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Post by sallytrafic on Sept 28, 2009 7:16:10 GMT
I wonder if campingaz in UK is the same as on the continent? Reason is that I believe Calor fill the campingaz bottles at their Southampton depot
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Post by Derek on Sept 28, 2009 9:32:52 GMT
Whilst away in the van 2 days ago the Gaz ran out and I changed over to the full bottle. Usually the new gas takes over and the fridge and hob light normally - not this time! The stove didn't light at all for quite a long time - I could hear the gas hissing out but hardly any smell. In the past I've had to wait quite a few secs while the gas got through or an air pocket cleared but this time the delay was quite alarming (mins rather than secs). Eventually a quarter of the hob burner lit feebly (very small blue flames) - after about 30 secs another quarter lit and so on until the whole burner was lit. After about a minute the flames grew until it burned normally and it has done since. The whole thing took at least 10 mins. At one point I was for giving up through fear of an explosion!! - I kept the back door open throughout. All a mystery to me. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I just remembered that half way though I changed regulators in case there was a fault there but it made no difference. Also I might add that it was quite a mild morning so no freezing problems. Keith Sounds like a gunge and sticky goo problem causing a loss of pressure, have you changed the lunken hoses and rubber regulator hose lately? Derek |
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wheelmon
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 51
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Post by wheelmon on Sept 28, 2009 9:54:59 GMT
The rubber pipe was replaced less than a year ago but the lunken hoses are anybody's guess. I've had the van about 2 yrs and haven't changed them during that time.
But why so bad so suddenly?? In changing the bottle only the rubber section was disturbed. (I'd used best qual orange pipe). And there'd been no abnormalities whatsoever until now.
The hissing sound at the burner sounded normal but hardly any smell of gas.
Anyway thanks Derek for reminding me that I should be renewing those lunkens!!
Keith
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wheelmon
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 51
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Post by wheelmon on Sept 28, 2009 10:07:46 GMT
Hi Sallytrafic, I bought two Camping Gaz 907 refills in France this summer; one was €19.30 (Champion) and the other €20 (Intermarche) - so perhaps a touch dearer there.
Keith
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Post by Derek on Sept 28, 2009 12:21:37 GMT
The rubber pipe was replaced less than a year ago but the lunken hoses are anybody's guess. I've had the van about 2 yrs and haven't changed them during that time. But why so bad so suddenly?? In changing the bottle only the rubber section was disturbed. (I'd used best qual orange pipe). And there'd been no abnormalities whatsoever until now. The hissing sound at the burner sounded normal but hardly any smell of gas. Anyway thanks Derek for reminding me that I should be renewing those lunkens!! Keith If your pipes are clear the only other thing I can think of is air in the cylinder before it was refilled. If my theory is correct the air would compress and stay in the space above the liquid butane. Your initial gas from the bottle would be an air/butane mix and be too weak to burn. This is all a guess though, never heard of it happening. I had considered refilling my 901's from a large cylinder as the price of refills is silly but never got round to it. I have read that to get the liquid gas to transfer it is best to put the receiving cylinder in the freezer for a while. I can't see a big commercial outfit bothering with this, they probably have a semi automatic system, a small supplier might though. If the cylinder had been chilled so that residual gas was liquid, and the pipes connected in the wrong order, air would have been drawn in. This is all in theory though. I could be talking total rubbish ;D Derek |
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wheelmon
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 51
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Post by wheelmon on Sept 28, 2009 18:05:54 GMT
Your suggestion of air in the bottle sounds spot on - pressure but no smell - until the air had all gone. Does all this mean I didn't get my money's worth of actual gas I wonder? I recall a recent thread on the subject where someone had weighed a number of "full" cylinders and found them to differ considerably.
This last incident has pushed me a little bit further towards the Gaslow idea!! Been measuring up again today and it all seems feasible.
Keith
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wheelmon
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 51
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Post by wheelmon on Oct 23, 2009 15:44:44 GMT
In September I wrote about my idea to change from Camping Gaz to the Gaslow refillable system. Well I've done it and the system is up and running.
It has cost £223 for the kit, plus a few stainless steel screws, some 12mm plywood, and a tube of silicon filler, say another £25.
