Propane Switch Mod

DaveB
DaveB Member Posts: 101
in Modifications & Upgrades

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.


Toronto, Ontario Canada
2020 T@G Boondock Edge XL

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Comments

  • HikinMike
    HikinMike Member Posts: 400

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

    2019 T@G Boondock Edge 5W
    2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
    2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe

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  • DaveB
    DaveB Member Posts: 101

    @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.

    Toronto, Ontario Canada
    2020 T@G Boondock Edge XL

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  • HikinMike
    HikinMike Member Posts: 400

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

    2019 T@G Boondock Edge 5W
    2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
    2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe

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  • DaveB
    DaveB Member Posts: 101

    @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.

    Toronto, Ontario Canada
    2020 T@G Boondock Edge XL

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  • HikinMike
    HikinMike Member Posts: 400

    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.

    2019 T@G Boondock Edge 5W
    2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
    2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe

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  • Sealanes
    Sealanes Member Posts: 4

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

    2020 t@g xl edge

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  • HikinMike
    HikinMike Member Posts: 400
    edited December 2019

    DaveB, finally got around to using your idea.

    6 inch section of hose

    2019 T@G Boondock Edge 5W
    2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
    2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe

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  • HikinMike
    HikinMike Member Posts: 400

    1/2 inch OD

    2019 T@G Boondock Edge 5W
    2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
    2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe

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  • HikinMike
    HikinMike Member Posts: 400
    edited December 2019


    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

    2019 T@G Boondock Edge 5W
    2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
    2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe

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  • DaveB
    DaveB Member Posts: 101

    @HikinMike nice job!

    Toronto, Ontario Canada
    2020 T@G Boondock Edge XL

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  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 510

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

    Michigan Mike
    Linden, Mi
    2019 T@B 400

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  • rharms
    rharms Member Posts: 4

    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!

    Ruth/Waunakee WI2021 T@G XL BD
    2014 Hawk LQ, 2018 Winnebago Minnie TT

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  • daveandcorlene
    daveandcorlene Member Posts: 74

    Fantastic mod! Thank you for sharing.

    2021 TAG XL Boondock
    Toyota Tacoma
    Evergreen State

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  • CampHub
    CampHub Member Posts: 113

    I will let the pictures tell the story.

    All the calculations show it can’t work. There’s only one thing to do: make it work.

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  • OldFatDog
    OldFatDog Member Posts: 14

    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?

    --

    Sometimes the oak. Sometimes the willow.

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  • WilliamA
    WilliamA Member Posts: 1,309
    edited June 2021
    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

    "When I am in charge, Starburst brand fruit chews will get their own food group....and where are all the freakin laser beams? There should be more laser beams..."

    2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
    2017 T@G XL
    Boyceville, Wi.

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  • LuckyJ
    LuckyJ Member Posts: 1,239

    @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! 🤔

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  • GigHarborTom
    GigHarborTom Member Posts: 270

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

    Gig Harbor Tom
    Trl '17 T@G Max
    TV 2018 Mazda CX9 Signature

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  • LuckyJ
    LuckyJ Member Posts: 1,239

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

    =) 🤣

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  • packetjunkie
    packetjunkie Member Posts: 72

    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.

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  • packetjunkie
    packetjunkie Member Posts: 72

    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.

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