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Old 03-20-2010, 03:08 PM   #21
junglejim
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Orv- the one time it didn't empty and I took it to get filled they put 4.2 in it.I agree that something could be wrong but right now like Trailer Trash 2 says its easiest for me to just run one out and then switch till I get this figured out(no hurry).

Anyways I am sorry. I didn't mean to hijack this thread.
 
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Old 03-20-2010, 04:39 PM   #22
CasaDelSol
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Great advise!! I forgot to mention that we were running the heat and it quit. When DH looked at the guage it read empty but when he went to fill it up it had about 1/4 of a tank left. The place he went to charged $26.50 whether it was empty or 1/2 full!!! We do run just one tank at a time, but the lousy guages failed us this time.
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Old 03-21-2010, 04:57 AM   #23
stimpy123
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I also have an automatic switcher and a couple of times I forgot to open the full tank, so when they switched, nothing. I just went out and opened the valve on the full tank, then recycle the thermostat to get the furnace going again. I usually watch the freeze line on the working tank. When the furnace is running or we are cooking, there is a cold line on the tank in use. That will give an approximate level in that tank. I also keep a full one in reserve. I never leave a town without filling the lower tank, that way we start on the road with two full tanks, just in case the fuel prices become exorbitant. Hope this helps.
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Old 03-21-2010, 02:00 PM   #24
Art-n-Marge
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I have found that the autoswitchover will switch when it THINKS the tank is empty not when it is actually empty. Maybe demand of the propane has something to do with it, like when the propane is at full blast because of the furnace and other things. I have found that the alleged empty tank is not empty unless I do NOT turn on the other tank and let the current tank run dry. To me this is a safeguard for when I am having a braindead moment, but with the inline gauges I can override the switchover when it's convenient to me. I am only a part-timer so this works okay for now. If I was full-timing I might operate differently or get better equipment.
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Old 03-21-2010, 04:55 PM   #25
SlickWillie
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I do like Orv does. I don't want to go out in the middle of the night period. I've never had a bottle show empty when it wasn't empty. I did fail to open the valve on one; dang it was cold in the RV when we got up.
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Old 03-23-2010, 10:51 AM   #26
Sgrob47
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I also only open one tank at a time, but since I like to boondock have purchased another tank I carry in truck bed. One reason is my generator runs on propane and the nearest town might be 40 miles away. Now if it is going to be cold at night will check the tank in use, if getting low will switch to full one then back to partial one during the day. Don't like switching in middle of night, cause if they run out that's when it happens.

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Old 03-23-2010, 12:28 PM   #27
CasaDelSol
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What I am getting from this is that there is no really good level indicator out there. DH has never been happy with our guages and now that it cost us $$$ I am not happy either!!
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Old 03-23-2010, 02:45 PM   #28
mhs4771
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I too use only one tank at a time, was advised to do it that way by a Dealer Friend where I bought my first dual tank TT in '91 and continued ever since. I plan to upgrade the tanks in the Monty to the 40 pounders. Street side will fit with no problems, curb side will require moving the regulator/switchover valve slighty. This will give me a 1/3 increase in capacity.
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Old 03-23-2010, 03:35 PM   #29
hookman
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We leave both tanks on and have an automatic change over. In the cold weather I check the indicator every day in the warm weather once a week. I had to go out one night at 20 degree weather at 2 AM and didn't like it and for the time it takes to check the tanks is nothing.
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Old 03-24-2010, 04:29 PM   #30
KathyandDave
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I leave them both on, but check them every day in cool weather. I have branched off the barby from the door-side tank. At night, we have an electric blanket and set the thermostat down to 50 degrees or so. In the morning, DW makes me get out of bed, turn on the fireplace and turn up the thermostat. She's very comfortable, so everything's peachy.
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Old 04-24-2010, 05:28 AM   #31
5thWheeler
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Although we, too, have an inline gauge, checking the volume of a tank is easy with water. Boil a small pan of water and pour it over the tank (taking care not to pour it over you). The water will quickly evaporate where the tank is empty, showing the level.
Mike
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Old 04-25-2010, 11:20 AM   #32
mountaineer2010
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I have gauges just to let me know how much are in the tanks. Use one tank at a time.
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Old 04-27-2010, 01:13 PM   #33
paddler67
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i always keep both values open and changed over when i see red on the gauge. the 30# tank holes 7.2 gals. at fill up time. this works for me.
gene.
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Old 04-28-2010, 07:44 AM   #34
5ER
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I have always had three tanks and let them switch automatic and when one is switched because it is empty I replace it with my extra full tank. Then when it switches back over to my replacement tank I take two tanks to get refilled. I have found this to be convenient so that I only have to go for refills half as often and can do it when I find time. I found that during winter I only needed to get tanks refilled every other week instead of getting one tank filled weekly.
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