Propane usage
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,914
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From: Thomaston
I find it strange that the picture I posted above (which is not the exact model of our regulator) has the selector switch and is still considered auto. This summer when we were out for 45 days in our travel trailer we had the selector to the passenger side tank and left it there. Toward the end of our trip, that tank ran dry and the regulator did not switch over automatically to the drivers side tank with the switch pointed the opposite way.
Although, now that I think about it the second tank on the drivers side was turned off at the valve on top of the tank. So you are saying the despite which way the regulator valve is set, it will still draw from both tanks if they are turned on via the screw valve on top of the tank?
Although, now that I think about it the second tank on the drivers side was turned off at the valve on top of the tank. So you are saying the despite which way the regulator valve is set, it will still draw from both tanks if they are turned on via the screw valve on top of the tank?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I find it strange that the picture I posted above (which is not the exact model of our regulator) has the selector switch and is still considered auto. This summer when we were out for 45 days in our travel trailer we had the selector to the passenger side tank and left it there. Toward the end of our trip, that tank ran dry and the regulator did not switch over automatically to the drivers side tank with the switch pointed the opposite way.
Although, now that I think about it the second tank on the drivers side was turned off at the valve on top of the tank. So you are saying the despite which way the regulator valve is set, it will still draw from both tanks if they are turned on via the screw valve on top of the tank?
Although, now that I think about it the second tank on the drivers side was turned off at the valve on top of the tank. So you are saying the despite which way the regulator valve is set, it will still draw from both tanks if they are turned on via the screw valve on top of the tank?
Steve
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Thomaston
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
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From: southeast PA
The picture Sous posted is of a Marshall auto-changeover regulator. It has been the standard of the RV industry for decades. It is listed in the catalog as a "Marshell Excelsior Excela-Flo Automatic Changeover Regulator 253 Series". If you go online, I am sure you can find a description of how it works.
If you can hook two tanks to the regulator it is a two-stage autochangeover regulator.
I just had to install one today on a Lance Truck camper. What a pain in the butt that was!
Steve
If you can hook two tanks to the regulator it is a two-stage autochangeover regulator.
I just had to install one today on a Lance Truck camper. What a pain in the butt that was!
Steve
HMMMM..............I stand corrected on that. But I swear his doesn't have the indicator on it like that does. We will be sitting in camp drinking beer again tomorrow night and will have to investigate further................
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Steve
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 12
From: Upstate NY
I guess I had best do a better look today on our 2014 fiver as I believe it has separate regulators rather then auto changeover which even our '74 Kountry Aire had. An auto system could have saved me a trip outside a couple weeks ago when I heard that dreaded 0 Dark Thirty whimper "Hon, I'm cold and the furnace isn't working".
Propane use - for sure a 35K Btu furnace eats lots of that stuff, especially on a larger rig as we have used more in the past two months then we have on the last two RVs(cold in the morning at 8500 plus feet). The so-called electric fireplace wont begin to heat things up beyond a few feet in front and above it especially when it blows warm air at the ceiling. IMO, the 'fireplaces' are nice to look at but another set of shelves or drawers at point would be more useful.
Propane use - for sure a 35K Btu furnace eats lots of that stuff, especially on a larger rig as we have used more in the past two months then we have on the last two RVs(cold in the morning at 8500 plus feet). The so-called electric fireplace wont begin to heat things up beyond a few feet in front and above it especially when it blows warm air at the ceiling. IMO, the 'fireplaces' are nice to look at but another set of shelves or drawers at point would be more useful.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
When you check out your 2014, take a close look. some have an secondary regulator, but still have an auto changeover. That would be if you have a tank on each side. If they are on the same side, your configuration will be standard. The tank on each side is less common and offers no advantage.
Steve
Steve
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 12
From: Upstate NY
When you check out your 2014, take a close look. some have an secondary regulator, but still have an auto changeover. That would be if you have a tank on each side. If they are on the same side, your configuration will be standard. The tank on each side is less common and offers no advantage.
