Butane gas in Spain? Electric costs?

[Lizi]

Is it possible to get replacement gas bottles in Spain? We could use electric to heat when on a site but wondering how long two 11kg bottles would last if we need to use for heating as well as cooking. We are planning to be away six weeks from early January. So far we have only been away in the summer so gas lasts forever as only using it for a bit of cooking.

What do others do if they don’t have a gaslow system? How much extra does electric cost on sites? - I’ve been reading some threads and saw it can be charged separately.

 

[Badknee]

We bought a repsol lpg bottle and regulator and cook outside. Don’t need heat where we stay. Uk lpg bottles aren’t available in Spain.

 

[tonka]

If you are now using Butane...
Take one bottle out and buy a "jumbo adapter". This will screw in place of the clip on adapter you already use.
You can then buy a s/h Repsol or Cepsa bottle once in Spain, look on campsite notice boards, Rastro (like car boot or s/h shops) and local facebook selling groups. Then just do refill swopouts like you do here BUT less than 1/2 the price.
Did that for years in our past van.

This is same just a different style, they seem to be quite hard to locate in Spain as they mainly sell the clip on regulators, which is no good if you want to feed it thought you built in regulator already fitted on the van.

Gaslow Jumbo Adaptor

Used in conjunction with the Butane Nut type pigtails. Suitable for Northern/Southern Irish, Norwegian, Spanish and Portuguese gas cylinders.

www.gasproducts.co.uk

 

[Neil S]

Is it possible to get replacement gas bottles in Spain? We could use electric to heat when on a site but wondering how long two 11kg bottles would last if we need to use for heating as well as cooking. We are planning to be away six weeks from early January. So far we have only been away in the summer so gas lasts forever as only using it for a bit of cooking.

What do others do if they don’t have a gaslow system? How much extra does electric cost on sites? - I’ve been reading some threads and saw it can be charged separately.

Daytime temperatures can be pleasantly warm in Southern Spain in January but cold overnight so you will need some heating .
We used 10kg every 8-10 days for heating and cooking and that was on a campsite , we had EHU but were limited to 4kw per day which just about lasted running the fridge and charger over a 24hour period , if we used anymore we had to pay .
2x11kg probably won't be enough .
Buy yourself a Jumbo adapter which are readily available here in the UK and a suitable pigtail and connect it to your existing bulkhead regulator then buy a spanish repsol or cepsa propane cylinder

 

[JockandRita]

Is it possible to get replacement gas bottles in Spain? We could use electric to heat when on a site but wondering how long two 11kg bottles would last if we need to use for heating as well as cooking. We are planning to be away six weeks from early January. So far we have only been away in the summer so gas lasts forever as only using it for a bit of cooking.

What do others do if they don’t have a gaslow system? How much extra does electric cost on sites? - I’ve been reading some threads and saw it can be charged separately.

We have the Gaslow Twin cylinder system, which we top up before we arrive on site in Spain. We then connect a repsol Propano cylinder to our fill point using the jumbo connector and hose which tonka linked to.

As Neil S suggests, night time temperatures can be cold, frosty even, and a Propano cylinder lasts us about the same length of time, or less if running a fridge/freezer off the same cylinder. They are about 15 - 16 Euros a refill.

HTH,

Jock.

Edit..........If you have an external gas BBQ point, you may be able to backfeed through that, using the jumbo regulator and external cylinder, pending how it is piped in.

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[Spriddler]

We have the Gaslow Twin cylinder system, which we top up before we arrive on site in Spain. We then connect a repsol Propano cylinder to our fill point using the jumbo connector and hose

Isn't autogas available at Spanish garages for refilling your Gaslow cylinders?

 

[JockandRita]

Isn't autogas available at Spanish garages for refilling your Gaslow cylinders?

Absolutely, hence topping up before we pitch on site.
If we use up that supply, it means we have to pack up to go and refill, hence working off an external cylinder.

