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Old 03-19-2017, 11:08 PM   #1
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Propane Tank Puzzlement

On my recent outing I used the furnace multiple times (boy, that thing really heats up the trailer quick - much better than my small electric heater I usually use), as well as the stovetop twice a day (one burner each time). I didn't think I was using that much propane.

Today we pulled the cover and checked the propane levels. Both tanks were closed. The gauge was red and the lever was flipped to one side. I flipped it to the other side and the gauge turned green. Okay, great.

So, we're thinking I went through one entire tank since it was originally showing red. Holy Cow! That furnace really sucks propane.

Then I flipped the lever back to where it was originally and the gauge turned green. What the heck? It was red before.

Now we're really puzzled. What the heck is going on? Did I really empty one tank? I can't remember if I turned the tank open or not when checking. Too many hours ago to remember.

Thanks in advance for your advice/suggestions/comments/what not.
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Old 03-20-2017, 12:10 AM   #2
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The auto-changeover device in the regulator responds to pressure. If the tank valves are closed, the indication on this device is meaningless.

I suggest not worrying about the red you saw, since you don't know whether or not it was a valid indication. If you want to know how much is in each tank (and I would be curious if it were me), there are several ways to determine the actual level in each tank. The most accurate (but not convenient) way is to remove the tanks and put each on a scale - everything beyond the empty tank weight (marked on the tank, and likely about 18 pounds each) is propane. Some tanks even have gauges built-in, but I doubt the trailer comes with those (because they cost more and not everyone would appreciate them).
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Old 03-20-2017, 01:05 AM   #3
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Laura, just a little explanation about auto changeover, the indicator, and how it works.

You have a service tank and a reserve tank. Once the service tank is empty, the system will automatically switch over to the reserve tank and the indicator will turn red. If you switch the manual lever toward the reserve side, the indicator will turn green, since that tank is still full. Refill the original service tank, hook it up and open the valve. Once the tank you're currently running on us empty, the indicator will turn red and the system will once again automatically switch over to the other tank. The process just repeats.

The thing to remember is that the system automatically switches to the other tank when the current one is empty. The red just indicates it's time to refill the tank that the lever is pointed toward. As Brian mentioned, it's pretty easy to tell if a tank is empty. I can tell pretty quickly just by weight.
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:23 AM   #4
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Has anyone found any built-in gauge to be accurate? At any price? Getting the tanks in and out on Ten Forward is a bit of a PITA. I'd buy a gauge(s) if I thought they worked well....
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:26 AM   #5
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Do not forget that your water heater and refrigerator both use propane while unhooked from electric.
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:46 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner View Post
On my recent outing I used the furnace multiple times (boy, that thing really heats up the trailer quick - much better than my small electric heater I usually use), as well as the stovetop twice a day (one burner each time). I didn't think I was using that much propane.

Today we pulled the cover and checked the propane levels. Both tanks were closed. The gauge was red and the lever was flipped to one side. I flipped it to the other side and the gauge turned green. Okay, great.

So, we're thinking I went through one entire tank since it was originally showing red. Holy Cow! That furnace really sucks propane.

Then I flipped the lever back to where it was originally and the gauge turned green. What the heck? It was red before.

Now we're really puzzled. What the heck is going on? Did I really empty one tank? I can't remember if I turned the tank open or not when checking. Too many hours ago to remember.

Thanks in advance for your advice/suggestions/comments/what not.
I guess it depends on the length of your outing and how you define multiple times.

1 lb of propane = 21,500 btu
20 lb tank of propane = 430,000 btu
Furnace = 12,000 btu imput
430,000 ÷ 12000 = 35.8 hours to consume one 20 lb tank propane

Plus as Jim stated - refrigerator - water heater - cooktop - also consume propane..
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Old 03-20-2017, 08:27 AM   #7
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Just a couple of clarifications.

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Originally Posted by steve dunham View Post
I guess it depends on the length of your outing and how you define multiple times.

1 lb of propane = 21,500 btu
20 lb tank of propane = 430,000 btu
Furnace = 12,000 btu imput
430,000 ÷ 12000 = 35.8 hours to consume one 20 lb tank propane...
Keep in mind that 35.8 hrs would be continuous usage with furnace running. With normal duty cycle and depending on ambient temperature, your furnace should run much less than full-time, maybe in the 30-50 percent range. And typically when we are away during the day (and when the temps are warmer), the furnace is turned off or down and runs even less.

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Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
Laura, just a little explanation about auto changeover, the indicator, and how it works.

You have a service tank and a reserve tank. Once the service tank is empty, the system will automatically switch over to the reserve tank and the indicator will turn red. If you switch the manual lever toward the reserve side, the indicator will turn green, since that tank is still full. Refill the original service tank, hook it up and open the valve. Once the tank you're currently running on us empty, the indicator will turn red and the system will once again automatically switch over to the other tank. The process just repeats.

