Calorlite Gas Bottles

96griffen
96griffen Forum Participant Posts: 19
edited June 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I am new to caravans and have bought a 2007 Swift Challenger. I have so far used Calor 4.5kg Butane bottles (because I already had them). When I bought the caravan the dealer asked what gas I would use and I presumed they fitted the appropriate fixed regulator
and hose.  But my gas supplier says that I can change to 6kg Calorlite Propane bottles which would last longer using the existing regulator. I thought propane needed a different regulator because it was at a different pressure and it burns hotter so may damage
gas burners in the caravan eg hot water heater, fridge? I expect this has been asked before but I can't find an existing thread and would appreciate any comments.

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #2

    My understanding is that given the same regulator butane is hotter than propane

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #3

    Caravans are now fitted with a standard regulator which produces gas a 30mb.  You can use this with either Propane or Butane.  To swap to propane you will need to change the hose that goes from the bottle to the regulator as the conection to the bottles
    are different.  

    The main advantage of propane over butane is that butane stops working below temperatures of approximately 5C.  So for  Summer use Butane is fine.  Colder seasons you need propane,

  • jennyc
    jennyc Forum Participant Posts: 957
    500 Comments
    edited June 2016 #4

    My understanding is that given the same regulator butane is hotter than propane

    Write your comments here...

    Propane burns at 1980 deg, as opposed to 1970 deg for butane. So it's technically hotter, not that you'd notice. As has already been posted, propane will work in winter temperatures which might make butane unusable. 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #5

    I got caught out one chilly November when the Butane got too cold to work!  Now I have moved to Safefill refillable cylinder so much cheaper than buying Calor especially staring with Calor lite but of course it would depend on how much you are going to use
    your van and indeed gas.