Hi,
I admit, I'm probably weird, but I want a non-automatic valve to switch between my two propane tanks. The main reason is, knowing how my brain works (or doesn't), if I let the automatic valve take care of everything, I'll mess around until both tanks are empty. If I have to crawl out and switch it over by hand, I'll know one tank needs to be refilled.
So the question is, does anyone have any experience or recommendations for manual switchover valves?
Thanks
Randy in Paonia
We ordered the dual propane tanks with our 2015 13 Scamp standard.The dual tank set up comes from the factory with a nice manual switch. It has a built in window that shows green when there is propane available from either tank and red when there is no propane. It might be helpful for you to talk with the folks at Scamp about cost and availability. Or find out who their supplier is. Not having past experience with this type propane I am very impressed with how long each tank lasts. Hope this helps!
Hey Randy,
Nice to have an auto switchover regulator, but if you want to use it as manual you simply only open the supply tank and don't open the reserve tank. When the supply tank runs out you have to go out and switch over and open the reserve tank. The only problem is that usually happens at 2-3am when when you're camping in freezing weather.
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First, are you asking this question from a position of being very experienced with Scamping, or are you fairly new to Scamping and trying to prevent problems you have not encountered yet?
I am not asking the question to be flip, but to help you understand my forthcoming answer...
Basically, there is one "REAL" advantage to having the Automatic Gas Valve. That advantage is:
On a COLD, DARK Night, in the middle of the best sleep of your life, your furnace stops working because the tank runs out of propane and you have to run out into that COLD, DARK, night to switch over to your new tank.
That's the one real advantage to having the automatic switching gas valve, otherwise it is simply more convenient.
Realistically, if you are not running your furnace (heavy) every night, a tank of propane can last two weeks or more. So, depending on your camping style (fulltime vs long weekends/week long vacations) your running out of propane in the middle of your weekend (or week long) camping trip is not very likely. Of course this statement assumes that you check and fill your tanks prior to leaving on the trip in the first place.
As far as having a reminder, perhaps you can make a lanyard with a piece of plastic that says "Empty" and attach it to the empty tank.
Otherwise, checking your tanks as part of your pre-trip checklist should keep you from running out of propane in the middle of your trip.
I hope this helps you to re-think the problem. If you still want to change out your gas valve they do make manual switching gas valves and you can find them on Amazon.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Thanks for the advice, ManWithaVan. Sounds like you've earned your knowledge the hard way.
I have found and installed a simple manual valve. We don't anticipate doing any long-term Scamping this year, but will probably try some fall trips. We'll see how it goes. After my first "COLD DARK night" experience, I may look more benignly on auto switchover.
Randy
Randy in Paonia
Went to a bluegrass festival last weekend and had to run the fridge off of propane for 3 days. Both tanks are showing pink on the gauge but when I took them off there definitely seemed to be some propane left in the last 1/4 of both tanks. Does anyone know is the green/pink is overly sensitive? Hate to waste money refueling tanks that still have propane.
H Allison McCormick
Timothy R McCormick
One question; were your tanks full before you left on your trip?
If your tanks were full neither tank should be close to empty after such a short trip (unless you were running a firepit or something like that).
The advantage of having the switchover valve is that you can run one tank empty and the valve automatically switches to the other full tank; then, you can go get the empty tank filled and when the other tank gets empty the valve switches to the most recently filled tank. You can keep "ping-ponging" the tanks indefinitely.
If you did run your tanks dry on such a short trip, then you may have a leak in your system somewhere.
If you are re-filling your tanks, and not exchanging them, you can simply go get the tanks filled and you will know exactly how much propane you used on the trip.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Are there any *accurate* propane tank level gauges? I ran out of propane on a cold morning not too long ago; fortunately it was the last morning of a four-night trip (and I had used propane in the summer to run the refrigerator for four very hot days), and I was about to pack up anyway. Still. I only have the one tank, and don't have room to pack backups of every device. A good gauge would be helpful. Everything on Amazon seems to have drawbacks and be reported as inaccurate.
[Edit:] I just found this explanation of how to know more about the level of propane in a tank:
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=25617.0
I prefer the visuals of a dial, but from what I read at that link, it's not really possible for a pressure dial to be accurate, which is probably the reason for all the frustrated-sounding reviews on Amazon. I will try the temperature strip thing (they're also cheaper); most of the bad reviews seem to be of the "hard to read" variety. I'll just have to try harder! :)
I dont know about most of the gauges,but I can tell you we have had two of them that gave false readings. One showed empty when the tank was full and the other one showed full and we ran out at 3am one 27 degree morning in Ks a couple of winters ago.Not a good feeling at all to wake up because you are cold :-) Now we have the Casita with two tanks but we only use one and keep one turned off,for a back up so to speak. They only charge for what you fill and so we usually start each trip with two full tanks,just in case. One seems to remember a morning of being so cold and it only takes one morning out of many many to stick in your mind
Launey and Earlene
I would simply top up my tank whenever I'm heading out for something likely to be demanding, but my local place doesn't seem to charge only for what they put in - they sort of "guess" whether you're empty or assume you wouldn't be coming in if you hadn't run out, and charge by the tank. Maybe I need to find another place, but it's a small town and I don't know of other options besides tank exchanges, and I don't want to do that. I'll check around though.
And then, on the road, if I know I'm not using that much propane, I won't have to be waste Scamping time on finding a propane supplier in a strange town.
I read that the magnetic temp-sensitive strip gauges only work when you're using the propane (has to do with the "boiling off" effect of using the propane, which drops the temperature of the liquid), so you have to have something going in order to read them. Plus, someone at that link I supplied said to pour some boiling water (that you just boiled on your stove, using the propane) on the tank before you slap on the magnet - I suppose this will increase the temperature differential and therefore accuracy. In any case, at $8, it's not too much of a risk. I'll give it a try next summer and report back, if I remember to check in.
Either Costco or BJ's sells LP tanks with guages. The tanks have actual floats in the tank which should give a better indication of what you have remaining. The only drawback is you will have refill your tank and can't do the tank exchange. A dual tank tray is only about $30 and will bolt to your current tank cross frame mounts. You can just us it carry the old tank and swap it over if you don't want to spring for the double regulator. That is if you don't have a tongue weight issue. I don't like not having a back up tank, since I have a P/U it is no issue for me just to carry an extra tank. If they have scales where you fill your tank they should only charge for what you use. Just tell them you only need a top off.
Eddie
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