The thing to remember is that the system automatically switches to the other tank when the current one is empty. The red just indicates it's time to refill the tank that the lever is pointed toward. As Brian mentioned, it's pretty easy to tell if a tank is empty. I can tell pretty quickly just by weight.
The system will automatically switch to the other tank when current one is empty, IF the valves on both tanks are open. If the valve on the spare tank is not open, the switchover will not occur.
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Old 03-20-2017, 09:07 AM   #8
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Laura, just a little explanation about auto changeover, the indicator, and how it work.


Excellent explanation!

After over 2 years of full-timing, I finally got a crystal clear explanation of how that auto changeover works.

Thanks Robert!
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Old 03-20-2017, 09:09 AM   #9
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Yes it would take running the furnace on a continuos basis to consume one 20 lb tank of propane in approx 36 hours
If we assume a 30% furnace duty cycle or 7.2 hours a day , it would take 120 hours or 5 days to consume one 20 lb tank of propane.
We live in Northern Wisconsin and camp in late Spring where the highs are in the 50's and lows in the 30's to 40's.
Running our furnace , cooktop and refrigerator on propane, we have never used a full tank of propane and that's for over 15 days of camping
Two full tanks of propane last us from late April to late September.
Burning up one full tank of propane in a single outing seems excessive unless it was extremely cold or the OP was cooking for an army or a short outing is 30 days.
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:10 AM   #10
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" If you switch the manual lever toward the reserve side, the indicator will turn green, since that tank is still full."

It Might have just been this, the youtube escape oriention video has this explained . Keep us posted.
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:15 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
Has anyone found any built-in gauge to be accurate? At any price? Getting the tanks in and out on Ten Forward is a bit of a PITA. I'd buy a gauge(s) if I thought they worked well....
Guess if it really bothers you you can go with one of the translucent tanks by Viking. At $140 each they don't come cheap.

Cylinders Uses | Viking Cylinders | Viking Cylinders
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:17 AM   #12
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Excellent explanation!

After over 2 years of full-timing, I finally got a crystal clear explanation of how that auto changeover works.

Thanks Robert!
Yep, he explained it good.

I had never had an automatic change over regulator on a trailer until my 19, and it took a while until I learned how it actually worked. I went from a bit confused, to WOW is that ever simple, in a heartbeat. Much like many things in life we learn, that seem daunting until you finally get it, then they seem so darn simple.
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:18 AM   #13
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Ironically, I have yet to refill both of my propane tanks in any of my Escapes...!!!!
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:21 AM   #14
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Dumb question: if the two tanks switch automatically when one tank is empty, what's the purpose of that black lever?
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:23 AM   #15
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Tells you which tank is being used.....
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:30 AM   #16
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Dumb question: if the two tanks switch automatically when one tank is empty, what's the purpose of that black lever?
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Tells you which tank is being used.....
That lever does not show which tank is being used, it selects which tank the gauge will read. It has nothing to do with the switching at all.

You can switch the lever any way you want, and the regulator will continue to draw from the same tank until it is empty.

It is a good habit to point it towards the tank in use. I never turn my tanks off unless directed by law, but it is good to know which one was last being used, so that you turn it on first when reopening the valves, thus drawing from the same tank which will be partly used, and not starting in on the full tank yet.
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:41 AM   #17
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Guess if it really bothers you you can go with one of the translucent tanks by Viking. At $140 each they don't come cheap.
I'm aware of those tanks and the Lite Cylinder composite tanks that came before and were recalled. I'm still asking about an accurate gauge. And I'm guessing there isn't one at any price.
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:47 AM   #18
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That lever does not show which tank is being used, it selects which tank the gauge will read. It has nothing to do with the switching at all.

You can switch the lever any way you want, and the regulator will continue to draw from the same tank until it is empty.

It is a good habit to point it towards the tank in use. I never turn my tanks off unless directed by law, but it is good to know which one was last being used, so that you turn it on first when reopening the valves, thus drawing from the same tank which will be partly used, and not starting in on the full tank yet.
That's correct. It's an auto changeover regulator, which means as long as both valves are open, it will switch when the pressure on the service tank drops below a useable level. The lever allows you to see the tank level (green meaning 'some' propane and red meaning empty) of the tank it's pointed to. You'd be surprised how many long time campers still think the lever does the switching.
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:52 AM   #19
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Ah, the lever only gauges propane pressure in a tank, as indicated by the red/green window color. Plays no role in controlling flow. So in this picture though the lever points to the right tank, since both tanks are closed the indicators indicate red, meaning no pressure detected. Got it.
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Old 03-20-2017, 11:03 AM   #20
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Ah, the lever only gauges propane pressure in a tank, as indicated by the red/green window color. Plays no role in controlling flow. So in this picture though the lever points to the right tank, since both tanks are closed the indicators indicate red, meaning no pressure detected. Got it.
Correct. The design is simple, but perhaps a little misleading.

PS: As Jim pointed out, you "can" choose which tank is in service or in continuing use by just closing one valve, or if both valves were shut, by opening the one you want to use first.
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