propane question

[Chuck L]

I posted once before but I did not introduce myself, how rude.
 
My name is Chuck (duh). I have found this and other sites helpful and entertaining since purchasing my '03 Colman Cheyenne about 3 months ago.
 
I camped for the first time last weekend and all went well even though it rained all Saturday. My wife and I have 21 month old twins so it the trailer was very busy.
 
One of the previous owners installed a second propane tank with out a tee and just traded hoses as needed. I installed a tee with out a check valve and replaced both hoses. I fabed a better hold down and needed shorter hoses. One tank ran out so I switched them. All went well then I noticed the burners on stove went low. The furnace began to cycle on and off then would quit. I would reset and It would do the same thing. I noticed this would only happen when the water heater burner was on. I figured it was a supply/volume problem and the regulator was probably defective. I headed to the nearest camping store and picked up a new regulator set up. When I returned all was functioning properly. I did not replace the regulators but still have them. Is it normal for this to happen after running completely out? Do I have a probable regulator problem and should replace them? ( The new one has a switching valve on it and I will probably use it)
 
Thanks in advance, all input appreciated,
 
Chuck

[mike4947]

In a word yes. What happened was when you changed over the cylinders you lost the pressure in the lines and when you reconnected and opened up the OPD valve in the cylinder "saw" it as a massive leak and shut down the flow of propane to a trickle. Usually you have to close the cylinder, wait several minutes for the OPD valve to reset and then open slowly so the valve doesn't see a quick drop in pressure.

[PattieAM]

As Mike said!

The key with my PUP's propane tanks and switching is to open the valve on the tank S L O W L Y.  I've been lucky and twice have been able to switch tanks and the water heater has continued to burn - don't ask me how but it did!

[wavery]

The OPD valve theory sounds good but the fact that this seemed to go on and on over a period of time seems to indicate something else. The gas lines don't really hold a lot of gas. All air should have been purged relatively quickly (with the furnace and hot water heater going) and the fact the you were still getting gas (although sporadic) tells me that the OPD valve was open.

What you describe sounds like you may have opened the full tank without shutting off the empty tank. If that's the case, the full tank may have been trying to equalize with the empty tank, thereby causing a low pressure situation.

If that's not the case, I would hang on to that new regulator for a while and see if it does it again.

[Chuck L]

Thanks for the resonses. I did some research and have to agree with the opd valve theory.

I'm going to install the Mr. Heater auto change over valve I purchased during my trip so I won't have to deal with it again, hopefully ( I'm assuming the auto switching device does so gradualy ).

[Shepherd]

...One of the previous owners installed a second propane tank with out a tee and just traded hoses as needed. I installed a tee with out a check valve and replaced both hoses...

I have a newbie question on propane, well two actually.  We  have two tanks, with one being hooked up at a time.  First question.  Is the only way to know your tank is empty is nothing running on propane works anymore, or is there a better method.  Second question:  Does some kind of "T" like Chuck installed automatically switch to the full tank once the first runs out?

Chuck (OP), I hope you don't mind me sneaking in here and asking.

[mike4947]

Yes Marshall makes an "automatic" changover two stage regulator. Both cylinders are connected by pigtails and the regualtor draws from one set as the primary until the pressure in that one drops. The change over then switches to the other cylinder and a flag goes red letting you know it's changed. You then can move a switch making the second cylinder the primary to seal off the empty cylinder so you can remove it and refill it. Once it's reconnected the valve will switch back to it when the second one is empty and you just repeat the process.
 
They are available at any RV dealer or online.

[Shepherd]

Yes Marshall makes an "automatic" changover two stage regulator. Both cylinders are connected by pigtails and the regualtor draws from one set as the primary until the pressure in that one drops. The change over then switches to the other cylinder and a flag goes red letting you know it's changed. You then can move a switch making the second cylinder the primary to seal off the empty cylinder so you can remove it and refill it. Once it's reconnected the valve will switch back to it when the second one is empty and you just repeat the process.
 
They are available at any RV dealer or online.

Thanks Mike4947, I'll have to check into how hard it is for somebody like me with no mechanical aptitude to install.  I appreciate the helpful info.

[AZsix]

Yes Marshall makes an "automatic" changover two stage regulator. Both cylinders are connected by pigtails and the regualtor draws from one set as the primary until the pressure in that one drops. The change over then switches to the other cylinder and a flag goes red letting you know it's changed. You then can move a switch making the second cylinder the primary to seal off the empty cylinder so you can remove it and refill it. Once it's reconnected the valve will switch back to it when the second one is empty and you just repeat the process.
 
They are available at any RV dealer or online.

I may have to look into getting one of those. My fear is running out of propane during the night and not having heat when I need it.

[Shepherd]

I may have to look into getting one of those. My fear is running out of propane during the night and not having heat when I need it.

That's my concern. In the mountains of Colorado it can get down to freezing and snow during the night even in June.  I'd hate to be asleep, counting on the furnace and have the gas run out.

[AZsix]

That's my concern. In the mountains of Colorado it can get down to freezing and snow during the night even in June.  I'd hate to be asleep, counting on the furnace and have the gas run out.

I noticed that you have 8 yr old twins. My twins (b/g) will be 9 next month.

[Shepherd]

I noticed that you have 8 yr old twins. My twins (b/g) will be 9 next month.

From you signature I noticed you've gone on multiple trips with the multiples and still survived.  Gives a dad hope  Ours will be 9 in the fall.  Tell your twins happy birthday when the big day arrives.

[AZsix]

From you signature I noticed you've gone on multiple trips with the multiples and still survived.  Gives a dad hope  Ours will be 9 in the fall.  Tell your twins happy birthday when the big day arrives.

It's been a piece of cake actually. It's easier than it is dealing with them at home. The hard part is that one of them is the only girl in the family and at times she feels left out when the boys do "boy" things.

I don't know about you but when the twins were babies, people would come up to us and say, "Oh twins, how fun!" I felt like telling them to come over at 2 in the morning and I'll show them just how much fun it is. They are a challenge but it's all worth it. I'm grateful for the experience.

[Shepherd]

It's been a piece of cake actually. It's easier than it is dealing with them at home. The hard part is that one of them is the only girl in the family and at times she feels left out when the boys do "boy" things.

I don't know about you but when the twins were babies, people would come up to us and say, "Oh twins, how fun!" I felt like telling them to come over at 2 in the morning and I'll show them just how much fun it is. They are a challenge but it's all worth it. I'm grateful for the experience.

Somehow I missed this post.  Yeah, twins are worth it and have many advantages over singletons, but the first year is a total blur!  If I didn't take video that year, I wouldn't remember most of it.   :eyecrazy:

[campfireguy]

I have a theory on propane. I've just recently used my ceramic cool touch electric heaters in my PUP. They worked excelent. I ran out of propane while camping in early October last year. Thank god one of my fellow campers had an extra tank because it got darn cold. I don't have a water heater and i don't cook in the camper and all i used was the gas heater. So my theory is I'll use my gas for cooking on my gas grill when I can't use my tri-pod. Happy Camping!