Propane Switch Mod

DaveB

When boondocking every watt counts. At some point NuCamp had to install a safety solenoid valve on the propane line to the galley to shut off propane when the hatch is closed. As many have noticed when you open the hatch you can hear a 'click' noise, this is the solenoid being energized to allow propane to flow.
There is nothing wrong with this and I have no intention of bypassing a safety device. However, I like to have my hatch open for convenience, and don't want the solenoid essentially wasting battery power when I have no need for it.
My solution is a little crude, but it works for me. I took a piece of automotive heater hose I had laying around and slit it down the middle, I can then wrap it on the strut post and slide it down into the interlock switch, the end result is the switch is then actuated and de-energizes the solenoid. Now there is no draw from the battery with the hatch open, and the safety switch still remains operational.
I added an old aviation tag I had to remind me to remove the hose before closing the hatch or using the burners.

HikinMike

Brilliant. I like simple. What diameter hose was this?

DaveB

@HikinMike I don't remember what diameter it was, the wall thickness is more important as it needs to fill the gap in order to actuate the switch. I will see if I can find the rest of that hose in the garage and measure it for ya.

HikinMike

No need. If its the thickness, it looks to be about as thick as the diameter of the utensil hook. Thanks so much.

DaveB

@HikinMike pretty sure a chunk of old garden hose would work as well, pretty much the same thickness, might even be close to the correct diameter as well. The heater hose I used was 1- 1/2" OD , but like I said it was the thickness that mattered for it to work.

HikinMike

This will help big time. I have a set of wings for my trailer and I leave the hatch open the entire time Im camping. Thank you for this great great mod.

Sealanes

Appreciate! When dry camping power is as precious as water. Now need hand pump for fresh water reservoir.

HikinMike

DaveB, finally got around to using your idea.

6 inch section of hose

HikinMike

1/2 inch OD

HikinMike

split down the middle

Slide onto shock

Taped the top red as a warning its on there. Slide the hose down and the solenoid deactivates.

Slide the hose up and the solenoid is activated and it stays in place. Kind of like my on/off switch

DaveB

@HikinMike nice job!

Michigan_Mike

Agree! I like simple fixes and those that save energy are even better! 👍🏻

rharms

wow! this is great. Don't even have my teardrop yet, but this will be a for sure mod!! Love these forums and handy people!

daveandcorlene

Fantastic mod! Thank you for sharing.

CampHub

I will let the pictures tell the story.

OldFatDog

Unfortunately, this didn't work for us. We duplicated the idea, and after several ins-and-outs of the hose piece -- being as careful as we could, not just jamming it in there -- the little silver bendy tab broke off entirely during a week-long boondock trip. It's barely attached in the first place, and I guess the additional stress eventually tore it loose.

I hacked the unit by taking the whole thing apart (three cheers for my Gerber multitool!) and using a clothes pin to depress the small white "button" that is activated by the silver tab.

Rather than buying a duplicate unit for replacement (if they're even available from NuCamp, I haven't bothered to check) I'd like to replace the entire current setup with a regular on/off switch instead.

I wonder if I can include a small LED that stays lit when the gas line is "on" so that it's easier to notice before we shut the door? Or maybe a switch with a built-in internal light?

WilliamA

https://teardrop-trailers.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/8706#Comment_8706

Brilliant!!!!

This discovery may change the world as we know it!

Or:

It can't break

if it isn't there.....

WilliamA

LuckyJ

@WilliamA said:
Brilliant!!!!
This discovery may change the world as we know it!
Or:
It's can't break
if it isn't there.....
WilliamA

I absolutely agree. But it was surly installed to protect someone from burning onself from a hot coffee at a drive through window. Or something like that! 🤔

GigHarborTom

Wonder if the new Airstreams have a kill switch on the front door, doubt it... sorry just had to say that...

LuckyJ

@GigHarborTom said:
Wonder if the new Airstreams have a kill switch on the front door, doubt it... sorry just had to say that...

🤣

packetjunkie

First, thank you for this information - it was very helpful. Until today when I placed the rubber piece up on the thicker part but not high enough so when I close it, I damaged the unit. I'm going to take it apart, but the little white switch piece appears to have broken inside the housing and doesnt want to come back into place. Pretty sure I can get it back there if nothing actually broke in the process.

By the way, I copied your idea of the flight tag Well done.

packetjunkie

After several attempts, the tiny white dot that is the actual switch is no longer working. A user on Facebook says NuCamp is quoting $360 for a new part - but my intention is to just wire a toggle switch under the sink area and use that instead, while it was a work around ultimately the switch will work better for me in the long run.

Donkeythekidd

I wired mine to a toggle switch. Super easy. The switch was around $6