Gasflow questions

[Nabsim]

I would normally go and have a look before asking but I can’t get to the van for the snow and probably won’t be able to for a few days.

On the side of my van I have a round ‘cap’ with Gaslow on it, it looks like the water filler cap except it doesn’t have a key lock. Now me being a mh noob thought that this was an isolator for the gas as I had seen somewhere that gas should have an external isolating valve. Been looking round at stuff today and it looks like the fillers that come with the Gaslow kits. Is there such a thing as an external isolator or does it sound like it has been fitted for refillable?

Don’t say look in the gas locker though as it doesn’t have any bottles in it yet, not that much of a noob

If it is a Gaslow filler is there anything stopping me from using Calor bottles bottles until I get hold of Gaslow bottles?

Final question for now, is it worth buying Gaslow bottles while we are only using it in the UK? My fridge is 12v or 230v, no oven just a 3 burner hob and a grill that run from gas. Heating is Eberspächer and I think this also heats the water from some kind of heat exchanger (not the Eber that has combined water heater built in).

Cheers

Nabs

 

[witzend]

If it is a Gaslow filler is there anything stopping me from using Calor bottles bottles until I get hold of Gaslow bottles?
Nabs

If You've no empty's look HERE before you buy Calor may save you a little and they are Flogas agents and delivery is from your local dealer

I've just looked and their usual deposit on a 11 kg propane is £5 so enquire if it's more

 

[Wildstan]

I would normally go and have a look before asking but I can’t get to the van for the snow and probably won’t be able to for a few days.

On the side of my van I have a round ‘cap’ with Gaslow on it, it looks like the water filler cap except it doesn’t have a key lock. Now me being a mh noob thought that this was an isolator for the gas as I had seen somewhere that gas should have an external isolating valve. Been looking round at stuff today and it looks like the fillers that come with the Gaslow kits. Is there such a thing as an external isolator or does it sound like it has been fitted for refillable?

Don’t say look in the gas locker though as it doesn’t have any bottles in it yet, not that much of a noob

If it is a Gaslow filler is there anything stopping me from using Calor bottles bottles until I get hold of Gaslow bottles?

Final question for now, is it worth buying Gaslow bottles while we are only using it in the UK? My fridge is 12v or 230v, no oven just a 3 burner hob and a grill that run from gas. Heating is Eberspächer and I think this also heats the water from some kind of heat exchanger (not the Eber that has combined water heater built in).

Cheers

Nabs

Just been to look at my Gaslow system, the snow in my part of Essex probably isn't so deep. There is a cap with Gaslow on it on the gas locker door with a bayonet fitting for refilling the 2 cylinders. It could be fitted anywhere handy, so I would think that this is what you have. There is no external isolating tap, just the taps on the cylinders themselves.
So long as there is a regulator fitted I can't see a problem with using Calor bottle/s.
I had the Gaslow fitted to save having to lug Calor cylinders about which I have done for 25 years in caravans. Re filling is much cheaper but I am not sure it covers the extra cost of the Gaslow system. I only use gas for cooking and fridge (when off a hook-up). Heat and water are 230 volts or diesel.
Hope this is of some use to you.

 

[Nabsim]

If You've no empty's look HERE before you buy Calor may save you a little and they are Flogas agents and delivery is from your local dealer

Thanks for that, is that a different connector/regular needed? I do have a Calor bottle already from trailer tent so I think it would be cheaper to swap my empty for a refill while I sort exactly what I have and may want. Are there other advantages to Flogas i.e. can you get them in France?

 

[witzend]

Thanks for that, is that a different connector/regular needed? I do have a Calor bottle already from trailer tent so I think it would be cheaper to swap my empty for a refill while I sort exactly what I have and may want. Are there other advantages to Flogas i.e. can you get them in France?

