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Ok so for this dual system the proper way to use it is to have both tanks open and when switched to one side it's using gas from only that tank and when indicator goes red switch to the other tank correct?
Also I'm trying to do some math here and confused about the empty/tare weight of the cylinder. Is the empty weight of the cylinder itself 8.5kgs or is it 8.6lbs? And what's the difference between the "T" and "TW1"?
for this dual system the proper way to use it is to have both tanks open and when switched to one side it's using gas from only that tank and when indicator goes red switch to the other tank correct?
Sort of.
Per the directions stamped onto it, it should start out in the opposite position when both tanks are full. When the first tank runs out, the indicator will turn red. When this happens, switch it to where it is in the picture. Then it is on the "reserve" position, stamped into it and circled in green below. I bet you could do it the other way around as well with no ill effect. I would only leave the in-use tank's valve open. You could leave both open, but that just increases potential that any leak in the system could run them both out before you know what is happening.
Originally Posted by wpg_250
Also I'm trying to do some math here and confused about the empty/tare weight of the cylinder. Is the empty weight of the cylinder itself 8.5kgs or is it 8.6lbs? And what's the difference between the "T" and "TW1"?
Can you post a picture of the tag and/or stamping that you are referring to?
Last edited by CathedralCub; Oct 28, 2024 at 12:57 AM.
Reason: Reorganized
Per the directions stamped onto it, it should start out in the opposite position when both tanks are full. When the first tank runs out, the indicator will turn red. When this happens, switch it to where it is in the picture. Then it is on the "reserve" position, stamped into it and circled in green below. I bet you could do it the other way around as well with no ill effect. I would only leave the in-use tank's valve open. You could leave both open, but that just increases potential that any leak in the system could run them both out before you know what is happening.
Ain't you describing how I have it setup already? Also I'm thinking both tanks are suppose to be open that way you can transition from one to the other without disrupting gas flow. I think that because if I only keep one tank open with selector switch on that side tank then the indicator goes red after a few minutes and goes green when I open the second tank so it adds pressure to the regulator, but it doesn't use any propane and I verified that via a scale so I dunno man lol.
Can you post a picture of the tag and/or stamping that you are referring to?
I have a couple of 20lb/5gal tanks that are full that I use for my backyard fire pit/ heaters and I just weighed one of them and it was 36.92lbs.
Not sure on the stamping #’s.
Yes your correct on how the selector switch functions.
I have an “auto switchover regulator on my rig and I always leave one tank off and use the other one until it run out, that way I absolutly know when I’m on my last tank.
Actually I don’t even use the auto switchover function per se but that’s what mine came equipped with so..
I have a couple of 20lb/5gal tanks that are full that I use for my backyard fire pit/ heaters and I just weighed one of them and it was 36.92lbs.
Not sure on the stamping #’s.
Yes your correct on how the selector switch functions.
I have an “auto switchover regulator on my rig and I always leave one tank off and use the other one until it run out, that way I absolutly know when I’m on my last tank.
Actually I don’t even use the auto switchover function per se but that’s what mine came equipped with so..
I'm going to assume then that the empty weight is 8.5 kgs or 18.7 lbs giving me a full weight of 38.7 lbs which is pretty close to your full weight.
I had an auto switch over and I got a tank from an exchange that leaked all the propane out while the valve was in the open position but the regulator wasn't drawing from that tank. Since then I never leave any propane tank valve open when not in use not even on my BBQ grill. It sucked having to get up I. The middle of the night to Crack the full tank valve open but it was better than running out and having 2 empty tanks.
Maybe. Depends on if your main tank is already empty as of when the picture was taken.
Originally Posted by wpg_250
I'm thinking both tanks are suppose to be open that way you can transition from one to the other without disrupting gas flow. I think that because if I only keep one tank open with selector switch on that side tank then the indicator goes red after a few minutes and goes green when I open the second tank so it adds pressure to the regulator, but it doesn't use any propane and I verified that via a scale
You can leave both tanks open all the time if you want. It just adds unnecessary risk. If you leave both tanks open, this regulator will not automatically switch between them. So let's say that you are camping for a week with both tanks open. You get 5 days into it and the primary tank runs out. You go out and switch to the reserve tank and it is out too. Now you have no propane at all. Later, after freezing and/or eating cold food for two days, you go get both tanks filled and then run a leak test and find that the reserve tank has little bitty pinhole leak in the hose. Now you know where all that reserve propane went, and now you'll also probably want to keep it turned off until you switch to it.
If you want uninterrupted propane by switching before the primary tank runs out, you'll need to notice the indicator before the primary tank is all the way empty, and then turn on the reserve tank and then switch sides. Voila'!
Maybe. Depends on if your main tank is already empty as of when the picture was taken.
You can leave both tanks open all the time if you want. It just adds unnecessary risk. If you leave both tanks open, this regulator will not automatically switch between them. So let's say that you are camping for a week with both tanks open. You get 5 days into it and the primary tank runs out. You go out and switch to the reserve tank and it is out too. Now you have no propane at all. Later, after freezing and/or eating cold food for two days, you go get both tanks filled and then run a leak test and find that the reserve tank has little bitty pinhole leak in the hose. Now you know where all that reserve propane went, and now you'll also probably want to keep it turned off until you switch to it.
If you want uninterrupted propane by switching before the primary tank runs out, you'll need to notice the indicator before the primary tank is all the way empty, and then turn on the reserve tank and then switch sides. Voila'!
Fair enough, but I've leak tested the system already and probably will before every trip, but I do 100% get what you're saying and agree. Both tanks are roughly 3/4 full and I've noticed that If I leave one tank open and one closed and I put the regulator switch to the open tank side the indicator will go red after a few minutes even though the tank is mostly full, but if I leave both tanks open the indicator doesn't go red so I guess I just need a new regulator then with a better type of indicator!
Fair enough, but I've leak tested the system already and probably will before every trip, but I do 100% get what you're saying and agree. Both tanks are roughly 3/4 full and I've noticed that If I leave one tank open and one closed and I put the regulator switch to the open tank side the indicator will go red after a few minutes even though the tank is mostly full, but if I leave both tanks open the indicator doesn't go red so I guess I just need a new regulator then with a better type of indicator!
Yeah, I agree, time for a replacement A/B valve/regulator. The reading should only be based on the active tank.
