Thinking about getting a Safefill cylinder
Hi All,
I'm thinking about getting a refillable Safefill gas cylinder to use in the caravan but also (quite a lot) on my BBQ at home. Currently I have a Calor patio gas cylinder I use for both which has a clip on regulator.
Does anybody know if it's possible to use a clip on regulator with a Safefill cylinder or am I going to have to change both sets of fittings?
And while I'm here ... the Club's FAQs say :
"We advise against user-owned, portable LPG cylinders refilling at Autogas refuelling sites."
but without any explanation as to why. Does anybody know why they take this position?
TIA,
Dave
Comments
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Dave
I think the Club probably prefer fixed systems with an external filler. You should also be aware that not all filling stations allow the filling of stand alone cylinders so before investing I would suggest checking locally that they will allow you to fill your freestanding unit. In recent years there has been quite a growth in self fill cylinders so many outlets are getting used to filling their own cylinders.
There are quite a few people here that use refillable cylinders and I am sure they will share their experiences with you.
David
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I bought a Safefill about three years ago, primarily to save weight in our last caravan. With the present one, it's not an issue but I wouldn't go back to a standard cylinder. We are fortunate in that there is an LPG garage about 5 miles or so from home and I just make sure the Safefill's topped up before we go away. So - as DK says, having somewhere convenient to fill up is a consideration before making the investment.
Although we don't use a great deal of gas when away, I use the van as my 'mancave' when it's parked on the drive at home and often go in there in the afternoon to read and have a bit of peace! - and over the winter I've been running the heating on gas since with the Safefill, it's a lot cheaper then electricity.
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I don't think I would be rushhing out to buy refillable tanks right now, it is unclear what is happening at garage retail LPG pumps. Many seem to be closing. Until it becomes clearer what is causing a shortage of LPG I would hold off making a decission.
peedee
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I agree with PD. It’s getting harder to find auto gas pumps despite the search apps/websites available. Those of us with gas tanks find it difficult at times to find a refill station.
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if your van can take two cylinders, why not have the best of both worlds?
where pumped LPG is available, fill the Safefill with cheap gas but keep a decent sized 'swap' bottle which can be exchanged at sites and elsewhere.
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Thanks for the replies everyone
I'd heard it might be difficult finding somewhere that allows you to refill - there's a Morrisons nearby and I think they allow it but I'll go check first.
Having one Safefill and one standard cylinder is a great idea, thanks.
Using the caravan on the drive as a mancave too
I wasn't aware that Autogas pumps were being shut down - that's a worry so yeah, maybe watch and wait.
Does anyone know about using a clip-on regulator? I'm really surprised I haven't been able to find any information online about this. I'm guessing that means it's a no-no.
Dave
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Safefill bottles are a screw in connection, not clip on so new connectors will be required.
We use a 10kg bottle + a small caller propane bottle as backup and use on the gas bbq.
Had the Safefill about 3 1/2 years and it's paid for itself already. Not had a problem refilling it to date.
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We use a Safefill bottle in the caravan, on the fire pit table in the garden, for the Cadac both in the garden and with the caravan external gas tap.
The Safefill was obtained from https://www.somerset-safefill.co.uk where a hand wheel pigtail was standard, and a stainless steel pigtail is only a few bob. We fitted the SS to the caravan where we use a Safefill and CalorLite bottle.
The Safeill has a handwheel regulator fitted, a few bob on the bay of dreams that connects to the hose on the Fire Pit table and/or Cadac.
No difficulties getting filled. There is a Murco station on the A303 at Winterbourne Stoke: Morrisons Cribbs Causeway, Bristol : Andys Gas Cribbs Causeway.
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I invested in a Safefill cylinder some months ago so I suppose I still qualify as a newcomer. In my experience to date I have found benefit in ease of refilling, saving in payload and, perhaps, more importantly, reassurance that I will never run out of gas. Despite rumours to the contrary, I know that my local supplier(s) will be able to service me for as long as is necessary.
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We've done exactly the same richardandros... for exactly the same reasons. We are not big users of gas as we usually use serviced pitches and never need to rely on just gas and solar... I also have a couple of places where I know I can get the cylinders filled. One is the camping store, Jacksons of Arley.... not the cheapest, but at least I can guarantee getting them filled.
David
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...as Peedee says, while its nice to have a local place you can fill, like petrol/diesel, these fill points are scattered over the whole country.
touring takes us all in different directions, sometimes one fill isnt enough for one tour, especially if using some off grid THS sites where gas will be required for hot showers.
those who use ehu sites all the time wont be using a refillable in the same way as someone who has a much larger requirement for gas.
for those who do use more, good upto date info on locations and realtime availability on route is much more important.
hence the recomendations for filllpg and mylpg apps/websites.
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Dave,
We purchased 2 x 7.5 Safefill cylinders and are delighted with them. A significant weight saving over steel cylinders and lower gas costs were the reasons behind our purchase. We have two local LPG sites which allow the refilling of portable cylinders - its worth checking this before you purchase a cylinder. If you intend touring abroad for long periods of time (as we do post Covid) there are significant cost advantages in using refillable cylinders compared to Camping Gaz. The reason many fuel distributors are turning away from LPG is because the number of LPG fuelled vehicles on our roads is rapidly diminishing as they are replaced by PHEVs and more economical petrol and diesel models.
Roger
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Yes Peedee, with the sad demise of so many fuel stations selling auto gas, we always take the opportunity to refill if half full or less whenever we pass one on route that does. Not been caught out yet but been close but now forever mindful as some on that App have long since ceased sell it. However, I was shocked to see that 2.5kg camping gaz cylinders are selling at £39 just for the refill! Now work that out at cost per litre. And guess who is refilling this brand!
