Gaslow and Propane System - Info Request

5509 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Zozzer, May 29, 2009

Ian_n_Suzy

Discussion Starter · May 24, 2009

Hello,

I know Gaslow has been debated to death in this forum but I have read up plenty and would just like some clarification if possible, as we are getting a new van shortly (new to us) and as the Water Heater / Blown Heating is via a Truma gas only Combi, I intend to fit a Gaslow system to the Van.

I only really want to install 1 x 11kg Gaslow bottle and have a Propane bottle as backup.

Is this a safe / workable setup?

Could I do this using an automatic changeover? such as http://www.outdoorbits.com/gaslow-500-automatic-changeover-30mbar-011655enr-p-828.html

If so would you recommend this or is a manual switchover better for the job? such as http://www.outdoorbits.com/37mb-refillable-manual-changeover-011650-p-695.html

I am unsure of the pre 2004, post 2004 differences. Which is the likely correct mbar I will require?

Also, am I correct in the schematics I have in my head for the install?

1) Filler Kit

2) The above goes into the "In Valve" of the Gaslow Cylinder

3) The Output form the Gaslow Cylinder goes to one side of the Changeover Valve

4) The Output side of the Changeover valve goes thu a Regulator

5) The Output of the Regulator goes to the existing Gas Connector of the Van

6) Propane Bottle

7) The above Output goes into the other side of the changeover valve

(If it is of any help the van is a 2007 Ford Transit Based Rollerteam 700)

ALL help and info will be greatly appreciated.

CHEERS

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115672

· #2 · May 24, 2009

Hi both
I fiited just this system to my MH last week
The instructions were easy to follow
When i ordered the system i spoke to Gaslow and they were very good, taking time to understand what i wanted to do and said 'if you have any probs, just give us a call'
I did not need to call them but i did have a gas check done after fitting it

Happy Daze
Chrisboyo

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Ian_n_Suzy

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 24, 2009

Hi,

Glad to hear your install went successfully.

Did you fit a single Gaslow Tank AND a Propane tank?

I am unsure if the Changover valves are specific to Butane, Propane, Refillable. i.e Can I have one input to the changeover coming from a refillable gaslow and the other from a Propane tank?

CHEERS

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pippin

· #4 · May 24, 2009

If you intend doing all your MHing in UK then a back-up propane (Calor?) is OK - but if you are going across to €urope then it will not be of much use when empty because you will not be able to exchange it.

But I just cannot understand why anyone bothers with a "back-up" exchangeable bottle at all - Autogas/LPG/GPL pumps are so widely available all over UK/€U that it is so fantastically easy just to top up your Gaslow tanks anywhere and everywhere.
OK, perhaps not so good in Spain but your Calor bottle is a useless heavy lump of metal there anyway.

And Autogas/LPG/GPL is less than half-price cf exchanging a Calor bottle!

Another benefit will please your back-pain specialist - compare the ease of hooking up to the fuel pump with the effort of manoevering and lugging heavy gas bottles in and out of a gas locker.
No contest!

We have an 11kG and a 6kG Gaslow bottle - if the large one runs out then we know exactly how much of a reserve we have.

Go 100% Gaslow - forget a backup exchangeable!

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UncleNorm

· #5 · May 24, 2009

Hi Ian n Suzy!

Yep! I've just fitted the system too, via a very helpful OutdoorBits. Much cheaper than Gaslow prices too.

I've gone for 2 x 11kg and have a CampinGaz 907 for the BBQ but there are other combinations.... Scroll down after you've opened this link:

http://www.gaslow.co.uk/pdf/INSTRUC_inside_UK.pdf

Our best friend next door is a Gas Safety Register (was CORGI) fitter so I got him to check it all over.

Then I went and filled up... 42 Litres (21kg) for £24!! To exchange our 13kg and 6kg Calor Propane would have cost around £40 so the Autogas comes in at almost half price. And I can fill up abroad! :wink: And I don't have to lug any cylinders around! :wink:

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Ian_n_Suzy

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 24, 2009

Hi,

We don't intend doing all our MH`ing in the UK, but from everything I have read I prefer to go with a single Gaslow and use a conventional cylinder as a backup.

