Gas Bottles German v British
Good afternoon all,
We are travelling to the UK with our Motorhome next week and staying for a Month. Unfortunately we have just realised that we have no idea if it is possible to exchange Gas bottles or have a re-fill. We have never been faced with this before as generally
we only stay 2 weeks and are comfortable with 2 x 11kg bottles.
However as the weather is changable at this time of the year the possibility of having to heat at night is given and 2 x 11kg may not last hence the re-fill or GB bottle usage.
Reading through some German Caravan sites there are some saying that it is possible to exchange - re-fill whereby others are stating that there is no compatibility with German and British systems.
Could someone perhaps clarify this for us please as the only other alternative would be to buy a 3rd Gas bottle here at home and bring it along as a reserve.
Thanks you in advance and have a nice day.
Best regards
Jan
Comments
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Jan
Does your heating run on gas and electricity? If so the majority of campsites in the UK have at least a 10/16 amp electricity supply, mostly the latter, which will run heating perfectly well. I should also add that most sites the cost is either included
or a set fee per night and not metered unlike you find a lot in Germany.Whether you can refill cylinders in the UK very much depends whether they are designed to be self refilled. If they are designed to be user refilled this thread
here might be of help as it list s user friendly refilling sites. If they are exchange cylinders then no. The only Europe wide universal gas is Camping Gaz which is pretty expensive.Having said all that temperatures in the UK in late April/early May are rarely that cold so a fairly low level of heating might only be required and with 22kgs of gas I would have thought that would last some time.
David
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Aproverg,David is quite correct that 22kg of gas should easily last you a month in the UK.Caravan Club and Camping and Caravanning Club sites all include electricity in their site fees and it is unmetered.Private sites and CLs generally also provide an EHU
in their pricing-I believe that reselling electricity is illegal in the UK.As stated supply is minimum 10amps but mostly 16amps and the EHU standard is the CEE blue three pin in the UK.We are now on our second season with the same 6kg propane bottle and we
motorhome all year around.Calor Gas is ubiquitous in the UK and you can purchase a pigtail which will connect a Calor Propane to your bulkhead regulator at any caravan dealers.All UK propane bottles have the same size left-hand thread screw connector to the
bottle:Calor,Flo-Gas and Shell however you are unlikely to need to buy a UK bottle.Unless you are going to spend your entire month "wild camping" in the northernmost regions of Scotland with the heating and fridge using gas constantly I think that most of
your 22kg of gas will be returning to Germany with you.Welcome to the UK and enjoy your stay in our country.0 -
David, i think you are at the nub of the concern, Jans heating may well not run from electric....the E (electric) versions of Combis are generally a cost option in the uk on german vans, and it may be that Jans kit is gas only.
this would leave them heating, cooking, the fridge and hot water from gas...
Jan, if this is the case then your 22kg 'might' not be enough....probably depends on the weather and how much hot water/showers you take in the van.
german bottles cannot be exchanged here.
german bottles cannot be refilled here unless they are user-refillable with an external filler point.
you could resort to a uk bottle if desperate, but ypu would need an adaptor to change your usual butane 21.8 LH threaded hose to a uk POL 'bullet shaped' one like this
the only issue with this is that you will need a rental agreement for the uk bottle and possibly an address....though a uk Caravan club campsite might be ok.
good luck.
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Normally 22 kg of gas would last a very long time, even if you have to use it for heating and hot water. You shouldnt really need much heating except perhaps early morning and late evening if it turns cold. If heating is a concern then I suggest you bring
an electric heater (fan heater is probably best) which you can then plug into your mains socket. As said above, most sites will give you at least 10 amps within an inclusive rate.0 -
good point, Hitch...
but there will be got water to manage (though site showers may well be the order of the day....) and a fridge to run constantly for a month....
they well be fine.....but.....perhaps campingaz as a contingency, handy but very expensive...
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To everyone who has replied to our delema, a very big thank you !!!!
