Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: trailertrashrick on August 08, 2020, 05:50:27 pm

Title: This was Weird: Popped Propane Gauge
Post by: trailertrashrick on August 08, 2020, 05:50:27 pm
Last night, I started the motorhome because it hadn't run in a couple of weeks and I wanted to fill the air system and run the engine.  No dashboard gauges, but I could hear the tick-tock of a self resetting fuse behind the panel on the passenger side.  I found the offending fuse by clipping the negative of my VOM to the ground on the ignition solenoid and then probed for a connection that didn't have 12v.  Found it!  On my diagram, it was 5 WHT.  Looking at 5 WHT, it goes to A LOT of places, but I got lucky and found the gauge from the propane tank had come unglued and was just hanging loose.  I guess the glue just gave out after 23 years.

The gauge appears to be magnetic -- there's no path for propane to the gauge, so no catastrophic loss of propane two weeks after I got agreed value insurance!

A little super-glue magic and I have a propane gauge and the short caused by the dangling gauge is gone.  Dashboard gauges restored!

Title: Re: This was Weird: Popped Propane Gauge
Post by: Barry & Cindy on August 08, 2020, 07:49:37 pm
Rick, Good detective work with the right tool. Seems we have to do these things ourselves, no one else could get it fixed that easily.
Title: Re: This was Weird: Popped Propane Gauge
Post by: Pamela & Mike on August 08, 2020, 09:10:39 pm
Rick,

That gage is a DIY replacement job.  Unless they have changed the way the gage is mounted you should be able to loosen the 2 smaller Philips head screws and remove them,  the gage should fall out in your hand.  If not lift it out with an instrument screwdriver.  Underneath there will be a brass button that is held in place with the 4 big screws. DO NOT FITTLE WITH THE 4 OUTER SCREWS. as this holds the propane in the tank.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: This was Weird: Popped Propane Gauge
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on August 08, 2020, 09:45:36 pm
That is a really nice thing to learn!  I don't think ours has ever worked right.  I assumed the tank would need to be emptied to replace it.

I'll put getting a new one on my list.
Title: Re: This was Weird: Popped Propane Gauge
Post by: Pamela & Mike on August 08, 2020, 09:51:37 pm
They make a few versions. Fist make sure you order the ones that have wings to go under the 2 little screws. They also make an electronic remote version and one that is electronic ready.  The last one I bought of the electronic version was about $75  and it seems like the other one is about $30. I like the Manchester brand but shop around for the best deal.

Mike
Title: Re: This was Weird: Popped Propane Gauge
Post by: John Morales on August 09, 2020, 10:47:47 am
With a quick search I found this gauge.  There may be more options out there.
John M.
Rochester Gauge R3D-LP Remote Ready Dial for Junior Style Gauges - Replacemen... (https://www.jmesales.com/rochester-gauge-r3d-lp-remote-ready-dial-for-junior-style-gauges-replacement-dial-only-hall-effect-components-not-included/?sku=RGI5909S02733&device=c&keyword=&campaign=386320464&adgroup=pla-4580428010496223&msclkid=61a960526a1f1bebe4943f6261c2ed91&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20-%20Top%20Brands&utm_term=4580428010496223&utm_content=Rochester%20Gauges)
Title: Re: This was Weird: Popped Propane Gauge
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on August 09, 2020, 12:53:11 pm
With a quick search I found this gauge.
That looks like a correct replacement to me!