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41magnum · 12-02-2020, 04:07 PM

a 15 yr old Montana 5th wheel all original

1 propane tank just ran out.
Flipped lever towards 2nd tank, open its valve and removed empty tank.
5 mins later the RED (empty) flag is still RED and furnace wont fire.
I open door where i just removed the empty and hear hissing--GAS LEAKING OUT OF THE HOSE that connects to tank.
I replace empty, keep its valve closed and in a minute GREEN flag.

Apparently the valve that directs which tank feeds is NOT SEALING.

Can it be serviced/oiled/sealed......somehow?

If NOT,
What is it called and where do i get one?

Thanks
Trapper John

THEHOFF · 12-02-2020, 04:23 PM

Both tanks have to be in place to pressurize the system or your leaking propane. That’s what I have always been told.

ArtJoyce · 12-02-2020, 09:12 PM

The valve that you mention is call a change over valve. Now if its pointed to the tank you remove, I think the other tank will leak out of the hose on the tank removed.

You should be able to point the arm to a tank and remove the opposite tank with out it leaking. I have removed a tank and taken it into town, while the other tank provided propane to heat.

Now there is a third setting on this valve. Straight up or down. In this mode it will use from both tanks at the same time. Not sure what happens in this mode if you remove one tank. Does it close that side, or does it leak.

Old-Biscuit · 12-02-2020, 10:13 PM

They are NOT serviceable
You should be able to remove a cylinder w/o propane leaking out
1st cylinder you OPEN/Place in service is the primary cylinder
Lever points to in service cylinder
You can then OPEN the second cylinder valve

When primary goes empty (vapor pressure is roughly 10#) the Auto Changeover Reg will swap to the secondary cylinder.
Indicator goes RED
Change lever to secondary cylinder...Indicator goes Green

Then Close primary/empty cylinder valve, disconnect pigtail and take to get filled

After the Auto Swap...secondary becomes primary and refilled cylinder becomes secondary

15 yr old.....
Time for a New Auto Changeover Regulator and 2 new pigtail hoses
You got your monies worth...buy new and go camping

Side Note:
Never position lever up/down
Drawing from both cylinders will cause BOTH to be empty at same time
And if you did disconnect the pigtail the other cylinder would blow thru hose at full cylinder pressure

Also
When Opening the Service/OPD valve do it SLOWLY so you do not trip the 'excess flow limiter' device inside the ACME Green Nut on the pigtail

Ray,IN · 12-02-2020, 10:17 PM

Sounds like the automatic changeover regulator. Does it look like this? That is the automatic changeover regulator assy.

If it is leaking it must be replaced. Any RV supplies store will have one.

Persistent · 12-03-2020, 10:09 AM

Change over valves come in different sizes and shapes. Make sure the new one fits in place of the old. I replaced the original CAMCO on my Kodiak Cub. I picked a new one that might be more reliable than the CAMCO. I had to build a new mounting bracket for everything to work properly.

41magnum · 12-06-2020, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

roughly 10#) the Auto Changeover Reg will swap to the secondary cylinder.
Indicator goes RED
Change lever to secondary cylinder...Indicator goes Green

Then Close primary/empty cylinder valve, disconnect pigtail and take to get filled

After the Auto Swap...secondary becomes primary and refilled cylinder becomes secondary
l

historically, that's what we did, run on 1 while having other filled.

THanks

41magnum · 12-06-2020, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Sounds like the automatic changeover regulator. Does it look like this? That is the automatic changeover regulator assy.

If it is leaking it must be replaced. Any RV supplies store will have one.

nosir, that is what's on our Jayco travel trailer where both tanks are next to each other.
This is on a 5th wheel where tanks are 8 ft apart, on opposite sides of the camper..

Ray,IN · 12-06-2020, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 41magnum

nosir, that is what's on our Jayco travel trailer where both tanks are next to each other.
This is on a 5th wheel where tanks are 8 ft apart, on opposite sides of the camper..

So you don't have a changeover valve with a manual lever? Length of hoses to cylinders is immaterial.

41magnum · 12-07-2020, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

So you don't have a changeover valve with a manual lever? Length of hoses to cylinders is immaterial.

not like the one pictured
but yes, and the changeover lever is above 1 tank and the other tank is 8 ft on the other side of the unit.

Ray,IN · 12-07-2020, 09:27 AM

LP changeover valves are made in different designs by different mfgrs., were mine leaking I'd replace it ASAP. If a hose is leaking it would stop when the manual changeover valve is moved to the in-use cylinder.

41magnum · 12-07-2020, 09:29 AM

ours looks like this Fairview model

41magnum · 12-07-2020, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

LP changeover valves are made in different designs by different mfgrs., were mine leaking I'd replace it ASAP. If a hose is leaking it would stop when the manual changeover valve is moved to the in-use cylinder.

that's what I was thinking, one should stop when the valve is ON to the other cylinder.
Making me think its only the regulator not sealing and the hoses are ok.

When the changeover is pushed ALL THE WAY over to select a tank, it is kind of mushy and springs back a lil bit too....NOT staying in place anymore.

Old-Biscuit · 12-07-2020, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 41magnum

that's what I was thinking, one should stop when the valve is ON to the other cylinder.
Making me think its only the regulator not sealing and the hoses are ok.

When the changeover is pushed ALL THE WAY over to select a tank, it is kind of mushy and springs back a lil bit too....NOT staying in place anymore.

It is BROKE....Buy a replacement

And you might want to buy a replacement for that 30# Red Top reg on side where cylinder is opposite of changeover reg
It's 15+ yrs old