Steve
Steve
. I'll probably still only use one tank at a time unless I know we are running low and at night.The nice thing with a tank on each side is that basement access is straight forward with no separate gas compartment intruding though it does add piping and another regulator.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 12
From: Upstate NY
Yep, it has an auto switch over regulator but it's tucked up in a very dark area in the gas compartment. It's not supposed to rain tomorrow so maybe I can get a better and dryer look and understanding of which side is for each tank and how it's set up
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I realize everyone wants to make sure, but honest, there has not been anything used by the industry for decades other than auto-changeovers. They are such as advantage as long as you simply take a look at the tanks once in a while, winter campers especially! There is no reason not to use them, as if you do not want the changeover to be automatic, just keep one tank closed until one runs out, which is what you would do with a manual setup, so there is no downside.
Steve
Steve
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Itinerant
After reading this some might be confused on how it works. First I guess it's personal taste whether you you want to leave both tanks open or shut one but then you defeat the propose of the auto change over.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/l...-regulator.htm
In the picture that Sous posted and if the both tanks are hooked up and turned on that would be showing that the tank on the left is empty. The black **** if facing left and the little plastic display is showing red, now your tank on the right is being used (if you have the tank turned on) even though the **** is turned left as soon as you turn that **** right you'll see the little plastic display thing go green meaning the right side tank has propane.
As far as usage, just cooking it's minimal and it all depends on what your furnace is set on if you like it warm it will use it quick. Now if you can off set with a heat pump or another heat source you can extend the usage some.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/l...-regulator.htm
In the picture that Sous posted and if the both tanks are hooked up and turned on that would be showing that the tank on the left is empty. The black **** if facing left and the little plastic display is showing red, now your tank on the right is being used (if you have the tank turned on) even though the **** is turned left as soon as you turn that **** right you'll see the little plastic display thing go green meaning the right side tank has propane.
As far as usage, just cooking it's minimal and it all depends on what your furnace is set on if you like it warm it will use it quick. Now if you can off set with a heat pump or another heat source you can extend the usage some.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Just for round numbers, a gallon of propane contains about 90,000 BTU per gallon. Your furnace will burn about 30,000 BTU per hour of run time (remember it doesn't run all the time). Again, if you winter camp, keep the tanks full.
If you go to electric space heaters again don't forget some systems depend on heat vented from the furnace to keep the tanks and lines from freezing. You can keep yourself totally warm with electric space heaters and still freeze water lines and tanks.
We are sitting here trying to find spaces in Florida on the way down to Fort Meyers in December. Man that state fills up earlier every year!
Steve
If you go to electric space heaters again don't forget some systems depend on heat vented from the furnace to keep the tanks and lines from freezing. You can keep yourself totally warm with electric space heaters and still freeze water lines and tanks.
We are sitting here trying to find spaces in Florida on the way down to Fort Meyers in December. Man that state fills up earlier every year!
Steve
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,698
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From: Itinerant
Good point on the heated basements. Still amazes me how many people don't realize that or just don't understand how the systems work in their RVs. Or is it being cheap thinking they can save a nckle on heat but spend the dime on the repair, which is good for you. Job security. 
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
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From: West Virginia
Never mind - question was already answered..
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
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If you have two tanks on your rig, do you run off one tank at a time or do you select the center position to use both tank equally. My last camper was sold 10 years ago. I used one side at a time. That way when I went out again I only had to fill one tank. I always started each trip with two full tanks. you never know what may happen to the weather that will require the heater to run and burn it up faster.
Jim
Jim
If you have 2 tanks then chances are your valve should not be in the center position, its either to the left or right depending upon which tank you want to draw from first. (Maybe you have a different valve that all the ones I have come across)
Getting ready to replace failed unit, valve is in the vertical position, which is OFF
New valve installed, valve is to the left taking from the left tank first, then switching to the right tank when the left is empty
NOTE, you do not need to move the valve to the L/R, it will switch on it own...UNLESS it fails...which ours did. We mitigated by turning the valve manually to the other full tank allowing the LP to flow. We replaced the valve which is an easy job see pics...