Refillable Gas -v- Exchange bottle gas

[DDJC]

the specialist companies will advise on the max size if you tell them the make and model of your MH. id i was going down the path of NEW installation of some sort of refillable system, i would really hard to get a good sized underslung, it frees up another external locker, which is also an advantage, taking into account vehicle loading of course.

Just looked and the installation of an underslung Gas IT system would be about 28.5 kilo with 10 kilo of gas at 80% full.
The weight of a fibreglass 10kg gas cylinder is 15.4 kilo.

Am I right? If I am, then 13.4 kilo eats into our return wine weight.

 

[DDJC]

Just use a Calor or similar for home, that is what we do. Cannot be bothered to pull out the bottles from the motorhome.

And the purists would say that if you really liked BBQs you would be buying charcoal not gas

The purists can drop by and clean the sodding thing then

 

[Barclaybasher]

That's because it would have sunk.
It's a requirement in Caravans & Motorhomes.

Exactly and much more dangerous in a boat..... heavier than air you have to bale it out - never seen anyone try that though

Having said that you don't hear of many/any boats exploding because of gas - the owners are extra careful !!
- yes you should have a drop vent in your MH but I carry a spare Campingaz bottle in the garage - with the screw cap on....

 

[Hymerbell]

When I was in New Zealand we used to do a Hangi

Just use a Calor or similar for home, that is what we do. Cannot be bothered to pull out the bottles from the motorhome.

And the purists would say that if you really liked BBQs you would be buying charcoal not gas

When I was in New Zealand we used to do a Maori Hangi....delicious....no need for gas at all. Dig a hole fill with food and hot bricks, cover over with dirt and wait 4 hours....not sure if they would allow that on a campsite though.

 

[denisejoe]

We just use a separate bottle for the BBQ in the garden. Couldn't be bothered dragging one out of the MH to use. Just use one of the Calor bottles you already have once you have refillables fitted.

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[Hymerbell]

The purists can drop by and clean the sodding thing then

I agree.... my time is much better spent burning the sausages.

 

[Lenny HB]

When I was in New Zealand we used to do a Hangi

When I was in New Zealand we used to do a Maori Hangi....delicious....no need for gas at all. Dig a hole fill with food and hot bricks, cover over with dirt and wait 4 hours....not sure if they would allow that on a campsite though.

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Sounds perfect for a C&MC site.

 

[Hymerbell]

Just looked and the installation of an underslung Gas IT system would be about 28.5 kilo with 10 kilo of gas at 80% full.
The weight of a fibreglass 10kg gas cylinder is 15.4 kilo.

Am I right? If I am, then 13.4 kilo eats into our return wine weight.

Not sure about this but isn’t it the case that when using an underslung you can’t use the Channel Tunnel......could be wrong...I usually am

 

[Hymerbell]

Sounds perfect for a C&MC site.

The only problem I found was the size of microwave needed to heat the bricks up.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

When I was in New Zealand we used to do a Hangi

When I was in New Zealand we used to do a Maori Hangi....delicious....no need for gas at all. Dig a hole fill with food and hot bricks, cover over with dirt and wait 4 hours....not sure if they would allow that on a campsite though.

View attachment 391578

Where do you store the hot bricks whilst your travelling?

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[Hymerbell]

Where do you store the hot bricks whilst your travelling?

The Mrs carries them...keeps her fit.

 

[MisterB]

Just looked and the installation of an underslung Gas IT system would be about 28.5 kilo with 10 kilo of gas at 80% full.
The weight of a fibreglass 10kg gas cylinder is 15.4 kilo.

Am I right? If I am, then 13.4 kilo eats into our return wine weight.

not if you use all your lpg !!! it really is a compromise as to whether you prefer the locker space and how much that is worth to you .... i would also research into the testing regime, cylinders have a specific time scale for retesting/replacement. my understanding is that there is no regime for fixed tanks based on the premise that it isnt being moved about and therefore less likely to be damaged.

Not sure about this but isn’t it the case that when using an underslung you can’t use the Channel Tunnel......could be wrong...I usually am

yes, you are right, you are wrong ! tunnel restricts vehicles that are powered by lpg !

 

[DDJC]

OK, thanks for all that. Based on everything you have told me, if I could distil it down a bit, what I am then asking for is, what, in all your collective experience is the best refillable gas system that:

1. Can be refilled with the gas bottles in place inside the gas compartment of the motorhome, if needed.
2. Can have individual bottles refilled by taking an empty bottle down to a filler station, if needed.
3. Doesn't require an engineering degree to disconnect or reconnect gas bottles, full or empty.
4. Is in common use in France and Italy, whether by method 1 or 2 above.
5. Less importantly, the same for Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
6. Can be used on the Channel Tunnel, disconnected, obv.

I am fully aware that I am asking for a four lane motorway to the moon, so I'll settle for the nearest fit.


Thanks for your ideas and help so far.

D

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Just use option 1,
Option 2 is not legal for calor type bottles and most places won't just fill this type of bottle.
If option 1 you don't need 3, for 1 fillup in Europe anywhere and for the tunnel just turn the bottles off.
Job done

 

[Lenny HB]

1. That is the normal way, you fit an external filler point.
2. No, installation is normally permanent but the bottles are removable but not for refilling.
3. See 2 but if you need to it's easy.
4. Yes pull up at the pump and fill.
5. Yes, Belgium has the cheapest LPG in Europe.
6. Yes just turn the bottles off.

