Calor gas bottles

teddyedward
teddyedward Forum Participant Posts: 11
edited October 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

I carry 2 x 6kg bottles on my motorhome. Over the last two years I have had to return two due to them leaking when turned on. I now have a third. During this time my alternate bottle has always been ok when I have switched over and my unit is regularly serviced.
On two occasions I have suffered symptoms of inhaling the gas during the night and felt nauseus as a result. I have had no problem changing bottles at my local dealer but decided to ring Calor direct about the problem. I received a fairly luke-warm reception
from them so I intend to phone trading standards. I wonder if anyone has had any similar problems as I was informed by Calor that I must just have been unlucky and I wonder whether or not this is true.

Comments

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #2

    well, i certainly havent heard of one person having three 'leaky bottles' ever, let alone in just two years.

    my money is on one of two things...

    a faulty (cross threaded) cylinder to regulator hose

    user error (sorry....)

    you mention the 'other bottle' being ok....do you have two pigtails, one for each bottle?

    if so, and the second bottle is always ok, then without doubt its the first pigtail thats the issue.....they have soft brass threads that can sometimes get damaged......

    ....or.......youWink

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #3

    Also to add to BB comments gas will fall to the ground as its heavier than air and go out through the drop holes, also the gas locker should be sealed from the MH itself so are you sure its the bottles leaking and not a pipe joint, hose or similar inside the MH?

    On another point is it gas you can smell to make you feel nauseaus or if you cannot smell anything could it be carbon monoxide (hope not), do you have a monitor to check?

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #4

    If  you  should  have  a  propane  leak  into  the  habitation  area  you  will discover  it  the  moment  you  start  to  fry  your  morning  porage,  believe  me  !!

  • teddyedward
    teddyedward Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited October 2016 #5

    Only one connection on vehicle which makes it all the more odd. Also 2 were steel canisters and one was light. Definitely not cross-threaded as I am very careful and disconnect and reconnect if in any doubt.

  • kaenergas
    kaenergas Forum Participant Posts: 171
    edited October 2016 #6

    From what your saying or not saying we cannot work out your problem or problems, my suggestion would be to get In touch with the people who service your unit ASAP. Ask them first to do a pressure test on the gas systems that will prove if leak inside On
    equipment, If yes a leak they can sort, if it holds the pressure then the problems are bottle side. Bottle nuts on the end of pigtails are notorious for causing leaks. Leak test after each cylinder change to be sure they are connected correctly. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited October 2016 #7
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
    500 Comments
    edited October 2016 #8

    I have noticed that the delivery slip when I get Flogas delivered has three headings for return cylinders:  FULL,  EMPTY,  or. FAULTY, so perhaps not that uncommon Sad

     

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #9

    I had one suspect leaky bottle back in 2002, that is in 28 years of vanning but for about the last 7 years I have been using refillable bottles with no problems at all. So I would say it is an unusual occurrence.

    peedee

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #10

    Years ago I had the faint but obvious symptoms of a leak when connecting up. Thankfully a thorough cleaning of both faces of the male (pigtail) and female (cylinder) brass connectors did the trick. Grit was the problem, luckily no scoring of either had occurred whilst tightening up and I was able to continue using. If scoring had occurred I may well have experienced the problem described.

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