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01-17-2022, 02:42 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 257
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Auto-Changeover Regulator Preference
This has been bugging me since starting to RV about 3 years ago.
What is everyone's preference of how to set their auto-changeover regulator and why?
The instructions inevitably say to position the "switch" in the middle and turn on both tanks. But all that means is that at some random time, in the middle of the night, I'm going to COMPLETELY run out of Propane with no backup.
I on the other hand, SELECT which tank I'm using. I only turn on one tank at a time. Yes... I might run out in the middle of the night, but I just switch the lever and turn on the other tank. Now I KNOW I have one empty tank and I make a note to fill it... and depending on how long that takes, I top-off the other one... Starting the next trip with TWO FULL TANKS again.
What do you do? and Why?
__________________
Miles & Lisa
2020 Forest River "Vibe" 26RK
Skagit County, WA
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01-17-2022, 04:04 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: DeLand, FL
Posts: 8,936
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I do the same as you do.
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01-17-2022, 04:15 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Bend,or
Posts: 464
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I set mine to one side and periodically check the sensor indicator letting me know one tank is empty and it switched to the backup.
I fill the empty, flip the switch and continue on.
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01-17-2022, 05:21 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 257
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfgolden
I set mine to one side and periodically check the sensor indicator letting me know one tank is empty and it switched to the backup.
I fill the empty, flip the switch and continue on.
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I was going to make this part of the question, but as you do it, maybe you can help me. What is that indicator do. I've owned three so far. I have never seen anything in it. It's a glass window... shows me NOTHING.. what am I missing?
FWIW, I got the propane tails that have gauges on them because I never figured out how to tell which tank had gas other than spilling water on it.
__________________
Miles & Lisa
2020 Forest River "Vibe" 26RK
Skagit County, WA
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01-17-2022, 05:29 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Bend,or
Posts: 464
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Sorry, maybe mine is different...
My indicator shows green, indicating propane flow from that direction.
When the bottle is empty, the indicator turns red and pulls propane from the other direction.
When this happens, I flip the propane switch so it points to the full bottle, remove and refill the empty bottle.
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01-17-2022, 06:18 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 103
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I am happy with the manual selector that came with our TT, I just added a couple of these to the tanks so I always know roughly how full each tank is. When one is getting low and I know it probably won't last the night in cold weather, I switch over. Then I know I have a few days to get it refilled.
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01-18-2022, 04:20 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 785
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayc71
I am happy with the manual selector that came with our TT, I just added a couple of these to the tanks so I always know roughly how full each tank is. When one is getting low and I know it probably won't last the night in cold weather, I switch over. Then I know I have a few days to get it refilled.
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These are very "rough' on accuracy. They go by pressure. Have one on my BBQ, on a cold freezing day says my tank is low, on a hot day it will read full.
Spendier, but I found these to be accurate:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01C5RQI74
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01-18-2022, 06:31 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 338
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I do as you do.
Draw propane from one tank only until it runs out. Walk to the front of the trailer, switch the valve over and run on the other while I fill up the newly empty tank.
I've only had it run out in the middle of the night once, and if anybody was watching, they'd have seen me with a coat on over my boxer shorts with my feet slipped into my boots swapping the valve over. (I was laughing at the image. I pictured Daffy Duck with his guns drawn; "Seems a little breezy in here! Oh, pardon me while I adjust my accoutrements!")
We had a duvet and were quite warm on the below freezing morning, but I wanted a hot shower and some warmth when I got out of bed.
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01-18-2022, 03:54 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 257
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sirtate
I do as you do....
..... and if anybody was watching, they'd have seen me with a coat on over my boxer shorts with my feet slipped into my boots swapping the valve over. (I was laughing at the image. I pictured Daffy Duck with his guns drawn; "Seems a little breezy in here! Oh, pardon me while I adjust my accoutrements!")
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Ours always seems to quit between midnight and maybe 4 am. We apparently have the same stylist. I go for the Crocks and jacket look with the headlamp on my forehead. I figure if someone else is out at that time they are doing the same as me, and if not, they should at least be entertained.
__________________
Miles & Lisa
2020 Forest River "Vibe" 26RK
Skagit County, WA
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01-19-2022, 08:36 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,010
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Turn on both tanks, set the selector to one tank. When that tank runs out, the regulator automatically switches to the other tank--that's why they call it an auto changeover regulator. At that point, the indicator on the empty tank side shows red, so you'll know it's time to get it refilled.
No need to ever run out of propane.
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01-19-2022, 08:46 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,643
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1st cylinder valved in is Primary
Turn Lever towards that cylinder....indicator shows GREEN
Valve other cylinder in.....secondary/standby
When 1st goes empty (less then 10#) the Reg AUTOMATICALLY swaps t Secondary Cylinder----Indicator turns RED
Turn Indicator towards secondary cylinder...Indicator turns GREEN
Valve out 1st cylinder..refill it
Hook it back up...valve it in...it is now Secondary/standby cylinder
REPEAT when Indicator turns RED
**Placing Indicator Lever in Mid-Position allows both cylinders to be in service so they both go empty at same time.
NOT the way to use Auto Changeover Reg
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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01-19-2022, 05:14 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 257
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I've never seen a color in the window.... but then again, on this RV I can't even really see the window as the top of the trailer jack is in the way. But no matter.. I apparently am doing like everyone else... one tank at a time.
__________________
Miles & Lisa
2020 Forest River "Vibe" 26RK
Skagit County, WA
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01-19-2022, 08:14 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,643
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Isn't there a 'lid' on top of cover over the cylinders that allows you to see the reg ?
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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01-20-2022, 12:25 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 257
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When I open the lid, I'm looking down from top. Easy access to top of tanks, but that's abut it.
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