Propane gas regulators not to be used in caravsns or motor carsvans!

My original question was regarding the manufacturers statement "not to be used in a caravan or motor caravan"

No problem with using either propane or butane with the appliances, just the propane regulator manufacturers statement!
 
channa said:
That makes sense , permissable deviation from nominal set out let pressures (unless that has changed)

BSEN 13786 Propane +13 mbar i.e 37- 50 mbar
BSEN 13786 LAV +10 mbar i.e 30-40 mbar

Channa
Click to expand...

The appliances will be jetted for the 28/ 37 mbar figure I would imagine a check in the installation guides will confirm. But before that is even taken into consideration, the current standards dictate as Swiftcamper suggested a safety certificate couldnt be issued by a gas safe engineer. For the same reason as the manufacturer are stating not for use in motorhomes and caravans.

the info above should explain why.

And it seems to me all cover backside technology to stop litigation.

Same EN 13786 BUT an annexe that applies exclusively to caravans and motorhomes.

acceptable deviation on lock up with no appliances running on a propane reg is 37 mbar plus 13 which gives an acceptable pressure of no greater than 50 mbar

However the standard for LAV (leisure accomodation vehicles ) is 30 mbar regulator plus 10 mbar so a pressure no greater than 40 mbar

Therefore the manufacturer and gas safe engineer are stating not suitable because there is a chance that the propane regulator could lock up at a figure of over 40 mbar which although acceptable for a propane reg within limits falls outside the scope of the current standard for LAV's no more complicated than that.

The irony is if you have an older van, pre 2002. forget the LAV part, and the figures I quote applied, and whilst not to the current standard is perfectly safe and acceptable in my opinion. Remember the appliance were jetted to run on 28/37 have appliance manufacturers altered jettings ? that is where you need to check installation manuals.

You can draw your own conclusions.
Channa
 
Cheers Channa, I'm just about to fit an auto changeover to our Hymer and start setting up with a Gaslow system I've had the bits for for ages.

That bit with the wrong regulator giving flames a foot high made me chuckle because I did a similar thing a few weeks ago with a 'liberated' bottle and reg I acquired yonks ago. Turns out blow lamps use a lot higher pressure than a barbie...

Cheers

H
 
Mounting Changeover Valve

Bit of advice please.

Just had a look at positioning the auto changeover valve for my Gaslow bottle and the instructions say has to be mounted at least 75mm above the bottle. It can't be done in my gas locker. The only option I have is to mount it between the two 6kg bottles on the back wall of the locker, which leaves the 8mm output level with the top of the cylinders. The inputs for the pigtails would be clear by about the specified distance.

So, the question is. If I go ahead with whats available to me will the thing still work ok?

Cheers

H
 
When installing an auto change system, the flexible hose connections should be higher than the connection to the cylunders which is where the 75 mm comes from .The reason is in the event of over filled cylinders minimise the chance of liquified gas getting into the hose. This CAN happen with overfilled cylinders and very hot weather conditions.

So to answer your question yes the system will work but would be considered a poorly installed system.

Channa
 
Thanks again Channa.
I've had a look at the following http://www.gaslow.co.uk/pdf/Filling-Instructions-2012.pdf and in the photos the inlets to the changeover are in a very similar position to mine. I could understand the need to keep the regulator at or above the bottle valve if the inlet was on the same axis as the outlet. This isn't the case with the changeover inlets because they are above the bottle valves, so I am happy to continue as planned.

Cheers

H
 
I think you will find that the manufacturer is 100% correct ...you cannot use that regulator in a motorhome/caravan ; I can't do so in my house in france , only bottle possible legally inside is butane
what you can do is fit the regulator to the bottle , keep it outside then pipe the gas [ in copper pipe ]at it's reduced pressure to the inside , just like all the people with their propane tanks outside their houses ; presumably the same law as france

in other words just put the bottle/regulator in the gas locker just like the on board regulators....I notice all the screw on regulators are now 30mb around here
 
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