Automotic LP tank regulator

[chrismoore701]

I am looking for an automatic LP tank switch. I have dual tanks on my trailer but dont want to leave them both open at the same time. Any recommendations?

Thanks

[mike837go]

If you've got the auto-changeover valve/regulator, then just let it do it's job.

The indicator under the window will tell you when the primary is empty. Flip the switch to make the spare the primary and refill the empty.

Leaving one tank or two open doesn't really make a difference, does it? 30 lbs of propane fireball isn't much different than 60. Brown pants all around!

[Rustysocket]

Originally Posted by chrismoore701

I am looking for an automatic LP tank switch. I have dual tanks on my trailer but dont want to leave them both open at the same time. Any recommendations?

Thanks

That's how they work. You leave the bottles open. I don't get the irrational fear of propane.

[chrismoore701]

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I have a regular regulator, it does not switch. So I only open one tank at a time to empty one and still have a spare when I run out of the one. The problem is, it always happens in the middle of the night. So I want to install an automatic regulator and looking for a recommendation on what kind to get

Thanks

[Rustysocket]

Originally Posted by chrismoore701

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I have a regular regulator, it does not switch. So I only open one tank at a time to empty one and still have a spare when I run out of the one. The problem is, it always happens in the middle of the night. So I want to install an automatic regulator and looking for a recommendation on what kind to get

Thanks

You lost us at the not wanting both bottles open. Your choices will get down to vertical or horizontal mount base on your rig. They are not expensive, nor hard to install. For the most part all the fittings are standard and will be the same.

Just make sure the one you buy actually has the auto-changover feature.

Here is an example of a vertical that mounts between two bottles.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-59005-D.../dp/B0024ECBCA

[chrismoore701]

I was also looking at this one

https://www.amazon.com/Flame-King-AC...TWGNWXDMW0GKCC

How do you tell if they are vertical or horizontal mount?

[bdreinv]

Originally Posted by chrismoore701

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I have a regular regulator, it does not switch. So I only open one tank at a time to empty one and still have a spare when I run out of the one. The problem is, it always happens in the middle of the night. So I want to install an automatic regulator and looking for a recommendation on what kind to get

Thanks

I thought the auto regulator was great too, until I let both tanks go dry, in the middle of know where! Now I shut 1 tank off manually, now no worries. Happy Trails

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by bdreinv

I thought the auto regulator was great too, until I let both tanks go dry, in the middle of know where! Now I shut 1 tank off manually, now no worries. Happy Trails

And this I don't understand at all, even though I hear it from a lot of people. If you have an automatic switching regulator, to me it makes no sense not to use it. All you need to do is take a look at the indicator every couple of days so you know when it has switched over. Then you can pull the empty tank and go get it filled, never missing a beat. To each his own, I guess.

Roger

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by rkresge

And this I don't understand at all, even though I hear it from a lot of people. If you have an automatic switching regulator, to me it makes no sense not to use it. All you need to do is take a look at the indicator every couple of days so you know when it has switched over. Then you can pull the empty tank and go get it filled, never missing a beat. To each his own, I guess.

Roger

X2!

What a wonderful piece of equipment. My last TT had one 20# tank. And 2:00AM was it's favorite time to run out. Now with just the least bit of attention, we don't run out.

[bedrck46]

Just like at home for the BBQ grill Have you ever noticed that they mostly go empty on a Sunday Late in the afternoon when you can't get them re-filed and your cooking a nice couple of steaks, that's when they go empty. KEEP A SPARE

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by bedrck46

Just like at home for the BBQ grill Have you ever noticed that they mostly go empty on a Sunday Late in the afternoon when you can't get them re-filed and your cooking a nice couple of steaks, that's when they go empty. KEEP A SPARE

My spare BBQ tank just saved my butt last weekend. I fired up the grill, went inside to patty the meat, went back out to check the temp and clean the grates, and had no fire. Grabbed my spare and was back in business in no time at all. Now I just have to remember to fill the empty tank.

The key to the auto changeover regulator is to look at it once in a while. Mine has worked flawlessly. The only time I had a little hiccup was when the dial was red and I didn't know how long it had been that way. I just grabbed the empty tank off and had it filled right away. I still had plenty of gas in the other tank though, so it couldn't have been empty for too long.

