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Old 04-20-2022, 06:43 AM   #1
scottkeen
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Automatic propane tank changeover regulator defective?

I have a 2011 Montana Mountaineer.

Perhaps related to my last post about hearing clunks and thunks from the furnace, I think my Fairview automatic changeover propane regulator might be defective?

First, when I opened the valves on my two 30-lb propane tanks, I got no gas to the stove. The Fairview regulator indicator dial was red (empty) regardless of which tank I switched the dial to.

I had just had both tanks refilled. I closed the valves, disconnected the hoses, reconnected again, opened the valves. I did this several times. Eventually the red (empty) indicator on the regulator switched green (full), and I had gas to the stove.

This morning I woke up to no heat. There was barely a flame on the stove. The Fairview regulator dial showed red (empty). I removed both tanks and clearly one tank was full, a lot heavier. I swapped tanks and now the furnace is working correctly and the stove is working correctly.

Is my Fairview automatic changeover regular defective? If so, do you recommend replacing with the same or a different make/model?

Thanks
 
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Old 04-20-2022, 07:14 AM   #2
Daryles
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When you open the propane tank valve, you do it really slooooooooowly, right?
If you open the valve too fast the safety valve inside thinks there's a leak and shuts off.
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Old 04-20-2022, 08:22 AM   #3
rames14
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This article may help you. It looks like they have about a ten year life. I would replace with the same model. Best of luck.
https://www.theindoorhaven.com/rv-pr...-how-to-guide/
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Old 04-20-2022, 08:42 AM   #4
scottkeen
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles View Post
When you open the propane tank valve, you do it really slooooooooowly, right?
If you open the valve too fast the safety valve inside thinks there's a leak and shuts off.
Thank you! I will remember that.
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Old 04-20-2022, 08:42 AM   #5
scottkeen
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rames14 View Post
This article may help you. It looks like they have about a ten year life. I would replace with the same model. Best of luck.
https://www.theindoorhaven.com/rv-pr...-how-to-guide/
Thanks! I saw your reply in my other thread about the furnace.

I will check out the link.
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Old 04-20-2022, 09:32 AM   #6
Carl n Susan
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You wrote that this started after you had both tanks filled. I agree the most common cause on an older rig (before the miserable red regulator) is opening the valve too quickly. One other thing I ran into recently, is if the operator overfilled the tank, they won't flow propane. My experience was a with a little 2 gal tank but it took a bit before anyone figured it out.
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Old 04-20-2022, 10:20 AM   #7
rohrmann
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I replaced our regulator several years ago with a Marshall brand. With all these supply problems, even these have become hard to find. On Amazon, they show a Fairview that comes with new pigtails, which would be good thing to replace as the rubber hoses do deteriorate over time. Of course, you only need one where the regulator goes but can use the other on the opposite side. You might also want to get a roll of the yellow Teflon tape that is rated for gas. You don't need it on the flair fittings, just the tapered pipe connections. https://www.amazon.com/Fairview-Prop...s%2C659&sr=8-5
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Old 04-20-2022, 10:58 AM   #8
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I had a similar issue last trip out. Thought I had done a good job isolating the issue to the changeover regulator. After replacing it still had the same issue just from the one tank. Suspected a defective or sticking OPD on that tank. Using an ancient trick from this forum took the tank out, turned it upside down, held it 12" off the concrete and dropped it. Put it back in the 5'er and it has worked perfect ever since.
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Old 04-20-2022, 11:02 AM   #9
twindman
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A few years ago I had problems getting any gas. I took the tanks off and dropped them upside down. Finally borrowed a tank from someone else, and it worked. Put mine back on and opened very slowly and it worked. I forget why both sides quit at the same time, but eventually got everything working.
Oh, then a few years later I had forgotten about opening slowly and had an issue again. Finally remembered and all worked.
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Old 04-20-2022, 02:52 PM   #10
jcurtis934
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A word of caution on dropping tank when concerned about sticky opd valves. One of my tanks that I replaced a year ago due to ageout and lots of rust on the weld band in the center of the tank, wouldn't take propane at two different fill sites. Took it to a propane dealer in Tucson and they found that the old float assembly was broken off. They are plastic!! New opd and life is back to normal...well as normal as full time RV living gets. John
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Old 04-24-2022, 04:51 PM   #11
bigred715
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Replaced regulator because it would not change over in 2019 and had tanks recertified last year.
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Old 04-24-2022, 04:58 PM   #12
Majorpolk
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Replace your regulator

I am a licensed propane operator. First, replace the regulator it is out of date. For any of you out there with regulators over 10 years, you should replace yours as well. I wouldn’t necessarily use the same one, although that would be fine, but regulators have improved over the
AST 12 years since that one was new. I would check to see if there are other regulators in the system, like on the bottle that is on the other side of the camper from the switchover regulator.
Second, don’t slam bottles on the ground. This can break the valve inside the bottle. This is a situation where you need to take the bottle to a licensed propane business.
Regarding your cold camper, it is difficult to answer from this distance, but it sounds like something caused the bottle to slam shut. Anytime you have a low pressure line and the need for pressure comes to the bottle as a sudden request it can cause the vaLve in the bottle to slam shut. It should reopen when the pressure equalizes. This happens because the valve has a small hole drilled in it to allow gas to seep through it for this vary purpose. Camper systems can be very finicky because of the systems running on it in a small run.

I hope some of this helps. The best thing to remember is be patient.
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Old 04-25-2022, 06:31 AM   #13
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Our 2006 had a similar problem. The regulator would not switch to the driver side tank after it had worked just fine. Replaced the regulator with a Marshall which was the same as the original regulator and it worked for a short time and then same problem occurred. The replacement regulator quit working on both sides. The original problem turned out to be the connector on the driver's side. It's an ME 218, which i replaced. I did replace the regulator again with a Camco as the Marshall was malfunctioning. Everything now works fine.
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Old 04-25-2022, 03:46 PM   #14
Hit The Road
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Dropping tanks?

Welp, I guess that's the reason I still have a job!
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