which gas option?

[EGG1]

We are off to France next week on our first cross channel trip and realize that after 2 nights of grid last week our 2 x 6KG propane bottles are not going to cut it (the fridge seemed to run constantly?) Reading on the forums we appear to have 2 options - 1 bite the bullet and fork out for 1 reffilable bottle 6KG/11KG or buy disposable french bottles and fittings while out there which will mean hassle.
i am in leaning towards the former;
gaslow, gasit or alugas ? and what additional fittings would i need? approx cost?
will the larger 11 KG fit in my 2022 Adria Coral gas locker? (alongside a calor propane back up)
Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[rb62]

From a similar thread,you then just exchange the bottle,

I bought a "Le Cube" gas bottle at a french supermarket Super U, had to register my details giving the address of the local campsite, the total cost was Euro 34.60 which included a deposit of E19.60 and a bottle top regulator, 27mm clip on. I got a suitable hose from a local DIY store. It fits in alongside my 13kg Gaslow.

2019 prices

 

[herald_400rl]

We also have 2 x 6kg Calor which last us (off grid) about 12 days.
We've just got the canopy fitted so the next thing on the list is a refillable bottle. Though I am still considering plumping for an underslung.

 

[MisterB]

Do you actually have time to have a refillable system to be fitted?

In answer to your question, our Adria gas locker can take two large cylinders.

An alternative solution is to fit a very large lithium battery and reduce your gas usage by cooking on electric or staying on sites with EHU to power the fridge.

How long you are away for and 'off grid' will be a major part of the equation. If only for a few weeks you might find a couple of large cylinders are more than enough.

 

[MisterB]

There are usually a couple of refillables on sale in the classifieds if you're struggling to get one fitted and can go and pick one up?

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[rb62]

Don't know what brand of fridge you have but if it's running constantly I would suggest you have it on too high a setting.

 

[The Coops]

Does your Adria have a compressor fridge or is it tri fuel?

 

[Stealaway]

Safefill bottle and a French LPG filler adapter.
I would also recommend a new soft rubber pigtail.

 

[Bleau’s]

I got my gaslow bottle fitted the next day by basildog on here doing me a second one shortly a good guick and easy solution

 

[L' Hobo]

I would be slightly worried about how much gas you are using.
I have just been on the road for 6weeks, medium sized fridge and cooking on gas, there is still a third of my 11kg Gaslow bottle left?

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[herald_400rl]

Our fridge is supposed to use 14.7g/hour, in reality this is slightly higher, maybe 16 or so because of its age and efficiency loss.
Rest of ours goes into the hob/oven/hot water. We don't eat out and will have bacon/sausage for breakfast and a meal of some sort for tea. Hot water twice a day.

 

[EGG1]

Thanks for all the replies - its a tri fuel fridge and i think ive been keeping my beer too cold and the motorhome to warm hence the high usage.
i didnt realise that gaslow, gasit or alugas, are a more involved, semi permanent and expensive fitting job making a mess of 1k.
Stealaways suggestion of one 11 KG safefill (if it fits in the locker) with a French LPG filler adapter, and retain a 6 KG calor propane alongside for emergencies seem the best choice for our needs.
any comments appreciated.

 

[Pablo19]

I would be slightly worried about how much gas you are using.
I have just been on the road for 6weeks, medium sized fridge and cooking on gas, there is still a third of my 11kg Gaslow bottle left?

Mine lasts for ages if just powering fridge and cooking. Heating on the other hand eats it quite quickly! I assume you weren't turning on the heating?

 

[EGG1]

i must admit i whacked up the heating testing it out of grid.

 

[L' Hobo]

Mine lasts for ages if just powering fridge and cooking. Heating on the other hand eats it quite quickly! I assume you weren't turning on the heating?

Definitely not in the past few weeks with temperatures up in the 30c's + my heating is either EHU or diesel.

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[Pablo19]

Definitely not in the past few weeks with temperatures up in the 30c's + my heating is either EHU or diesel.

Hence the discrepancy from one person saying they last ages and another saying they don't last 5 minutes!

 

[Lenny HB]

At this time of year in France a 14kg Alugas bottle lasts us about 15-18 days. Don't normally need heating in the evening but mornings can be a bit chilly.

 

[Fragle]

We are off to France next week on our first cross channel trip and realize that after 2 nights of grid last week our 2 x 6KG propane bottles are not going to cut it (the fridge seemed to run constantly?) Reading on the forums we appear to have 2 options - 1 bite the bullet and fork out for 1 reffilable bottle 6KG/11KG or buy disposable french bottles and fittings while out there which will mean hassle.
i am in leaning towards the former;
gaslow, gasit or alugas ? and what additional fittings would i need? approx cost?
will the larger 11 KG fit in my 2022 Adria Coral gas locker? (alongside a calor propane back up)
Any advice would be much appreciated.

we have 2x11kg in our Adria coral. No problem. The heating in the Coral will be the thing that eats your gas

 

[kev54]

Thanks for all the replies - its a tri fuel fridge and i think ive been keeping my beer too cold and the motorhome to warm hence the high usage.
i didnt realise that gaslow, gasit or alugas, are a more involved, semi permanent and expensive fitting job making a mess of 1k.
Stealaways suggestion of one 11 KG safefill (if it fits in the locker) with a French LPG filler adapter, and retain a 6 KG calor propane alongside for emergencies seem the best choice for our needs.
any comments appreciated.

