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02-07-2021, 03:03 PM
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#1
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New Member
2018 28' Flying Cloud
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1
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Secondary propane tank emptied first.
I have a 2018 Flying Cloud, with dual propane tanks.
I normally draw from one tank at a time, and then manually switch the tanks by opening and closing valves. I haven't used the automatic crossover from primary to secondary tank feature. But with cold weather, I thought I would give it a try.
I opened the valves on both tanks, with the regulator/gauge switch pointing to the right tank, so that it would be the primary and empty first, then automatically switch the left tank. Noticed that after several days of cold weather with the heater coming on at night, that the right tank stayed Green, and never emptied.
On an hunch, I turned the switch to point to the left tank....the gauge immediately turned Red. I lifted the left tank, and yep, it was empty. The left tank, which was supposed to act as secondary, actually emptied first.
Any idea why this worked backwards to the way it is supposed to? Thanks!
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02-07-2021, 03:53 PM
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#2
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2 Rivet Member
2019 27' Globetrotter
Sykesville
, Maryland
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 77
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Interesting. Following.
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02-07-2021, 04:19 PM
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#3
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
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Hey as long as it's working and switching between tanks, be happy!
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison
2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel
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02-07-2021, 04:37 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Welcome to the forum, and tanks for the question!
Just a guess, but your manual opening and closing of each tank may have "confused" -- or over-ridden -- the automatic switch-over system IMO. Suggest filling both tanks, put the arrow to one tank, and leave both valves open.
Keep a log of weather, and your propane usage, and watch for the indicator window to furn red.
If the empty tank is much lighter than the other at that time, the system would seem to be working.
An imperfect solution maybe . . . there are posts about adding after-market gauges etc. to the tanks.
https://www.google.com/search?q=prop...=airforums.com
Good luck.
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02-07-2021, 04:43 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo
Hey as long as it's working and switching between tanks, be happy!
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Even tankful?
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02-07-2021, 07:21 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1988 32' Excella
Robbinsville
, New Jersey
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,134
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I have seen cases where if the tank the gauge was pointed away from was opened first the gauge acted as if the primary tank was empty and the secondary tank emptied and the valve didn't change over at all.
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02-08-2021, 09:13 AM
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#7
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Married with Airstream
2004 25' International CCD
Vancouver Island
, British Columbia
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 934
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when we picked up our AS the dealer told us to always "slowly" open the tank the regulator was pointing to first this was the primary tank and then open the secondary tank "slowly". This had something to do with how the system worked. So I would guess the system is a bit confused. I suggest you fill both tanks, then pick one as your first primary and follow what the dealer told me and monitor the tanks a see what happens.
__________________
La Dolce Vita Brick & Mona
We're Married With Airstream dot com
2004 International 25CCD Registered Name "Blue Streak"
2013 F-150HD FX4 SuperCrew Lariart (MaxTow) "Red Dragon"
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02-08-2021, 09:16 AM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Friday Harbor
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 86
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Following...need to know
Hoping for more replies, as I too am need into know. Thanks.
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02-08-2021, 09:26 AM
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#9
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1 Rivet Member
2020 30' Classic
Hampton
, Illinois
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 10
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Indicator?
Several years ago, after I got the AS returned from service, I found that the 'indictor' knob for LP didn't feel right. Some people seem to think that's the handle to turn the LP off/on. As a result, the fitting didn't feel right and I found that it was stripped pointed the wrong direction.
It could be the valving is correct and the knob it just pointed the wrong way.
Check it out.
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02-08-2021, 09:54 AM
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#10
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1 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 7
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Tank gauge works really well
Not sure why your tanks are not switching over as expected. Personally, I got tired of guessing what tank was what and what gas levels looked like. A simple way to address is by using a device sold by MOPEKA Products "TankCheck". No need to spend extra $$ on their little monitor. Just download the app on your smart phone and you are good to go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15
Welcome to the forum, and tanks for the question!
Just a guess, but your manual opening and closing of each tank may have "confused" -- or over-ridden -- the automatic switch-over system IMO. Suggest filling both tanks, put the arrow to one tank, and leave both valves open.
Keep a log of weather, and your propane usage, and watch for the indicator window to furn red.
If the empty tank is much lighter than the other at that time, the system would seem to be working.
An imperfect solution maybe . . . there are posts about adding after-market gauges etc. to the tanks.
https://www.google.com/search?q=prop...=airforums.com
Good luck.
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02-08-2021, 10:12 AM
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#11
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Airstream Trippin
2020 33' Classic
Livingston
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 132
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mgodbey
I have a 2018 Flying Cloud, with dual propane tanks.
