Calor lite & Calor in general
Sorry to bring up a subject that has no doubt been discussed before (I have read the previous posts but am still unsure of the situation)
I am returning to caravanning after 20 years so have missed much of the discussion on various subjects, one being Calor lite
I have never previously used Calor but the van I have purchased has a single Calor 6kg bottle
I would like to get a 2nd bottle as a spare and have been looking around for same
One has come up but its a Calor lite 6kg
I gather the standard regulator fits both ?
If I get the Calor lite, when empty are there any problems in getting an exchange for a standard if lite is being discontinued (I understand it will still be supplied but you wonder how many outlets will still stock it)
Calor online show its £21 for a refill with swap old bottle but a new bottle is £61 with no empty to swap
So if I can get a full bottle cheaper it makes sense to but am I correct
Any help or advice appreciated
Comments
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Welcome back to you Herb.
Regarding Color Lite, I would say to read the link below from Practical Caravan mag last month.
https://www.practicalcaravan.com/news/45480-calor-lite-bottles-discontinued
(Hope it works for you if not copy and paste it in your browser).
I feel rather disgusted in Calor after promoting and selling the Lite bottles now to say theyre withdrawing them and only offering a swap back to the heavier cheaper bottles.
"However, no refunds will be offered to customers supplied with standard 6kg cylinders to replace their Calor Lite bottles, despite the latter being more expensive".
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The standard regulator should fit both, but remember you need a different regulator for red (propane) and blue (butane) bottles.
I use Calorlite (propane) although some find it is sometimes more difficult to get. Generally I've not found it difficult to source a refill canister. The article in Practical Caravan is interesting, but when I looked a few weeks back they seem to have every intention to carry on with calorlite. I'm now confused!
One thing to remember is that Calor (in any form) is not available in Europe, so take sufficient with you if you are going across the water.
David
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It looks like this is now the official line for calorlite: https://www.calor.co.uk/shop/gas-bottles/calor-lite/calor-lite-propane-gas-bottle.html
David
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Thanks for that
No problem with the link
I assume the last part re refunds is only relevant if you have paid for a Calor lite bottle from Calor which is more expensive than the standard bottle
If I buy a used bottle it wouldn't make any difference
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Thank you
Yes I know about the different regulators but just wanted to be sure a lite & standard Calor would be the same which appears to be the case
There is a Calor lite for sale at £30 (full) so was just making sure there would be no problem in swapping to standard should I need to if I buy it
I have read the article Calor article and it seems they are going to continue with Lite anyway
Doesn't appear to be the best of PR on their part
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Two further questions spring to mind, unfortunately I am having to store the caravan ten miles away so cannot easily check when these things come to mind
With the previous bottles (blue 15kg) I used on earlier caravans, the regulator was clip on
From what I have just read would I be right in thinking Calor has a screw on regulator? ie needing a spanner to fit or change ?
And is there any form of gauge on Calor 6kg bottles?
ie how do you know if its full or getting near the need to change it?
Sorry for the additional questions but only just thought of them
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Spanner required - and there are at least two very slightly different sizes depending on who made the regulator. There are pigtails available with a big moulded on handle so spanner not needed.
The Lite has sort-of gauge. Otherwise you have to drag it out to weigh it. The best idea is the automatic change over between two bottles gadget. Just take a look occasionally to see if it has flipped and change out the empty.
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Many thanks for that helpful information
I shall have to arm myself with a spanner or two & an adjustable just in case
Its a problem not having the van at hand to check these things out
Not heard of the change over gadget, I will look into that
Much appreciated
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Hi Trini i have just had a look at the Calor note and i got the impression it was just regarding the recall cylinder that was finishing on the 1st of July and that they would be stopping orders over the internet. At least i hope i have read it correctly. Just bought two,five weeks back to reduce noseweight on van. Did you get your van sorted with Elddis?.
Steve
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Regarding Calor lite: I tried to get a refill over the last 2 days. On a return visit to my local dealer I managed to get a 6Kg full standard propane after they had a new delivery. Only 7 of these were delivered, not many for a main dealer. They told me that Calor had informed them about 3 weeks ago that the 6Kg lite was being withdrawn.
Similar tale from another large dealer in my area. Looks like we have to put up with weight savings elsewhere!
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Further to Navagateur's helpful advice;
Stainless steel pigtails cost a lot more than rubber i.e. £25 v £8
Rubber hoses have a life expectancy of about 5 years from manufacture (not first use) while stainless can be used for over 20 years.
Rubber hoses release oil which causes deterioration of rubber parts of regulators, changeover controls etc. Necessitating replacement.
For very many years now, caravans have been fitted with bulkhead mounted regulators, which are a lot more expensive than bottle fitted ones. £45 v £8.
Automatic changeover valves allow two bottles to be left connected which adds convenience on a wet day when the in-use bottle runs out of gas.
Calor Lite bottles and their refills are more expensive than regular Calor bottles.
