GASLOW GASIT OR SAFEFILL opinions

[mickymost]

After umming and arring for a while im looking into fitting a refill gas system to our 1993 HYMER S560

The brochure states two 11kg bottles will fit.At present I have two 6kg Calor Propane which dont last two minutes and cost £24 quid upwards to replace each time.So I have been looking at Gaslow Gasit and today discovered these Safefill bottles.Has anyone used Safefill and will the garage forecourt turn the pump on if one is trying to connect a fill pump hose to a bottle in a locker? even though they claim to be designed to be safe.

Safefill advantages

just buy bottles and sit in locker job done

no extra fill hoses outside fill point etc to buy

Safefill Disadvantages

have to unconnect bottle each time to fill
possibilty of Forecourt refusing to turn pump on



Gaslow and Gasit Advantages

All connected tidy in locker so no need to mess around disconnecting to fill

Gaslow and Gasit Disadvantages

Extra cost? in comparison i/e all extra parts needed to install


Has anyone fitted Refill Gas to a classic Hymer? If so what size bottles will fit in that locker the one at the front on the offside by the front seat. will 11kg fit as claimed by Hymer?

Other Motorhomes owners other than Hymer please feel free to comment on what size you have managed to fit please

Obviously I dont want to pay and order bottles for delivery then find they cant fit in the locker.


The safefill bottles seem quite costly for just a bottle what is other peoples opininions on this?


Any advice greatfully received.

Michael

 

[mickymost]

If you plan to keep the van for a while, I suggest you get an underslung tank instead. That way you keep the gas locker for storing other stuff and can have a larger capacity than 44 litres of LPG. There should be plenty of space underneath to fit on on that van.
If you plan to replace the van in the near future, you might be better getting refillable bottles, so you can keep them when you sell.
I would definitely and strongly advise you to have a fill hose with an external fill point fitted. Not a lot more money, but less hassle and no risks of problems filling at suspicious garages.
Safefill looks like a swindle to me.

Hairydog thank you for your reply.Have you fitted an underslung Tank to your motorhome and if so how easy is it to do .I am of technical ability so feel confident to install myself (would of course get it checked by a registered fitter)

What size of underslung is available ok ill google and look


thank you


Michael

 

[alwaysared]

I believe that there are certain places that are approved to fill Safefill bottles and you may have trouble filling them up at a filling station. I fitted Alugas to save on weight.

Regards,
Del

 

[yorkslass]

I quite like the idea of the Safe fill bottles. I'm sure I read that they have an agreement with Morrison's to fill them. May have read it on here.

 

[CarlandHels]

We use Safefill. Had no probs of getting it filled at Morrisons, Shell etc. I got 2 10kg bottles and it saves us a fortune as we live in the van 24/7. We chose Safefill due to being able to move them from van to van, take one out for BBQ if needed etc.. Think they're great...

 

[guerdeval]

Tried gas low and underslung and it's underslung every time for me, I have wondered if a round tank they fit to cars ilo spare wheel for lpg conversions might be an economical way to do it if type approved.

 

[yorkslass]

Just been on Motorhomer and there is a thread there about Morrison's gas. Seems Safe fill is ok.

 

[Wooie1958]

Gas It here simply for the almost fit and forget procedure sadly though i only have room in my gas locker for 2 X 6kg bottles.

I have a manual change over system then i know exactly where i`m up to with the gas supply.

As soon as one cylinder is empty i manually change over to the other cylinder ( close one valve and open the other ) and at the first opportunity i re-fill.

That way it uses up the older gas and i`ve always plenty and never worry.

 

[trevskoda]

Tried gas low and underslung and it's underslung every time for me, I have wondered if a round tank they fit to cars ilo spare wheel for lpg conversions might be an economical way to do it if type approved.

No good as it supplys liquid from bottom where as the correct tank runs gas from top.

 

[mistericeman]

Gas It here simply for the almost fit and forget procedure sadly though i only have room in my gas locker for 2 X 6kg bottles.

I have a manual change over system then i know exactly where i`m up to with the gas supply.

As soon as one cylinder is empty i manually change over to the other cylinder ( close one valve and open the other ) and at the first opportunity i re-fill.

That way it uses up the older gas and i`ve always plenty and never worry.

