Safefill bottles

[leann53]

Hi everyone , considering buying a safefill refillable bottle. Your opinion,s on them please ie any problems with using them in Europe.

 

[Go_buddy_go_]

Oops wrong thread

 

[15isto2]

Oops wrong thread

I think its a reverse thread you need for safefill

 

[aleclitchfiel]

Hi everyone , considering buying a safefill refillable bottle. Your opinion,s on them please ie any problems with using them in Europe.

Hi to all, I have had no problem with my safefill bottle fitted 2yrs ago fill from outside of the van. Hope this helps you

 

[Kayak Kid]

How do you fill from the outside? Is their a fill kit you can buy or are you using the gas low kit?

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[Kayak Kid]

Hi to all, I have had no problem with my safefill bottle fitted 2yrs ago fill from outside of the van. Hope this helps you

How do you fill from the outside? Do you have a specific fill kit or using a Gaslow one?

 

[aleclitchfiel]

How do you fill from the outside? Is their a fill kit you can buy or are you using the gas low kit?

Yes all the items from LPG Shop Leicester every thing you will need.

 

[Kayak Kid]

Yes all the items from LPG Shop Leicester every thing you will need.

Cheers for that! I presume you mean you used the Gaslow fill kit - as I am not aware that Safefill do one

 

[leann53]

Hi Leann53

To answer your specific question.
I have a 10kg (largest) Safefill bottle holding around 19 litres of gas.

Positive Points:
1. Much lighter than steel bottles. Helps address payload issues
2. Translucent so you can see how much gas is in the bottle without the need for any type of gauge or guessing.
3. Refillable in EU using appropriate adaptor for each country as are other systems such as Gaslow, Gasit etc.
4. Lightweight bottle can be removed and taken in a car for filling.
5. Agreement between Morrison’s Supermarket UK wide to accept Safefill bottle refilling In its Filling Stations.
6. Can be easily transferred to another leisure vehicle using standard pigtail to an appropriate regulator - with no further cost or fittings.
7. Considerably cheaper than installing a fixed’ or Gaslow/ Gasit refillable type system.
8. Easy to install - just remove standard gas bottle and connect Safefill bottle using existing pigtail connection.
9. Gas refill much cheaper than ‘swapping’ standard Calor type bottle.
10. The 10kg bottle (19 litres) lasts ages and is more than enough for our annual 6 week+ tour in the EU.

Negative Points
11. In some filling stations in the EU, you are not permitted to refill directly into a gas bottle or into a bottle in the gas locker. It is however permitted to refill via a fixed connector on the outside of the vehicle - where you are fuelling your vehicle (running on gas) rather than for gas for habitation use. In my previous Motorhome (where I had a Gaslow system and connector on the outside of my vehicle) I was once challenged in Italy. I just told the attendant I was running my vehicle on gas. No issue - but had I said it was for our habitation area, I suspect it may have been a different outcome judging by his approach. This only happened once and on every other occasions I had no problem. I am unsure about the situation on refilling a permanently fixed ‘underslung type’ refillable tank for habitation use in similar circumstances.

12. When the bottle is empty I am unable to fill it with draft beer!

Others on here may have different experiences and views both positive and negative about the Safefill bottle (and indeed other systems) but my comments above are based on my experiences of using a number of different systems. I would not hesitate to buy again if I needed to - although the Safefill bottle will move to my next Motorhome if/when I change.

I hope these are helpful.

Jim

 

[Stealaway]

I've had a quick look at doing this but it must involve a selection of one way valves. I would be interested how the LPG shop kit works

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[leann53]

Thanks everyone you are a knowable lot . Well Jim you won me over , went to a motorhome dealership called Spinny motor,s in Knutsford Cheshire. A 10kg bottle cost £214 .00 . Easy to fit now to fill it stand back everyone

 

[Kayak Kid]

Thanks everyone you are a knowable lot . Well Jim you won me over , went to a motorhome dealership called Spinny motor,s in Knutsford Cheshire. A 10kg bottle cost £214 .00 . Easy to fit now to fill it stand back everyone

For filling try your nearest Morrison’s supermarket with a filling station as they have an agreement with Safefill as I mentioned previously. You may have other options locally.