When waiting for a refill to be delivered, I switch back to my autogas supply. Doing it this way means that we will never run out of gas whilst on that pitch for weeks or months at a time.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

When we were in Beni, we stayed on Torretta and there was someone on site who would supply and deliver propane gas bottles to your van for around 14 -15 euros. He would also supply the adaptor and hoses, which he would buy back less a few euros if you wanted. He also supplied villasol as it was on the way to the repsol depot just outside of the market.He trundled around on a mobility scooter, but heard he may have stopped doing it but someone may have taken over.

 

[jumar]

Our heating is on this morning in Riopar... Spain....supplied by Autogas.
There is not worries in Spain buying Autogas, portable gas or getting the stuff the see you through the winter...
One thing to be aware of is campsites overcharging for electric per kWh... I've heard of prices around 0.44 € per kWh...that's a lot more than domestic property prices...we pay 0.09€ off peak and 0.24€ per kWh...peak...therefore cooking, heating should be done with gas....
During the colder months it might be worth considering Propane instead of Butane...

 

[JockandRita]

When we were in Beni, we stayed on Torretta and there was someone on site who would supply and deliver propane gas bottles to your van for around 14 -15 euros. He would also supply the adaptor and hoses, which he would buy back less a few euros if you wanted. He also supplied villasol as it was on the way to the repsol depot just outside of the market.He trundled around on a mobility scooter, but heard he may have stopped doing it but someone may have taken over.

Jim, that would have been Malcolm. I'd send him a text to say I needed a Propano refill, and he'd be there within the half hour on his mobility scooter. A great service though I have to doubt it's legitimacy, under the rules regarding the carriage of hazardous goods/liquids/gases.

Our heating is in this morning in Riopar... Spain....supplied by Autogas.
There is not worries in Spain buying Autogas, portable gas or getting the stuff the see you through the winter...
One thing to be aware of is campsites overcharging for electric per kWh... I've heard of prices around 0.44 € per kWh...that's a lot more than domestic property prices...we pay 0.09€ off peak and 0.24€ per kWh...peak...therefore cooking, heating should be done with gas....
During the colder months it might be worth considering Propane instead of Butane...

You are spot on there Martin re the charges per Kw. We have paid 40 - 44 cents per Kw, and have heard of 48 cents even.

With the Hymer's ageing AES fridge/freezer, we had not choice but to run on EHU, as it was fully automatic with no manual option to change over to gas.................until a certain helpful Funster installed a mains feed bypass switch for us.
With the option to change over manually on the Flair's newer AES unit, we prefer to operate from gas, giving us a bit more flexibility with the 4Kw electric allowance included with the ACSI pitch fee.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[Lizi]

Oops it is Propane we use - don’t know what made me write butane! Thanks for suggestion of getting jumbo adapter and pigtail.
We have a small electric 700w radiator we used to use in our old van (heating was broken). I had planned to take this as its supposedly very economical and does a great job of heating a van but it sounds like even this might be too expensive to use.

 

[JockandRita]

Oops it is Propane we use - don’t know what made me write butane! Thanks for suggestion of getting jumbo adapter and pigtail.
We have a small electric 700w radiator we used to use in our old van (heating was broken). I had planned to take this as its supposedly very economical and does a great job of heating a van but it sounds like even this might be too expensive to use.

If you have access to the meter readings Lizi, just make a daily note of the readings, which will indicate your usage. You'll soon know if your 700w radiator is expensive to run of not.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Spriddler]

Doing it this way means that we will never run out of gas whilst on that pitch for weeks or months at a time.

Ah, thanks. I was overlooking that you 'set up' and stay in the same place for weeks or months.
I can't imagine doing that. It's a very different sort of motorhoming than I'm used to. I get itchy feet and have never stayed anywhere for more than an occasional week at the very most. Even then I go out every day so the most packing up that is necessary is winding in the awning and putting way a table and chairs.

