PVC gas bottle location

[TC3]

Hi guys we have a Carado cv540 pro on order, our 1st van of any kind as we are totally new to this scene.

As it most PVC models you need to open the barn doors to access the gas bottle locker when you have a fixed rear bed. I can only assume on cold days the van will fill with cold air because of this. We plan to travel to Italy next winter so just wondering what others do, thermal curtains, crash sensor to avoid turning off gas at bottle when driving etc?

Wonder why there is no access to gas bottle valve from under the mattress via a lift up panel.

 

[Andy1954]

We have a refillable system with refill point on the external side wall, so no need to open back

 

[scotjimland]

Wonder why there is no access to gas bottle valve from under the mattress via a lift up panel.

If done correctly .. you can ..

• Gas cylinders must be stored in a sealed compartment from the living space.
• Cylinder compartments can be accessible from inside the living space as long as they are sealed when closed to ensure no gas can leak into the camper.

also have a PVC with that set up, as for turning gas off.... we never do , except when asked at Le Shuttle ..

if concerned, fit a crash sensor regulator

 

[Markman]

If you go with gasflo refillable bottles they have a high flow cutout built in, ie a crash sensor, and a good NRV (non return valve) on feed line in. So in a crash the outlet flow from tank would be limited, avoiding buildup of a flammable atmosphere. Now only do total shutoff, at the tank, for ferries and ultra long tunnels (trans Alps) - when the consequence of a failure would be >10 fatalities.
Background: I had this on my van when purchased, so concerned about this, quizzed the guy at the Birmingham show a couple of years ago, got the papers with the details of the safety system and am now happy. P.S. I'm a retired Oil&Gas chemical engineer/Process Safety Manager UK refinery/HAZOP Chair of COMAH sites, etc so wanted to reduce my risks to ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable).

 

[Nirvanauk]

Our gas tank is underslung so no problem.

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[Peavy]

We have a refillable system with refill point on the external side wall, so no need to open back

Same here. An upgrade that is worth every €.
I recommend it

 

[Markman]

Our gas tank is underslung so no problem.

It would be if it started leaking on a ferry. LPG is heavier than air so would sink to the bottom of the boat. When the concentration exceeds 2% you have a flammable atmosphere. A spark (static, metal dropping at sea, pumps or engines switching on, etc) you get deflagration. In the confined space of a ship's hold you get congestion so the deflagration to detonation transition and a massive explosion.

What can we do to reduce this very low risk to exceedingly low (less than the risk of your next plane flight crashing)? Shut off the gas at the tank bottle itself. Please, please, please.

 

[Manic]

We had a Autosleeper Trooper pvc and that had the gas locker in the bottom of the wardrobe, access via a the tailgate which wasn’t practical when we had bikes on the rack on the tailgate.
So I cut a hole in bottom of wardrobe and fitted a soil pipe screw cap fitting above bottle.

 

[Badknee]

It would be if it started leaking on a ferry. LPG is heavier than air so would sink to the bottom of the boat. When the concentration exceeds 2% you have a flammable atmosphere. A spark (static, metal dropping at sea, pumps or engines switching on, etc) you get deflagration. In the confined space of a ship's hold you get congestion so the deflagration to detonation transition and a massive explosion.

What can we do to reduce this very low risk to exceedingly low (less than the risk of your next plane flight crashing)? Shut off the gas at the tank bottle itself. Please, please, please.

The OP asked about cold getting into the van when he opened the rear doors to access the gas bottle, the answer you quoted said he has an underslung tank meaning he didn’t have to open any doors as the filler will be external. Both have nothing to do with blowing a ship up but thank you for your concern which seems to be more than any ferry company I’ve been on. Tunnel yes, ferry no.

 

[Soycd]

I'd be surprised if it does not have a Truma MonoControl (if it has Truma heating) which allows the gas to remain on when travelling but will cut of the gas supply in the event of a crash. Most German built vans will have this. The idea is that you can still have the heat on whilst travelling. You'd still have to turn off the gas at the bottle for ferries/tunnel etc. I'd check with the dealer you ordered from or it may be in the specification details you already have. If it doesn't have the MonoControl you can get one fitted, they are not very expensive. Alternatively, you could consider refillable tanks as others have suggested, that way you don't have to open the back to fill up.

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[Nirvanauk]

It would be if it started leaking on a ferry. LPG is heavier than air so would sink to the bottom of the boat. When the concentration exceeds 2% you have a flammable atmosphere. A spark (static, metal dropping at sea, pumps or engines switching on, etc) you get deflagration. In the confined space of a ship's hold you get congestion so the deflagration to detonation transition and a massive explosion.

What can we do to reduce this very low risk to exceedingly low (less than the risk of your next plane flight crashing)? Shut off the gas at the tank bottle itself. Please, please, please.

Always, always, always do. Why would you think I wouldn’t??? You have to it’s the law.

