Gaslow exchange

[PaulW2]

Has anyone exchanged old Gaslow bottles for new yet?

I know Gaslow will give a 10% discount on a like for like replacement, but one has to get the old bottles back to them. This sounds logistically tricky with gas bottles. Do any of the suppliers of Gaslow products, who one may ask to do the physical exchange, undertake this admin for one? (i.e. discount the 10% off the new product, take the old one off one's hands and so on.)

Mine appear to be of the vintage when they had a 15 year life - they have 2011/04 stamped on them, and 2026 next to that. So I probably have a bit of time (?), but wanted to get my head around how I would do it.

 

[Manic]

I’ve found you can get the bottles cheaper than Gaslow -10% price.
I sold my old Gaslow cylinder on Facebook

 

[Basildog]

Has anyone exchanged old Gaslow bottles for new yet?

I know Gaslow will give a 10% discount on a like for like replacement, but one has to get the old bottles back to them. This sounds logistically tricky with gas bottles. Do any of the suppliers of Gaslow products, who one may ask to do the physical exchange, undertake this admin for one? (i.e. discount the 10% off the new product, take the old one off one's hands and so on.)

Mine appear to be of the vintage when they had a 15 year life - they have 2011/04 stamped on them, and 2026 next to that. So I probably have a bit of time (?), but wanted to get my head around how I would do it.

No gas cylinder has ever technically had a 15 year life spits always been 10 years .
The valves have a manufacturer recommended replacement of 10 years especially the PRV .
Despite what some people will tell you DO NOT send a gas cylinder that has ever contained gas in the post or by standard courier service
We will give you the same 10 percent discount on Gaslow or Gasit , Alugas etc .

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

It's probably better to shop around as there are better deals than a 10% discount. Spinney have a 20% discount on at the moment and Brownhils also do a 20% discount a couple of times a year and the " outof date" bottles do have some second hand value .

 

[Basildog]

It's probably better to shop around as there are better deals than a 10% discount. Spinney have a 20% discount on at the moment and Brownhils also do a 20% discount a couple of times a year and the " outof date" bottles do have some second hand value .

Out of date bottles have no value whatsoever, we decommission them , they are drilled and can then be scrapped for recycling.

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[Jimbohorlicks]

Out of date bottles have no value whatsoever, we decommission them , they are drilled and can then be scrapped for recycling.

Sorry I was referencing the post made by PaulW2 re the 10 % offered by Gaslow.

 

[PaulW2]

No gas cylinder has ever technically had a 15 year life spits always been 10 years .
The valves have a manufacturer recommended replacement of 10 years especially the PRV .
Despite what some people will tell you DO NOT send a gas cylinder that has ever contained gas in the post or by standard courier service
We will give you the same 10 percent discount on Gaslow or Gasit , Alugas etc .

Thanks. What should I make of the "2011/04 2026" stamped on the bottom surround of the bottle?

Also, they are presently full. If you did the exchange would you transfer the gas to the new bottles?

 

[Northernraider]

Out of date bottles have no value whatsoever, we decommission them , they are drilled and can then be scrapped for recycling.

Maybe to you they don't.

But they definitely do to other people

 

[Northernraider]

Thanks. What should I make of the "2011/04 2026" stamped on the bottom surround of the bottle?

Also, they are presently full. If you did the exchange would you transfer the gas to the new bottles?

They're in date till 2026.

I had the same bottles in my last van with the original paperwork from gaslow stating 15 years from manufacturer also new in 2011 and the expiry date on bottles stated 2026.

That's from the manufacturer. That's all you need to go with

 

[Basildog]

Thanks. What should I make of the "2011/04 2026" stamped on the bottom surround of the bottle?

Also, they are presently full. If you did the exchange would you transfer the gas to the new bottles?

Only Gaslow themselves can really answer that question but as far as industry standards are concerned there isn’t and never has been a 15 year lifespan on any gas cylinder.
No we don’t have the facilities to transfer the gas .
Ideally empty the cylinder.