We only use camping sites are these are the safest way to camp nowadays (experience in France etcetera). Our fridge uses electric
so that is not a problem. Just that we have snow today here in the Fichtelgebirge and the weather is supposed to be much the same throughout
Europe hence our thoughts toward a resupply of our Gas vorrat. However if I can convince my Wife that it is not really cold when she thinks otherwise then we could get away with 22kg yes
I could buy an electric heater in the UK as an alternative to the gas heating.Thanks again to everyone who was so kind to answer us, and I am sure that we shall enjoy the Month in the UK.......have a nice Sunday evening
Jan und Petra
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I have taken my caravan across to the UK from Germany a number of times and have never run out of gas even though I only have one 11kg and one 5kg cylinder. Admittedly I usually stay only about three weeks and not one month, but the extra week shouldn't
make that much differernce, especially as my back-up cylinder is smaller.0 -
Jan,
If you want an electric fan heater you may be better off buying it in Germany as the electrical connector will suit your van. We have different plug here.
You do not say which parts of the UK you plan to visit but generally speaking you will not experience temperature below freezing even at night. In the south the day time temperatures are currently about 12C and getting warmer.
Do you have refillable cylinders or the type you exchange when empty? If you have refillables you should be able to get them refilled if you have the right adaptor.
I do hope that you enjoy your visit. Feel free to ask more question we are happy to help?
DD
PS my email address is on my profile, feel free to use it.
Hello and thank you DD,
yes perhaps we could buy the Heater here in Germany would make more sense than buying one with a different plug attachement
. Our Gas bottles are the exchangable when empty type however I did once buy a set of interchangable fittings that I may use different
adapters on my gas bottles, unfortunately we have never used them so do not really know for sure if they are indeed compatable.I shall buy a reserve 11kg bottle and bring it along to be on the safe side, after I check the regulations regarding the max allowable gas storage in a Motorhome. I would suspect that there are rules and regulations somewhere governing this subject
.We have noted your email DD, thank you.
Best regards
Jan
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I have taken my caravan across to the UK from Germany a number of times and have never run out of gas even though I only have one 11kg and one 5kg cylinder. Admittedly I usually stay only about three weeks and not one month, but the extra week shouldn't
make that much differernce, especially as my back-up cylinder is smaller.Servus Lutz,
I am sure that you are correct in your assumption on the gas consumption however it is never wise to rely upon others experience to make a call, I have actually run out of gas albeit having always 2 (two) x 11kg with me. I would suggest that the usage of
the gas is the key and as we always cook and ensure hot water is available in the Motorhome our usage could therefore be more intense that yourself
.My only concern is the legal amount of gas transportable in a Motor home excluding of course the pre mounted fixture for 2x 11kg.
Danke aber für dein Antwort.
mit Freundlichen Grüß
Jan
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Jan
I am not sure about regulations on the maximum amount of gas that can be transported, although someone might know, I suspect regulations would be more concerned with the safe stowage of said gas. However if you are crossing via the Eurotunnel they do have
a maximum limit of 47kgs for one cylinder or 50kgs over several cylinders. They also require cylinders to be turned off at the cylinder main valve if that is any help.David
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Jan
If you are really worried about running out of gas and are traveling via Dover/Folkestone I have a 7kg calor butane cylinder which does have some gas in that I could lend you.If you feel the need then let me know and I will try to work something out with
you.Email is mj730.mp@gmail.comMike
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We have the same predicament at the moment in reverse. We are in Germany and have a 10 and a 5 kilo cylinder of gas. Usually at this time of year touring Germany and Austria for two months we never finish up the 10 kilo Cylinder. This year it is bitterly cold at the moment but we never ever leave any gas heating on overnight but are using it a lot of the day when in the van. We have an electric fan heater and will have to pay extra electricity if we need heat at night for that or the van electric heater. Always use fridge on Electric and the hot water. The latter only on for a few minutes when we need to wash up or wash ourselves then turned off. We shower in the Site Showers This day last year it was 23° C this year it is 5° C with -at nights. We do cook by Gas and use the oven a lot.
DianneT
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Jan
I am not sure about regulations on the maximum amount of gas that can be transported, although someone might know, I suspect regulations would be more concerned with the safe stowage of said gas. However if you are crossing via the Eurotunnel they do have
a maximum limit of 47kgs for one cylinder or 50kgs over several cylinders. They also require cylinders to be turned off at the cylinder main valve if that is any help.David
Hi David, yes quite, that is my problem the securing of an extra bottle should this have a defined fixation. I am buying an extra 11kg bottle and shall secure it in the garage and if challenged then I guess I shall cross the bridge then
. I am actually travelling by Boat from Ijmuiden to Newcastle as I am not sure about the situation in and around the French Ports or
EURO Port due to potential refuge problems. However thank you for the information re amount I find that most helpful and it gives me a orientation.Have a nice evening
Jan
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Jan
If you are really worried about running out of gas and are traveling via Dover/Folkestone I have a 7kg calor butane cylinder which does have some gas in that I could lend you.If you feel the need then let me know and I will try to work something out with
you.Email is mj730.mp@gmail.comMike
Mike !!.....good evening and thank you so much for your offer it is an absolute delight to find people who are still holding onto old values of trust. Unfortunately I am not travelling via Dover/Folkestone, as for your offer alone I would enjoy the pleasure
of your company over a beer, thank you.Have a lovely evening
Jan
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Dianne, to resolve your issue, you need a 'butane' hose/adaptor to fit the german bottles.....propane and butane bottles in germany will have the same ('butane') 21.8 LH threaded fitting.
i have no idea how any bottle contracts would work....if its like spain, it wont be an issue
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We have the same predicament at the moment in reverse. We are in Germany and have a 10 and a 5 kilo cylinder of gas. Usually at this time of year touring Germany and Austria for two months we never finish up the 10 kilo Cylinder. This year it is bitterly
cold at the moment but we never ever leave any gas heating on overnight but are using it a lot of the day when in the van. We have an electric fan heater and will have to pay extra electricity if we need heat at night for that or the van electric heater.
Always use fridge on Electric and the hot water. The latter only on for a few minutes when we need to wash up or wash ourselves then turned off. We shower in the Site Showers This day last year it was 23° C this year it is 5° C with -at nights. We do cook
by Gas and use the oven a lot.DianneT
Good evening Dianne,
You could very well survive the week of bad weather
as of Thursday there will be an improvement (slow) and through the Weekend we will
be back to 'normal' Spring temperatures according to the evening weather report. We seldom leave the heating on during the night, however we do have it start up around 06:00 that the vehical is nice and warm pre shower and breakfast. The cold weather spell is not unusual for us here in Fichtelgebirge however this year it does have a nusance factor as I only have
sommer tires for our Mobilehome and am leaving on Thursday for the UK. Have a safe and Happy Holiday here in Germany.Jan und Petra
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Dianne, to resolve your issue, you need a 'butane' hose/adaptor to fit the german bottles.....propane and butane bottles in germany will have the same ('butane') 21.8 LH threaded fitting.
i have no idea how any bottle contracts would work....if its like spain, it wont be an issue
The gas you buy in Germany is LPG so it's a mixture of propane and butane (but mainly propane). I have not seen pure butane or pure propane on sale here in Germany, at least not to the general public.
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Dianne, to resolve your issue, you need a 'butane' hose/adaptor to fit the german bottles.....propane and butane bottles in germany will have the same ('butane') 21.8 LH threaded fitting.
i have no idea how any bottle contracts would work....if its like spain, it wont be an issue
The gas you buy in Germany is LPG so it's a mixture of propane and butane (but mainly propane). I have not seen pure butane or pure propane on sale here in Germany, at least not to the general public.
sorry, didnt put that very well.....
in the uk we refer to the two main type of fitting on bottles by the contents on sale here....
a 'propane' bottle has a 'propane' (POL) bullet shaped fitting.
a 'butane' bottle has a LH threaded 21.8 thread.
i was trying to say that, irrespective of the contents in a german bottle (a mix, as you say) the fitting will be what we describe here as a 'butane' one (even though the bottle may be almost totally propane).....
hence, most folk who use different types of bottles in other markets, start with a basic 'butane' hose and then screw in the appropriate adaptor for that market.....which was the set up i was trying (and failing) to describe to Dianne.
cheers...
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come on, DD, you know what i mean......dont you? lol.
with a two bottle locker set up, as i have, but with only one bottle (a refillable) currently used, i have a spare space in the locker and a spare butane hose already connected the changover valve....
so, in an emergency, fitting a 'foreign' bottle in the spare slot only requires the appropriate adaptor and.....
Bob ist Dein Onkel0 -
by jove!.....etc...
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you cant beat a good extraction, a bit like pulling teeth at times...
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I think you will have tyrouble filling your own gas bottle
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