No same regulator as Calor I mentioned Flogas as there'a only £5 bottle deposit. Re France no uk bottles are compatible in France/Europe except Camping Gaz which is small expensive bottles. Bottle gas is easily obtained in France/Spain and less expensive than UK something to consider when pricing Gaslow

 

[rugbyken]

before spending out i should investigate , yes the filler may be capped off but equally the connection would be the same if you had a fitted tank underneath check if you have a regulator in the cupboard first if not worth a look underneath , otherwise your plan using existing bottle is sound while you get used to everything

 

[Nabsim]

Just been to look at my Gaslow system, the snow in my part of Essex probably isn't so deep. There is a cap with Gaslow on it on the gas locker door with a bayonet fitting for refilling the 2 cylinders. It could be fitted anywhere handy, so I would think that this is what you have. There is no external isolating tap, just the taps on the cylinders themselves.
So long as there is a regulator fitted I can't see a problem with using Calor bottle/s.
I had the Gaslow fitted to save having to lug Calor cylinders about which I have done for 25 years in caravans. Re filling is much cheaper but I am not sure it covers the extra cost of the Gaslow system. I only use gas for cooking and fridge (when off a hook-up). Heat and water are 230 volts or diesel.
Hope this is of some use to you.

Many thanks for going out to check, much appreciated, not posted a pic on here before , if that worked it shows location of what says Gaslow next to the gas locker. It would be better for me than trying to move gas bottles if it is refillable. I had looked in the gas locker but not really paid attention to what was in there, I thought there was a hard piped regulator and some flexi but as I know nothing about refillable systems I just thought it was standard. Is it not a bit low if it is a refill cap though? Guess I need snow to melt a bit so I can get to it and look.

Thanks for the link *****, looks like I need to learn a bit about gas before I do anything, well can sap m Calor for a full one as I use it on bbq at home as well

 

[Nabsim]

Yes it is a bbq point, I did pick up on that, do you mean I could connect a bottle to the external fitting (with reg) and feed from that? Thought there may be non return valve or some sort of flashback arrest or built in.

I need to get and look to see what’s there.

 

[1977paul]

No same regulator as Calor I mentioned Flogas as there'a only £5 bottle deposit. Re France no uk bottles are compatible in France/Europe except Camping Gaz which is small expensive bottles. Bottle gas is easily obtained in France/Spain and less expensive than UK something to consider when pricing Gaslow

Surely if you are going to use a calor gas bottle you would need a butane regulator as the gaslow system is propane and they both use different pressure to perform at their most efficient?

 

[Herman]

As RugbyKen has said, as there is no bottle in your locker check for a for an underslung tank, someone has gone to a lot of trouble to fit a gaslow filling point and a BBQ outlet so I would put it past them to fit a tank underneath. This is better than having a bottle in your locker and free's up valuable locker space.

 

[oppy]

Where about's are you in the High Peak? I'm over in Glossop, so if I can be of help please ask. Looking at your picture I can only concur with what others have said, that being an underslung tank is fitted. We are off to France on Tuesday week, so snow permitting, I can still 'ave a look if you want. I also have a French gas bottle and regulator to give away should you wish to go down that route.
Good Luck

Peter

 

[witzend]

Surely if you are going to use a calor gas bottle you would need a butane regulator?

Calor don't just sell Butane they also sell Propane and for many years now both have used the same regulator just requiring different couplers

 

[Minisorella]

I would take Oppy up on his very kind offer if I were you

I do hope you find the surprise bonus of an underslung refillable tank beneath your van but if not, I would honestly advise buying a refillable or 2, of whatever brand, or indeed go for an underslung tank. I think Gasit gives us a member discount still... someone else may be able to confirm that.

I just refilled 2 x 6kg bottles for a little over £11. That works out at around a quarter of the price of exchanging 2 Calor bottles.... in other words, I've saved £33 on one fill-up alone. If a 2 bottle refillable kit costs you, say, £330 then you'd have recouped your costs after just 10 fills. It really doesn't take that long to get your money back and there's the bonus of not having to buy different bottles for the Continent because the kit will come with fill adapters. I do see your point about temporarily making use of your existing bottle though. Just my twopenneth. Good luck!

 

[oppy]

I would take Oppy up on his very kind offer if I were you View attachment 61552

I do hope you find the surprise bonus of an underslung refillable tank beneath your van but if not, I would honestly advise buying a refillable or 2, of whatever brand, or indeed go for an underslung tank. I think Gasit gives us a member discount still... someone else may be able to confirm that.

