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Post by ronc on Nov 12, 2018 16:39:19 GMT -5
We have a Truma Aqua Go water heater (love it BTW). Our automatic switch on our two propane bottles switched, but never showed the red indicator ... resulting in BOTH tanks being sucked dry. Always happens when the shower is going ... so I got both bottles filled, opened the valves and turned the Truma on ... got the exhaust fan and heard the ignition, so I thought we were back in business. But after a few seconds the water got cold and I checked the Truma ... it seemed to be working properly. Then I remembered that if you open the LP tanks too fast it causes a safety valve to stop the flow. Asked DW to light the oven ... pilot would light, but when she tried to get the burner to light, it went out. I went outside, closed both bottles and then opened them S L O W L Y. Bingo ... the Truma began to work, hot water flowed freely, the sun came out and a rainbow appeared ... not really, but the Truma began to work. Be FT for over 2 years and this was the first time this has ever happened to me, but it can. Glad I remembered that lesson which I learned from fellow RV Full Timers. Thought it would be a good idea to share here.<style></style><style></style>
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Post by Edd505 on Nov 12, 2018 21:49:29 GMT -5
Glad you found your problem. I found two bad pig tails to the tanks, both crimps were bad a drained the tanks. I think chuck had the same issue. Any idea why the regulator didn't show or was it just not checked before it ran out??
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Post by Chuck on Nov 13, 2018 12:31:05 GMT -5
Yep Edd, had two bad hose's, they failed right behind the green screw in handle at the fitting going into the propane tank ... They lines very stiff, were replaced by flexible lines, while at the factory I looked at the line in some of the new trailers an saw they had changed the propane lines to flexible type lines instead of the stiff ones  Safe Travels Chuck |
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Post by ronc on Nov 13, 2018 16:44:48 GMT -5
Glad you found your problem. I found two bad pig tails to the tanks, both crimps were bad a drained the tanks. I think chuck had the same issue. Any idea why the regulator didn't show or was it just not checked before it ran out?? Oh I was checking it often. The last time I filled up was in Shipshewana, so I thought that the tank was lasting a really long time ;-). I have no idea why the indicator never showed red. I just checked and it is using the propane, one bottle at a time, so it appears that the automatic switcher is working but the indicator is not. I may just change it out and use the better pigtails while I'm at it. <style></style> |
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baranski37
Weekender RV’er
Princeton, TX
Posts: 52
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Post by baranski37 on Nov 13, 2018 19:39:06 GMT -5
I’m a newbie so can you explain how the switch works automatically? I assumed left worked that bottle, right worked right side bottle and in middle it drained both. I have been keeping one bottle closed so I don’t run completely out. I have a 2019 DG 380FLF
Regards Ron
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cloud
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 54
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Post by cloud on Nov 13, 2018 20:37:42 GMT -5
I’m a newbie so can you explain how the switch works automatically? I assumed left worked that bottle, right worked right side bottle and in middle it drained both. I have been keeping one bottle closed so I don’t run completely out. I have a 2019 DG 380FLF Regards Ron When the handle is pointing at one tank and the red indicatater show up that means that tank is empty and it will automatically start using the other tank. I only open one valve at a time as well but I'm only a weekend camper so it's no big deal. |
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cloud
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 54
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Post by cloud on Nov 13, 2018 20:42:48 GMT -5
This past weekend I turned the thermostat to heat in case it got cold during the night and wouldn't have to get up to a cold trailer. Well I forgot about it and on the drive home the temp was dropping so the trailer got cold. I backed the trailer in my storage spot and heard something running. I kept the trailer warm on the drive home. Never thought about the heater running while driving. Probably used a half tank of propane for nothing. One more thing to remember when camping in the cold weather.
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Post by Edd505 on Nov 13, 2018 21:03:09 GMT -5
Oh I was checking it often. The last time I filled up was in Shipshewana, so I thought that the tank was lasting a really long time ;-). I have no idea why the indicator never showed red. I just checked and it is using the propane, one bottle at a time, so it appears that the automatic switcher is working but the indicator is not. I may just change it out and use the better pigtails while I'm at it. <style></style> The dark green pig tails where really stiff and leaked at the crimped fitting. I mentioned it at the rally and they said they knew they had a problem with them. |
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Post by nvguy on Nov 13, 2018 23:16:55 GMT -5
Both my pigtails failed in short order. One last year (coach was 6 mo old), the other just after it's first year. I kept both of them and gave em to the KZ service manager at the rally.
I do have to say, LP pigtails seem to be a major point of failure. During my years in the biz I replaced a higher percentage of them than any other LP system part.
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Post by ronc on Nov 14, 2018 12:11:39 GMT -5
I’m a newbie so can you explain how the switch works automatically? I assumed left worked that bottle, right worked right side bottle and in middle it drained both. I have been keeping one bottle closed so I don’t run completely out. I have a 2019 DG 380FLF Regards Ron The direction of the pointer handle has no bearing on where the propane comes from ... it is only to remind you which tank you are using. When the first tank (the one the pointer is pointing at) goes empty the automatic switching valve switches to the other tank. When you look at the regulator there should now be a red flag indicating that the tank it is pointing at is empty. You should now switch the pointer to point at the tank in use, the red flag will go away and you remove and refill the empty tank while you continue to use the full one. This process repeats back and forth. My automatic switching valve switched, but the red flag didn't appear ... so I wound up draining both tanks (one at a time of course). The way to get this started is to close both bottle valves, loosen the connectors to let the pressure off ... retighten the connectors and SLOWLY open the tank you want to use first. Point the handle at the tank you chose to use to remind you that you are on that tank, now open the valve of the other tank. When the first bottle empties, it will automatically switch to the other tank and (if it is working correctly) an indicator will become visible in the window that lets you know that the first tank is empty. Disconnect ONLY that empty tank (the other bottle can continue to be used) and get it refilled and reconnected and open the valve, don't forget to turn the pointer to point at the tank you are using, the red flag should go away and you'll know which tank you are on ... it will now be ready to be used when the next switch is done.<style></style><style></style> |
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Post by ronc on Nov 14, 2018 12:13:08 GMT -5
This past weekend I turned the thermostat to heat in case it got cold during the night and wouldn't have to get up to a cold trailer. Well I forgot about it and on the drive home the temp was dropping so the trailer got cold. I backed the trailer in my storage spot and heard something running. I kept the trailer warm on the drive home. Never thought about the heater running while driving. Probably used a half tank of propane for nothing. One more thing to remember when camping in the cold weather. FWIW, I never travel with the propane on. <style></style> |
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Post by Chuck on Nov 17, 2018 12:50:37 GMT -5
I always turn one tank off, so when the pointer is pointed at the tank I am using the other is turned off so I don't start using the new tank till the other runs out, been do such for years thus I know more or less whats what with my propane My red indicator has always worked when the tank is empty I also gave my old pigtail's to the service manager so he has a very good supply of bad propane hose's LOL Safe travels Chuck |
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Post by lynnmor on Nov 17, 2018 14:47:09 GMT -5
I’ve had an auto changeover fail and no longer trust them, so I too use one tank at a time. As far as traveling with propane turned on, I turn on a bottle in the spring and propane stays on till I am done winterizing.
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