zuley
Ontario
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Joined: 02/28/2010
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Our new 2008 Fleetwood Arcadia has a dual propane tank mounted system. With our previous Cheyenne we carried a second tank on the tongue as well. Once at the campsite we moved the second tank off the tongue to our picnic table which we then used for our camp light and to run our BBQ. I questioned during our pre-delivery walk through with our dealer whether one tank could be removed from the new trailer and used as we did previous. We were told no, both tanks had to be hooked to the regulator. This past weekend during our first trip out with the new pup I played with the valving on the two tanks. With the right tank valve open and the left tank closed the water heater would ignite. With the left valve open and the right closed the water heater would not ignite. The regulator does not have a switch over.
Can anyone please explain how this works? I would like to be able to only use one tank at a time to be able to determine when it is time to refill or be able to move one tank to our bbq area, if possible, rather than carrying a third tank.
Thanking all in advance.
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Beacher
Long Beach, CA
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Joined: 05/07/2004
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The latest new Coleman dual tank setups are plumbed with a simple T fitting between the two tanks, before feeding into the one low pressure regulator. That simple T fitting does not have any valving built into it, so you cannot use only one tank at a time, for that reason.
Way back in the distant past, (one or two years ago), Fleetwood/Coleman used to install an auto-changeover valve whenever there were two tanks mounted to the trailer. The auto-changeover valve allows you to remove one tank independently of the other, and still have a viable working propane system. You can always replace the economy T-fitting, with a snazzy auto-changeover valve yourself.
Assuming your new 2008 Arcadia only has one propane regulator being fed by the two tanks, there is no reason that your water heater should not ignite if either one of the tank OPD valves is shut off.....unless if the LEFT tank was empty. But with the T-fitting, both tanks tend to equalize if they are both left open. Hmm?
Another twist to this propane plumbing is that your Arcadia has a single high-pressure outside 1/2" threaded port for attaching external appliances. Only one of your propane tanks has a red colored high-pressure regulator which leads to that one access port. That exterior high pressure propane access port only works with one tank, the one with the red regulator. But that has nothing to do with the low-pressure regulated propane line going to the water heater that is fed by the two tanks, connected with the aforementioned T-fitting.
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batman99
at seasonal site
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Joined: 07/25/2009
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Funny such a question is posted. Just last weekend, I encounted a simular situation... First time I encounted it...
My seasonal site TT has a dual 30 lbs tank system with a manual value on its regulator to select either tank. One tank went empty, so I manually switched to the other tank. It worked great. I then removed the empty tank and for some reason, there was NO gas coming out of the remaining single tank. Yet, its manual valve was pointing to the remaining full tank. I re-connected the empty tank and suddenly got LP gas out of the remaining tank. Man, talk about weird behavior. The private camp ground owner said that some manual valves sometimes do that. re: Something about an internal safety sensor and both tanks must be connected (even if 1 tank is turned off). Unforetunately, my empty tank's 12" LP line suddenly developed a leak during tank exchanges as well. Thus, even the remaining tank NO longer worked (because the leaking line would NOT create enough back pressure of its safety valve). The camp ground owner threw me over a brass plug. I removed the leaking LP 12" rubber line and installed this brass plug (on the regulator hole). Instantly, remaining tank was working properly. Was able to have LP working properly, replaced the leaking 12 LP rubber line and got the empty 30 lbs tank filled. If wondering, I now keep this brass cap in my TT's tool box (bought it off the camp ground owner for $3.00). If for some reason I need it again, I have it in my TT's tool box.
Long post short... If you remove an LP tank to get it filled (or to use at a different location), simply install a brass plug (on its regulator port). Thus, allowing its internal safety valve to work properly - when 1 tank is removed.
Works for me....
.
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red31
Bryan
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diagram
http://www.fft-inc.com/korkwerks/2008/Highlander/page33.htm
If it's not a check tee both tanks can feed the high pressure regulator.
I'd just hook up one tank, get rid of the tee and screw item 5 in the above diagram into item 9.
Your left/right tank scenario makes no sense.
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batman99
at seasonal site
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After some more thinking (of OPs long term wants), perhaps one might want to replace their existing "double line" regulator with a single line regulator. Regulators are inexpensive devices to replace. Ensure the new "single tank" regulator has a center position LP rubber hose. Thus, it can be connected to either tonque mounted tank (without moving the tanks around). For one tank with NO hose connected to it, it can be manually removed and taken to one's picnic table - to supply gas to other items. And when visiting the site is done, simply manually put that "portable" (sort of speaking) tank back onto the trailer's tonque area. Or, if one is "cheap" like me, simply visit your local RV dealer and purchase a brass plug (and screw into one of the dual port on the regulator). Simply remove one of the rubber LP hoses (off the existing dual tank regulator) and "plug it". This low cost method works as well...
Good luck...
