Gas it or gaslow or safefill

[POH]

anyone got any ideas on the above ,got 2 calor 6kg atm going to Spain and would probably need a refillable type to be on the safe side.

 

[Eddiex]

Not wishing hijack the OP thread, but ................................... I have a 2003 Hymer B584 fitted with 2 x 6kg propane bottles which I would like to change for a refillable system.

I am considering buying one 11kg Alugas bottle (if I can find one!) to replace the two I have. Can I just attach my new bottle use the same hoses and connections or is it prudent just to purchase a whole new kit?

 

[Lenny HB]

Not wishing hijack the OP thread, but ................................... I have a 2003 Hymer B584 fitted with 2 x 6kg propane bottles which I would like to change for a refillable system.

I am considering buying one 11kg Alugas bottle (if I can find one!) to replace the two I have. Can I just attach my new bottle use the same hoses and connections or is it prudent just to purchase a whole new kit?

If you have a bulkhead regulator you will need different pigtails or if you have a bottle top regulator you will need a new regulator. All the refillable bottles use the German fitting.
Also you will need a filler hose connected to filler fitting.

 

[rosalan]

I don’t agree with your statement that there can be no argument that refillable cylinders are the way to go. An underslung tank creates an empty locker, usually holds more gas, always has an external filling point, is very easy to fill up in various countries by having a few adapters and lowers the van’s centre of gravity. This to me at least makes underslung the way to go.

I believe that an underslung tank is re-fillable.

 

[VXman]

We have a 11KG Gaslow with external fill point. Did it myself, quite straight forward. Also have a Gas light bottle from homebase which we already had. I keep it as a back up. If the Gaslow runs out I can use the Gaslight until I fill up. Never run out though!!!

There maybe lighter bottles, I'm not sure, but if you have a external fill point you never have to move the bottle.

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[Basildog]

The initial outlay for re-fillable bottles may be a hurdle for some people and if you are only visiting a single country, you could be better off using that country's exchange bottles. However should you enjoy travelling to other countries, there can be little argument that re- fillable bottles are the way to go. Does it matter which make? They all use the same gas.

Whilst you may be correct about all the cylinder brands using the same gas , at a basic level then yes they all hold LPG.
Now start looking at the features of say the multi valve that Alugas and Gaslow use with a host of additional safety features over Gasit and Safefill, also an accurate contents gauge.
Then you have Gaslow offering a 10 year warranty on their products against a year with other suppliers.
We could import/ supply composite cylinders and steel cylinders without the multi valve/ safety features but choose not to do so .

 

[Basildog]

If you have a bulkhead regulator you will need different pigtails or if you have a bottle top regulator you will need a new regulator. All the refillable bottles use the German fitting.
Also you will need a filler hose connected to filler fitting.

The cylinders aren’t all a German fitting , they may look similar but using the wrong pigtails will cause problems .
German KLF fitting has the rubber in the male fitting face unlike the U.K. style 21.8 LH fittings.

 

[Richard Mason]

None of the above, underslung tank every time for me. With external filling point in the skirt.

Reasoning please?

 

[Richard Mason]

Whilst you may be correct about all the cylinder brands using the same gas , at a basic level then yes they all hold LPG.
Now start looking at the features of say the multi valve that Alugas and Gaslow use with a host of additional safety features over Gasit and Safefill, also an accurate contents gauge.
Then you have Gaslow offering a 10 year warranty on their products against a year with other suppliers.
We could import/ supply composite cylinders and steel cylinders without the multi valve/ safety features but choose not to do so .

Accurate contents gauge? Please tell me more.

 

[coroner]

Whilst you may be correct about all the cylinder brands using the same gas , at a basic level then yes they all hold LPG.
Now start looking at the features of say the multi valve that Alugas and Gaslow use with a host of additional safety features over Gasit and Safefill, also an accurate contents gauge.
Then you have Gaslow offering a 10 year warranty on their products against a year with other suppliers.
We could import/ supply composite cylinders and steel cylinders without the multi valve/ safety features but choose not to do so .

We have a gasit 11kg steel refillable that has an excess flow shut off valve so can leave heating on when driving it was slightly more expensive than the standard bottle but worth it for the flexibility it gives carry a second standard 7kg as a spare never had to use it yet

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[glenn2926]

Reasoning please?

Free up a large locker, lower centre of gravity, usually a larger gas capacity, we have a 60 litre tank, no lifting in or out of cylinders, filling point in the skirt (we have this on the same side as the diesel filler) so never any refusal of filling and both diesel and gas filled without moving the van.

 

[Sapper520]

Free up a large locker, lower centre of gravity, usually a larger gas capacity, we have a 60 litre tank, no lifting in or out of cylinders, filling point in the skirt (we have this on the same side as the diesel filler) so never any refusal of filling and both diesel and gas filled without moving the van.

We negotiated our Gaslow system as part of our deal for the van. They couldn’t / wouldn‘t do a Underslung system.

 

[Minxy]

Free up a large locker, lower centre of gravity, usually a larger gas capacity, we have a 60 litre tank, no lifting in or out of cylinders, filling point in the skirt (we have this on the same side as the diesel filler) so never any refusal of filling and both diesel and gas filled without moving the van.

