]

ktmrfs wrote:
I just have the marshal flashing yellow changeover indicator in my trailer that couples to the marshal auto channgeover valve. ....

Marshall went bankrupt a few years ago so those changeover regulators are no longer available. :M My Marshall stopped working correctly so I put in a Camco. Now I need to do the same mod since the window on the Camco sits where you can't see it.

[camperdave]

Lantley wrote:

Leaving one tank off is foolproof in that you will always have a full tank and never run totally out of gas.

or... you could cut a little window in the plastic cover so you can easily see when the tank changes over, and not have to worry about running out in the middle of the night. :B

[Lantley]

ktmrfs wrote:

MTTitan wrote:

Lantley wrote:
When I had two tanks. I always kept one off and did not bother with the auto switch function. Yes you run the chance of running out over night, but why bother with all the checking? If it were very cold and I thought I was near the end of the 1st tank, I may turn on the second tank. Otherwise I did not worry about it.
The appliances would let me know when the tank was empty.
The auto change over is a joke. What's auto about it? It automatically forces you to monitor your tank capacity. Otherwise if you don't monitor your tank the auto change over will automatically let you run out of propane.
Manually switching the tanks is easier than having to monitor capacity and deal with auto changeover valve.

X2

the marshall changeover LED indicator lets you "have your cake and eat it to". LED flashes in the trailer when it changes over, no need to get out and look, and you won't run out of propane, the LED flashes as soon as it changes over to let you know your on the second tank.

before installing it, yes, I kept the second tank off, to know when it changed. No more, and no more waking up to a cold trailer or fridge going off and not knowing it.

I looked up the LED indicator and I came up with a cost of $39.99. At that price the indicator could be a worthwhile gadget to have. Providing it works well enough to be trustworthy.
Leaving one tank off is foolproof in that you will always have a full tank and never run totally out of gas.
Marshall Remote Changeover Indicator

[DB2BRMI]

To the OP - great idea. Thanks.
DB2

[ktmrfs]

MTTitan wrote:

Lantley wrote:
When I had two tanks. I always kept one off and did not bother with the auto switch function. Yes you run the chance of running out over night, but why bother with all the checking? If it were very cold and I thought I was near the end of the 1st tank, I may turn on the second tank. Otherwise I did not worry about it.
The appliances would let me know when the tank was empty.
The auto change over is a joke. What's auto about it? It automatically forces you to monitor your tank capacity. Otherwise if you don't monitor your tank the auto change over will automatically let you run out of propane.
Manually switching the tanks is easier than having to monitor capacity and deal with auto changeover valve.

X2

the marshall changeover LED indicator lets you "have your cake and eat it to". LED flashes in the trailer when it changes over, no need to get out and look, and you won't run out of propane, the LED flashes as soon as it changes over to let you know your on the second tank.

before installing it, yes, I kept the second tank off, to know when it changed. No more, and no more waking up to a cold trailer or fridge going off and not knowing it.

[MTTitan]

Lantley wrote:
When I had two tanks. I always kept one off and did not bother with the auto switch function. Yes you run the chance of running out over night, but why bother with all the checking? If it were very cold and I thought I was near the end of the 1st tank, I may turn on the second tank. Otherwise I did not worry about it.
The appliances would let me know when the tank was empty.
The auto change over is a joke. What's auto about it? It automatically forces you to monitor your tank capacity. Otherwise if you don't monitor your tank the auto change over will automatically let you run out of propane.
Manually switching the tanks is easier than having to monitor capacity and deal with auto changeover valve.

X2

[Lantley]

When I had two tanks. I always kept one off and did not bother with the auto switch function. Yes you run the chance of running out over night, but why bother with all the checking? If it were very cold and I thought I was near the end of the 1st tank, I may turn on the second tank. Otherwise I did not worry about it.
The appliances would let me know when the tank was empty.
The auto change over is a joke. What's auto about it? It automatically forces you to monitor your tank capacity. Otherwise if you don't monitor your tank the auto change over will automatically let you run out of propane.
Manually switching the tanks is easier than having to monitor capacity and deal with auto changeover valve.

[byways]

nicely done!

[PenMan]

I did that mod earlier this year on my new TT. The regulator is located on the back of the tanks so I added a lexan window and use a small mirror to see if it has changed color. I had to use a mirror even with the cover removed due to the shape of the front cap. Sometimes the simple mods are the best ones.

[ktmrfs]

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.

[opnspaces]

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.

[camperdave]

I dig it! such a simple and effective mod.

[GordonThree]

Ok, that makes more sense, thanks!