We are away to France and Spain for 6 weeks in the summer holidays and I am thinking that if I fill up with LPG before we get to our first stop in Spain, then by the time this runs out (if at all) then we won't need to worry about trying to locate an LPG filling station in Spain and the usage of the Propane will be nie on nothing (by my estimation at least). OK if we had a second Gaslow bottle this would also alleviate the problem but do I really need to spend an extra £110plus for it.

I can't see the point in having 2 refillable bottles, due to the very fact that they are refillable. Why spend the extra £110 on a second bottle?

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Ian_n_Suzy

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 24, 2009

Hi,

Thanks given to all the above for the info / advice.

My neice's husband is a Corgi Reg`d gas fitter and I intend to get him to check it over for me once it's all done.

CHEERS

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sprokit

· #8 · May 24, 2009

Ian_n_Suzy said:
Hello,

I know Gaslow has been debated to death in this forum but I have read up plenty and would just like some clarification if possible, as we are getting a new van shortly (new to us) and as the Water Heater / Blown Heating is via a Truma gas only Combi, I intend to fit a Gaslow system to the Van.

I only really want to install 1 x 11kg Gaslow bottle and have a Propane bottle as backup.

Is this a safe / workable setup?

Could I do this using an automatic changeover? such as http://www.outdoorbits.com/gaslow-500-automatic-changeover-30mbar-011655enr-p-828.html

If so would you recommend this or is a manual switchover better for the job? such as http://www.outdoorbits.com/37mb-refillable-manual-changeover-011650-p-695.html

I am unsure of the pre 2004, post 2004 differences. Which is the likely correct mbar I will require?

Also, am I correct in the schematics I have in my head for the install?

1) Filler Kit

2) The above goes into the "In Valve" of the Gaslow Cylinder

3) The Output form the Gaslow Cylinder goes to one side of the Changeover Valve

4) The Output side of the Changeover valve goes thu a Regulator

5) The Output of the Regulator goes to the existing Gas Connector of the Van

6) Propane Bottle

7) The above Output goes into the other side of the changeover valve

(If it is of any help the van is a 2007 Ford Transit Based Rollerteam 700)

ALL help and info will be greatly appreciated.

CHEERS

I recently fitted a full Gaslow system to my own vehicle - not a hard job once you've decided to actually cut the hole for the filler, but maybe you're going to put yours inside the gas locker on one of those bracket things.

Firstly - your van, given it's a 2007, should have a 30mBar system fitted - so that's the regulator needed (it will have a label somewhere, usually inside the gas locker telling you this).

As far as the rest of it goes - no problem using a Gaslow bottle and a red propane bottle together, I would suggest you buy one of the easy fit connectors shown on the parts list here: http://www.gaslow.co.uk/pages/products/list_1.htm - tho' I can't understand why you'd want to use a "Calor" or whatever make, propane bottle when LPG is so cheap and readily available in most of Europe.

Then, when it comes to fitting and filling - follow the instructions here: http://www.gaslow.co.uk/pdf/INSTRUC_inside_UK.pdf

I would say that a manual changeover valve would suffice (even though mine is an auto-changeover which I bought in a moment of madness), at least then you know when one bottle has run out and can make the necessary arrangements to refill - I would suggest you use the Gaslow bottle with the propane as a reserve.

Pressurise the sytem by turning on the bottles (both) then leak test all the joints - you can do it yourself quite easily using a brush and soapy water, or buy one of those spray test cans (why you'd want to I don't know - unnecessary expense), or you can have it done professionally just to give you peace of mind. I didn't, but then I've worked with pipes and joints in the past and trust my own skills. No leaks since it was fitted in February and three fills since.

Hopefully you'll have no problems.

Ahh - I see UncleNorm has already given you the url. - never mind - he didn't give you the parts list url.