* This post was
edited 06/02/10 07:12am by batman99 *
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red31
Bryan
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Yep, plugging the tee (item 4 in the diagram I linked) is a simple solution. And less involved than removing it!
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mrkennyg
Elkhorn, Wisconsin
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Joined: 05/03/2004
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Red31, plug it with WHAT? I've been trying to do this for a couple of months now and can't find the right plug. The plug is either too big or the threads don't match.
Does anyone have a link?
Kenny
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larson6
Eldon, MO
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Joined: 03/27/2007
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batman99 wrote:After some more thinking (of OPs long term wants), perhaps one might want to replace their existing "double line" regulator with a single line regulator. Regulators are inexpensive devices to replace. Ensure the new "single tank" regulator has a center position LP rubber hose. Thus, it can be connected to either tonque mounted tank (without moving the tanks around). For one tank with NO hose connected to it, it can be manually removed and taken to one's picnic table - to supply gas to other items. And when visiting the site is done, simply manually put that "portable" (sort of speaking) tank back onto the trailer's tonque area. Or, if one is "cheap" like me, simply visit your local RV dealer and purchase a brass plug (and screw into one of the dual port on the regulator). Simply remove one of the rubber LP hoses (off the existing dual tank regulator) and "plug it". This low cost method works as well...
Good luck...
That's what I was thinking also. If the 2nd tank is only on the trailer for transport and storage, and never feeds the camper there's no reason to have it plumbed in.
94 Suburban
06 Coachmen Clipper 128st
Nights camped
2008=28
2009=25
2010=25
2011=22
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crosbygroup
california
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Joined: 02/19/2007
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Beacher wrote:The latest new Coleman dual tank setups are plumbed with a simple T fitting between the two tanks, before feeding into the one low pressure regulator. That simple T fitting does not have any valving built into it, so you cannot use only one tank at a time, for that reason.
Way back in the distant past, (one or two years ago), Fleetwood/Coleman used to install an auto-changeover valve whenever there were two tanks mounted to the trailer. The auto-changeover valve allows you to remove one tank independently of the other, and still have a viable working propane system. You can always replace the economy T-fitting, with a snazzy auto-changeover valve yourself.
Assuming your new 2008 Arcadia only has one propane regulator being fed by the two tanks, there is no reason that your water heater should not ignite if either one of the tank OPD valves is shut off.....unless if the LEFT tank was empty. But with the T-fitting, both tanks tend to equalize if they are both left open. Hmm?
Another twist to this propane plumbing is that your Arcadia has a single high-pressure outside 1/2" threaded port for attaching external appliances. Only one of your propane tanks has a red colored high-pressure regulator which leads to that one access port. That exterior high pressure propane access port only works with one tank, the one with the red regulator. But that has nothing to do with the low-pressure regulated propane line going to the water heater that is fed by the two tanks, connected with the aforementioned T-fitting.
I know this is an older thread, but I have a similar problem. I have a 2008 Avalon and I can not find new propane hoses to fit my current set up. I have the two tanks and they are both connected to a white regulator? One tank also splits off to a red high pressure line. Does anyone no where I can buy new gas lines? I have taken it to three different rv repair places and no one has any ideas.
Crosbygroup 2008 Fleetwood Avalon Highlander
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. ~Henry J. Tillman
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Beacher
Long Beach, CA
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Joined: 05/07/2004
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crosbygroup wrote:Beacher wrote:The latest new Coleman dual tank setups are plumbed with a simple T fitting between the two tanks, before feeding into the one low pressure regulator. That simple T fitting does not have any valving built into it, so you cannot use only one tank at a time, for that reason.
Way back in the distant past, (one or two years ago), Fleetwood/Coleman used to install an auto-changeover valve whenever there were two tanks mounted to the trailer. The auto-changeover valve allows you to remove one tank independently of the other, and still have a viable working propane system. You can always replace the economy T-fitting, with a snazzy auto-changeover valve yourself.
Assuming your new 2008 Arcadia only has one propane regulator being fed by the two tanks, there is no reason that your water heater should not ignite if either one of the tank OPD valves is shut off.....unless if the LEFT tank was empty. But with the T-fitting, both tanks tend to equalize if they are both left open. Hmm?
Another twist to this propane plumbing is that your Arcadia has a single high-pressure outside 1/2" threaded port for attaching external appliances. Only one of your propane tanks has a red colored high-pressure regulator which leads to that one access port. That exterior high pressure propane access port only works with one tank, the one with the red regulator. But that has nothing to do with the low-pressure regulated propane line going to the water heater that is fed by the two tanks, connected with the aforementioned T-fitting.
I know this is an older thread, but I have a similar problem. I have a 2008 Avalon and I can not find new propane hoses to fit my current set up. I have the two tanks and they are both connected to a white regulator? One tank also splits off to a red high pressure line. Does anyone no where I can buy new gas lines? I have taken it to three different rv repair places and no one has any ideas.
You will find what you need at any RV parts store, or online, like at Camping World, or one of their store locations.
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