Gaslow system requirements
I'm sure the answers are on here somewhere (perhaps spread across threads) but could anyone explain what's needed to have a refillable gas system in our carvan?
At present we have two 6kg propane cylinders, a bulkhead mounted Gaslow regulator (a Clesse one, I believe) and a Gaslow changeover unit on the bulkhead, after the regulator. We have stainless steel hoses from the botles to the regulator, with turn-wheel
connectors.
How much can I retain, what needs replacing and if possible, what would it cost?
Can I 'trade in' the propane bottles?
Comments
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Does this help >Gaslow refillable systems< I could go for an external filler kit and a least a single refillable bottle. This would then require a pigtail to connect you refillable to your regulator. Irf you call Gaslow, they are very helpful.
peedee
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I have a refillable Gaslow system installed in my outfit. As far as I can see the only extra piece of kit I have to yours above is an external filler point connected in stainless steel hose to a manifold/ interconnector to one 11kg and one 6kg yellow bottles.
I have also had to buy continental adapters for Spain and France/Italy as their LPG pumps use different fitting to UK garage pumps. These were about £20 each.0 -
Safefill - is the way to go I believe - will fit what you have unless I am much mistaken - and take out to refill. It seems old propane cylinders can be sold on Ebay and such - I have a Calorlite going begging if anyone wants one!??
Ian all I did to swap from Calor etc - was to invest in a Stainless steel - pigtail with wheel fitting - and the Safefill at the other end. Changing the pigtail wasn't strictly necessary but I had problems with brass fittings on several rubber pigtails.
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as others have said, the main difference in in the cylinder in that, currently, yours only have outlets...to the regulator and then into the van.
a refillable will have the same, bit also an inlet...
with a gaslow system, the inlet to the cylinder is connected to an external filler point, usually in the sidewall or skirt.
with a safefill, the inlet 'filler point' is all in one piece on the cylinder itself, so can be taken to pump.
so, what can you salvage, if you went for Safefill, most of it...
i would go for one safefill, and keep one calor as back up, they can be switched over from one to the other as now....
so, one safefill, hose to changeover valve, one calor, hose to changeover valve.
why one safefill?....being refillable, you can top up at any time, dont need to wait for it to empty...also, calor back up useful if in an area where LPG might not be as convenient....best of both worlds...
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Do I have to have an external filler?
I envisaged just taking the bottles to a garage to top them up.
You cannot do that with a Gaslow system, they are designed for permanent installation. If you want to remove bottles to refill at a garage then you need Safefill or similar.
peedee
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Gaslow do, in fact, have their own version of a Safefill cylinder called Direct Fill.
the 6kg version is a smidge under £150 and the 11kg version £20 more.
continental adaptors are also avalible for these.
there is also a 'where to fill' interactive map which may prove useful to existing Safefill owners.
all on the main Gaslow website.
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as others have said, the main difference in in the cylinder in that, currently, yours only have outlets...to the regulator and then into the van.
a refillable will have the same, bit also an inlet...
with a gaslow system, the inlet to the cylinder is connected to an external filler point, usually in the sidewall or skirt.
with a safefill, the inlet 'filler point' is all in one piece on the cylinder itself, so can be taken to pump.
so, what can you salvage, if you went for Safefill, most of it...
i would go for one safefill, and keep one calor as back up, they can be switched over from one to the other as now....
so, one safefill, hose to changeover valve, one calor, hose to changeover valve.
why one safefill?....being refillable, you can top up at any time, dont need to wait for it to empty...also, calor back up useful if in an area where LPG might not be as convenient....best of both worlds...
Write your comments here...our gaslow filler point is inside the gas locker screwed tot he floor so you do not have to have an external fill point if you dont want to drill a hole in your van.
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Gaslow do, in fact, have their own version of a Safefill cylinder called Direct Fill.
the 6kg version is a smidge under £150 and the 11kg version £20 more.
continental adaptors are also avalible for these.
there is also a 'where to fill' interactive map which may prove useful to existing Safefill owners.
all on the main Gaslow website.
Useful bit of info there BB, thanks
.Yes thanks I didn't know that either, seems a logical business move to offer these.
peedee
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Write your comments here...our gaslow filler point is inside the gas locker screwed tot he floor so you do not have to have an external fill point if you dont want to drill a hole in your van.
Yes you can do this but it is/was generally accepted, certainly when these systems first came out, that you would be less likely to be refused gas with an external filling point. Even with an external filler you can still encounter problems, I have been
refused refills twice, once in Italy, and once in Spain.peedee
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It is also worth looking on the GASIT website unless your bottle simply must be yellow
They I thought only do fixed cylinder options, so if I am still right not what I read into Ian's requirements?
As far as I'm aware Gasit do not use the latest combination valve unit. Their cylinders are therefore not in line with the latest EU regulations.
What you mean by combination valve unit? AFAIK both Gaslow and Gasit both have separate fill and outlet points safefill have a combination single point.
It is worth pointing out I have neither Gaslow or Gasit but safefill. But I am sure that I read somewhere the only difference between Gaslow and Gasit was the paint On the outside
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DD is right with the gas low 'evolution'.....
my bottle is 'two hole'....one in, one out, they then went to four hole and now a combi type valve incorporating the level guage
(I think...)
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Thank you all for your comments.
The Safefill seems to be the best option for me, to avoid changing my other kit.
I like BB's idea of one Safefill and retaining one standard propane cylinder.
Only issues now are the cost.......£150+ for a cylinder! I've just replaced a propane cylinder at £20.75 and the last one was in the spring.......but that was only because both cylinders got depleted after a mix up with the change-over valve. So typically,
I only use one cylinder in about 10 or 12 months.Also a bit concerned that the nearest place to fill a cylinder is a 20 mile round trip and not in a direction I normally go.
So a bit of contemplation required now.
Thanks again for all the advice.
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Thank you all for your comments.
The Safefill seems to be the best option for me, to avoid changing my other kit.
I like BB's idea of one Safefill and retaining one standard propane cylinder.
Only issues now are the cost.......£150+ for a cylinder! I've just replaced a propane cylinder at £20.75 and the last one was in the spring.......but that was only because both cylinders got depleted after a mix up with the change-over valve. So typically, I only use one cylinder in about 10 or 12 months.
Also a bit concerned that the nearest place to fill a cylinder is a 20 mile round trip and not in a direction I normally go.
So a bit of contemplation required now.
Thanks again for all the advice.
Given that specific usage and the requirement for recertification in 10 years, and of course you still have to pay something to refill, then there is not a financial argument for Safefill.
With the travelling involved here there is also little practical advantage, but I accept the pleasure got from not funding Calor could be priceless
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have to agree with Ocsid, no real case to change based on current usage....
however, the word 'current' is relevant as your pattern may change, going forward...more trips to europe, possibly, where perhaps cheap local gas might be 'better/cheaper' than metered electric...
only you will know how this will pan out, but unless you specifically want to give two fingers to Calor, i probably wouldnt change....to a 13kg though, just to pay Calor a little less per litre?
so, one 13kg (which is the one you always change more cheaply) and a 6kg to switch to when the 13 runs out....
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