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Topic: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank (Read 459 times) previous topic - next topic

Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

I removed the propane tank from our coach so I could clean the vented bay and take care of some superficial rust on the LP tank. 

After getting it out (of course it was full, you have to maximize difficulty) there is a black box on the back of the tank.  I would think its a sensor of some kind, but have no idea as I've never removed the LP tank.  What is this item?

Attached pics of the dirty tank and then the clean tank with the black oval "sensor?" in question.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #1 –
I have never seen anything like that on any coach that I have worked on. Does it open in any way? My first thought was a place to hide a key.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #2 –
Steve,

That looks like one of our Samsung air tags.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #3 –
Quote from: red tractor –
I have never seen anything like that on any coach that I have worked on. Does it open in any way? My first thought was a place to hide a key.

Ding ding ding!  We have a winner!

I just went out to get a photo and try to open it.  It came off in my hand - apparently held on with magnet, which is funny because Steve scrubbed all around it and it never moved - felt like it was screwed into the tank, so we thought it was some kind of sensor.

If Steve hadn't pulled the LP tank, it would have stayed on the tank until the coach went to the great pick n' pull in the sky.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #4 –
Now, why a bay door key?

Can you hot wire the door actuators from the bay fuse/relay panel to get into the coach?

Be sure to feel behind your LP tank for goodies !
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #5 –
Steve, that's a good question! Hoping someone can have an answer to that.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #6 –
IF....

One was to have a deadbolt (entry door) key hidden in the propane bay (which, of course, does not lock)...

THEN, one could gain (emergency) entry into the coach......

AND, if there was a full set of keys hidden inside the coach.....

THEN, one could recover (gracefully) from LOSING a full set of keys while out away from the coach sightseeing.

Don't ask what led me to this revelation.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #7 –
Quote from: steve –
Now, why a bay door key?
That is a bay door key but also operates one of the two locks on the entry door.  I assume the PO did not use the deadbolt thus gaining access to the coach and.... see chuck's comment.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
IF....

One was to have a deadbolt (entry door) key hidden in the propane bay (which, of course, does not lock)...

THEN, one could gain (emergency) entry into the coach......

AND, if there was a full set of keys hidden inside the coach.....

THEN, one could recover (gracefully) from LOSING a full set of keys while out away from the coach sightseeing.

Don't ask what led me to this revelation.
Which is what we have done. Only it's a conventional house type punch lock. It's our rental house # so the family would know but a mystery to anyone else. DW has used it when I was away with the key. ( don't ask why. Suffice it to say it's a tight fit though the kit window)
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #9 –
That looks like my entry door key....not the deadbolt.  Maybe like me when leaving locks just the handle lock, when sleeping I turn the deadbolt.
Herb and Willie
Escapees 90802
2014 IH-45 Build 6581
2002 U320 40' AGDS Build 6021 Sold
1999 U320 36' No Slides Sold
2007 Monaco Dynasty Diamond IV Sold
2005 Discovery 39 Sold
1986 20' Wilderness TT,  Died a natural death after floods, etc.
Walldog's Journeys
And Willie Said

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #10 –
We now think the key is to the engine hatch.

The scenario is that you have lost your keys OR the PTL entry door latch (not the deadbolt) has failed.  When this happens you fetch your hidden engine bay door key, open/raise the engine hatch, commando across the engine bay and push the bed platform up.  And just like that, you are in the coach.

Our bed platform "window sash" lock is missing, so the platform is not locked down.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #11 –
Shhh..
If this secret Achilles heal gets out, our coaches will no longer be secure!
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #12 –
Quote from: steve –
...you fetch your hidden engine bay door key, open/raise the engine hatch, commando across the engine bay and push the bed platform up.
HMMmmm...  I have heard other members describe this "theoretical" manner of getting into a locked coach.

Looking into my engine bay from the open hatch, there is no way in h-e-ll that I could make the traverse across the engine, commando or otherwise.  There ain't sufficient space between the top of the engine and the bed platform, and I'm pretty skinny.  Plus, our bed platform is held down tightly by two lock thingies (to help keep exhaust/engine fumes out of the bedroom).  So "pushing the bed platform up" would not, in our case, work.

I believe hiding an entry door key is a better plan, but that's only my O-pinion.  Everybody should DWMYH.

And, Yes, I agree with George - we should now stop talking about this subject and giving away our secrets.  8)

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #13 –
Provides locked bay access to the sister key holder behind a locked door. Hidden for safe keeping

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #14 –
Turns out it was not the engine bay key, it opens the front door (I did not try the bay hatches yet)  Not sure what good that would do if the deadbolt was locked. 
Quote from: dsd –
access to the sister key holder
I need to keep searching the other bays for other hidden gems, this could be a treasure hunt :)

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Looking into my engine bay from the open hatch, there is no way
I agree looking at that opening, there is no way!  On our 2000 and the previous 2003, there is a lot of "wiggle" room when the engine bay is open, so we may need to find a good beanpole to test the theory!
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"
 

Re: Sensor? on back side of LP Tank

Reply #15 –
Quote from: steve –
Turns out it was not the engine bay key, it opens the front door (I did not try the bay hatches yet)  Not sure what good that would do if the deadbolt was locked. 

I need to keep searching the other bays for other hidden gems, this could be a treasure hunt :)


I agree looking at that opening, there is no way! 
The propane door is the only one that doesn't lock. I'm sure you have another key box somewhere. My guess is the generator bay inside the oil access door. I adjusted my engine cover so it would lock normally. Speaking of extreme hi security did you get a code to the fire box?