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[JockandRita]

Mine appear to be of the vintage when they had a 15 year life - they have 2011/04 stamped on them, and 2026 next to that. So I probably have a bit of time (?), but wanted to get my head around how I would do it.

As were ours until very recently, whereupon we replaced them with 2 x Gasit cylinders on special offer from Basildog at Autogas 2000 Leisure Ltd.

No gas cylinder has ever technically had a 15 year life spits always been 10 years .

With respect Charlie, I beg to differ. Technically correct or not, as consumers we can't be wrong, considering the date stamps on the cylinders. In the absence of paperwork, that's the info the consumer has to go by.

Out of date bottles have no value whatsoever, we decommission them , they are drilled and can then be scrapped for recycling.

Again, I beg to differ. Please see below.

Maybe to you they don't.

But they definitely do to other people

Precisely. Our plumber and gas installer of 30 x years, (and a fellow MH'er), bought our out of date Gaslow cylinders.
I initially but openly advertised them on FB Market Place and Gumtree as out of date cylinders, whereupon I had several enquiries, including two who were over 200 x miles away.
Rita just happened to mention them to the plumber while he was here doing a boiler service for us, and he snapped our hand off, so to speak, and my discussion with him assured me that he is conversant with the Regs regarding refillables.

They're in date till 2026.

I had the same bottles in my last van with the original paperwork from gaslow stating 15 years from manufacturer also new in 2011 and the expiry date on bottles stated 2026.

That's from the manufacturer. That's all you need to go with

Same here Tam, ie, original paperwork stating the life of the cylinders, coinciding with the information stamped on the metal base of the cylinders.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Basildog]

As were ours until very recently, whereupon we replaced them with 2 x Gasit cylinders on special offer from Basildog at Autogas 2000 Leisure Ltd.


With respect Charlie, I beg to differ. Technically correct or not, as consumers we can't be wrong, considering the date stamps on the cylinders. In the absence of paperwork, that's the info the consumer has to go by.


Again, I beg to differ. Please see below.


Precisely. Our plumber and gas installer of 30 x years, (and a fellow MH'er), bought our out of date Gaslow cylinders.
I initially but openly advertised them on FB Market Place and Gumtree as out of date cylinders, whereupon I had several enquiries, including two who were over 200 x miles away.
Rita just happened to mention them to the plumber while he was here doing a boiler service for us, and he snapped our hand off, so to speak, and my discussion with him assured me that he is conversant with the Regs regarding refillables.


Same here Tam, ie, original paperwork stating the life of the cylinders, coinciding with the information stamped on the metal base of the cylinders.

Cheers,

Jock.

The fact that a so called trained professional gas installer would even contemplate purchasing out of day cylinders is actually pretty scary, no filler / pump operator should allow them to be filled .
And as for cylinder dates that’s another interesting point as I can get cylinder manufacturers to stamp whatever dates etc I choose to specify, just like hoses that certain suppliers have got 100 or 120 Bar pressures on gas pigtail hoses with rubber washers, maximum permissible pressure is 30 Bar.
Don’t get me started on rubber washers that are currently being supplied by many manufacturers and suppliers that we remove from hoses and bin , they are not only the incorrect size but are also the incorrect material
I am so pleased that I question everything and the moment we see a potential problem we sort it out.

 

[Brains]

Only Gaslow themselves can really answer that question but as far as industry standards are concerned there isn’t and never has been a 15 year lifespan on any gas cylinder.
No we don’t have the facilities to transfer the gas .
Ideally empty the cylinder.

I seem to remember this issue has come up before.

GasLow bottles used have a 15 year life.
Now they have a 10 year life.
(No change in the manufacturing process)

 

[Northernraider]

I seem to remember this issue has come up before.

GasLow bottles used have a 15 year life.
Now they have a 10 year life.
(No change in the manufacturing process)

Just more money to be made

 

[Fdhadi]

[And as for cylinder dates that’s another interesting point as I can get cylinder manufacturers to stamp whatever dates etc I choose to specify,]

Basildon states the above. Now that seriously scares me.

