propane regulator
When I went through PDI the guy said my regulator didn't automatically switch, I was thinking that all the new trailers would have one? Thanks
Forum Discussion
- I always want an auto changeover. My previous TT did not originally have one, but after a cold Thanksgiving and having to go outside at 2 am to change the valve, I made sure I changed it. This TT didn't have electronic ignition for water heater, so besides going out to change the propane valve, I had to go outside and light pilot on water heater before I could shower that morning. Below freezing and lighting pilot made a believer out of me.
Huntindog wrote:
CavemanCharlie wrote:
It's all about options and choices... Since most TTs now come with auto changeovers, than you have the OPTION of using it or not... Indeed, some may use it when it makes sense to them, and not use it when it makes sense to them.mtofell1 wrote:
Those of you not wanting auto-switch over why don't you just turn off the out of use tank? Problem solved.
I suppose that's true. But, if one tank is turned off then you still have to go turn the second tank on when the first tank runs out. So, what has been gained by the auto switch??? Might as well be a manual one.
If you are unfortunante enough NOT to have one, then you have NO option to make the CHOICE. They are so cheap that the price of one can't possibly be a factor.
Personally, I like it, but I don't always use it.
Sometimes I prefer only turning one tank on in case a leak should develop and I lose all of the propane. Mostly when camped though, I use it. I check it daily, as I bring 3-4 extra tanks with us for the cold weather trips.... And I don't like getting up at 4 am at 15 degrees to switch tanks.
I see your point. I suppose it also depends on the type of camping you do. Because I only go camping in the warmer months if I do run out of propane in the middle of the night I just stay under the blankets and don't worry about it until morning.
If I were camping ay 15 degrees it would be different. If I were camping at 15 degrees in my drafty old TT I don't think the furnace would even keep it warm and everything would be frozen by morning. lol- I always find it interesting hearing about different parts of the country and the weather they have. Never thought of Texas as having 28 days in a month below freezing. Always thing it is warm with the once in a decade cold snap for 3 days or so and maybe a snow storm here or there. Anyway, I am one that likes the switch over as if the wife gets cold in the night... 2-20 pound tanks generally last us the spring and summer and I will take them off and put 2 full tanks on before our fall vacation. The part tanks go over to the gas grill to be used up before spring. I think I have 6 tanks in all.
CavemanCharlie wrote:
It's all about options and choices... Since most TTs now come with auto changeovers, than you have the OPTION of using it or not... Indeed, some may use it when it makes sense to them, and not use it when it makes sense to them.mtofell1 wrote:
Those of you not wanting auto-switch over why don't you just turn off the out of use tank? Problem solved.
I suppose that's true. But, if one tank is turned off then you still have to go turn the second tank on when the first tank runs out. So, what has been gained by the auto switch??? Might as well be a manual one.
If you are unfortunante enough NOT to have one, then you have NO option to make the CHOICE. They are so cheap that the price of one can't possibly be a factor.
Personally, I like it, but I don't always use it.
Sometimes I prefer only turning one tank on in case a leak should develop and I lose all of the propane. Mostly when camped though, I use it. I check it daily, as I bring 3-4 extra tanks with us for the cold weather trips.... And I don't like getting up at 4 am at 15 degrees to switch tanks.mtofell1 wrote:
Those of you not wanting auto-switch over why don't you just turn off the out of use tank? Problem solved.
I suppose that's true. But, if one tank is turned off then you still have to go turn the second tank on when the first tank runs out. So, what has been gained by the auto switch??? Might as well be a manual one.- Those of you not wanting auto-switch over why don't you just turn off the out of use tank? Problem solved.
- Chances are if you are surprised by the fact that it is time to switch tanks, you would really be surprised by the fact that it had switched automatically and you are completely empty.
These things have a way of sneaking up on a person. - We also use the auto switch over capability. Used to leave the spare tank turned off at the valve, until I had to go out in 34 degree driving rain and open the valve one night at 4 am. Checking the tanks is now just a normal part of my daily / weekly normal routine. Never worry about running out because I know when a tank is empty, and I now get it refilled within a day or so.
Used four 30 lb tanks a month in Fort Davis, TX in Dec, never a problem, even with 3 nights down to 19 degrees and 28 nights below freezing.
Of course, it is easier for me to get in the habit of checking the propane usage because we are full-time. Some summer months we go 3 months on a single tank. - The nice thing about an auto changeover regulator is that you don't have to get out in the cold or wet weather in the middle of the night to switch it to have heat. I spent almost 8 years with a camper with an auto changeover regulator, and never ran out of propane. I made it part of my routine to check the propane tanks when I was getting ready for a camping trip, so I had a good idea how much propane I had. If one tank was close to empty, I either had it refilled or replaced it with a spare tank i have. Sometimes I just put a spare tank in the truck. My new Jayco has a manual changeover from the factory. I haven't thought about changing it, yet.
Poppy - We upgraded our older trailer to an auto changeover regulator for cold weather camping. I don't want to find out we're out of propane in the middle of the night.