I normally draw from one tank at a time, and then manually switch the tanks by opening and closing valves. I haven't used the automatic crossover from primary to secondary tank feature. But with cold weather, I thought I would give it a try.
I opened the valves on both tanks, with the regulator/gauge switch pointing to the right tank, so that it would be the primary and empty first, then automatically switch the left tank. Noticed that after several days of cold weather with the heater coming on at night, that the right tank stayed Green, and never emptied.
On an hunch, I turned the switch to point to the left tank....the gauge immediately turned Red. I lifted the left tank, and yep, it was empty. The left tank, which was supposed to act as secondary, actually emptied first.
Any idea why this worked backwards to the way it is supposed to? Thanks!
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The hoses are reversed on the regulator.
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02-08-2021, 10:21 AM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
Newcastle
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 120
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I am not real familiar with the fuel level switch but was told that the switch is only used to check the fuel level in each tank. It doesn’t dictate which tank you are drawing off.
I open the passenger side first and then use the driver side tank. If I put the knob towards the opposite tank being used it doesn’t shut the fuel off to the trailer. The appliances continue to work. It just shows empty on the tank that is closed. I did my own test just to test the info I was given by the rv mechanic.
Just a thought.
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02-08-2021, 10:59 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2020 23' Flying Cloud
Reno
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 74
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hdietz is right! Get a Mopeka system; so easy to install and use. I got tired of waking up in the middle of the night with no heat in 30 degree weather because that funky red/green gauge failed to indicate one or both tanks were empty. Now I know exactly the level of propane in my tanks.
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02-08-2021, 11:26 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2016 28' International
Trois-Rivieres
, Quebec
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 696
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The switch valve can be confusing at first. Imagine that you are positioned in front of the valve with your back against the trailer; if you imagine the front of the valve as a clock face, then it is the lower part, i.e. the "6" on the clock face, that you turn towards the left or towards the right to select the tank that will be emptied first and which will show a red indicator when emptied.
In addition, when opening the valves on the tank (open both, that is why we have a switch valve), do so very slowly or else there is a security mechanism in the valve that will prevent the gas from coming out of the tank if the valve is opened to quickly. This is true for all "modern" propane tanks.
__________________
2016 International Signature CCD, RBQ, Dual A/C, 28'
2018 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD, 4x4, Crew Cab, Duramax Diesel, Leer cap
Lift kit, 16" wheels, Michelin Agilis CC LT
DIY Solar: 500W Renogy panels, AM Solar hdw, Blue Sky MPPT controller, 470ah Rolls battery bank, 2000W Renogy inverter.
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02-08-2021, 11:51 AM
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#15
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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On ours...whatever side the valve handle is on indicates the one being used....UNLESS it's empty and the changeover is doing its job.
...I prefer not turning the second tank on.
That way I'll know for sure and WON'T run out unexpectedly after burning thru both.
POI...On 'Cloudsplitter" the inside panel has always been pretty accurate plus the tanks themselves have their own gauges.
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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02-08-2021, 11:18 PM
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#16
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:SPACE A" S/O 11 Air19745
2006 34' Classic S/O
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,766
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Be sure and open your tank valves very slowly. Otherwise, the automatic safety shut off will activate making you think the tank is empty or something is defective. If that happens merely close the offending tank and reopen slowly. I still swear by Marshal regulators especially the HD models. I hope this helps.
guskmg
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02-09-2021, 09:44 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
2020 27' International
Neptune Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mgodbey
I have a 2018 Flying Cloud, with dual propane tanks.
I normally draw from one tank at a time, and then manually switch the tanks by opening and closing valves. I haven't used the automatic crossover from primary to secondary tank feature. But with cold weather, I thought I would give it a try.
I opened the valves on both tanks, with the regulator/gauge switch pointing to the right tank, so that it would be the primary and empty first, then automatically switch the left tank. Noticed that after several days of cold weather with the heater coming on at night, that the right tank stayed Green, and never emptied.
On an hunch, I turned the switch to point to the left tank....the gauge immediately turned Red. I lifted the left tank, and yep, it was empty. The left tank, which was supposed to act as secondary, actually emptied first.
Any idea why this worked backwards to the way it is supposed to? Thanks!
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The gauge selection is independent from the valve position. In order to select a tank just shut off the tank you DO NOT want to draw from while you light the stove or draw a bit of propane. This will position the valve on the tank you want to draw from. Then open the other tank. It will switch to that tank when the primary one is empty.
NN
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02-09-2021, 10:50 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
1973 21' Globetrotter
1975 26' Argosy 26
Vista
, California
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 589
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My experience is it only works left to right, not back?
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