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Calor exchange bottles work out at over £2 per litre for the gas you get plus the weight penalty of those heavy bottles.
If considering a refillable, there is a similar bottle to the Safefill marketed under the "Gasbank" brand which has a fixed filling point although about £70 dearer. This can overcome the reluctance of some LPG outlets to allow Safefills to be refilled despite them being perfectly safe and designed to do so.
A 6Kg Calor exchange will cost you about £27. A refill of the same amount of LPG will be about £7. If you are always on hook-up and don't travel abroad for more than two weeks then it's probably not cost effective.
What would really be progressive would be if the CAMC provided LPG refill facilities from the LPG tanks on club sites. Don't expect that anytime soon though from this dinosaur organisation.
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What would really be progressive would be if the CAMC provided LPG refill facilities from the LPG tanks on club sites - Cyberyacht
There's an idea worth pursuing - lets see if the Club read this and respond!
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I didn’t get on with FillLPG and used the myLPG.eu to check out Morrison’s in the Doncaster area. Worked very well and can be updated for availability and price. Before I updated it on the 19th it was showing as available on the 9th. Available in App / web formats, the web version giving more info, such as if cylinder filling is allowed and pump locations.
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Great idea, CY and RMcN, and it's been discussed before but I fear there's no chance.
Firstly, the tanks on site are storage tanks to feed the site needs, they are not pumps. There would probably need to be a replacement, or additional installation, for sites to have the right equipment and capacity for such an undertaking. Not to mention the location to enable LVs to access them.
Secondly, just think potential costs, staffing, training, insurance, H&S......
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I agree TW. The logistics and costs would make it a non starter. On a positive note the lady in the Morrison’s station said their LPG pump gets lots and lots of use. Given that many will also fill with fuel, as it’s as cheap as anywhere and perhaps pop into the main store to restock food supplies. Hopefully they will want to keep it.🤞
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Someone would have to produce a business plan to persuade the Club it was a good idea, or at least persuade the Club to do that. Don't recall it being a question asked at the AGM? Do we know how many members actually use refillable systems? Would many switch if that facility was available. One major obstacle might be the contract the club have with Calor to supply gas to campsite facility blocks? If that contract was a problem it could lead to Calor not supplying refill cylinders to sites which I imagine would inconvenience more members than not supplying a LPG filling service? Many who might use the facility are those that spend a lot of time in Europe, many of whom are currently being forced to camp on home turf. What happens when they are free to travel abroad and then probably make minimal use of Club sites. Finally I would wonder if the Club could compete in price terms with the other major suppliers? So many things to take into account?
David
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Good to hear, Steve. I wish they sold LPG at all their fuel stations.
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Any chance that you have thought about the costs of your idea to be implemented. even some? Commercial sites need qualified staff to over see the use of the pumps that they have installed as posted with the demise of LPG vehicles the cost and maintainance of such facilities would be a major factor, I do not think Calor bulk at this time install such equipment?
And I cannot see them doing so when they have their cylinders being the National it seems supply ,where other companies seem not so ,as it is a by product of oil it may well in the future also not be viable
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Finally I would wonder if the Club could compete in price terms with the other major suppliers?
Many other suppliers are fairly expensive, as in the seventy p’s. The last time I filled at the Shell 2 miles away, before they removed the pump, it was 69p. Morrison’s seems to be a bit of an exception at around 58p. The other local outlet is similar to the Shell and very difficult to get into. Fortunately although our nearby Morrison’s don’t do LPG, we pass very close to those in Doncaster when we head north / return home on the A1 or M18.0 -
That's an interesting and useful suggestion Roger. I will certainly make a note of this and raise this matter at a Club Council meeting when I get the chance. However, the Club Council only meet twice a year so the earliest I can ask an initial question may well be October. It's on my list....
Apart from the installation cost, it would possibly involve extra, training for site staff... Perhaps initially it would be worth a survey to see how many folk would be likely to use such a facility...? Let's see what happens...
David
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The other thing would be whether one could use the facility when passing or, like the "Dump & Fill" they would inexplicably restrict it to those on site. Hardly a "member friendly" attitude.
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To make the equipment installation and use cost effective they may have to open the service up to all comers, members or not. Now can you imagine that howls of protest that will cause
. Dire warnings of queues, safety concerns, control, etc, etc. CAMC has a well ingrained and deep rooted can't do attitude so I doubt it will even get to the starting line. It's a good and worthy idea though. 1 -
i am a member of Countrywide (now owned by Flogas) and my local pump is just a pump on a commercial estate and it has a locking key and keypad for members only.
no one 'trained' is there to supervise, just a few notes on how to use these (and link a card the pin number for account billing) and away ypu go.
no different to using a fuel pump or my other 'go to' LPG pump at an Esso station (@ 59ppl).
if the club used a little more technology (like the ANPR system we used last week to enter our site after checking in online) to allow customers a little more freedom from beurocracy, theybcould get on anf fill without any other human intervention even with regard to payment...
the massive changes many businesses were making to slick up things for customers when 'contact' was the one thing not really wanted, seem light years away from how the club look at things...
what an opportunity missed to move over to more automated arrivals etc.
far too much 'control' in the club 'genes' to (god forbid) allow a customer to check in, pass onto site automatically or fill their LPG tank on their own.
I would have thought that there was a pretty large groundswell from the likes of Auto Sleepers/AutoTrail owners for conveniently sited LPG supplies.
where else would a MH owner like to get his gas....a campsite, just as those using cylinders do...
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