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[jumar]

I'm fully in favour of matters of safety rather than saving a bob or two...
All integrated components that receive , store and distribute very volatile LPG should all have a lifespan, and I'm aware they do.
The failure of a cylinder is to my understanding very rare, if ever, (would like to hear if anyone knows of such) however hoses, O rings , regulators and any valve type may fail...but in built safety features may prevent a catastrophic event...
I'm currently in the same position as previous posters...nearing date of renewal....but because we rarely travel outside mainland Spain, I would consider taking out the refillable system and put two Spanish lightweight cylinders...the only problem is propane for winter use...

 

[JockandRita]

the only problem is propane for winter use...

Maybe not Repsol, but won't 2 x Cepsa Propano cylinders fit in your gas locker Martin, or will they take you over your GVW?

And as for cylinder dates that’s another interesting point as I can get cylinder manufacturers to stamp whatever dates etc I choose to specify,

I am not trying to put words in your mouth Charlie, but are you saying that it is possible that Gaslow may have been deceiving the consumer, by having 15 x year dates stamped on earlier cylinders, rather than industry specified 10 x year date stamps?
I can't see them, or other reputable suppliers going against industry standards to those lengths.

Regards,

Jock.

 

[Basildog]

Maybe not Repsol, but won't 2 x Cepsa Propano cylinders fit in your gas locker Martin, or will they take you over your GVW?


I am not trying to put words in your mouth Charlie, but are you saying that it is possible that Gaslow may have been deceiving the consumer, by having 15 x year dates stamped on earlier cylinders, rather than industry specified 10 x year date stamps?
I can't see them, or other reputable suppliers going against industry standards to those lengths.

Regards,

Jock.

No not at all , wasn’t in the LPG leisure industry back then so maybe regulations changed .
We can only work with what we are told and trained to do today .
10 years is the only cylinder / tank age we work to .

 

[chippie]

A quick Google search says regs altered on 1st jan 2015 from 15yrs down to 10yrs with a transition period built in.

 

[L' Hobo]

Out of date bottles have no value whatsoever, we decommission them , they are drilled and can then be scrapped for recycling.

Why!

Instead of drilling them, could not the valve and other parts be changed and the cylinder reused.
I thought we were in an age of conserving power and no waste?

PS. I also have a 15yr old stamp on one of my Gaslow cylinders.

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[trophychap]

Both lots of Gaslow cylinders I had, had 15year lifecycles stamped on them! Both of them went with the old van when it was stolen, I don't suppose the thieves would be that bothered about lifespan's though!

 

[Speedie]

I would assume that most cylinders are made with an element of ferrous metal and as such will corrode internally and that is probably as much of a reason for 10 year life span maybe . Either way when someones pride and joy goes up in flames and they find an out of date cylinder involved it might just cut down the "out of date" cylinders being sold.
If its within the 10 year range by a reasonable amount then fine - but I have seen some for sale ( FB marketplace etc ) that are very short dated or even expired.

 

[Minxy]

Definitely 15 years on the earlier Gaslow cylinders, we bought one in 2009 and swapped it with Gaslow for a refurbished one last year so earlier than we needed to but having got nearly 14 years out of it I wasn't bothered as it only cost £99 and I knew that if I waited another year I'd be paying double as they weren't doing refurbished ones anymore.

 

[Minxy]

but I have seen some for sale ( FB marketplace etc ) that are very short dated or even expired.

I seem to recall someone was selling some on here recently that were already, or just about, out of date. I did think of asking Jim if it should be pulled.

 

[PaulW2]

10 years is a nice round number.

I wonder how many cases there are of the things that go wrong with out of date bottles actually happening.

Of course, there are various types of gas 'incidents', but how many examples are there of a person using an out of date bottle and then coming to grief for this reason?

Or, as a sample, how many people who used '15 year' Gaslow bottles (identically manufactured to the later 10 year ones AFAIK) came to grief due to these sorts of failures in the 10-15 year window?

