Propane Tanks Question

[BuilderBob]

I just check our tanks ever 3 or 4 days in the winter time and have never ran out of propane at 1 AM.

[Loneoak]

I have the Mopeka system. I leave both tanks open, and have the switch set to a certain tank. The idea being that it drains that tank, the automatically switches to the other one.

However, lately I’ve noticed that both tanks seem to be draining! It’s now 48% on one tank and 43% on the other. I tried turning one tank off, but then the flame on the stove dwindled to almost nothing.

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by Loneoak

I have the Mopeka system. I leave both tanks open, and have the switch set to a certain tank. The idea being that it drains that tank, the automatically switches to the other one.

However, lately I’ve noticed that both tanks seem to be draining! It’s now 48% on one tank and 43% on the other. I tried turning one tank off, but then the flame on the stove dwindled to almost nothing.

Bad regulator?

[Loneoak]

Originally Posted by jeffba

Bad regulator?

That’s what I’m wondering.

[timandsusan]

X2 for Rohrmann--I am in the habit of checking the tanks about 3 times a week when we are using the furnace or maybe 2 times otherwise. Never had the midnight trek to the full tank for a switch over--technology works for us.

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by Loneoak

I have the Mopeka system. I leave both tanks open, and have the switch set to a certain tank. The idea being that it drains that tank, the automatically switches to the other one.

However, lately I’ve noticed that both tanks seem to be draining! It’s now 48% on one tank and 43% on the other. I tried turning one tank off, but then the flame on the stove dwindled to almost nothing.

Bad regulator would also be my guess. Sounds like the switchover is not fully switching over, drawing from both tanks, and not allowing full flow from either.

[footz1941]

Motor home tank gauge is reading from a float not pressure.

[laverdur]

Originally Posted by GAinaMontana

Use out of only one tank at a time. When one runs out of gas turn off the valve and open the other tank valve and then fill your empty at next opportunity. This way you most often know that you have a full tank in reserve. If you need to know how much is in a single tank, weight it. Bathroom scales work fine for this.

Ditto GAinaMontana

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by Ahdmeyer

kind of on the subject of propane, what do you use or how do you tell how much propane you have left? i have been looking at this https://www.amazon.com/AP-Products-1...8PQB7ASJWV7NZV or
maybe this
https://www.campingworld.com/gli-gas...ator-4317.html
anyone use either one or something else
thx al

Easiest way I've found is check the temperature of the bottle your using LP out of. There will be a fairly abrupt temp change on the side of the bottle where the liquid line is. If the ambient is really cold and the humidity is sufficiently high, the LP bottle will have frost/ice below the line of liquid in the bottle. I use a Fluke 62 MAX IR Thermometer, Non Contact, -22 to +932 Degree F Range available at AMZN. The meter comes in handy for numerous other tasks around the campground.

[Bfisher003]

We’ve been using the Mopeka system for over two years and it works great. They even sent me, free of charge the latest sensors and monitor when I have having problems getting them to work on the 30# tanks. I also use the app. We typically leave one tank off until the other one starts getting low. Then we turn the tank valve on and when the primary tank runs out it auto switches. I turn the selector to the full tank and fill the empty one at our convenience.

[GrahamLock]

I merely check the change over indicator regularly and when the tanks switch I fill the empty one.

[roadagain]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

We have been full time since late 2012, and it’s amazing how well the auto change over valve works. In the winter, when we use the furnace, I check the indicator maybe every couple days, and when it turns red, the auto valve has switched to the full tank and I then can remove the empty and get it filled. We have never had to get up in the middle of the night to have to switch tanks. Technology is great, almost like having a robot taking care of the regulator switching valve. I just don’t worry about how much is in the working tank, because I know the other one is full and the valve will tell me when one is empty.

I agree. That's how I do it.

[davemitchell59]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

We have been full time since late 2012, and it’s amazing how well the auto change over valve works. In the winter, when we use the furnace, I check the indicator maybe every couple days, and when it turns red, the auto valve has switched to the full tank and I then can remove the empty and get it filled. We have never had to get up in the middle of the night to have to switch tanks. Technology is great, almost like having a robot taking care of the regulator switching valve. I just don’t worry about how much is in the working tank, because I know the other one is full and the valve will tell me when one is empty.

