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Propane Switch Mod
DaveB
Member Posts: 101
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
Comments
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
@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
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
@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
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
Appreciate! When dry camping power is as precious as water. Now need hand pump for fresh water reservoir.
2020 t@g xl edge
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
1/2 inch OD
2019 T@G Boondock Edge 5W
2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe
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
@HikinMike nice job!
Toronto, Ontario Canada
2020 T@G Boondock Edge XL
Agree! I like simple fixes and those that save energy are even better! 👍🏻
Michigan Mike
Linden, Mi
2019 T@B 400
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
Fantastic mod! Thank you for sharing.
2021 TAG XL Boondock
Toyota Tacoma
Evergreen State
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.
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.
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.
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! 🤔
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
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.
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.
I wired mine to a toggle switch. Super easy. The switch was around $6