 

[Lenny HB]

Both have nothing to do with blowing a ship up but thank you for your concern which seems to be more than any ferry company I’ve been on. Tunnel yes, ferry no.

Are you saying you don't turn it off on a ferry?
If so that is down right dangerous and against maritime regulations.
When we board the ferry we nearly always get asked if the gas is turned off.

 

[Badknee]

Always, always, always do. Why would you think I wouldn’t??? You have to it’s the law.

I’m not sure it is a law, a requirement yes, certainly on the tunnel but although I do switch our gas on the ferries we have travelled on I’ve not been asked too

 

[Lenny HB]

I’m not sure it is a law, a requirement yes, certainly on the tunnel but although I do switch our gas on the ferries we have travelled on I’ve not been asked too

It's against maritime regulations to has gas turned on, on a car deck.

 

[Spriddler]

We plan to travel to Italy next winter

Are you aware that you won't be able to exchange a U.K. (e.g. Calor) cylinder abroad?

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[dalspa]

Never been asked whether gas is turned off before boarding a ferry, but always did before tunnel. No problem for us as we never have it turned on when travelling. If we are sufficiently early for the ferry to have a brew then I always leave the gas locker door open ready to turn off before boarding.

 

[Badknee]

Are you saying you don't turn it off on a ferry?
If so that is down right dangerous and against maritime regulations.
When we board the ferry we nearly always get asked if the gas is turned off.

See above!

 

[Badknee]

It's against maritime regulations to has gas turned on, on a car deck.

So not a law then? A regulation.

 

[Badknee]

Never been asked whether gas is turned off before boarding a ferry, but always did before tunnel.

As I said.

 

[Spriddler]

At Newhaven port I'm pretty sure that I've always been asked if my gas is off.
Bizarrely I've been asked a couple of times if I have any knives.

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[Badknee]

As it most PVC models you need to open the barn doors to access the gas bottle locker when you have a fixed rear bed. I can only assume on cold days the van will fill with cold air because of this.

This was the question asked and now you’re all kicking off about turning the gas off. If it worries you just switch it off, easy.

 

[Badknee]

At Newhaven port I'm pretty sure that I've always been asked if my gas is off.
Bizarrely I've been asked a couple of times if I have any knives.

Ah knives in a moho, errr, no because I eat with my fingers It does make me chuckle. I explain I have a kitchen draw full of them but I think it must be a tick box question they are told to ask.

 

[Nirvanauk]

It was only posts #4 and #7 that brought it up for some reason.

 

[Badknee]

Are you aware that you won't be able to exchange a U.K. (e.g. Calor) cylinder abroad?

Good point, cheapest swap would be to camping Gaz if space is at a premium. If we didn’t have an underslung tank a bottle wouldn’t fit with our layout.

 

[Pausim]

If you go with gasflo refillable bottles they have a high flow cutout built in, ie a crash sensor, and a good NRV (non return valve) on feed line in. So in a crash the outlet flow from tank would be limited, avoiding buildup of a flammable atmosphere.

You need the crash sensor regulator as well. The high flow cutout will only detect a leak in the pipe work leading up to the regulator, it does not detect a crash or a broken pipe on the other side of the regulator.

There are basically 2 gas systems in a motorhome separated by the regulator. Both must be protected if the gas is left on when travelling. The high pressure side up to the regulator can be protected by a rupture device on the pigtail or some newer refillable cylinders have flow protection which does the same job. The pressure on this side of the regulator is about 100 times greater than on the appliance side. The crash sensor regulator will protect the domestic side of the system in a crash but would not shut down a leak on the high pressure side. The high pressure flow rupture device would not detect a broken pipe on the other side of the regulator because the regulator limits the flow. Must have both.

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[TC3]

I'd be surprised if it does not have a Truma MonoControl (if it has Truma heating)

Hi we have the Combi 6E truma heating system being added but no idea if Carado fit any crash protection system as standard.

Are you aware that you won't be able to exchange a U.K. (e.g. Calor) cylinder abroad?

Apologies as I forgot to mention we picked up a 10kg Safefill bottle for crazy money in a New Year sale so will be using that. We have a source in Italy who will fill it for us but only as a favour to us as he is a cousin in the building trade.

 

[TerryL]

Simple question please. How do you turn off the gas on an underslung tank? Crawl underneath? Remote valve/switch?

 

[Riverbankannie]

Simple question please. How do you turn off the gas on an underslung tank? Crawl underneath? Remote valve/switch?

We have a remote valve just under the side of the van by the step. This is the only one we are physically able to get to.

 

[Badknee]

Simple question please. How do you turn off the gas on an underslung tank? Crawl underneath? Remote valve/switch?

Ours has a remote switch Terry.

 

[Badknee]

Simple question please. How do you turn off the gas on an underslung tank? Crawl underneath? Remote valve/switch?

TerryL here you go. Vantage Neo.