 

[JockandRita]

Ah, thanks. I was overlooking that you 'set up' and stay in the same place for weeks or months.
I can't imagine doing that. It's a very different sort of motorhoming than I'm used to. I get itchy feet and have never stayed anywhere for more than an occasional week at the very most. Even then I go out every day so the most packing up that is necessary is winding in the awning and putting way a table and chairs.

It's was only during our pre pandemic winter trips to Spain Spriddler, however I think on this coming trip, we won't be so long in one location. It'll depend on the weather and the group Funsters in the area at the time.

Cheers

Jock.

 

[tonka]

Oops it is Propane we use - don’t know what made me write butane! Thanks for suggestion of getting jumbo adapter and pigtail.
We have a small electric 700w radiator we used to use in our old van (heating was broken). I had planned to take this as its supposedly very economical and does a great job of heating a van but it sounds like even this might be too expensive to use.

If you have a propane pigtail now then you will need to get a butane pigtail as well as the adaptor wont fit on the propane one.
I used to carry both and swop over on the built in regulator if needed.

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[Spriddler]

It'll depend on the weather and the group Funsters in the area at the time.

Well you can't do much about the weather but you could reduce the Funsters risk by not posting on here where you intend to stay.

 

[JockandRita]

Funsters risk by not posting on here where you intend to stay.

But it's them we meet up with.

Jock.

 

[denisejoe]

You could always connect a cylinder and regulator to your external gas connector

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

You could always connect a cylinder and regulator to your external gas connector

You really need an adaptor on the external cylinder if connected to your fill point not a regulator as you already have a regulator in your gas locker.

 

[Lizi]

So we need to buy a jumbo adapter and a pigtail. We don’t have an external gas point for bbq. Followed link kindly sent by Tonka To Hamilton Gas products and instead of choosing gaslow adapter, there is this:

Kosan 35mm Jumbo Cylinder Adaptor and​

48" Propane/Butane Gas Pigtail NR Butane Nut x W20​

Is this what we will need? OH not as keen as me to go to Spain, so I want to be sure i get it all right!

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[tonka]

So we need to buy a jumbo adapter and a pigtail. We don’t have an external gas point for bbq. Followed link kindly sent by Tonka To Hamilton Gas products and instead of choosing gaslow adapter, there is this:

Kosan 35mm Jumbo Cylinder Adaptor and​

48" Propane/Butane Gas Pigtail NR Butane Nut x W20​

Is this what we will need? OH not as keen as me to go to Spain, so I want to be sure i get it all right!

The adapter is ok, just a later version of the one i have in my picture.
48" !!! (4 foot) thats a long pigtail, better check the length of your current one, you may find something like a 20" is more suited.
BUT measure and check first.

20" Propane/Butane Gas Pigtail - NR Butane Nut x W20

The 20" Propane/Butane Gas Pigtail - NR Butane Nut x W20, the ideal choice for connecting your gas cylinder to a regulator or adaptor. Manufactured in the UK by Gas Products in the most advanced LPG hose manufacturing facility in Europe, this high-quality gas hose pigtail promises superior...

www.gasproducts.co.uk

 

[Lizi]

There were two pigtails. I picked the longest thinking longer better. But perhaps not! I’m sure 20 inches would be fine. Thanks for help.

 

[royandsharont]

Hi Lizi. I think you need to be made aware, and someone who lives in Spain can come along and confirm my understanding, before you go trying to buy a bottle of gas. Of course rules may have changed but I doubt it in this instance.

When we lived there back in 2010, in a house, there were lots of very strict rules about gas supplies, as there is no mains gas, and getting them checked.

Some campsites insist you produce a gas safety certificate issued within the past 12 months, like from your habitation service. I think Repsol do the houses in Spain

To be able to buy a new bottle of gas you had to prove you were a resident with documents..

I think that is why many campers would go to the car boot markets and buy an empty bottle so they could just go and swap it as they would not be eligible to buy one legally themselves. We just swapped ours at the garage, like you do here.

Once camping I also learned that some places could get your bottles refilled for you by certain people, illegally of course with no questions asked.

I’ve also heard of campsites loaning you bottles for the duration of your long term winter stay to get over the problem of getting one yourself.

