Gas for hob
We are considering having an almost gas free motorhome built to our specification.
We are trying to do away with the need for bulky Calor Gas cylinders or underslung LPG tanks.
Thus the fridge/freezer would be a compressor type running on 12/240v and the heating & hot water would be powered by diesel.
In order that we have some form of gas hob for emergencies, we thought that the combined unit such as the Thetford Hob 980 or 981 series might work. This is as fitted to the Wildax Elara and has two gas rings & an induction hob.
We would only need a small gas supply for the occasional use of the hobs.
We have a Cadac Safari Chef 2 that uses the 500g disposable threaded resealable gas cartridges [CA500].
Thus my question is whether, with the right connector/regulator, these cartridges could be used to power the two gas hobs on the Thetford unit on a very occasional basis?
Of course, this might not be at all feasible but it is worth asking the question!
I have asked the question of Cadac but have yet to receive a response.
PilgrimPhil
Comments
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I would suggest a camping gaz 907 or 904 cylinder may be a more secure method of getting a gas supply to the hob for internal use ?
ps the induction hob side will need 6amp of your EHU and i think most leisure mains distributon boxes have 1x10amp and 2x 5amp trips
pps is this the second review of your convertion?
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Looking at all options JVB66!
Just been pointed towards the Webasto diesel hob - thus we could be totally gas free!
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I am curious about using diesel for the boiler and (possibly) the hob. It would be an unusual arrangement which I haven’t come across before. Is there any advantage over gas? After all, an underslung LPG tank is very compact and easily refilled. It should fit comfortably between chassis members just like the water and waste tanks.
As for using a gas canister, these are often used for barbecues so you could check the BTU of a typical portable one e.g. Weber (which lasts 3 or 4 hours) against the BTU output of your hob.
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The gas tank is easily refilled if you can find a dispensing pump, HG. Like you, we have a tank but I’d not have one from choice. I think Phil's aim is to save space and weight.
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I guess, but it’s the same weight just in different tanks. Easier to get diesel than LPG I suppose.
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Diesel fired heating is pretty much standard on yachts - either Eberspacher or Webasto are the best known brands. Indeed, I seem to recall my last Disco had a small diesel heater fitted.
Our last unit - a Webasto was an absolute pain on our last boat and I ended up shelling out over £2k for a replacement unit after numerous problems, caused largely by it running on red diesel. That shouldn't be a problem in a motorhome, though
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The Prime Minister says I have to stop using a gas hob at home and use clean, green electricity instead. Is there to be a separate rule for motorhomers and caravanners, or will they have to get used to plugging into mains electricity on site and cooking that way too. Seems pretty simple to me.
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Don't you think manufacturers of new motorhomes and caravans will follow suit? . So an end in sight for "no facilies sites" .?
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Why not keep simple and use your Cadac for the possible emergency?
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I am sure there are good reasons why caravans and motorhomes use gas boilers and not diesel. I am just guessing but I would expect diesel boilers to be more expensive, larger, heavier, less efficient, polluting and not maintenance free. That was basically what I was asking in my earlier post and it would be interesting to know. After all, it would be a lot simpler in theory to take a feed from the motorhome diesel tank - no gas cylinders or tanks.
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I think Eberspacher/Webasto is the heating system of choice in self-build PVCs
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Why not use a hydrogen powered generator and dispense with gas entirely?
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I’m not sure whether this has been mentioned elsewhere but as we are considering buying a Wildax van conversion we went to the show this week to look at the new models and they have done away with the underslung LPG tank and replaced it with a small locker for a 6 kg gas cylinder. They have clearly thought this through carefully because the heating system is now dual electric/diesel and the fridge is a (very large) Thetford compressor fridge run from the 12 volt leisure battery topped up by a 160 Watt solar panel for off-grid use.I got in touch with Wildax and they gave me the power consumption figures for the fridge which are remarkably low. The 6kg gas bottle should be fine for several weeks cooking only.
Wildax clearly feel that future pumped LPG supplies could be diminishing so maybe other PVC manufacturers will be thinking of going the same way?0