Keith (Sprokit)

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UncleNorm

· #9 · May 24, 2009

Hello again Ian n Suzy.

I've reached the stage where those Calor cylinders are getting too heavy!

I now have 2 x 13 and 2 x 6 Propane standing in the back yard!! They'll be OK for the home BBQ for the next few years! 8)

But, like you, AuntieSandra and I are going abroad for six weeks. We've never done that long before. So I have to fill in some metaphorical 'holes' before we leave, so we don't fall into them.

Last year, after one BBQ, I lost the whole contents of a 6kg Calor propane. That's why we have the CampinGaz 907. It cost around €50 for cylinder and regulator. :roll:

Secondly, and importantly, whilst we go to France for the wonderful weather (and other things too) we can't guarantee that the sun will shine all the time. We intend avoiding electric hook-ups so any heating will be down to gas.

Now... if AuntieSandra gets cold, during the day OR night, then I can see us using a lot of gas, more than 2 x 11kg, hence the need to be able to refill.

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115672

· #10 · May 24, 2009

Hi
I fitted an 11k gaslow and a 6k red gas cylinder with a change over valve and mounted the filler inside the locker between the cylinders as i did not want it too obvious that i had a refillable cylinder
I know someone that had thiers stolen
Even after tugging/MHing for 30 years I can never remember which is which with propane / butane but we always use the red cylinders as they are ok all year round
Happy Daze
Chrisboyo

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pippin

· #11 · May 24, 2009

Well, 11kG might not last very long in bitter winter weather.
Gauges are notoriously innacurate so it would be somewhat inconvenient to run out, especially if parked up on a site.
A second refillable gives us that extra reassurance.

They are refilled in tandem but discharged individually.

I know you are quoting £110 for a second Gaslow but you have to set off the cost of buying (well hiring, strictly speaking) a full Calor bottle.

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Ian_n_Suzy

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 24, 2009

Hi,

THANKS GIVEN for all the advice, much appreciated. Especially the links and pointers.

pippin said:
Well, 11kG might not last very long in bitter winter weather.
Gauges are notoriously innacurate so it would be somewhat inconvenient to run out, especially if parked up on a site.
A second refillable gives us that extra reassurance.

They are refilled in tandem but discharged individually.

I know you are quoting £110 for a second Gaslow but you have to set off the cost of buying (well hiring, strictly speaking) a full Calor bottle.

I appreciate what your saying, but for me, if I top the 11kg tank up everytime I fill up with Diesel (or more frequently if only on short journeys), then I am really going to have to "go some" to run out inbetween . I am imagining that the Propane will just sit there as a precaution and will "hopefully" never get used. If it does it is going to be very little and I would think that the one Propane cylinder will last us a very long time.

Thanks again,

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pippin

· #13 · May 24, 2009

I agree with you.

But, at some point you may well have used some of your red Calor propane reserve, but you will not know how much there is left in it.

So, you are contemplating a long trip and thinking/worrying about not knowing how much reserve you have left.
So, you go and exchange what may be a quarter full bottle just in case.

With two Gaslow bottles, when you fill up you know 100% that they are both full (well to 80%!!).

As I said before, on the Continent a Calor bottle is a heavy useless lump when it is empty.

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Zozzer

· #14 · May 29, 2009

If I may jump in on this topic.

I have had a Gaslow refillable 6Kg bottle put in my 2003 Autosleeper Symbol.

However the conversion was not completed due to requiring an adapter so that the original 37mBar regulator could be used. The Installer arranged for the adaptor to be sent direct to my home, and it arrived the day after.

I was hoping to use the 3.9kg propane bottle as a reserved like I did before the conversion, but I cannot position the regulators which are attatched to the bottles without rotating one of the regulators through 90 degree's. My question is will the regulator still work safely in this position.

Looking at all the other regulators (wall mounted) it looks as if they will function in any position, but I thought I would check as other regulators may have been designed to work vertically.

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