Bottom line: Install the auto changeover regulator and let it do its job the way it was designed. So long as you do your part (very minimal) you will never have a 2 am wake up call to a cold trailer with no furnace. We go through less than one 30 lb tank a year, so it's rare that we have to worry about it at all.

[RedHorse1]

Chris and Rusty,
I looked at both links and noted both adverts "suggest" a pig-tail and a spool of white pipe tape. I'd always thought tape for LP pipes was yellow.
Am I wrong and/or will their suggested "also buy" be appropriate to use with propane?

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Chris and Rusty,
I looked at both links and noted both adverts "suggest" a pig-tail and a spool of white pipe tape. I'd always thought tape for LP pipes was yellow.
Am I wrong and/or will their suggested "also buy" be appropriate to use with propane?

You definitely want the yellow tape. Also, pay close attention to the female port on your regulator and the male fitting on your pigtail. Mine both required a small adapter. I don't know what sizes they were, I just bought what I needed at the time, sorry.

[Rustysocket]

Yes, get the yellow tape specifically for propane. I don't know what the difference is but for the couple of bucks it costs it makes no sense not to.

I'm guessing the pigtail would be for someone who only has one existing tank and is adding a second. Not sure why you would need this if yours are in serviceable condition.

ETA: So I did a search, the composition of white tape vs yellow tape is the same. It is coded based on thickness only, in my state it is "illegal" to use white tape on a propane fitting in a residential setting. It has to do with building codes and identifying pipe joints. So my guess is that the white tape will work fine if that is what you have.

http://allthumbsdiy.com/plumbing/whe...s-or-pipe-dope

[bankr63]

I'm installing this Marshall one this weekend to replace my original one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Although my existing one does now leak when the spare tank is removed (likely crack or hole in the internal diaphragm), I am going with the same because I really like the way the indicator works, and how visible it is. I have read that on many others the indicator is very difficult to read, so decided to stick with what I have and like.

Note that I am not really disappointed in my current regulator's longevity. It had seen five harsh Canadian winters in storage before it failed - not really surprised that it may have developed a leak after that amount of time. Stuff gets pretty brittle at -40F.

[bankr63]

Originally Posted by Rustysocket

Yes, get the yellow tape specifically for propane. I don't know what the difference is but for the couple of bucks it costs it makes no sense not to.

I'm guessing the pigtail would be for someone who only has one existing tank and is adding a second. Not sure why you would need this if yours are in serviceable condition.

ETA: So I did a search, the composition of white tape vs yellow tape is the same. It is coded based on thickness only, in my state it is "illegal" to use white tape on a propane fitting in a residential setting. It has to do with building codes and identifying pipe joints. So my guess is that the white tape will work fine if that is what you have.

When to use PTFE Teflon Yellow or White tapes or Pipe Dope

Both are PTFE tape, but the yellow stuff is rated to 10,000 lbs pressure, the white or pink (high density) plumbing version is rated for 2,000 lbs pressure.

ETA: From the specs for LA-CO brand tapes.

[Brownie]

You're smart to get the auto change-over regulator. Like others have said, I use to leave my secondary tank closed "so I knew when the primary tank ran dry". That always seemed to happen between 1:30 and 3:30 a.m.! So after 2 years of getting up in the cold, wee hours of the morning, I decided to let the darned thing do its job; and just check it once a week! I full-time and typically dump my tanks once a week. So, it's now part of my routine to check it while I'm waiting for the black tank to drain.

NO MORE COLD MORNINGS!

[chrismoore701]

Are there any other units you guys recommend? Looking for the best option

Thanks
Chris

[wanderlust]

Originally Posted by bdreinv

I thought the auto regulator was great too, until I let both tanks go dry, in the middle of know where!

I was thinking about getting the auto changeover, but after reading your post I'll leave well enough alone. I know that if it goes off in the middle of the night I still have a full tank and its time to refill the empty... Thanks, bdreinv

[Rklingborg]

Hello all
Bought a 2017 Jayco 161 Octane, was looking for automatic change over then found out it came with one. The Mitchell one used to have a led that you could hookup. So instead I had to use LP Tank check witch shows how much is in each tank at the push of a button or open the app.