Topped up in Spain now heating not working?

[Lenny HB]

Spanish Autogas has mixed content 35%/65% from 1/11 to 31/03

I thought that was the summer mix and in winter it was a higher propane content.

 

[Markman]

Problem is not easy to avoid, we should put some heating in the bottle or the regulator.

Absolutely. Make sure the cylinder is as warm as it can be (e.g. get EHU and put an electic heater on/near the cylinder). Increasing the temperature increases the rate at which the butane boils off.

 

[Gellyneck]

Absolutely. Make sure the cylinder is as warm as it can be (e.g. get EHU and put an electic heater on/near the cylinder). Increasing the temperature increases the rate at which the butane boils off.

Some caravanners even used quilted covers for their gas bottles (a bit like immersion heater blankets).

Always wonder how effective they are though 'cause there ain't any heat in the cylinder to start with to keep in!

 

[VXman]

Knowing you have a new regulator I suspect it's down to a high butane content of the gas probably 65%.
Although butane can gas off down to 0° it starts reducing around 10° also butane has difficulty supplying the high flow rate a Combi boiler requires.

But the OP's Fridge and Hobs are working ok. Why would just the heater have a problem?

 

[Lenny HB]

But the OP's Fridge and Hobs are working ok. Why would just the heater have a problem?

Because butane can't supply the high flow rate that a Combi requires, I did say that in my post.

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[lorger]

I assume it’s the same regulator for both bottles, if you’re heating is working on the U.K. filled bottle then your regulator must be ok. You could run off the Spanish one during the day when temp is higher then use U.K. one at night when heating is required, again I’m assuming you just need to close and open each bottle so not physically changing bottles each time.

 

[Bessy765]

Try boiling some water and pouring it over your cylinder to bring through gas temp up?

 

[MichaelT]

Do a risk assessment to using an open gas flame:

• positives: consequence - keeps you warm, probability - 100%
• negative: consequence - death due to CO poisoning, probability - depends on natural venting in van so odds between very low and medium but definitely not zero and a lot higher than driving, flying, bungy jumping, sky diving, etc

For me , I'm not keen on Russian Roulette so would rather leave the van and sleep in a hotel than risk death due to CO from sleeping with the gas on.

If you do take the risk PLEASE do go out and buy a CO detector TODAY (€10-20 in UK from Srewfix, Argos, B&Q type stores).

With a detector, the consequence stays the same (death) but the probability drops because it may go off and wake you up before the CO kills you.

So you don't cook in your van.

 

[MichaelT]

The specific gravity of Carbon Monoxide is 0.9657 (with normal air being 1.0), this means that it will float up towards the ceiling because it is lighter than Air....
The reason for ventilation in floors is to allow cooler air to enter a van or to allow LPG to dump outside in the event of a leak...CO will not dump outside...

Yes and if you look at your roof vents there are air vents built in for this reason. As I said before it's not ideal thing to do but we all cook in the van so what difference?

 

[scotzsue]

Maybe we should all carry an emergency fire brick? Heat it up on the hob and then let it work like a storage heater, used that in the old days in my bedford. Unaware whether or not that gave/gives off noxious gases.
The hob works so a couple of old fashioned hot water bottles would be good, great in the summer too filled with really cold water to cool you down if no air con.

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[LostInSpace]

The hob works so a couple of old fashioned hot water bottles would be good,

Go to a campsite if you need to, to get some hot tap water - to get everything started.

But the real trick is to use propane not butane in winter = Calor gas red (not blue) bottles.

 

[MichaelT]

Go to a campsite if you need to, to get some hot tap water - to get everything started.

But the real trick is to use propane not butane in winter = Calor gas red (not blue) bottles.

But they are using refillable so you are at mercy of the mix in the garage which may be a lot of butane in Spain.

 

[Tombola]

But they are using refillable so you are at mercy of the mix in the garage which may be a lot of butane in Spain.

Is that always the case ?
Are there any too look out for or avoid ?

 

[VXman]

Because butane can't supply the high flow rate that a Combi requires, I did say that in my post.

You sound just like my wife! Sorry for not registering that bit of the post.

 

[jumar]

Autogas runs LPG powered vehicles...so the mix for a specific season is determined by the supplier...not the individual service station and this has seasonal variations...
My van uses Spanish GPL all year round without a hitch..if anything is going to become a problem, I imagine it would be the Fridge first....older ones are temperamental and prone to blocked jets, or airlocks...

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[LostInSpace]

Hmmm.

Autogas runs LPG powered vehicles...so the mix for a specific season is determined by the supplier...not the individual service station and this has seasonal variations.