I just refilled 2 x 6kg bottles for a little over £11. That works out at around a quarter of the price of exchanging 2 Calor bottles.... in other words, I've saved £33 on one fill-up alone. If a 2 bottle refillable kit costs you, say, £330 then you'd have recouped your costs after just 10 fills. It really doesn't take that long to get your money back and there's the bonus of not having to buy different bottles for the Continent because the kit will come with fill adapters. I do see your point about temporarily making use of your existing bottle though. Just my twopenneth. Good luck!

Cheers Jennie, I've got to get over to Dukinfield to get my two bottles re filled and the 'van serviced this coming week too

 

[Nabsim]

Where about's are you in the High Peak? I'm over in Glossop, so if I can be of help please ask. Looking at your picture I can only concur with what others have said, that being an underslung tank is fitted. We are off to France on Tuesday week, so snow permitting, I can still 'ave a look if you want. I also have a French gas bottle and regulator to give away should you wish to go down that route.
Good Luck

Peter

Very kind offer but it isn’t fit to put the dog out here at the moment, yesterday Buxton was cut off for most of the day and not sure if they have roads open again yet. High winds are putting drifts back as soon as they clear them almost.

We are a few miles outside Buxton on the outskirts of Peakdale, my van is at the bottom of the hill on my mates ground, only a couple hundred yards away but it’s not fit to go out unless emergency. I will not be going anywhere in the van until weather picks up so there is no panic it is just me being curious and impatient. I can wait until the weather improves but thanks very much for the offer

I had been concentrating my efforts on working out what we had with electrics and appliances and just assumed there were no gas bottles until I noticed the filler on the Gaslow site yesterday or I would have had a closer look at it last weekend.

I will have lots more questions to ask yet I am sure Ubuntu I have managed to track a lot of things via the internet and forums. Didn’t help that there was hardly any information with the van as I got from a trade dealer but it was just what we wanted so all good. Someone has spent money on it in the past so onboard or refillable gas is definitely possible although with just a hob and grill to run it seems an expensive extra. Saying that the heating and water was only changed the Eberspacher in summer 2015 so gas usage would have been much higher before then.

Answering another post I would use a Calor propane bottle not butane if using it on the van as certainly first year I am intending staying in the UK although with old age and the current weather the South of France is appealing haha

Thanks everyone for your comments on this, has given me a lot to think about so far

 

[Nabsim]

It’s not how long it takes to look, we have a lot of snow and I can’t get to the van at the moment or I would have had a good look before I made the thread

I will be looking in, round and under as soon as we have had some snow ploughs through and I can get to it. A tractor got to within about 50 feet of it an hour ago then stopped and went back. That’s a lot better in the white stuff than I am ha ha

 

[Minisorella]

If someone has fitted a fill point you'd be daft not to use a refillable. However you may have a tank. Try turning on a gas burner on the hob and see if it works.
People have talked about cost savings, but that's not the point. Refilling is so much more convenient. Top up at will, no need to wait till it runs out. Never have to change the bottles. Yes, it is cheaper too, but if you wanted cheap, you'd have bought a backpacking tent.

Might not be the point but it's still a good one :raofl: You make other excellent points too... other than the final 'cheap' shot :hammer: :lol-061:

 

[Nabsim]

Oppy we have just had an urgent alert over local radio advising nobody try to get in to or out of Glossop in a motor vehicle due to drifting snow.

Sounds like you could be in the same boat as us

 

[oppy]

Oppy we have just had an urgent alert over local radio advising nobody try to get in to or out of Glossop in a motor vehicle due to drifting snow.

Sounds like you could be in the same boat as us

I didn't hear that one so I took the car to Dukinfield for its MoT test. It was mostly sideways down to the A57, but after that it was fine. I also checked that my gas supplier had stocks, he does. So next week when I am able to get the 'van out I'm off for filling and a full service 'cos we're off on the 13th

 

[Nabsim]

Just got down to have a look before it started going dark, couldn’t see a tank underneath but didn’t get right under as had a bit of a drift next to van. I have some pics that show what I could see though:

Fitting when I remove the Gaslow fill cap

Fittings in gas locker:

Close up of label: