Gas - switch off or leave on when driving?

[Deleted member 86613]

Off

 

[CarlandHels]

So what about Safefill bottles as they are made to rupture in case of a fire to stop them blowing up. Also if someone crashes into my gas locker it wont make any difference whether it's turned off or not... ??

 

[mfw]

So what about Safefill bottles as they are made to rupture in case of a fire to stop them blowing up.

Well it is generally the gas that causes explosions not liquid so personal choices on what you think they will do

 

[CarlandHels]

Well it is generally the gas that causes explosions not liquid so personal choices on what you think they will do

But if they rupture does it not turn to gas. Might sound a daft question, but I presume that if an impact cracks a safefill bottle I thought as liquid is released it would turn to gas and not run out as liquid. If you get my meaning.

 

[Okta]

It is called a BLEVE, Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion. They can be devastating.

 

[Nabsim]

Interesting, which bottles do this?

Gaslow R67

 

[Okta]

Thanks. That seems to be a rupture/flow device the same as Alugas bottles so you still need the crash regulator for the low pressure shut off. I was hoping you had found something that could do both.

 

[jeffmossy]

It is called a BLEVE, Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion. They can be devastating.

I found out about this on my ADR Hazchem course , and yes, it was one of the questions asked in the theory test

 

[mfw]

For those that do worry about gas you need to see some europeans decanting the liquid gas off using the bike rack to get the height and they do it on packed aires as well - it must be a standard practice for them as they are not discreet or even try and hide what they are doing

 

[Wooie1958]

I found out about this on my ADR Hazchem course , and yes, it was one of the questions asked in the theory test

 

[Markd]

I've reviewed the original question which is always a good idea!
The manufacturer recommendation will probably depend upon whether they've installed a Secumotiion or similar regulator.
I've not found any build standard rule that requires this - which doesn't mean it didn't happen of course.
So to fund out for sure on any particular van you need to open the locker and have a look at what's there.- shouldn't be too hard.
This device of protects the low pressure side so that in the event of a crash supply is cut off preventing gas escaping through broken pipes.
The second risk is high pressure loss through rupture of the bottle to regulator hose. This is probably more dangerous. The secumotion regulator hose incorporates a valve and the reset button should be apparent on the visual check.

So that answers the technical question.

More modern refillable bottles have hose rupture protection and so cover the more dangerous of the two crash leakage scenarios and might provide some peace of mind about leaving gas turned on.

My motorhome is 2004 vintage without a secumotion regulator and I'm prepared to say that I was too lazy to turn the gas off and on again every time I stopped for a cup of tea when I had exchange bottles.
Now I have R67 Gaslow refillable I feel slightly happier that in the event of a crash that rapid gas loss will be less likely.
My habitation electrical system prevents running the heating and hob ignition systems and probably the fridge.
When the solenoid to fridge 12v failed I did run it on gas while travelling until I could replace it and is safe enough as the flame failure device will cut off gas if for any reason the flame is lost.
Obviously if doing this one mustn't go to a petrol filling station without turning it off.
This risk is the reason for AES systems waiting 15 minutes before switching to gas after loss of 12v.

 

[mfw]

I checked gas supply hose on one of my old vans and if you accept that you cant really see this fault until you remove the hose the pic may be of benefit to others to check the expiry date on the hose

I always go refillable with stainless hoses which is probably why it was spotted



And i do leave gas on generally really dont like putting this on show but it might help others with rubber hoses

 

[wildebus]

I checked gas supply hose on one of my old vans and if you accept that you cant really see this fault until you remove the hose the pic may be of benefit to others to check the expiry date on the hose

I always go refillable with stainless hoses which is probably why it was spotted

View attachment 90286

And i do leave gas on generally really dont like putting this on show but it might help others with rubber hoses

A little while ago I turned on my compressor and noticed it didn't cut out when up to pressure - so checking along the long rubber air hose on one of the outlets I found a section just like that in your photo. Looked fine visually while straight but could just hear the air leaking out. And on bending it the cracks became obvious. That hose was maybe in place just 6 years and inside at the point.
The steel braided hoses are definitely a better idea than plain rubber ones (it is interesting I think that they also have two sets of dates on them usually depending on their intended use)

 

[Markd]

I know that ss braiding will do wonders for abrasion but does it do anything (other than hide them!) for age cracking?
Cuts down UV degradation but in a locker or under a van that's not much of an issue.
I rather suspect that a lot of us have age expired houses unless we've changed our layout - so a timely reminder to do an annual crack check.

 

[colinm]

"Out of sight, out of mind".
Hoses are recommended to be replaced periodically, I've seen all sorts of recommended dates, but 5 years seems most common.

 

[Markd]

As usual string length comes to mind!
Here's Bullfinch's take which would indicate that a hose could still be serviceable 15 years after manufacture.
In a stable location not subject to large temperature ranges or direct sunlight (like a gas locker) it wouldn't be unexpected for hoses to remain serviceable for more than 5 years.

 

[vindiboy]

I know some motorhomes have a recommendation that Gas should be turned off at the bottles when on the move. And others say it is ok to leave on as they have some system or other that permits the gas to be left on.

How do you know which 'class' your motorhome sits in?
What would be the recommendation for a 2008 Autotrail?

Off no question

 

[Markd]

That'll be why Truma make and market a valve that can be used with an AES fridge whilst a vehicle or caravan is on the move!!

 

[Jaguar]

1. Gas can escape 'slowly 'as well as 'excessively'.
2. You have absolutely no idea what is going to break/rupture/snap/fall of/come adrift in the event of an accident.
3. What the insurance company thinks, does or otherwise is of no consequence when you are trapped in and the whole thing goes 'whomph'.
Just turn the @@**""g bottles OFF!

 

[colinm]

1. Gas can escape 'slowly 'as well as 'excessively'.
2. You have absolutely no idea what is going to break/rupture/snap/fall of/come adrift in the event of an accident.
3. What the insurance company thinks, does or otherwise is of no consequence when you are trapped in and the whole thing goes 'whomph'.
Just turn the @@**""g bottles OFF!

You are totally ignoring the plain simple fact that some systems are designed and approved for use whilst driving.