The theory is simple enough - - - for underslung tanks.

But, I have a full bottle in my garage (at home) - I have no idea when it was filled.

 

[LostInSpace]

But they are using refillable so you are at mercy of the mix in the garage which may be a lot of butane in Spain.

An argument for using one bottle of Calor (or the continental equivalent) - you know what you are gettng.

Yes, I know LPG is miles cheaper - I use it all the time - but always bought in the UK.

 

[MichaelT]

Is that always the case ?
Are there any too look out for or avoid ?

See my post earlier you can look on my LPG.eu but not sure how accurate it is.

 

[gus-lopez]

Chinese, been working for several years now without any hiccups!

If you have just attempted to use it after no use for a while it will probably be the ball in the pump that has stuck to the internal pipe. A good battering with a rubber hammer should release it ,failing that ,remove & blow through with an airline. I have had the problem & This is why I now start the heater every week or 10 days to ensure it doesn't happen again

 

[jumar]

I thought that was the summer mix and in winter it was a higher propane content.

LPG are hydrocarbon fuel gases used for heating, cooking, hot water and vehicles. Most countries have either 100% propane (Australia & USA), an LPG gas mixture of 60:40 propane:butane (NZ & Belgium) or percentage of propane and butane in LPG around 35:65 propane:butane LPG gas mixture (India, Spain & Hungary).Jun 23, 2023

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[Peavy]

The only thing I know is that GLP (LPG) anxiety has been unlocked now

 

[Bessy765]

We have been in Spain and mostly Portugal since Oct 20th, with underslung tanks used around 90 litres over 4 fill ups no problems with heating etc.

 

[Brains]

To heat the newly filled cylinder up, get a couple of hot water bottles and pack them around the gas bottle.

You may need to replace one every hour to keep the temperature up.

You could also see if there is an easy way to pipe heat into the gas locker.
Using an old vacuum cleaner hose ?

 

[Gellyneck]

Has anyone been round to chap Nanniemate 's door to see if still hiding under the duvet or frozen solid?

 

[Nanniemate]

Hi guys heres the update, it was a cold sponge down this morning no shower. Ouch, but it woke me up.

But once going and dropped down into ththe warm water and heating worked.

I was trying not to use the 2nd uk gas as it will be cold on the return journey as unfortunately I have to keep the economy going and go back to work.

Thanks for all the suggestions , the gas rings do take the bite off it and boil the kettle at the same time. If I go to bed warm I'm OK if I'm cold getting into bed, I never seem to warm up.

The plan is now to use the Spanish gas for cooking (that will not use much) or any requirements here and save the UK gas for the colder part of the return journey

Thank you all for your input we are here now safe and warm.

I never intended to bring this van into Europe bit only to potter around the UK. It has come down without missing a beat. But I have learnt a few things about the old van.

1 it runs better at 60mph than 50 and the fuel consumption is better

Who ever thought of putting in a 5 speed Box into a 2.8 van should be shot

Cruise control ....what cruise control

Refillable LPG is an amazing thing, how did I manage all those years without it. On silly 3.9calor bottles.

I won't mention slipping on deseal at the garage and face planting the ground , yes it hurt but so serious damage so far except to my pride.

Hope your all dry and safe and the weather is kind to you . Off the play with my gas heater now and have a HOT shower

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[Peavy]

Three things we have learnt also:
top up GLP before going to a remote area, top up GLP before going to a remote area, top up GLP before going to a remote area.

Glad Nanniemate you're safe and warm.

 

[MichaelT]

Three things we have learnt also:
top up GLP before going to a remote area, top up GLP before going to a remote area,
top up GLP before going to a remote area

View attachment 995935

How does the gauge work please?

 

[yorkiebar]

How does the gauge work please?

Badly I believe with those gauges

 

[Jon Stewart]

The specific gravity of Carbon Monoxide is 0.9657 (with normal air being 1.0), this means that it will float up towards the ceiling because it is lighter than Air....
The reason for ventilation in floors is to allow cooler air to enter a van or to allow LPG to dump outside in the event of a leak...CO will not dump outside...

I'm very sceptical that the difference in weight compared with the 'average' for air will cause any striation.

CO is the same weight (RFM) as N2 (28), which is 79% of the air.

Brownian motion will ensure complete mixing, as demonstrated by the oxygen molecule (RFM 32).

I don't disagree with the rest, and the important point is definitely that floor vents will do nothing to remove carbon monoxide.

 

[Peavy]

How does the gauge work please?

0. EMPTY
1. we are here
2. 1/4
3.
4. 1/2
5.
6. 3/4
7.
8. FULL

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