You might feel a bit anxious first time filling - as there is a short burst of gas as you remove the nozzle when filled. This is normal and happens with all bottles and car refilling as the ‘seal’ is released. You can’t overfill - as it has an internal valve which stops incoming gas. Remember too to open the valve on the gas bottle AFTER you connect the filler nozzle and close it again when full BEFORE you remove the gas nozzle. Pretty simple, safe and straightforward.

Have a look on YouTube “filling a Safefill gas bottle” as there are quite a few useful videos.

If all else fails - fill it with beer and drown your sorrows when away. Drink enough and you won’t need gas for heating or cooking!

 

[Kayak Kid]

I've had a quick look at doing this but it must involve a selection of one way valves. I would be interested how the LPG shop kit works

Hopefully aleclitchfiel can clarify for us.

 

[Fdhadi]

I always wear a pair of gloves when filling, that lpg gas is bl—dy cold, in fact it burns.

 

[aleclitchfiel]

Hopefully aleclitchfiel can clarify for us.

I have a vw35lt 2.5tdi which we fitted a 10kg safefill bottle which holds 19 litres of lpg with a one way valve directly to the bottle via the connecting point, The lpg shop answer all your questions once again I hope this will help.

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[tonka]

Hi everyone , considering buying a safefill refillable bottle. Your opinion,s on them please ie any problems with using them in Europe.

If you do buy one.. Just be aware that although they state "overfill protection".. some can and do overfill !!!
It's rare and often blamed on the pump pressure or some other thing.
There is a group on Facebook if you use it.

I use a local independent who fill the bottle for me. I know that the 10kg when empty should take 19.5ltr as a maximum.
On one occassion the chap filling had managed to squeeze in 22/23 ltrs !! So i had to vent off to avoid liquid going into the van system and potentially igniting and blowing something up.. So I always go in empty and ask for 18lts as a pre-caution..

Still like the safefill as it suits my needs, just make sure your aware of the first fill rule and the maximums on any future fill up's.

 

[BillyKontiki]

Hi Tonka. Was this not irresponsible of the attendant. How did you vent off and to what level. Just a bit curious.

 

[Stealaway]

If you do buy one.. Just be aware that although they state "overfill protection".. some can and do overfill !!!
It's rare and often blamed on the pump pressure or some other thing.
There is a group on Facebook if you use it.

I use a local independent who fill the bottle for me. I know that the 10kg when empty should take 19.5ltr as a maximum.
On one occassion the chap filling had managed to squeeze in 22/23 ltrs !! So i had to vent off to avoid liquid going into the van system and potentially igniting and blowing something up.. So I always go in empty and ask for 18lts as a pre-caution..

Still like the safefill as it suits my needs, just make sure your aware of the first fill rule and the maximums on any future fill up's.

One of my bottles has been a worry.
It always seems to take up 21 / 22 ltr if I let it. It's never caused a problem but I do worry about it.
The other one always cut's out at 19 ltr.

 

[minipoppy]

Hi to all, I have had no problem with my safefill bottle fitted 2yrs ago fill from outside of the van. Hope this helps you

Hi do you have a photo of your set up safefill bottles with the outside container and pipe work

 

[VXman]

delete

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[VXman]

VXMan - the price comparison in the two links that you showed above excludes the ‘fill kit’ required for the Gaslow system. That adds a further circa £85 to the cost. The Safefill does not require that.

The external fill kit (just a hose and the external filler point) is very useful. No need to remove bottles and no need to open the gas cupboard. Quite useful if you go to garages that don't like motorhomes filling bottles. Looking at that video further back in the thread it looks a lot of hassle trying to fill those bottles and you would certainly draw attention to your self in a garage. I am aware Morrisons accept them but I have come across Shell garages that are not keen and many French garages do not allow it either.

 

[Kayak Kid]

The external fill kit (just a hose and the external filler point) is very useful. No need to remove bottles and no need to open the gas cupboard. Quite useful if you go to garages that don't like motorhomes filling bottles. Looking at that video further back in the thread it looks a lot of hassle trying to fill those bottles and you would certainly draw attention to your self in a garage. I am aware Morrisons accept them but I have come across Shell garages that are not keen and many French garages do not allow it either.