SO, A low budget setup with a conventional bottle, screw on regulator and a rubber hose will cost;
Full bottle £57
Regulator £8
Rubber pigtail £8
Total £75
OR A luxury setup with two Calor Lite bottles, two stainless steel pigtails with hand wheels, an automatic changeover and bulkhead regulator will cost;
Two new, full Calor Lite bottles £142
Two 500mm POL stainless steel pigtails with hand wheels £50
An automatic changeover valve £45
A bulkhead mounted regulator £45
Total £282
But nice to own and with lower in life costs caused by deterioration, than a basic system.
All prices given are mid range, possibly on line.0 -
Thanks for the extra input
I looked at the changeover valves and quickly discounted the thought, the cheapest version was £50
I will slum it and change bottles myself ;-)
Nice to have but really ? is it necessary, I don't think so
Appreciate the information though
I would wager the vast majority of caravans have the same rubber hoses they were originally supplied with
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Hi Steve.
Our discussions with Elddis continue now added to the 'list' is the front roof light leaking giving a reading of 65% around it on the ceiling panels.
Its been temp resealed but Elddis keep rejecting the claim due to wrong forms being completed by the repairer.
Pathetic and useless customer service but expected from the infamous shed builder
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Aye, I suspect that is a big if, how many use or can afford an approved service workshop I wonder
I think most either don't bother at all or do what service work they can themselves
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Aye, I suspect that is a big if, how many use or can afford an approved service workshop I wonder
I think most either don't bother at all or do what service work they can themselves
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Hi Trini sorry to hear how your plight is getting drawn out. We decided to bite the bullet and change for a new Swift Exclusive,some would say out of the frying pan into the fire but after a five week tour of Scotland and no problems life is good.(hope i haven't put a curse on it ). I hope you get yours sorted out soon.
Steve
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Even approved workshops make mistakes with gas stuff so don't ASSume your van is safe just because you have used one. I had a very near miss with a hose not tightened to the caravan end luckily I have an excellent sense of smell! Then they had several new hoses with faulty brass fittings! I now go Independant Mobile Servicing!
The washer was from a brand new hose over tightened by approved workshop.
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Just tried to get a "lite" refill at a club site and was told no longer available. Tried the local Ayr Calor outlet and they confirmed they are being withdrawn and no more Calorlite cylinders will be available. Got one at my local supplier 5 weeks ago before we left home, no mention then of discontinuation. Back to the heavies I suppose.
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We have a BP Gas light, which according to Homebase website, is still available from them as it always has been. Surely, this is no different to Calor Lite, just a different brand, although I guess one couldn't swap over an empty for a full. But at least, once swapped to BP, folk could still benefit from the lighter weight option.
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The latest magazine has an article confirming the withdrawal of the Lite. No surprise that there is low demand for the Lite, considering Calor charge more to buy the cylinder in the first place and then charge more at each and every exchange. To my mind that smacks of greed. I would have changed to the Lite IF the exchange cost was the same as a standard. Does Calor have a hidden agenda for the future ?
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l have two full calor lite bottles but was told that at the next change it would be the standard old bottle. Ask if calor are reimbursing the difference, not a chance. Seems they are looking at doing an equivalent to the calor lite, bet theirs a charge
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Following a query from me on the 6kg lite cylinder, Calor replied (17 July 2017) with the response below. It is what I expected but I think they trade on their near monopoly in the UK by not sorting a new replacement lightweight cylinder before reducing production of the existing, as the standard 6kg cylinders are prohibitive on weight for most touring caravans. I have also stated to them that I'll be surprised if new rental agreements (at additional cost) are not required when they do release a new lightweight cylinder. I do think the club and members should apply as much pressure to Calor as possible to ensure this, at least, is not the case.
Oh for a reasonably priced alternative!
Dave.
Calor response follows:
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Thank you for your online enquiry.
A decision has been taken to replace the 6kg lite cylinder with another lightweight product which we plan to bring to market in the future (Expected 2018). Actual release dates, and exchangeability for current bottles is not yet determined
- There will be no ‘new’ 6kg lites entering the market in 2017 - existing cylinders in the market will continue to be available they are not being withdrawn
- To minimise customer disruption, we’ve invested heavily in standard 6’s for 2017 so there will be sufficient availability
What this means to the customer is:
Customers returning an empty 6kg lite should be offered one in return - If no 6kg lites are available the customer should be offered a 6kg in return
In summary the 6KG Lite bottles are no longer being manufactured however the bottles in circulation will continue to be available.
Kind Regards
Penny Greenway
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Herb, have you heard of Safefill? Light, refillable, can see how much gas you have left at a glance and the gas is 25% of the price of an exchange cylinder. Yes you have to buy the cylinder as it's you that owns it but if you use a reasonable amount of gas then you recoup that by the savings. Just a thought
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Herb as a fellow Safefill enthusiast like Merve - may I direct you to his topic in Caravan and Motorhome chat as well as Tips for Making ..... Cheaper. As you will see in todays post at the end of the post in C & MH chat - the figures stack up if you are going off grid.
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