Safefill problem

Greygit
Greygit Forum Participant Posts: 167
edited January 2017 in Caravans #1

We are in Spain at the moment with our Safefill bottles and we are having a lot of problems with the Spanish adapter in that after filling the bottle the adapter can’t easily be removed as there is pressure behind it. Although you only need to hand tightens the adapter to use it you need a spanner to get it off and that is a bit worrying as gas starts to leak around the rubber seal as it is undone……..gloves a must! 

If that wasn’t bad enough the valve in the adapter which operates to prevent the gas leaking out jams in the closed position even when the adapter is removed and there is no further pressure behind it, so to use the adapter to fill another bottle entails freeing of the valve by forcing the valve open with an object which will not damage the brass valve.

Don’t think this adapter will win any deign awards.

Is anyone else in Spain using one of these......things?

Comments

  • Surfer
    Surfer Club Member Posts: 1,303
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited January 2017 #2

    Thanks for the warning as we were thinking of getting one for our Safefill bottle.  No doubt Merve will be along to advise.

  • MDD10
    MDD10 Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited January 2017 #3

    I have a Safefil as well. Bought not so much on volume of gas used, but got fed up of chopping in half full cylinders when going abroad to make sure they are full.  I have noticed in the last year that some gas pumps at garages now have rubber protectors above the filling nozzle, presumably as a safety or comfort feature.  However, the impact is that the clamp nozzle and valve are not now long enough and it is extremely difficult to clamp it into the cylinder valve.  It means that Safefil will probably need to extend the length of the valve towards the cylinder rim to be able to  fill these as more of the gas pumps seem to have them.  

     

    Annoying as a great invention

  • Rojas
    Rojas Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited January 2017 #4

    We are currently in Spain using a SafeFill.

    At the beginning we had a bit of problem because we were not aware of the adapter needed in Spain.  Contacted the SafeFill people in the UK.  They were SO HELPFUL, shipped the adapter right away and provided all sorts of advise.

    True, if you don't want to end up with stinky hands, you better wear gloves when unscrewing the adapter off.  Other than that we are so pleased with it, since we are traveling across several countries.

    I've found that there is NO need to close the valve super tight.  This makes it easier to open it afterwards.

     

  • Greygit
    Greygit Forum Participant Posts: 167
    edited January 2017 #5

    I am only skewing the adapter on by hand but due to the pressure behind it there is no way I can get it off with my hands, I have to use a spanner. By the way I'm a retired mechanic so screwing on bits and peices is not new to me.

     Can I ask does your valve/poppet  jam in the closed position when you remove the adapter from the bottle as I have asked Saffefill if this normal but I have not recieved a reply.

    Thanks for the reply by the way.

  • Greygit
    Greygit Forum Participant Posts: 167
    edited January 2017 #6

    Not only am I an ex mechanic I'm also dyslexic as you can see.wink

  • Rushallmanor
    Rushallmanor Forum Participant Posts: 78
    edited January 2017 #7

    I am also in Spain at the moment and experience the same. By screwing the adaptor on until the "O" ring just touches allows it to be removed by hand, anything tighter than this and a spanner has to be used. Yes I get the gas leakage on removal. And yes I get the one way valve sticking after each use. I tap it with a hammer before the next use. I think it is an issue with the Spanish fill nozzle, it shoild depress the center valve during filling and during pressure release before removal. But it appears to release the valve before pressure release. As long as you know the issue you can work with it, just tap the valve centre with a hammer.

     

    I think as an adapter it should be without the valve as there is already a valve in the safefill cylinder.

  • MJ730
    MJ730 Forum Participant Posts: 184
    edited January 2017 #8

    I have the same problem and contacted Safefill and there is an adaptor in the production stage and should be available soon.Not sure of price yet but will post on the off grid page as soon as they tell me they are available.

    Mike 

  • MDD10
    MDD10 Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited January 2017 #9

    That's great news.  I just hope that they don't charge a silly amount of money for it 

  • Greygit
    Greygit Forum Participant Posts: 167
    edited January 2017 #10

    Thanks for the feedback all.

    I found Safefill help very poor I supose they didn't want to admit their adapter was a bit dodgy.

     

     

     

  • MDD10
    MDD10 Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited January 2017 #11

    I have just had an email response from them re the adapter issue.  Very prompt and helpful.  Adapter will be available at the end of Feb for £20

  • MDD10
    MDD10 Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited March 2017 #12

    Folks

     

    i have just been emailed by Neil from Safefill to let me know that an adapter is now available for the UK filling stations for those of us having problems with pumps fitted with rubber necks which prevents effective connection to the valve.  The cost is £18 and I was able to order by making a direct payment via PayPal to email address info@safefill.co.uk and putting the order details and address in the notes section.