Hi VXMan,

My comment about the filler kit related to the overall cost of the Gaslow system as a comparison. However on your points about filling, a filler kit can be fitted to the Safefill bottle - to allow remote bottle filling like Gaslow at around half the Gaslow price. Having said all of that, the Safefill system offers a far lighter package if payload is an issue.

Anyway you pay your money you take your pick!

 

[Stealaway]

The external fill kit (just a hose and the external filler point) is very useful. No need to remove bottles and no need to open the gas cupboard. Quite useful if you go to garages that don't like motorhomes filling bottles. Looking at that video further back in the thread it looks a lot of hassle trying to fill those bottles and you would certainly draw attention to your self in a garage. I am aware Morrisons accept them but I have come across Shell garages that are not keen and many French garages do not allow it either.

I've never had any problems in Europe filling my Safefill bottles inside the open locker door. Most garage's are familiar now with the Safefill bottles and happy to fill them, even if you ever need to lift them out the locker.
In over three I've yet to have a problem.

 

[Basildog]

Safefill definitely have a place in the market but they are not designed to have a fixed filler point connected to them , Safefill themselves specifically mentions this .
You could have a hose full of liquid LPG to vent off every time you fill .
We are now checking more and more installations before we start to fill as unfortunately there are just too many out there doing as they please now

 

[cyberyacht]

Surely even if you fit a remote filler for Safefill, you still need to open the locker to open the cylinder valve as you shouldn't travel with them open. I appreciate that you can do that just as you pull into the forecourt.

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[Kayak Kid]

Surely even if you fit a remote filler for Safefill, you still need to open the locker to open the cylinder valve as you shouldn't travel with them open. I appreciate that you can do that just as you pull into the forecourt.

Not necessarily. If like me you have a crash protected regulator and hose you can travel with your gas on.

 

[Basildog]

Not necessarily. If like me you have a crash protected regulator and hose you can travel with your gas on.

Not how it works with a Safefill as it only has one valve that is both the filler and the off take valve .
If the filler is connected it cannot be connected to the regulator at the same time .
As I have previously said Safefill aren’t designed to be connected to a fixed filling point .

 

[Reallyretired]

Blimey, you're lucky. For me, it's the complete opposite. Getting LPG in U.K. is a real problem. Few pumps and many empty. Many are being removed to make room for EV charging points.
I've always found LPG plentiful in Europe.

The pump shown at the yellow square under 'M23' (at Pease Pottage, 22 miles from me ) was removed last September and the yellow square under 'Brighton' (at Patcham,12 miles from me) hasn't had any gas since last October on each of several occasions that I've been in there. The dark blue pump shown at the BP station Golden Cross at the 'n' of Brighton was in the process of being removed last October when I called there.

View attachment 702568

Although I haven't filled there lately I think the Golden Cross garage has a new lpg pump as part of their refit. 99.9p/L when I last looked.

 

[Spriddler]

Although I haven't filled there lately I think the Golden Cross garage has a new lpg pump as part of their refit. 99.9p/L when I last looked.

Thanks, that's useful to know. I'll go that way and have a look when I'm next giving my m/h its fortnightly run. There are several motorhome dealers fairly nearby so maybe they create a reasonable demand.

 

[Kayak Kid]

Not how it works with a Safefill as it only has one valve that is both the filler and the off take valve .
If the filler is connected it cannot be connected to the regulator at the same time .
As I have previously said Safefill aren’t designed to be connected to a fixed filling point .

Hi Basildon,
You are correct - sorry I stand corrected.
Another grey moment not helped by too long a winter away from pottering on the Motorhome!

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[Tricky One]

Can't praise the Safefil system enough. Ok so the initial outlay is perhaps to be considered, but the small cost of refilling and the incredible difference in weight (lighter), when considering loading, outweighs any negatives. Also you can shine a light through the bottle and see the level of gas. One thing to remember having filled the cylinder, is with the supply valve closed just gently strike the safety valve in the centre of the nozzle to release the trapped gas othewise you will not be able to connect the hose.