Same here only Gaslow....
Bottle filler point inbetween bottles inside locker as didn't want to drill the bodywork (no flat surface on skirts so would have meant running filler hose back inside van to get to flat sides)
Never had an issue filling at morrisons/independants or my local Autogas place.

Very pleasant filling up knowing your not being ripped off by Calor....
Be even better when I ditch the gas fire for another eberspacher and swap the gas fridge for a compressor one.

 

[Wooie1958]

Father-in-law has just bought a new 6kg Calor Lite ( approx 12 litres ) at Blackpool Calor for£26 :scared: yes i said £26 :scared::scared:

Didn`t tell him that i recently topped up 17.8 litres for £9.68 at Morrisins Leyland.

 

[mickymost]

Same here only Gaslow....
Bottle filler point inbetween bottles inside locker as didn't want to drill the bodywork (no flat surface on skirts so would have meant running filler hose back inside van to get to flat sides)
Never had an issue filling at morrisons/independants or my local Autogas place.

Very pleasant filling up knowing your not being ripped off by Calor....
Be even better when I ditch the gas fire for another eberspacher and swap the gas fridge for a compressor one.

Mistericeman thank you for reply and putting up the pictures as they are really helpfull.What size are those bottles please?Good idea with the fill point too.I take it eberspacher is a diesel heater? and a genuine diesel heater and not the cheaper chinese versions?I know its a little cheeky but could you list what other parts are needed apart from the gaslow bottles.At present I have two 6kg Calor bottles propane going to a central truma changeover valve so what parts may be needed from this point to the bottles?

sorry if its any trouble to list the parts.

I still may consider the safefill bottle option as it seems other forum members think tey are easy to use and great but want to sort of compare the cost of each install with probably a similar size gaslow/gasit or safefill bottle to the 6kg calors then will make a decision

thanks to all who have replied so far.....

Michael

 

[mickymost]

Safefill ticks our boxes, composite see through material, where you can view contents remaining in tank, no dodgy gauges to wonder about. Very light and corrosive free.

Filled at stations here and in France with ease, when at home and need a top up, chuck in car and drive to fill station, no requirement to take MH.

I fail to understand HD's comment on safefill being a swindle, perhaps he can elaborate??

So in UK you have not had any problems at any forecourt petrol station with taking out of your car boot and taking Safefill bottle to the pump to fill?Or do you go to cashier first to ensure its ok as many are using adaptors to refill Calor Bottles which from what I read is a very dangerous practice?So could be a problem with the cashier not switching the gas pump on?


Michael

 

[yeoblade]

So in UK you have not had any problems at any forecourt petrol station with taking out of your car boot and taking Safefill bottle to the pump to fill?Or do you go to cashier first to ensure its ok as many are using adaptors to refill Calor Bottles which from what I read is a very dangerous practice?So could be a problem with the cashier not switching the gas pump on?


Michael

I think if you go to the cashier to request their permission you are inviting trouble, If the installation you have is safe/approved then just fill up.

 

[mistericeman]

Mistericeman thank you for reply and putting up the pictures as they are really helpfull.What size are those bottles please?Good idea with the fill point too.I take it eberspacher is a diesel heater? and a genuine diesel heater and not the cheaper chinese versions?I know its a little cheeky but could you list what other parts are needed apart from the gaslow bottles.At present I have two 6kg Calor bottles propane going to a central truma changeover valve so what parts may be needed from this point to the bottles?

sorry if its any trouble to list the parts.

I still may consider the safefill bottle option as it seems other forum members think tey are easy to use and great but want to sort of compare the cost of each install with probably a similar size gaslow/gasit or safefill bottle to the 6kg calors then will make a decision

thanks to all who have replied so far.....

Michael

I bought the two 6kg bottles second hand (and still with plenty of test left) and they came with a link pipe BUT no fill pipe or filler connection for £80.
Another £60 for fill hose/and fill connector with mounting bracket...
I replaced the T connector that my Calor bottles connected to with a level gauge (not vital BUT gives a rough visual check to level AND basic pressure drop test) for another£30.

Obviously more expensive if you're buying brand new BUT Soon paid back if you use the vehicle regularly.