The cylinder holds 6Kg and the first fill-up from empty was £6.11 at a local petrol station.
6Kg of Camping Gaz was costing me £38.60 !! So the more I use the more I save! (or should that read "the more I use the more I spend" ??).
There is a gauge on the cylinder so I can see if I'm running low and I can 'top up' at any time at a garage that supplies autogas - just like getting petrol or diesel - the filling point is on the nearside of the van next to the former gas locker (which is now full of stuff that was previously inside the van taking up valuable space).
The downside was that much time was spent at the 'drawing board' designing the alterations needed to comply with regulations - and then working in the confined space. Quite a few hours in all.
I now have surplus to requirements two 907 C/Gaz bottles (one nearly full) both with nearly new regulators and pigtails with quick-release connectors to a single supply pipe. In other words they're set up for easy change-over. If anyone's interested please email me.
I can't wait to go camping and save some money - what shall I spend it on?!
Keith
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Post by Derek on Oct 25, 2009 17:13:53 GMT
In September I wrote about my idea to change from Camping Gaz to the Gaslow refillable system. Well I've done it and the system is up and running. The downside was that much time was spent at the 'drawing board' designing the alterations needed to comply with regulations - and then working in the confined space. Quite a few hours in all. I can't wait to go camping and save some money - what shall I spend it on?! Hi Keith Sounds like you have added quite a lot of value to your van, many people would like Gaslow retrofitted to their Romahome. A little cottage industry perhaps  I know what you mean about working in a confined space, you find things hurt that you didn't know you had  Also cutting into your beloved van, it take a leap of faith. All very satisfying when it is done. You will just have to go late season camping and save that money ;D Derek |
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wheelmon
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 51
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Post by wheelmon on Oct 25, 2009 17:56:04 GMT
Not sure about the cottage industry Derek. Perhaps if I were 20 years younger - Lying for some considerable time across the rear door threshold and wielding a jigsaw upside down is not something I would choose to repeat - I still feel like I'm shaped like a letter 'S'.
The bit that hurt most was cutting a 70mm hole in the side of the van!! - only one chance to get it right.
Just about to book a few nights for next week - but it's amazing how many sites are fully booked.
Keith
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Post by Graham on Oct 25, 2009 21:21:32 GMT
Just about to book a few nights for next week - but it's amazing how many sites are fully booked. It's half term, the sites will be full of pesky little folk. ;D |
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Post by peterholden on Oct 26, 2009 17:06:14 GMT
Hi Keith
Can you please give more details of your gaslow conversion. Where the cylinder is fitted etc.
Thanks
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wheelmon
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 51
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Post by wheelmon on Oct 26, 2009 21:53:29 GMT
Hi Peter
The 6Kg Gaslow cylinder is too big for the Duo gas locker so I cut through into the cupboard under the sink. The bottle stands in the corner of the cupboard and had to be boxed in and sealed off from the living quarters. Access for shutting of the valve is via the old gas locker. The cylinder only requires servicing after 15 years and the flexible pipes, being stainless steel lined instead of rubber, are guaranteed for 20 years. However the cylinder can be removed if necessary by removing a number of screws and breaking the seal. The new regulator has a gauge that can test for leaks.
In order to retain optimum storage space in the remaining cupboard I went to great lengths to position the bottle as far back in the cupboard as possible; this meant cutting into and boxing off the bottom corner of the wardrobe. Again this had to be sealed off.
The filling point is right next to the old gas locker door on the outside of the van and this had to be beefed up on the inside to take the weight of the filler pump at the garage. Again the area had to be boxed off and sealed.
The new cylinder compartment has a vent (ie a large hole) at floor level into the old gas locker to take away gas in the event of a leak.
All this had to take into consideration the integrity of the structure of the van - I didn't want the back to fall off!!
I cut away minimum material and built the new compartment with aluminium L-section and 12mm ply which is glue and screwed.
I hope this gives you the gist, but if you you wish to discuss it in more detail you could email me and we could exchange tel nos - perhaps meet up - I notice we're both in Lancashire!
Keith
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Also cutting into your beloved van, it take a leap of faith. All very satisfying when it is done.
