Exchanging gas cylinder question

[Vanman]

Please note this is not a question about re-fillable bottles or LPG conversions - start your own thread if you want to talk about that!

Just a very simple question. Looking at the web sites there are two prices given for cylinders - with and without return. I'm not sure what will come with our new van but I presume I'll end up buying one or two. I've noticed that you can pick up empties from ebay and that would usually work out cheaper than buying with no return. So the question is and it's a two parter

Do suppliers eg Flogas, Calor, Gas Uk etc etc only exchange their own brand bottles or do they accept each others (only talking UK brands / fittings here)?

Do the sizes have to be the same i.e. if you want to buy an 11kg bottle can you 'return' a 6kg?

Thanks

 

[peterc10]

Blimey this gas bottle exchange malarkey seems complicated.

I didn't want an aftermarket fixed gas tank because the Chunnel rules only permit them if part of the original conversion. My workaround on the next Speedy MH which only has space for one cylinder is to order the Truma 6D option for heating, and carry a Campingaz 907 cylinder for the kitchen hob use only.

Are you sure of that? I have a refillable bottle system that I fitted myself and have been through the tunnel several times with no problems. And I know lots of others have.

What they won't let through is any vehicle that is capable of running on LPG.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Peterc10, I might be wrong about the restriction on fixed gas tanks. Anyway it doesn't apply to refillable portable cylinders like yours and you are right about vehicles capable of running on LPG. I was sure I had read that restriction on aftermarket tanks somewhere. On checking the Eurotunnel Conditions of Carriage and Policies this is the relevant wording (NB the bits I don't think are applicable anyway have been omitted by me):

Condition 6 (extract)

"6. The Carriage of Dangerous and Hazardous Goods and Hazardous Articles
6.1 The Carriage of Dangerous Goods, hazardous goods and hazardous articles, is subject to the provisions Eurotunnel’s policy for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods available at www.eurotunnel.com and www.eurotunnelfreight.com.

6.2 Exclusions and restrictions:

6.2.2 on freight Shuttles: the Carriage of Dangerous Goods is restricted and conditional upon prior declaration as described in the above-mentioned policy. The Carriage of hazardous goods and hazardous articles is also restricted."

Policy for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods (extract)

HAZARDOUS GOODS
“Hazardous Goods” means any goods for personal use described as hazardous by ADR, and/or which by their nature or the method by which they are transported are, in Eurotunnel’s sole opinion, liable to present a threat or hazard to the security and/or safety of Shuttle operations.

2.1 The Carriage of Hazardous Goods is subject to the prohibitions and restrictions set out in this policy and Eurotunnel’s Conditions of Carriage.

2.4 Carriage of the following Hazardous Goods is PROHIBITED:

2.4.2 Vehicles powered by or which run on Hazardous Goods including Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) (Butane or Propane), Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or any other flammable gas.

2.5 The Carriage of certain other Hazardous Goods is RESTRICTED:
2.5.1 The Carriage of gas containers must be declared to Eurotunnel by the Customer. All gas containers carried on passenger Shuttles will be checked by Eurotunnel;
2.5.2 Cylinders and tanks, and appliances powered by gas must be switched off or disabled during Carriage;
2.5.3 Leaking or inadequately secured cylinders, tanks or appliances will not be accepted for Carriage;
2.5.4 Empty or part empty cylinders will be considered to be full unless they have been purged (cleaned). There is no restriction on the number of empty and cleaned cylinders that may be carried. To be accepted for Carriage the Customer must produce a cleaning certificate;
2.5.5 Flammable gas containers, cylinders and appliances containing LPG, LNG, CNG or BP Gas Light, or any other flammable gas must be declared by the Customer;
2.5.6 The maximum permitted volume and quantity of flammable gas cylinders and tanks per Vehicle is:
-For portable containers (cylinders/bottles, etc): Maximum of 47kg per cylinder and no more than 50kg per Vehicle if more than 1 container;
-For fixed containers (tanks): Maximum of 47kg per container and no more than 50kg per Vehicle if more than 1 container;
-Fixed containers must be no more than 80% full. The capacity of the container will be checked by Eurotunnel staff." (my emphasis)

The only explanation I can think of behind what I thought I had seen previously regarding the application or interpretation of the Eurotunnel restriction, is that some of the aftermarket fixed tanks under MoHos may be considered to be inadequately secured by bodgers who installed them using flimsy straps. Presumably the fixed underfloor gas tanks that are standard kit on some Autosleeper and Autotrail PVCs are unlikely to be deemed as inadequately secured.

Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than me can shed more light on this.

 

[peterc10]

They really don't check that much. Only interested in making sure the gas is turned off at the tank.