I’ve found a lot of French ( and other EU) stations won’t let you refill a removable cylinder. Many, but not all, will only agree if you show an external filling point (ours is a fixed Gaslow intallation) - with an adapter of course. Other threads have indicated you could purchase a French gas cylinder and replace as you go - but I think the connections are different from UK cylinders. I’ve not tried that.

 

[VXman]

Don't know what brand of fridge you have but if it's running constantly I would suggest you have it on too high a setting.

No, my Thetford runs pretty much constantly. It does switch off but is on more than it is off. Only set to level 3 of 5. However,. It still doesn't use much gas, we can get 2 weeks out of 11kg. Fridge, hot water for 2 showers a day, washing up, hob and oven and a bit of heating.

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[VXman]

It's not that expensive!!

One Gaslow 11kg bottle about £190 (don't need 2 - you can refill them! I take a 6kg calor as a back up but never needed to use it)

Hose to regulator £20?

External refill kit £90

All in £300

Gaslow Refillable Gas Cylinder Systems | Caravan & Marine | gasproducts.co.uk

Buy Gaslow Refillable Gas Cylinder Systems online from gasproducts.co.uk. Fast UK and European delivery.

www.gasproducts.co.uk

 

[kev54]

At this time of year in France a 14kg Alugas bottle lasts us about 15-18 days. Don't normally need heating in the evening but mornings can be a bit chilly.

3-ish weeks’ LPG cost us 7€ to refill. Mostly the fridge and some heating water for showers every 2 days.

 

[Lenny HB]

3-ish weeks’ LPG cost us 7€ to refill. Mostly the fridge and some heating water for showers every 2 days.

Our fridge uses a litre a day, and some of the time it's running off 12v as I have a solar regulator with an AES output.

 

[enark]

plenty of places will post you out a refillable bottle and fitting kit. I used Hamilton gas, all arrived next day, installed it in about an hour and popped around to flog as to squirt 22l in….mine is gas low And really recommend.

 

[RV72 SAM 🏴]

We are off to France next week on our first cross channel trip and realize that after 2 nights of grid last week our 2 x 6KG propane bottles are not going to cut it (the fridge seemed to run constantly?) Reading on the forums we appear to have 2 options - 1 bite the bullet and fork out for 1 reffilable bottle 6KG/11KG or buy disposable french bottles and fittings while out there which will mean hassle.
i am in leaning towards the former;
gaslow, gasit or alugas ? and what additional fittings would i need? approx cost?
will the larger 11 KG fit in my 2022 Adria Coral gas locker? (alongside a calor propane back up)
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hi Egg1 . . . I have 2022/3 Adria Matrix 600SL . . .
Supying dealer fitted me Gaslow in with purchase price, I asked if they could fit me 2 x 11kg bottles, which they said would not fit, but they went in fine, although a little tight but door closes Ok !
These last forever, never used more than a half bottle in weeks of on and off gridding, as we prefer gas to ehu as fridge is a lot more efficient for food and beer. But on long journey's we run on the battery's till on site. So cheap as well 76p a litre . . .

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[EGG1]

Thanks for all the replies which are very helpful (great forum amazing number of replies since 6.45 this morning) I`m still leaning towards a quick fix with a safefill 10KG or Gaslow 11 KG portable refillable for about £200, plus valve/adapter and take my chances re` filling in France. I shall take the motorhome to Jacksons at Arley tomorrow see what actually fits in the locker and let the salesman do the rest. In any event it will soon pay for it self in the U,K,

 

[Lenny HB]

If you get refillables make sure you get a full set of adaptors. 4 different ones used in countries across Europe.

 

[RV72 SAM 🏴]

Yes as Lenny said luckily my dealer supplied a full set when it was installed ! But honestly if you can as I have get the 2 x 11kg in locker you won't need it very often in Europe unless you on Aires the whole time 3-4 weeks at least !

 

[Bessy765]

If you are using a French bottle Bricomarche sell the hose you need

 

[Stealaway]

Thanks for all the replies which are very helpful (great forum amazing number of replies since 6.45 this morning) I`m still leaning towards a quick fix with a safefill 10KG or Gaslow 11 KG portable refillable for about £200, plus valve/adapter and take my chances re` filling in France. I shall take the motorhome to Jacksons at Arley tomorrow see what actually fits in the locker and let the salesman do the rest. In any event it will soon pay for it self in the U,K,

The only problem you will have in France is at Total stations. They refuse to refill all, any and every motorhome. Just avoid them .
You will also need to download myLPG.eu app to your phone