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Mollysdad · 09-25-2018, 09:38 PM

Do you leave both valves on the propane tanks open and trust the switchover to work, or do you keep one closed?

Also, in storage for a few weeks, do you turn off the propane tank valves?

McDave · 09-25-2018, 09:45 PM

I leave the valve closed on one propane tank, so I know when one tank is empty. To me that is more important than the automatic switchover. I always turn off both propane tanks when the trailer will be in storage for more than a few days.

bweybright · 09-25-2018, 10:13 PM

I run with both tanks open, but check them every few days or more as part of my daily maintenance routines. Don't want to run out of gas in the middle of a cold night using the furnace. Partly because I like to run my tanks empty in case I have to fill by the size and not what is needed.
I do shut my tanks off when in storage.

Vantair · 09-25-2018, 10:17 PM

Both options make sense.

A W Warn · 09-26-2018, 12:34 AM

I keep both valves open while I'm traveling or staying for an extended time. Never had a problem with the valve not switching automatically. A couple times I forgot to check the gauge and ran out of propane, both tanks, in the middle of the night.

I close both valves while in storage.

RandyNH · 09-26-2018, 04:32 AM

One open, one closed. Same in storage, system doesn't leak so I don't need to close both.

AirMiles · 09-26-2018, 05:12 AM

I converted my 30# tanks to 20# exchange tanks for weight savings and ease of refilling (exchanges).

I start by opening the valve on only the door-side tank. After about five days, I then open the valve on the second tank and begin checking daily to see when the first tank runs dry. When the first tank runs dry (about once per week), I swing by a Walmart to exchange the empty tank. I then rotate the tanks, so the partially used bottle is on the door side, and repeat this procedure.

In storage, I turn both valves off.

farafield · 09-26-2018, 05:25 AM

I shut mine off for storage and also in transit.

Acheron2010 · 09-26-2018, 05:26 AM

I open both, and recently had the indicator show red on both sides, indicating one tank empty while it automatically switched to the other, full tank. Thankful, it was cold that morning, lol.

r carl · 09-26-2018, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirMiles

I converted my 30# tanks to 20# exchange tanks for weight savings and ease of refilling (exchanges).

When exchanging 20# tanks many places have only 15# or 17# in their tanks.

AirMiles · 09-26-2018, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r carl

When exchanging 20# tanks many places have only 15# or 17# in their tanks.

Even more weight savings!

featherbedder · 09-26-2018, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acheron2010

I open both, and recently had the indicator show red on both sides, indicating one tank empty while it automatically switched to the other, full tank. Thankful, it was cold that morning, lol.

My indicator also shows red both sides when one is empty, then flip to full tank goes green. I leave both tanks open when remove from storage for summer then stay open until fall when goes back into storage for winter. Never had prob. doing this way for many yrs.

SteveSueMac · 09-26-2018, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Do you leave both valves on the propane tanks open and trust the switchover to work, or do you keep one closed?

Also, in storage for a few weeks, do you turn off the propane tank valves?

I keep both open for the benefit of continuous flow when one tank empties - trusting the switchover to work which it has for the past 5 years. I was confused by this at first but once I got familiar with it, I really liked the convenience of setting the switch to a tank and not having to worry about when the red indicator pops up. I just know when I see it, I’m running on the other tank, so I flip the switch to that tank and fill the empty one at my next convenience. Rinse, lather, repeat. [emoji3]

In storage (whether weeks or days), I shut both tanks off. The inconvenience there is when you head out on your next trip, it can sometimes take a while to get the fridge going. Probably not a big deal either way, but since I’m not with it when it’s in storage, it’s one less thing to worry about.

Caffeinated · 09-26-2018, 07:35 AM

I ran out of propane in one tank for the first time in our 2015 while camping a couple of weeks ago. My wife was cooking breakfast and the stove went out. I only had the one tank open so it didn't auto switch. It was no problem to turn on the second tank and manually rotate the switch, and breakfast was saved. I always turn off the propane when I store my trailer.

Mike

AirMiles · 09-26-2018, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caffeinated

I ran out of propane in one tank for the first time in our 2015 while camping a couple of weeks ago. My wife was cooking breakfast and the stove went out. I only had the one tank open so it didn't auto switch. It was no problem to turn on the second tank and manually rotate the switch, and breakfast was saved. I always turn off the propane when I store my trailer.

Mike

Wow, some go through one propane tank every five days and some go through one tank every five years! Since I use solar, and rarely connect to shore power, propane is used for the refrigerator, water heater, stove, grill and the generator for A/C and microwave use.

RJJ · 09-26-2018, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McDave

I leave the valve closed on one propane tank, so I know when one tank is empty. To me that is more important than the automatic switchover. I always turn off both propane tanks when the trailer will be in storage for more than a few days.

I have sensors on my tanks and leave them both open except when storing. I have a remote monitor in the trailer and a monitoring app on my cell.

cazual6 · 09-26-2018, 10:54 AM

Short Answer: When is USE, both tanks open. When in storage, both tanks are closed.

I use a tank monitor system (yes it comes with two sensors)

JCWDCW · 09-26-2018, 11:13 AM

I have level gauges on my propane tanks but they really are pressure gauges and only start to respond when propane is coming close to MT and full pressure is not generated in the tank if there is a draw on propane in the trailer. I only open the second tank when I feel it is time to switch over. The auto change function has never failed for me!

Best way to see how much propane is left is to run a cup of very hot water down the side of the tank and then feel for the point where the tank wall is cool. That is the propane level.
Both tanks off when in storage unless you need propane for the furnace for freeze protection
JCW

GammaDog · 09-26-2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McDave

I leave the valve closed on one propane tank, so I know when one tank is empty. To me that is more important than the automatic switchover. I always turn off both propane tanks when the trailer will be in storage for more than a few days.

+1 on that advice...

gypsydad · 09-26-2018, 01:08 PM

We run one tank at a time. Always use when traveling to power the fridge. By using one at a time, I know when I need to fill a tank. On long trips, if one goes out, we switch to the other and fill both upon return so they always ready to go.

Turn off propane during storage except for extreme cold days of freeze...when running furnace at 40..most of the time, this is no more than a week, but again, one tank at a time so I don't run out. When one is empty, I switch to full tank and fill the empty tank.