LPG availability

Chris102
Chris102 Forum Participant Posts: 84
edited November 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

My motorhome uses LPG for heating, hot water and cooking so I am trying to find reliable information about the availability of LPG locally and nationally.

I have looked at a couple of websites and I am not sure that the information is accurate.

I live in Chesterfield and the websites show the nearest place for me to fill up is at a motorway service station about 20 miles away.

I feel sure there must be somewhere nearer and more convenient. Surely anyone with a car converted to LPG doesn't need to go to a MW service area every time a top up is needed.

Thanks

Comments

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #2

    Chris take a look at threads in the Tips for Making Caravanning and Touring Cheaper - you will find some information.  Someone may come along with the information you need.  I have found quite a few Caravan Dealerships will fill gas cylinders so perhaps you could try some of them?  I fill mine up at a dealership on the Lincoln by pass.  There used to be a garage nearer that converted cars to gas but they gave up selling gas.  I suppose you are sure your MH doesn't have dual fuel with electric? 

  • Justus2
    Justus2 Forum Participant Posts: 897
    500 Comments
    edited November 2016 #3

    I find that this is a useful website :

    http://www.drivelpg.co.uk/i-have-lpg/find-a-filling-station/

    If you are ok with apps then Fill LPG is the one I use mostly

    http://www.filllpg.co.uk/?page=lpg.php

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #4
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Chris102
    Chris102 Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited November 2016 #5

    Thanks for the info, it seems to confirm my experience so far.

    Websites seem to be out of date or inaccurate. There are a lot of new Motorhomes that have underslung gas tanks. They do save internal storage space and offer a cheaper alternative to Calor, but the lack of filling stations is
    rather worrying.

    The heating and water system (Truma) uses both gas and electricity and even in summer mode, electricity, it still needs a gas supply to work. I think it uses both fuels at initial start up. 

    Perhaps motorhome dealerships should sell LPG / Auto Gas.

    I do use Apps so will look at the ones mentioned.

    Hope you are keeping well Pippah.

     

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #6

    You can also fill up at
    >Countrywide LPG suppliers<
    if you are lucky enough to have one nearby. They are also the cheapest outlets.

    peedee

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #7

    Our local Asda and Morrinsons sell at two of their petrol stations nearby. I have not taken note of supermarket provisions in general but maybe worth checking

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #8

    Thanks for the info, it seems to confirm my experience so far.

    Websites seem to be out of date or inaccurate. There are a lot of new Motorhomes that have underslung gas tanks. They do save internal storage space and offer a cheaper alternative to Calor, but the lack of filling stations is
    rather worrying.

    The heating and water system (Truma) uses both gas and electricity and even in summer mode, electricity, it still needs a gas supply to work. I think it uses both fuels at initial start up. 

    Perhaps motorhome dealerships should sell LPG / Auto Gas.

    I do use Apps so will look at the ones mentioned.

    Hope you are keeping well Pippah.

     

    if you have a Truma Combi E then you can run this unit on electric only (900w or 1800w) and it doesnt need a gas supply.

    Summer mode just means having hot water but not heating.

    for summer/winter modes, you can choose your power source, electric only, gas only, or mixed mode (gas/electric together).

    when running on gas, the unit will need a 12v electric supply to fire up the burner and to operate the control panel....

    i agree with the put of date info, this can be a painSad

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #9

    Chris, try drivelpg, showing half a dozen outlets near Chesterfield, all closer than Woodall Services to Chesterfield. Some are not obvious. We have run LPG cars for years, never had a problem getting fuel except in Devon and Cornwall, and that was only because our two usual garages were waiting to have delivery units repaired. If your fitting to tank is same as that on a car, then take a chance and roll up at Morrisons supermarkets. Not sure what their LPG policy is at moment on MH's, but you might get lucky!

    To keep details of locations up to date, you have to subscribe to some websites. After you have done it once, you get to know best LPG outlets. 

  • Chris102
    Chris102 Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited November 2016 #10

    Thank you for the very useful information regarding LPG.

    i hav looked at the drivelpg website and there are outlets much closer to home. I intend to contact them to check that they still supply LPG. 

     

  • Chris102
    Chris102 Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited November 2016 #11

    BoleroBoy

    Thankyou for the info regarding the Truma system in my MH.

    I have read the instructions again and I have come to the conclusion that I must be doing something wrong.

    When I was last away I read the instructions over and over again because I thought it should work like you say.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #12

    chris, if you have the older style 'two knob' controls, you are forgiven for finding it confusing.

    ...and the confusion lies with use of the same 'flame' graphic on both knobs where on one (the function knob) it means 'heating' and on the other (the power source) it means 'gas'.

    so....your probaly mistaking 'heating and hot water' for 'gas and electric'.

    if you think of the two knobs as 'function' (heat, hot water, both) and 'power source' (gas, electric 1, electric 2, gas & electric 1, gas & electric 2) then you might be able to make more sense of the instructions.

    when i first had the system, i had a photocopy of the knob graphic close to hand when using it....i soon got to understand it.

    good luck, come back of you need more assistance.Happy

  • Chris102
    Chris102 Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited November 2016 #13

    BoleroBoy

    Thank you for explaining. 

    I think that is where I have been going wrong. I have drained system down at present but before I go away again in a couple of weeks I will try again using your instruction.

     

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #14

    no worries, Chris, the forums are full of equally puzzled owners.

    the new digital control panel is a lot easier to use and understand, and FYI is retro fittable.

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #15

    Just to return to the OP Chris, I think you'll find that the LPG market will open up to Safefill in the near future. Watch this space!

  • Chris102
    Chris102 Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited November 2016 #16

    Hi Merve I am not familiar with Safefill, will that be easier to find?

     

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,671 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #17

    Safefill is a brand of refillable cylinder, like Gaslow, so is filled at the same sort of outlets as you are looking at.

    Being a portable cylinder, Safefill can be harder to be allowed to fill than the fixed tanks or cylinders.