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famepot
Newbie
Joined: 28 Sep 2016
Location: WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 15
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Topic: Dual LP Tank Mod Posted: 27 Jan 2017 at 5:52pm |
I know others have posted their dual tank mod, but I though I would post my spin.
Here's the single tank mounting bracket.
I removed the bracket and drilled 4 new holes
I filled the old holes with liquid metal
and installed the new dual tank rack
Mounted the tanks (the one on the right is temporary till I get a new one)
I mounted the regulator on a new bracket
and added a new dual tank cover.
Total cost about $60, not including the tank. Current plan is to manually switch tanks.
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CharlieM
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797
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Posted: 27 Jan 2017 at 6:53pm |
Nice job but you're missing one of the biggest advantages of dual tanks. An auto-switch regulator ensures you'll use all the propane in a tank before refilling and that you won't run one dry in the middle of a cold night. Murphy's Law says it will happen at 2AM on the coldest rainy night of the trip
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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp
Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128
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Posted: 27 Jan 2017 at 7:25pm |
Originally posted by CharlieM
Nice job but you're missing one of the biggest advantages of dual tanks. An auto-switch regulator ensures you'll use all the propane in a tank before refilling and that you won't run one dry in the middle of a cold night.
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quoted for truth.
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M&M POD
Newbie
Joined: 14 Jan 2017
Location: Colorado
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Posts: 7
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Posted: 27 Jan 2017 at 9:56pm |
Nice job. I've got to get this done. My 180 2017.5 is in storage and I need to find out if my holder is welded on or bolted. Bolts would make my life much easier. Sounds like the auto switch reg is the way to go.
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Morris & Michelle
2008 FJ CRUISER
2017.5 HRE 180
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famepot
Newbie
Joined: 28 Sep 2016
Location: WA
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Posts: 15
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Posted: 27 Jan 2017 at 11:41pm |
Can you tell when it switches over? Would hate to have them both run dry.
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Podster
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
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Posts: 1108
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Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 6:47am |
Looks good. The only thing that I would note is that it appears that you used the stock POD LP regulator that was previously mounted horizontally. In fact, LP regulators are specifically designed to be mounted one way or the other. The vents on the regulator should point down on a horizontal regulator to allow gravity to help shed moisture. Of course, that is not to say the regulator won't work (allow flow) in the vertical position, but mounting it this way may lead to pre-mature failure. I imagine having the assembly inside the cover, as you do, may delay any related deterioration.
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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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CharlieM
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797
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Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 7:53am |
Originally posted by famepot
Can you tell when it switches over? Would hate to have them both run dry. | A red flag appears in a little window indicating one tank is empty and the regulator has switched over to the second tank.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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jato
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3257
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Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 8:35am |
In the 6 years we have owned or 177 we average about 1.5 tanks of propane usage/year. A couple of times we did burn through 2 tanks because of camping in some really cold weather conditions while in the Rockies. Would be difficult to end up with 2 empty tanks. We have 2 tanks on our pod, wouldn't have it any other way. I suppose if we camped where electricity were available we could use a cube heater but since we like the National Parks propane is our only alternative.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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voisj
Senior Member
Joined: 19 Jul 2016
Location: San Luis Obispo
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Posts: 471
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Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 1:05pm |
+1 on Jato's post, 1 get 10 nights out of my 1st tank, I have a gauge on it and only change over to the second when the gauge says it's almost empty or it feels really lite. I'ts so nice to have the second tank. Because I hate wandering around looking for propane when i need it bad.
On the regulator being upside down or horizontal. I've been using mine like his picture for 4 months. Is this really an issue that I should take care of?
Rgds John
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SLOPODMODS
John&Sue,SLO,CA
2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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Podster
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
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Posts: 1108
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Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 4:31pm |
Originally posted by voisj
On the regulator being upside down or horizontal. I've been using mine like his picture for 4 months. Is this really an issue that I should take care of?
Rgds John |
Worst case scenario is a untimely and premature failure which can happen at any time. A regulator is not very expensive and is easy to replace. So, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, however, by specification...it should be horizontal with the ventilation pointing down.
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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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