Ditto for me too. Last winter I did the open/close depending on which tank I wanted to use. This year, after reading similar posts here and on Facebook, I opted to try out the auto switch. It works great … so far. And, if it fails, I'll get something similar.

As for another question in here about how do you tell how full your tank is … I make the assumption you are in cold areas if you're using the propane. Sneak out there first thing in the morning and you'll see a frost line on the tank that's being used. Probably the most accurate method out there.

[Nighthawk]

I'm in "rohrmann"'s camp. I look at our auto-switchover thing every so often and if I see red, I change the switch to the other (full) tank. I leave both tanks open most of the time so IF one runs empty it will automatically switch to the other one. Then i get the empty one filled.

I also have a luggage scale I keep in the basement and weigh each tank at the start of the season so I know how full they are. A full tank weighs 53.5 lbs (24.3 kgs) and an empty one 25 lbs (11.1 kgs). An empty tank should have the weight stamped on it - "Tare". I made a little table that I stuck on the inside of each propane door that translates the weight into how full, or empty, the tank is in percentage. This system has worked well for me, not a full timer, for over 10 years.

[Dave and Beta]

The Mopeka gauges work great. You can hook them up with an IPhone.

[Eddiea]

Originally Posted by Ahdmeyer

kind of on the subject of propane, what do you use or how do you tell how much propane you have left? i have been looking at this https://www.amazon.com/AP-Products-1...8PQB7ASJWV7NZV or
maybe this
https://www.campingworld.com/gli-gas...ator-4317.html
anyone use either one or something else
thx al

I use a small ultra sound device, works great, reads level of propane

[Traveltimers2]

I use a MOPEKA propane tank system. Works more than just great, never had a problem.
Bought the first generation system over 3 years ago, when system quit working, contacted mopeka and they sent me the new updated version free of charge. I just have a habit after a few days of switching a tank to get empty one filled and checking the gauge on my mobile apps. Very happy with the system.

[paulinbaja]

Trust the auto. change over valve. Fill both tanks, connect them properly, open both valves, set the control on the change over valve to either tank. Check every other day, when the indicator turns red turn the changeover control to the other tank. Then close the valve on the empty tank. Have it filled, put it back, connect the hose prooerly, open the valve. Then repeat. If you do this you will always have 1/2 your total supply. There are those that for reasons they come up with modify this process, but this is how it is designed to work, and it does work. I've been RVing almost forty years, full time for 7 years and this has never failed me. You must check every other day until you get a feeling as to how much you use then you can modify how often you check but remember winter uses more.

[Jpc]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

I'm in "rohrmann"'s camp. I look at our auto-switchover thing every so often and if I see red, I change the switch to the other (full) tank. I leave both tanks open most of the time so IF one runs empty it will automatically switch to the other one. Then i get the empty one filled.

I also have a luggage scale I keep in the basement and weigh each tank at the start of the season so I know how full they are. A full tank weighs 53.5 lbs (24.3 kgs) and an empty one 25 lbs (11.1 kgs). An empty tank should have the weight stamped on it - "Tare". I made a little table that I stuck on the inside of each propane door that translates the weight into how full, or empty, the tank is in percentage. This system has worked well for me, not a full timer, for over 10 years.

Just a little more info. The “TW” stamped on the collar of tank is your Tare Weight of tank. Propane weighs 4.24 lbs per gallon. So with a scale and these numbers you can figure out exactly what amount you have left in tank regardless what size tank you have.

[Gutz54]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

We have been full time since late 2012, and it’s amazing how well the auto change over valve works. In the winter, when we use the furnace, I check the indicator maybe every couple days, and when it turns red, the auto valve has switched to the full tank and I then can remove the empty and get it filled. We have never had to get up in the middle of the night to have to switch tanks. Technology is great, almost like having a robot taking care of the regulator switching valve. I just don’t worry about how much is in the working tank, because I know the other one is full and the valve will tell me when one is empty.

Which auto-change over do you have??