Pretty much this BUT slightly cheaper without the panel mounted filler..

https://www.gaslowdirect.com/epages...u67/Products/01-4950/SubProducts/01-4950-0074

 

[mickymost]

I bought the two 6kg bottles second hand (and still with plenty of test left) and they came with a link pipe BUT no fill pipe or filler connection for £80.
Another £60 for fill hose/and fill connector with mounting bracket...
I replaced the T connector that my Calor bottles connected to with a level gauge (not vital BUT gives a rough visual check to level AND basic pressure drop test) for another£30.

Obviously more expensive if you're buying brand new BUT Soon paid back if you use the vehicle regularly.

Pretty much this BUT slightly cheaper without the panel mounted filler..

https://www.gaslowdirect.com/epages...u67/Products/01-4950/SubProducts/01-4950-0074

Sounds like you got a bargain with what price you paid for your gaslow bottles so well done to you on the purchase back to the eberspacher is it german russian or chinese?

Michael

 

[mistericeman]

Sounds like you got a bargain with what price you paid for your gaslow bottles so well done to you on the purchase back to the eberspacher is it german russian or chinese?

Michael

German genuine.... We use the van all year around and I didn't want to be stuck freezing because it had packed in some snow ridden wild spot....

IF its just occasional use I wouldn't worry so much BUT I don't like being cold and have bigger fish to fry than whether mister Miaggi was arsed to bolt it together properly before heading off for his dim sum on Friday night ;-)

 

[mickymost]

German genuine.... We use the van all year around and I didn't want to be stuck freezing because it had packed in some snow ridden wild spot....

IF its just occasional use I wouldn't worry so much BUT I don't like being cold and have bigger fish to fry than whether mister Miaggi was arsed to bolt it together properly before heading off for his dim sum on Friday night ;-)

Thank you again.You only get what you pay for obviously ref eberspacher.Did you not have the gas fire already installed or I presume the diesel heater is cheaper to run and Did you also install it yourself

Michael

 

[mistericeman]

Thank you again.You only get what you pay for obviously ref eberspacher.Did you not have the gas fire already installed or I presume the diesel heater is cheaper to run and Did you also install it yourself

Michael

When I built our transit it as from pretty much scratch (ex welfare bus stripped out)
I added solar/split charge and 3 x 100ah leisure batteries to run everything including cooking by electric (microwave /kettle /slow cooker /toaster etc)and eberspacher as didn't want gas on board.... BUT wanted to be self sufficient power wise.

Nearly 4 years on we have bought a Swift 590 On a Ducato chassis and are now going through a bit of reworking to deal with the pitiful electrical power it has....
So more batteries/solar (keeping the gas cooking) refillable gas AND going back to eberspacher diesel heating as I found it vastly more economic than the gas fire fitted in the Swift....
The 3 way fridge will be going in favour of a 12v compressor fridge too (in the transit the Waeco 40l coolbox has been running close to 3 years 24/7/365.... Just on solar and us going away regularly in winter, with just the occasional charge in darkest winter when weve not been away for a few weeks due to work or weather)

 

[RoaminRog]

A vote for Gas It here. I have two 11kg 4 hole bottles fitted in my Autotrail, and installed a filler point on each side of the vehicle, then it doesn’t matter which side of the pump you can get on.
I have plumbed both tanks to act as one big tank, so no changeover valve, and monitor the level from a digital reader mounted in the kitchen.
Could never be without it now.
The only problem you MAY encounter with a filler point inside the gas cupboard is when you are abroad, a lot of forecourt kiosk staff are relatively young, and have been instructed not to allow the refilling of exchangeable bottles. Many young folk assume that if they can SEE the bottles, they are not to turn the pump on. My command of the foreign is not good enough to argue the point with them so I have opted this time for external fillpoints, and haven’t had a problem since.
If you go onto the Gas It website GAS IT LPG and Autogas refillable gas products for motorhomes, caravans, catering, commercial and industrial use. - GAS IT Leisure Gas Bottles, Gas Cylincers and Gas Tanks - Catering, Motorhome, Campervan, Caravan, Farrier and Road Repair Refillable Gas Solutions. you can design your own system and find bottle/tank dimensions.
Initially, the cost is considerable, but you will soon recoup the cost, consider that I can fill two 11kg bottles, from empty, for around £22.... and of course it remains your property, so that if you ever sell your van, you can swap it to your new one.