Gas bottles

[twmcath]

Hi all
Looking a photos of vans for sale etc and most photos I’ve seen show a lot of different gas bottles and regulators to what I’ve normally used. So do you have to use a specific type of gas bottle regulator, I’m guessing for pressure.

Thanks

 

[Jane And Rog]

I’m far from an expert but that’s never stopped me from commenting before…
the regulator converts the pressure from the bottle to what’s needed by the appliances. Since 2003 there’s been an EU standard for pressure in bottled gas (and refillable LPG tanks) so whatever regulator is on the van will likely work.

The main compatibility problem is connecting the regulator to the bottle - here there is no standard AFAIK. Most uk vans bigger than a VW will have a Calor propane bottle and a brass reverse thread screw in bayonet. VW and similar conversions often have butane - I don’t know why, maybe smaller tanks. Either way the most important thing to be aware of is that it’s more or less impossible to buy compatible gas bottles in Europe.

Fairly good C&CC article here.
Calor propane connectors described here

 

[varaizian]

The regulators are specific to the gas used and must not be mixed up. Propane works better at lower temperatures. Unfortunately the threads used on bottles here in France is the same for both gases so not idiot-proof. Both have left-hand threads so an opportunity missed.

 

[Lenny HB]

The regulators are specific to the gas used and must not be mixed up.

Not correct.
Bulkhead regulators use the same regulator for both propane & butane.
Since 2002 all appliances run at 30mb, on bottle top regulators it's only the fitting that screws into the bottle that is different.
Pre 2002, butane ran at 28mb and propane 37mb apart from German vans where propane was 50mb.

 

[varaizian]

I stand corrected Lenny. Thank you. I'm just looking at a collection of old French regulators and have Butane ones for 28mb and Propane for 37mb. Time to get rid anyway.

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[RAS]

Hi forum,
I am planning to go to Provence France this December with Calor Butane Gas bottles aboard. I do not have a refill system.
So I would like to be prepared with a set of connectors (Pigtails) that would allow me to connect a French butane or propane gas bottle put to my motorhome. Do any of you foresee specific issues and would any of you be able to advise as to where I could get one from please?

 

[Lenny HB]

Butane is not going to work although it stops gassing off at 0° there is not much gas pressure at 6 to 7 ° and you will be lucky to get a Truma Combi to run at 10°, Butane can't supply the high flow rate Combi's require once the temperature drops.

Using the French bottles should be OK but you need to check the connections I think a lot use a clip on regulator.

 

[varaizian]

Butane is not going to work although it stops gassing off at 0° there is not much gas pressure at 6 to 7 ° and you will be lucky to get a Truma Combi to run at 10°, Butane can't supply the high flow rate Combi's require once the temperature drops.

Using the French bottles should be OK but you need to check the connections I think a lot use a clip on regulator.

Most French 13kg bottles use a horizontal screw on connector as shown in the 'photos but I do have a small bottle of Propane with a clip-on regulator. No use in Spain or Portugal of course where everything seems to be clip-on.

 

[RAS]

Okay thank you. The temperatures down south of France should be okay for Butane to work.

I may look at getting a Gaslow refillable bottle that should (if I have read their website correctly) use the butane connector/pigtail that I already have. The regulator is fitted to the van.

Albeit that they are just below £200 for a 6kg bottle. The 6KG bottle is the size I would have to go with as the gas locker isn't tall enough for 11KG.

I can just take the bottle out when I want to refill it so I not have to increase the expense or rush to get the filler connection installed.

 

[Lenny HB]

Okay thank you. The temperatures down south of France should be okay for Butane to work.

No it won't once the temperature starts to fall in the evening and probably not before 10 or 11 am, Butane is a waste of time outside summer months.

I can just take the bottle out when I want to refill it so I not have to increase the expense or rush to get the filler connection installed.

Most garages won't let you do that.