Propane Tank Changeover Regulator

[CruiserVet2]

Hello,

Can anyone tell me why this regulatorisa showing "red" (empty) window in the indicator glass, when that tank is fully charged? The tank was turned off for some time and the propane draw was from the other tank (the tank that the changeover lever is pointing to). That tank still shows full. I am not accustomed to what the "red" should look like in the window - it seemslike you can seethe reddepending on the level at which you view the window.WhenI look at it straight on, the"red" is barely visible. Is the regulator faulty or do I need glasses?



Anyone have advice?

Thanks,

MaxEdited by: CruiserVet2

[FFFord]

1st, has the tank been used before? If not maybe it was missed when the dealer did the PDI & did not fill or did not fill all the way. Check the weight of the cylinder that is stamped on the handle near the top.

2nd, make sure the hose is hand tight & it was not loose. If it had a leak, the OPD (overfill protection device) has an excess flow valve that will shut the cylinder off. To reset, close the valve all the way, remove the hose, then reconnect. This should allow the valve to reset & the excess flow valve to open. Always openthe valve all the way, never just crack open the valve. Hope this works.

[CruiserVet2]

FFFord,

Thanks. The tank that shows empty is in fact full. I disconnected it after opening and closing the valve, then reconnected it after verifying that it was full. It still shows red on that side. But, it is kind of wierd - the red indicator is not distinct unless I look at it from an angle, but I can still see a little red even looking straight-on. I am wondering if what I am seeing is paralax through the glass towards the red indicator, rather than a true red indicator. Having never seen the true red indicator, I may be worried about nothing.

Thanks for your suggestion.

Max

[gball]

When the tank is empty the window will show almost all red. I can see the red indicator in the background of the window on the regulator on our unit so that is normal.

[r2millers]

How aboutswitching tank positions and see what the gauge then reads. At least this eliminates the switchover valve as a possibility. If you are showing empty, the safety valve isn't allowing fuel to flow. I had a similar issue when I couldn't get a full tank to operate.

[CruiserVet2]

gball,

Thanks, I think I am worried about nothing. I am going to switch out tanks as suggested and make sure, but I think you confirmed my suspicions.

Preciate it,

Max

[ewbldavis]

You sound confused as I was. Our changeover looked kind of red, and no matter which way I flipped it, it still looked the same. Once our first tank emptied and I saw the undoubtably red indicator, I knew how to view it. You may just need to wait until a tank is being used and empties to see how the indicator looks when the selected tank isempty.

[NH Horseman]

OK, if you are standing at the ball hitch and looking at the front of the TT, which way should the tank indicator be facing? To see mine, you have to look between the camper and the tanks as the indicator is on the back. Should the indicator be facing forward so it can be seen from the ball hitch?

[Kamper Dave]

Please see the attached article.

http://www.rvdoctor.com/2001/04/not-...s-pigtail.html



It seems that those POL's can be a problem when theythey mistakenly think that there is a problem.

I wonder how many regulators have needlessly been swapped out?

DC

[Triker]

I carry an actual pressure gauge and periodically install it on my tanks to see how much I still have left. This works quite well for me.

[avvidclif]

They're down to abt $12 at Sam's Club. (pressure gauge) Cheap enough.

[CruiserVet2]

Horseman,

It sounds to me like you should be able to see the indicator either way but it would be more convenient to view it from the front. Maybe it was installed that way to prevent the glass or plastic view window form being hit by stuff coming from behind the tow vehicle?

[NH Horseman]

Your scenario sounds reasonable except that my camper has a "hood" cover which slides over both tanks to prevent being hit by "stuff" coming from the tow vehicle. It has an access door at the top which opens and all you see is the back of the bracket where the indicator is. I was wondering what others looked like so I could decide if mine was installed backwards.

[CruiserVet2]

You are correct Sir! Last night the "full" bottle emptied and the changeover was seamless. What I saw this morning was an unmistakable red color from one side of the viewing pane to the other. Now I know what to look for.

Thanks,

Max