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hfc7713 · 07-03-2009, 04:30 PM

The safari se I just purchased does not have a propane monitor so I purchased one of those in-line gages. However, there is not enough room to install inside the tank cover. I purchased a 5' 'propane hose assembly' off the shelf to help the situation but the connections are all wrong. I cannot seem to find anything that would help -like an elbow or a hose extension with the correct fittings. I cannot turn the tanks around because I would then have to cut the hoses already there and I am trying to avoid that. Anyone know where I can get a connector to do the job easily???

easyride · 07-03-2009, 07:24 PM

The add in the lines guages,, don`t tell you much ,they help tell if you have a leak,or your tank is really about empty.Propane is liquid,so it keeps expanding as gas and keeps the pressure pretty consistant ,until the tank is almost empty.Dave

Randjg1 · 07-03-2009, 07:58 PM

I'll second that. I picked up a guage from brookstone i think. Couldnt figure how to put it on my trailer so use it on the grill. And yeah, its pretty much useless. I wish there was a better way but use it until not working so good lift, shake, um, yeah feels pretty empty.

thecatsandi · 07-03-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hfc7713

The safari se I just purchased does not have a propane monitor so I purchased one of those in-line gages. However, there is not enough room to install inside the tank cover. I purchased a 5' 'propane hose assembly' off the shelf to help the situation but the connections are all wrong. I cannot seem to find anything that would help -like an elbow or a hose extension with the correct fittings. I cannot turn the tanks around because I would then have to cut the hoses already there and I am trying to avoid that. Anyone know where I can get a connector to do the job easily???

An Inline gauge is measuring pressure which will remain constant after the regulator until the tank can no longer provide a pressure higher than the output pressure. An auto changeover regulator would be a better choise if you don't already have one. The only real way to measure propane level is to get a tank with a liquid level guage.
Vertical Aluminum Propane Tanks

hfc7713 · 07-03-2009, 10:12 PM

Yes, I realize they are not that good, but I just wanted to get a heads up when I got really low on propane rather than have to remove the cover, loosen the tank and shake. So this 'auto changeover regulator' simply replaces the standard regulator installed and I would keep my eye on the position so I would know when the second tank is starting to be used?????

thecatsandi · 07-03-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hfc7713

Yes, I realize they are not that good, but I just wanted to get a heads up when I got really low on propane rather than have to remove the cover, loosen the tank and shake. So this 'auto changeover regulator' simply replaces the standard regulator installed and I would keep my eye on the position so I would know when the second tank is starting to be used?????

The auto changeover regulator replaces the standard regulator. You select a primary tank and leave both valves on. When the primary tank gets "empty" it will changeover to the secondary tank. The indicator will change from green to green/red when both tanks are empty the indicator will be red.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-03-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

The auto changeover regulator replaces the standard regulator. You select a primary tank and leave both valves on. When the primary tank gets "empty" it will changeover to the secondary tank. The indicator will change from green to green/red when both tanks are empty the indicator will be red.

Hi, this is what my trailer came with [auto changeover] and your's should have too. When the indicator goes to red, the first tank is empty; Then it starts using the other tank. I have never used up both tanks. I usually have one tank filled when I get home. Only once have I had a tank filled while on the road.

norsea · 07-03-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hfc7713

The safari se I just purchased does not have a propane monitor so I purchased one of those in-line gages. However, there is not enough room to install inside the tank cover. I purchased a 5' 'propane hose assembly' off the shelf to help the situation but the connections are all wrong. I cannot seem to find anything that would help -like an elbow or a hose extension with the correct fittings. I cannot turn the tanks around because I would then have to cut the hoses already there and I am trying to avoid that. Anyone know where I can get a connector to do the job easily???

Given that you have two propane tanks on your trailer (I could be wrong about this but I have yet to see an Airstream trailer with only one tank) I cannot help but wonder why you feel the need?

Our 30' Classic came with gauges on the tanks and a monitor inside the trailer.

When the monitor inside the trailer starts to flash indicating that the propane is "dangerously" low, I open the tank cover and look at the gauge. Usually it is between 1/4 and empty.

When the gauge on the tank reads the big "E" I know I am now getting low and only have about two to three weeks of propane left when we are running the furnace in the mornings in the winter to warm things up and cooking two meals a day on the stove. Oh ya, SWMBO likes to bake her bread rather than buy the stuff that passes for bread in the stores, so the oven gets used for this at least once a week.

Did I mention that our Airstream is our home? Ya, we live in this beastie and I find the propane gauges to be the biggest waste of money for the benefit. So, save yourself some money and switch from the empty tank to the full tank when the pilot on the stove goes out.

You then have about two to three months to refill the empty bottle if you use the stove for two meals a day and run the heater in the morning and bake bread once a week.

Of course, YMMV.

Jim

hfc7713 · 07-03-2009, 11:11 PM

You guys are the best....thank you so much for all the advice. I just looked inside my tank cover and I think the auto changeover regulator might be the one already installed. I just wasn't told that by the dealer when I purchased it. I knew nothing about them at all. It is difficult to see any colors on it but I can just make out a green line and a red one. So this probably means that one tank was already empty when I bought the trailer used. I love this forum.............

tallytwo1994 · 07-04-2009, 07:30 AM

When weighing a tank is inconvenient you can determine the level of the liquid propane by pouring warm water over the tank. Wait a few seconds and run your hand down the side. Where you feel a temperature change from warm to cool is also the level of liquid propane. You can often see a condensation line also.

Carol

easyride · 07-04-2009, 10:50 AM

My tank usually runs out in the middle of a shower,then I get to go out switch tanks,relight pilot,wait a few min.,then finish shower,no problem.Dave

hfc7713 · 07-12-2009, 05:07 PM

Not sure if anyone is checking this thread anymore but I have an update. I contacted the dealer about this and he ssid I do NOT have an auto changeover regulator but when I look in the book that came with the trailer it shows 2 types of regulators sold with this model. The one on the trailer looks identical to the auto changeover one in the book. I am confused. I will just wait and see if it in fact does switch over itself and if not - I'll just do it myself....there - easy fix!!!!