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[DDJC]

Just use option 1,
Option 2 is not legal for calor type bottles and most places won't just fill this type of bottle.
If option 1 you don't need 3, for 1 fillup in Europe anywhere and for the tunnel just turn the bottles off.
Job done

1. That is the normal way, you fit an external filler point.
2. No, installation is normally permanent but the bottles are removable but not for refilling.
3. See 2 but if you need to it's easy.
4. Yes pull up at the pump and fill.
5. Yes, Belgium has the cheapest LPG in Europe.
6. Yes just turn the bottles off.

Re:2. That is the point. Deffo not Calor. I would like to be able to take out a refilled, refillable bottle and connect to the garden BBQ, if needed.

When it is empty, I would then re-connect it to the motorhome and go down to the filler station to fill back up.

I know I am coming across as the guy who wants cake and eat it, and eat everyone else's cake too, but I don't want to use two different gas systems, unless there really is no alternative!

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Just keep the gas ffor the bbq at home, saves taking bottles in and out of the locker.

 

[Hymerbell]

OK, thanks for all that. Based on everything you have told me, if I could distil it down a bit, what I am then asking for is, what, in all your collective experience is the best refillable gas system that:

1. Can be refilled with the gas bottles in place inside the gas compartment of the motorhome, if needed.
2. Can have individual bottles refilled by taking an empty bottle down to a filler station, if needed.
3. Doesn't require an engineering degree to disconnect or reconnect gas bottles, full or empty.
4. Is in common use in France and Italy, whether by method 1 or 2 above.
5. Less importantly, the same for Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
6. Can be used on the Channel Tunnel, disconnected, obv.

I am fully aware that I am asking for a four lane motorway to the moon, so I'll settle for the nearest fit.


Thanks for your ideas and help so far.

D

1. Just do what Jimbohorlicks said.

 

[DDJC]

OK, it would have been a nice idea. Never mind, cheers for the advice.

 

[Lenny HB]

Re:2. That is the point. Deffo not Calor. I would like to be able to take out a refilled, refillable bottle and connect to the garden BBQ, if needed.

Not practical but you could fit an external BBQ gas point to the Motorhome, fit a copper pipe around the house to the garden then connect to the Motorhome & BBQ with flexibles at each end.

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[Spriddler]

what, in all your collective experience is the best refillable gas system that:

1. Can be refilled with the gas bottles in place inside the gas compartment of the motorhome, if needed.
2. Can have individual bottles refilled by taking an empty bottle down to a filler station, if needed.
3. Doesn't require an engineering degree to disconnect or reconnect gas bottles, full or empty.
4. Is in common use in France and Italy, whether by method 1 or 2 above.
5. Less importantly, the same for Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
6. Can be used on the Channel Tunnel, disconnected, obv.

I fitted one refillable Gaslow and one exchangeable Calor. Belt 'n braces. I only use the Calor as a stop gap if I run out of refillable, something I've not yet had to do. Both are plumbed in. I fitted the whole system myself in 45 mins.

 

[Hymerbell]

I fitted one refillable Gaslow and one exchangeable Calor. Belt 'n braces. I only use the Calor as a stop gap if I run out of refillable, something I've not yet had to do. Both are plumbed in. I fitted the whole system myself in 45 mins.
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I did that for about 5 years but never ended up using the non refillable so chucked it in the end and went with two refillable.

 

[Lenny HB]

I wouldn't be without 2 refillables as we are fairly heavy gas users we rarely use sites & our heating is gas only. Last year we used about 140Lt(70 kg).

 

[denisejoe]

We've got 2 refillables too, same as Lenny HB. We hardly ever use sites either and use gas for heating, cooking and fridge.

Use an old non-refillable in the garden for BBQ.

 

[Hymerbell]

Thing that worries me...but not a lot..is what happens when all these LPG cars give up for electric...will there still be petrol stations across Europe with LPG pumps

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[rosalan]

As far as I am aware, the only argument in favour of exchange bottles is the initial cost. From a practical point of view there can be few people who could really justify carrying two exchange bottles. This case is even greater if you travel outside of the country where no two countries seem to use or exchange any bottles but their own other than Gaz, which is the most expensive domestic gas I know.

 

[Itsmcb]

Flogas do the same fibreglass bottles using the 'Gaslite' name. They use the same 27mm clip on regulator or adaptor, which incidentally also fit the French 'Cube' bottles. Flogas will deliver just one bottle.

 

[Hymerbell]

Yes...refillable has transformed Motorhoming for me...especially for long trips. No more wandering around with French cylinders wondering if I go to Italy or Croatia or Austria or wherever whether I’ll run out of gas....and all the years I went skiing dragging the bottles out of a snowed in Motorhome by sledge to a petrol station to exchange them at great cost ! Don’t know how I did it...no choice in those days...and a lot younger

 

[Itsmcb]

As far as I am aware, the only argument in favour of exchange bottles is the initial cost. From a practical point of view there can be few people who could really justify carrying two exchange bottles. This case is even greater if you travel outside of the country where no two countries seem to use or exchange any bottles but their own other than Gaz, which is the most expensive domestic gas I know.

I suppose it depends on how you use your van. If you use it mostly in the UK during the warmer months and regularly use electric hook-up then just one bottle will last for months or even a whole season. However if you spend months abroad or regularly in the colder months then the refillables make sense.

 

[DDJC]

I fitted one refillable Gaslow and one exchangeable Calor. Belt 'n braces. I only use the Calor as a stop gap if I run out of refillable, something I've not yet had to do. Both are plumbed in. I fitted the whole system myself in 45 mins.
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We aren't very heavy gas users so this looks the solution for me, thanks Spriddler!!

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