Texman 182g Mods

What temp setting are you using on the recirculation tstat?

The challenge sounds like it might be to get the tstat temp sensor to read closer to the actual water temp in the pump feed line. You might try some thermal paste on the sensor to get it in better contact with the feed line, then wrap it tightly and insulate over that.  

thank you Stephen, Lost again and Offgrid for the helpful ideas.

My set point for the recirc is 33.5F.  In my trial runs the sensor was basically reading air temps i think.  It was place in a small hole that was left by FR mfg. where the water lines exit the interior and meet one of the low point drains.  it was next to the water line but just setting there.  Also, on the trial run i had not added the second Tstat to control the hot water heater, that is complete now.  in full disclosure, i got up at 2am to check on it and temps were just below freezing and then went to bed and temps dropped to the teens so it caused the constant recirc.  my fault but the bed felt too good.  i think the best test will be on a cold day so i can babysit everything instead of staying up all night.

i should be able to get the tstat sensor to fed through the floor and by affixed to the water supply line below the floor and insulate that pipe.  i think that will be the best place since it is the most vulnerable to freezing.  I'm don't think this is necessary, but the supply could be rerouted to go straight up from the tank through the floor and probably eliminate nearly 2.5 ft of exposed line leaving only maybe 8-9" of exposed line instead of 3 ft now. 

i will have to look for thermal paste, another new thing for me, and there have been many on this undertaking.  so much fun for me.   another idea i had would be to drill a small hole in the overflow line and mount the immersion probe their and silicone seal the penetration since it is overflow and no pressure. But i think the paste and next to supply line will be sufficient. 

so it sounds like insulating the entire tank may not be required? 

pic of DPDT wiring with reverse polarity and led indicators and the other low point drain with exposed pex.

i ordered the paste you referenced.  i'll take your word that it is what i need because i certainly dont know.  ( i would have used silicone probably) so thanks again. 

i am thinking that i may ditch the Hall meter already.  It reads negative (as in charging) when the pod is in an all off state.  It should read about 250ma according to the klein using its' hall meter. i have tried every method i can think of to reset and always clears to -.1 amp no matter what.  i guess it is reading the voltage from the earth somehow. i plan to check current using the probes as long as you all dont think i will get a spike greater 10 amps when i connect and blow a fuse on the meter?  either way the installed meter is just too inaccurate for me i think.  other shunt meters are fairly cheap ($25) to expensive Victron ($175)  If anyone has insight on these please let me know.

as for the tank insulation, Off grid mentioned closed cell spray, which would be the cadillac for sure. I am considering using a closed cell polyisocyanurate foam faced available at lowes for $17 for 4x8 sheet and 3/4" thick.  it is R5 and i would basically box the tank and reinforce the insulation for protection from high speed road objects somehow.  still in design phase for sure on that.  pipe insulation for the supply line.

I have no idea how much propane i had or used.  i know i was not full.  how are you measuring propane usage so precisely?