Gaslow in France

[Fidge]

Hope someone can advise, we had a gaslow system fitted so we needn't to worry about running out of gas in France but I am having trouble filling the bottles over here. I have the European adapter, and the automatic changeover valve fitted and both bottles have gauges. Now,I don't know wether it's me doing something wrong, or faulty gauges, but one gauge is on the yellow and the other is nearing the end of the green, but when I tried to fill today the pump only let me put in just over 2 euros worth of gas before it started hissing out gas, abd neither of the gauges have changed much. I havent been able to fill uo priperly since the first time in the UK! Am I supposed to do anything other than just use the pump? Should the bottles be turned off first? Help please!!!

 

[laneside]

Deffo the bottles should be both turned off

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Yes, turn the bottles off

 

[JimJams]

Also you say hissing out gas?? shouldnt be doing that.. so make sure your adapter is properly screwed and tightened up before applying the french filler?

have fun in France

 

[Speve]

sounds like either adaptor not tight or pump hose not connected correctly.

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[laneside]

Do check the condition of your “O” ring on your adapter.

 

[Just smiffy]

Which gaslow gauges do you have..? The new ones that are built into the bottle or the one that clips on the side or the turn valve... if on the side there about as much use as a chocolate tea pot, the ones built in are more reliable. No gas should be escaping while filling. Turn both bottles off and make sure adapter is tight then connect filler.... if in doubt get an attendant to do it for you.
With the changeover valve I tend to use that manually as then I know when one bottle is empty and then I need to start thinking about filling in a few weeks. I would turn your valve to what you think is the least full bottle and see how long it lasts then turn it to your next one and then try to fill up then at least you know for sure that one bottle is empty to fill...

Look on YouTube for videos about “filling lpg”

 

[peterc10]

There is no such thing as a single Euro adaptor that fits all pumps. As well as the Uk one there are 3 different types. The one for France looks like a small upturner saucer. Are you sure you have the right one?

 

[Clarky]

I just happened to have a French adaptor beside me as I was reading this.

 

[Pilote87]

@Fidge Is it possible you are hearing the pressurisation of the filling pipes? Or is gas really coming out?

Living here in France I have the adaptor show in the previous reply permanently screwed in place until such time that I need to fill up in the UK.

What area are you in, in France? It is possible that someone living nearby could offer you some assistance. There are several of us living south of Limoges, for example. Perhaps someone touring nearby could help

J

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[Fidge]

Thanks everyone - I have the French adaptor, and the gauges are on the top of the bottles (I assume they are the new ones as we only had the system fitted in April). When I say hissing out I don't mean all the time, but like today after I had put just over 2 euros of gas in. The time before when I did involve the attendant when it did it she just said ' full'. That's fine, but it's not what the gauges are telling me which is very confusing !!! Was a bit of a fraught day today altogether. We're in Brittany and I used the lpg map for France, the first two places we went to only sold it in bottles, then after buggering about for what seemed like hours on some very narrow roads we finally found a place and then only got 2 and a bit euros worth of gas. Aaargh!!! I'll try doing all the things that have been suggested, if no luck ,I'll be back Arnie' to pick brains again!

 

[namwaldog]

I would not rely on the gauges. To see how gaslow say they work, see image below....

Is it possible to make your changeover valve manual, so you can isolate one bottle and then use the other until empty. You will then know that how much you should need to fill that bottle.
Remember the 6 kg bottles will need 12 litres to activate shut off (and the the 11 kg needs 22 litres)
The gauge on ours (11 kg) never moves from full and then suddenly drops into the yellow or red, but even then, when I go to "fill" it it only takes around 10 litres.

 

[Just smiffy]

I few pictures of your system will tell us a lot .....

 

[Just smiffy]

I would not rely on the gauges. To see how gaslow say they work, see image below....
View attachment 233549

Is it possible to make your changeover valve manual, so you can isolate one bottle and then use the other until empty. You will then know that how much you should need to fill that bottle.
Remember the 6 kg bottles will need 12 litres to activate shut off (and the the 11 kg needs 22 litres)
The gauge on ours (11 kg) never moves from full and then suddenly drops into the yellow or red, but even then, when I go to "fill" it it only takes around 10 litres.

I think he has the new r65 bottles..

 

[Delboyarapaho]

It could be that your gauges are not giving you an accurate picture of their status and you are actually full. As other have said the gauges are not the most reliable and if the system hisses that is telling you the bottles are full.

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[OldAgeTravellers]

As has already been said, turn off the fullest bottle by the tap on the top of the bottle then use the gas from the other bottle until it runs out. OK it is bound to happen just as you get into bed with your JimJams on but that's life. Turn the empty bottle off so there can be no possibility of back filling then turn the fuller one on and move the changeover valve to that bottle. You should then have a few days to find a filling station and you then know that you have an empty bottle to fill.
We had a similar problem once when we could only get 50c worth in at two garages. I did as above and it turned out that the gauges were stuck on empty and we were being more economical than I thought.
Best of luck.
p.s. There shouldn't be a hiss when full unless you have a small leak from your adaptor seal. I would use some PTFE tape to ensure a seal for this time unless you have a spare O-ring. You can buy PTFE tape from any bricolage.

 

[Fidge]

Thanks again everyone, the gauges are the same as the ones on the picture namwaldog posted. We're going to leave it until Monday and then try again with everything turned off etc. Feel a bit better knowing other peple have had the same problem so I'm not a complete numpty!!

 

[WynandJean]

Whenever I fill mine the guage reads empty but by the time I get home (filling locally) they show full.

Wyn

 

[joka250]

No idea of @FI gas usage but we use ours for cooking only at this time of year but currently 5 weeks into a European trek and our first bottle still beavering away. If anything like us it may be that cylinders are full. As suggested close 1 off and run till empty.

 

[Minxy]

How long was the time period since you filled in the UK and then in France? It sounds to me like your bottles could be full and just the gauge is giving a stupid reading, sometimes they just seem to 'stick'. We only ever have one bottled turned on then when its empty simply turn on the other and look for a place to top up within the next couple of weeks.

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[Fidge]

Thanks again everyone for your help, it was as you said, screw the adaptor on tight and turn of the bottles!! Gas successfully filled up at Geant Casino in Lannion Brittany, easy to get to and easy access to pump. This one is not listed in the Aires book.

 

[Badknee]

Thanks again everyone, the gauges are the same as the ones on the picture namwaldog posted. We're going to leave it until Monday and then try again with everything turned off etc. Feel a bit better knowing other peple have had the same problem so I'm not a complete numpty!!

Don't try to fill up until your certain you have space. Turn one tank off and run the other till it's empty. You are winding yourself up over nothing here and I and others think you are trying to fill a full system. Make sure, chill out and enjoy your trip

 

[Minxy]

Don't try to fill up until your certain you have space. Turn one tank off and run the other till it's empty. You are winding yourself up over nothing here and I and others think you are trying to fill a full system. Make sure, chill out and enjoy your trip

read his latest update above your post ... it wasn't full ...