The cost of a tank is quite a bit more and can't be easily moved to another vehicle in the future as cylinders can. It is down to the individual's needs/wants as to which is best of course however you mention that you have a 60 litre tank which is unusual as most seen to only be able to fit a much smaller one, often 28 litres, so the contents of 2 x 11kg cylinders equals 42 litres so is more beneficial.

 

[cyberyacht]

I've been surprised at the size of some underslung tanks. Whilst I appreciate that there are constraints using the Tunnel, ISTM that, considering the faff and expense, anything less than 50L, and preferably more, doesn't seem worth it.

 

[Minxy]

I've been surprised at the size of some underslung tanks. Whilst I appreciate that there are constraints using the Tunnel, ISTM that, considering the faff and expense, anything less than 50L, and preferably more, doesn't seem worth it.

The tunnel issue is only for those who use LPG as propulsion, not for domestic purposes.

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[Gellyneck]

The tunnel issue is only for those who use LPG as propulsion, not for domestic purposes.

Have they removed the 47kg (c92 litre) maximum tank content limit?

 

[glenn2926]

Have they removed the 47kg (c92 litre) maximum tank content limit?

We’ve certainly never been asked what size our tank is or how much is in it. Just checked it’s turned off.

 

[Gellyneck]

We’ve certainly never been asked what size our tank is or how much is in it. Just checked it’s turned off.

Minxy
It's OK I've found it.

If travelling with a campervan, caravan or any other vehicle fitted with cooking facilities, any flammable gas container must be declared when asked and will be checked at the appropriate checkpoint by Eurotunnel Le Shuttle

Flammable gas containers may be transported with the following restrictions:

• 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.

 

[Eddiex]

If you have a bulkhead regulator you will need different pigtails or if you have a bottle top regulator you will need a new regulator. All the refillable bottles use the German fitting.
Also you will need a filler hose connected to filler fitting.

Bulkhead regulator - like this? So I could buy myself - one bottle kit (that includes the the hoses) and connect them all up and then take a deep breath before drilling a big hole in the skirt of the van and I should be good to go?

 

[Lenny HB]

Bulkhead regulator - like this? So I could buy myself - one bottle kit (that includes the the hoses) and connect them all up and then take a deep breath before drilling a big hole in the skirt of the van and I should be good to go?

That's confusing you appear to have both a bottle top regulator and a bulkhead one but you should be able to connect just to the bulkhead regulator.
Basildog your thoughts?

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[Eddiex]

Mmmm - you are right. This picture shows the set up that I currently have a bit better. Why would it have ben installed this way - any thoughts?

My plan is ditch the 6kg bottles and have one 11kg one.

 

[Lenny HB]

Mmmm - you are right. This picture shows the set up that I currently have a bit better. Why would it have ben installed this way - any thoughts?

My plan is ditch the 6kg bottles and have one 11kg one.

Crazy, I think you are lucky to have any gas in the van, as there won't be enough gas pressure for the bulkhead regulator to work.

 

[Lenny HB]

Mmmm - you are right. This picture shows the set up that I currently have a bit better. Why would it have ben installed this way - any thoughts?

My plan is ditch the 6kg bottles and have one 11kg one.

Crazy, I think you are lucky to have any gas in the van, as there won't be enough gas pressure for the bulkhead regulator to work.

 

[Minxy]

Crazy, I think you are lucky to have any gas in the van, as there won't be enough gas pressure for the bulkhead regulator to work.

Not sure I agree with you there. There are 2 regulators for each supply but surely if the pressure has already been reduced by the first reg the 2nd one will 'recognise' it's already at the right pressure so won't restrict it further?

 

[Minxy]

Have they removed the 47kg (c92 litre) maximum tank content limit?

I note you've found out but the comment I was replying to mentioned 50 litres not 50 kg.

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[Lenny HB]

Not sure I agree with you there. There are 2 regulators for each supply but surely if the pressure has already been reduced by the first reg the 2nd one will 'recognise' it's already at the right pressure so won't restrict it further?

You need pressure to open the diaphragm.

 

[mikebeaches]

Originally our pvc was set up with 2 x 6kg exchangeable Calor bottles.

But for travelling in Europe we replaced one of the cylinders with an 11kg Gas-it refillable bottle with an external filler point.

It cost circa £290 fitted, including a complete set of continental adaptors, and was done by the local Gas-it dealer on our driveway.

Very happy with it and have one remaining 6kg Calorlite still installed as a backup, which so far has never been required.

 

[stevewagner]

Filled up my Gasit bottles in Walsall yesterday at 66pence a litre

 

[Spriddler]

Filled up my Gasit bottles in Walsall yesterday at 66pence a litre

With the hike in mains gas cost it'll be tempting to move into the m/h rather than run the c/heating in the house (until the LPG cost also rockets up).

 

[Eddiex]

Not sure I agree with you there. There are 2 regulators for each supply but surely if the pressure has already been reduced by the first reg the 2nd one will 'recognise' it's already at the right pressure so won't restrict it further?

I've not had the van for long, and am new to this, but the cooker, heating and oven all 'appear' to working correctly. I've emptied one of the 6kg bottle, so opened the valve on the second one, closed the valve on the empty one and all still appears to be all ok - so I guess the regulators set up like that are OK?

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[DandG5515]

Accurate contents gauge? Please tell me more.

My 2019 11kg Gasit bottle the gauge is clipped on the cut off float switch, IE when the bottle is less than half full the gauge reads empty. My previous bottle had an additional float connected to an accurate level gauge.