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[PaulW2]

Just more money to be made

And we can prove it, with reference to the Gaslow site. They say:

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECERTIFY YOUR EXISTING CYLINDER, PLEASE CONTACT US SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE A SUITABLE TEST CENTRE FOR YOU TO TAKE THE CYLINDER TO. PLEASE NOTE THIS SERVICE OUTWEIGHS THE COST OF A BRAND NEW CYLINDER.

So the regulations only seem to require recertification. Someone to test the thing and say it's ok. But the market has somehow contrived to make this more expensive than to purchase a whole new £200 manufactured product and scrap the old one.

 

[jumar]

Maybe not Repsol, but won't 2 x Cepsa Propano cylinders fit in your gas locker Martin, or will they take you over your GVW?


I am not trying to put words in your mouth Charlie, but are you saying that it is possible that Gaslow may have been deceiving the consumer, by having 15 x year dates stamped on earlier cylinders, rather than industry specified 10 x year date stamps?
I can't see them, or other reputable suppliers going against industry standards to those lengths.

Regards,

Jock.

I've got access to a few Cepsa Butane... lightweight...not bothered about weight as the Gaslow thats on board just now are very weighty..so I would be saving there..
The bonus of having exchange cylinders is that having a expiry date isn't our problem..
However the advantages of re-fillable are endless..

 

[PaulW2]

And we can prove it, with reference to the Gaslow site. They say:

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECERTIFY YOUR EXISTING CYLINDER, PLEASE CONTACT US SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE A SUITABLE TEST CENTRE FOR YOU TO TAKE THE CYLINDER TO. PLEASE NOTE THIS SERVICE OUTWEIGHS THE COST OF A BRAND NEW CYLINDER.

So the regulations only seem to require recertification. Someone to test the thing and say it's ok. But the market has somehow contrived to make this more expensive than to purchase a whole new £200 manufactured product and scrap the old one.

So out of interest I phoned two companies who recertify gas bottles (including one who says that they are able to test thousands in a week) and neither do these kinds of bottles. Each referred me on to someone else who they thought may be able to help. (I won't; my curiosity has now run out )

However it is therefore clear that it is perfectly possible to do it at scale, but it seems that the industry isn't really configured to do it.

Understandable I guess - how many refillable campervan bottles would they get in a week and can they really be bothered?

Hence the earlier Gaslow comment that they can get someone to do it but that it will cost more than a new bottle.

 

[Stoosal]

I have phoned various businesses to try and get gas cylinders re certified. Two said no problem until I told them they were refillable and both then stated they couldn’t do it. Said I would deliver and uplift when finished. Neither would explain to me why? I stated willing to pay for new valves etc but not interested. Wouldn’t even quote me for doing it.
As there is only a small number of places who carry out recertification they are not wanting to recertify anybody else’s cylinders and have effectively closed the market to private owners of cylinders. They want to sell or hire not recertify. In these days of recycle/reuse etc I can’t understand it. All the places would ‘dispose’ of my cylinders if I wanted them to.

 

[Minxy]

I have phoned various businesses to try and get gas cylinders re certified. Two said no problem until I told them they were refillable and both then stated they couldn’t do it. Said I would deliver and uplift when finished. Neither would explain to me why? I stated willing to pay for new valves etc but not interested. Wouldn’t even quote me for doing it.
As there is only a small number of places who carry out recertification they are not wanting to recertify anybody else’s cylinders and have effectively closed the market to private owners of cylinders. They want to sell or hire not recertify. In these days of recycle/reuse etc I can’t understand it. All the places would ‘dispose’ of my cylinders if I wanted them to.

A refillable cylinder isn't just a standard cylinder as it has the overfill protection in it which adds complexity, as the companies are not used to these type they will have no way of checking the safety of this mechanism.

The connection/valves etc are different too, so why would they go to the hassle and expense to get the kit, train staff, and no doubt pay to be certified to be able to refurbish them, for such a small number of occasions when they would actually do the work? Then if course there's the additional risk which would increase their insurance costs.

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