Hope you get sorted, it can be cold at night.

 

[denisejoe]

You really need an adaptor on the external cylinder if connected to your fill point not a regulator as you already have a regulator in your gas locker.

No you also need a regulator as you will be bypassing the onboard regulator that is in the gas cupboard

 

[JockandRita]

No you also need a regulator as you will be bypassing the onboard regulator that is in the gas cupboard

Not if connecting through the fill point, as Jim mentioned, as the gas from the external cylinder goes through the onboard cylinder, then through the regulator.

If back feeding from a Spanish cylinder through a BBQ point, then yes, the cylinder requires a regulator first.

If replacing an onboard cylinder with a Spanish cylinder, (using the right connection), then no regulator is needed, as you are using the onboard regulator.

HTH.

Jock.

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[jumar]

Hi Lizi. I think you need to be made aware, and someone who lives in Spain can come along and confirm my understanding, before you go trying to buy a bottle of gas. Of course rules may have changed but I doubt it in this instance.

When we lived there back in 2010, in a house, there were lots of very strict rules about gas supplies, as there is no mains gas, and getting them checked.

Some campsites insist you produce a gas safety certificate issued within the past 12 months, like from your habitation service. I think Repsol do the houses in Spain

To be able to buy a new bottle of gas you had to prove you were a resident with documents..

I think that is why many campers would go to the car boot markets and buy an empty bottle so they could just go and swap it as they would not be eligible to buy one legally themselves. We just swapped ours at the garage, like you do here.

Once camping I also learned that some places could get your bottles refilled for you by certain people, illegally of course with no questions asked.

I’ve also heard of campsites loaning you bottles for the duration of your long term winter stay to get over the problem of getting one yourself.

Hope you get sorted, it can be cold at night.

Totally agree...that's how to do it legally..however....most don't
We bought a brand new MH in Alicante in 2003, it came without a gas certificate...it was our responsibility to get it certified and sign up for the two Repsol cylinders. Strange but true...
Anyone including the OP would need to either take out a cylinder from their gas locker and put the Spanish cylinder in or leave the Spanish one outside and pipe it through to the bulkhead regulator.
Cylinder, Jumbo connector, Pigtail, Bulkhead regulator. The new pigtail would need to be connected to the bulkhead regulator, care should be taken to ensure a clean and gastight fit...No big deal..
Getting a cylinder in the first place shouldn't be a big problem.. especially where the OP is heading....

 

[Lizi]

What is a bulkhead regulator? Is this the original fittings that will be connected to the current gas supply in the motorhome? I wonder if it might just be easier to pay for the electric and save gas for cooking for this trip as it will only be six weeks.

 

[Neil S]

What is a bulkhead regulator? Is this the original fittings that will be connected to the current gas supply in the motorhome? I wonder if it might just be easier to pay for the electric and save gas for cooking for this trip as it will only be six weeks.

The bulkhead regulator is fitted inside your gas locker
All you need is a jumbo connector and a suitable pigtail
It simply screws on the regulator and the jumbo connector attaches to the Spanish gas bottle
A 20” pigtail should suffice

 

[jumar]

What is a bulkhead regulator? Is this the original fittings that will be connected to the current gas supply in the motorhome? I wonder if it might just be easier to pay for the electric and save gas for cooking for this trip as it will only be six weeks.

Perhaps it would...if you arrived in Spain with two full UK cylinders, you might get by with those and using Electricity too..
OK, you might save a little, but buying a Spanish cylinder...could be 10€/15€ empty then the re-fill 17€, pigtail, Jumbo connector..and at the end of your stay...you need to rid yourself of the cylinder...or do you have space for a third cylinder and return to the UK with it? For long stay visitors (Something in the past) I get it, but for short stay perhaps not...Worth thinking about..

 

[steve69]

Haven't seen any mention of Campinggaz (Butane) on here. Expensive I know but is easy to get hold of all over Europe, along with adaptors and fittings.

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