Adapting Propane Bottle to be refillable

BJC65
BJC65 Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited June 2020 in Caravans #1

Hi, has anyone bought one of the fittings that makes it possible to refill a propane bottle. If so

1. Did it work?

2. Have you had any problems I should be aware of.

Understand there are different fittings required for European travel, I will only be using it in UK.

Thanks in advance 

 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #2

    I think it's playing with fire.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,304 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #3

    It's also potentially disadvantaging others with purpose designed refillable cylinders, as garages are more likely to ban refilling of all rather than take the chance. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,862 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #4

    Are talking about the likes of a Calor gas cylinder? The terms of the rental agreement expressly forbid this. Cylinders designed for refilling like Safefill/Gaslow/Gasit have a mechanism in them to prevent overfilling, cylinders should only be filled to 80% capacity. If you are trying to fill an exchange cylinder how will you know when that point is reached?  If you need a refillable cylinder better to invest in one designed for the job. 

    David

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #5

    Garages and other filling points will normally only allow filling of proprietary refillable containers, not home adapted efforts which aren't tested or certified.

    I wonder what the caravan insurer would make of it? I reckon cover would immediately be invalidated.

    Putting it bluntly, I think it's a foolhardy thing to do and I haven't even touched on risk to life and limb.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited June 2020 #6

    Do the job properly and get a Safefill. The answer is in the name!

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited June 2020 #7

    How would the caravan insurer know that you had done an illegal fil.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #8

    They'd see the remains of the exploded botched bottle in the ashes of the remains of the caravan. They aren't stupid and neither are fire brigade investigators.

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited June 2020 #9

    I have heard of lots off people using these adaptors, but never yet heard of a bottle exploding because of them. Gas will soon be used out of the bottle. Have you ever heard of one exploding due to over filling

     

  • DaveCyn
    DaveCyn Club Member Posts: 339 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #10

    The exchange bottles as supplied by Calor et al are checked and refilled by weight. Not sure if it's still on there but there was a pretty famous video on YouTube showing somebody attempting to refill a gas bottle from the LPG pump and the fiery consequences of his actions. It was the reason behind a lot of garages refusing to allow the refilling of bottles on the forecourt.

    Bottles such as Safefill, GasIt etc are designed to be filled y volume and have built in safety valves to prevent overfilling and prevent the escape of gas should you forget to close the valve before disconnecting from the pump.

    Another advantage of the Safefill bottle is that they are translucent so you can see exactly how much gas is in the bottle at any time and you don't need to wait for it to be empty before topping up.

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited June 2020 #11

    Was this not stage managed if not some one was lucky catching it at the right time.

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited June 2020 #12

    Did he fill this bottle up while it was in his caravan if not then his caravan insurance company would not have been involved

  • DaveCyn
    DaveCyn Club Member Posts: 339 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #13

    From memory I believe he had it out beside a small camper van.

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited June 2020 #14

    Was camper van damaged

  • DaveCyn
    DaveCyn Club Member Posts: 339 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #15

    https://www.calor.co.uk/news-and-views/calor-concern-at-unlawful-and-dangerous-refilling-of-lpg-cylinders-at-petrol-stations

     

    I can only suggest anyone considering getting one of these illegal kits has a good read through the information on the Calor website.

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited June 2020 #16

    I know a few people with them. One a chairman of one of the centres, another who was bragging that he would fill his up at an unmanned gas pump next door to a calor depot. I don’t know how many more are using these kits unscathed. They won’t fill them while still in the gas locker so if there is an incident the insurance company won’t have a clue .

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited June 2020 #17

    With regards to calor being concerned do you think the people using these kits are bothered. The price of the kit will be a good saving on the price of a safe fill bottle.

    I would bet that calor’s min concern is loss of revenue.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #18

    You must believe what you want, DT. Me, I prefer safety as I'd like a few more years on this planet.

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited June 2020 #19

    Why should I not believe what people tell me. Does that mean that what you post on here should be doubted.

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #20

    I ain't taking that bait, DT.🎣

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited June 2020 #21

    I thought it a reasonable question after what you said. So do you tell the truth or not?

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