Vlog 20: Installing a Gaslow 6kg R67 refillable LPG Propane cylinder to my campervan
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- For the gas supply in the van I wanted something that was refillable and could be used abroad but didn't cost the earth for refills so I ended up buying a Gaslow R67 6kg LPG cylinder with filling kit. In this video, I show how much pondering I had to do in order to install the filler section.
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As with all of my videos, this is very definitely NOT a "how to". If you don't know about gas or electrics or are unsure, don't do it yourself. This is just a document of how I chose to do it.
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Brilliant. Love the description of the steel under the plastic bumper. Wibbly Wobbly!
An intentionally and carefully-made wibbly wobbly piece of steel is much stronger than a flat sheet. A flat sheet that can be bent with two hands, bent carefully, could be stood on without issue, while being much lighter than a huge chunk of steel.
Very good installation David. Solving issues like yours and adapting with what you have on hand are what DIY is all about. Also you now know exactly how your system is put together so maintenance will be much easier for you.
David,
Really nice work! I'm really impressed by the solutions you've been implementing as you sort of "feel your way along" each challenge. Again I say any previous self-declaration of being a "numpty" are meaningless in the face of these triumphs!!
Doug
Haha thank you
You sir never seem to amaze me with all your thinking about every possible thing that could go wrong.. Don't take it wrong. I think it's a good thing, bc people seem to always rush things. Like me I wouldn't of took the bumper off I'd just pick a place, after I looked underneath 1st, & drilled away. I'm to lazy to take things apart,bc I'd have to put it back on. Two many steps for me... lol...
All in all I think you did a fine job. I like it. And it seams to work for you. And that's all that matters.
Thanks for sharing,
Chris from Missouri
Another perfectly competent job, with the usual compromises given what you have to work with. You're so determined! Cheers!
I’m so glad I subscribed to this channel. I’ve been binge watching video after video for the past few hours.
So many skills needed for your build...I'm very impressed with the result👍😏
i think the gas filler now being behind the bumper instead of through it as well is a better idea, if you were ever hit from behind the movement of the bumper will not break off the filler as it could have if it was through the bumper as well
Hi David, a CC fan here. Have recently started on with Vandemonium and just wanted to tell you
how much I admire your Tenacity! Can't count the times I've watched so far and thought oh heck, I'd have given up.
Time for a G & T and a blow torch! Well done you!
Thank you!
Would suggest the wibbly wobbly areas might be mini crumple zones to aid the bumber to take the odd knock or two.
The vent flaps @ 7:30 are to relieve the pressure inside the vehicle when the doors are slammed, so your ears don't pop.
Glad you didn’t fit through the bumper side as any knock in the back could and probably would break the connector. The refillable bottles are the way forward but you may need to change the valves on the gas cooker they are very cheap and easy to do. Thanks for sharing
The cooker's fine, the tanks have butane / propane mix which is OK
Inexplicable orifices could be necessary during manufacture, so robots can locate panels with precision for automated spot welding.
I had to check the plural of orifice before posting. You'll completely understand that the thought of a grammar pedant getting it wrong "orifies" me.
Quite correct, these things must be right!
I love your accent and your use of words. ..and your humor!
Your videos are very informed and precise! Can't wait to see the complete Conversion...it looks fabulous already! Great Job!!!
Luckily you made the correct decision to put fill against car chassis instead of through to the bumper. Bumper is made to move when hit from behind.
Love the fastidious nature of your build here Dave ..... I just hope the To-rags who nick it when you've finished 'appreciate' all the Hard work you've put in ;-)
Unfortunately many a true word made in jest... maybe an episode on van security systems will be soon. Many simple home security kits are suitable for adapting as they have PIR sensors. Plus a VERY LOUD HIDDEN siren with its own battery... plus a simple SIM card based DIY tracker (transferable between boat and van if you do some clever wiring.)
Fantastic episode, David, really enjoying this series. I was thinking in regard to the round hole in the bumper, maybe there is some kind of flexible, clip-on trim you could add to neaten it up?
Have just started my own new van build, so your series has been very useful to me, so thanks for sharing your research with us :)
Hello Rick; cheers, yes I'm enjoying your new van episodes very much! I will endeavour to tidy that hole :-)
That answered some of my questions about calor gas cylinders vs American gas cylinders. Seems calor is a company from my quick google. From your talk it seems that you do use propane which is what we usually use here in the States. The main difference seem to be that you have bottles you can refill yourself at stations, which we do not have that I know of. I would imagine that the exchangeable ones are refilled at special places and then resold. We also have exchangeable bottles/canisters here in the States but we can also take those same bottles to places that refill them. You can not do this yourself but they aren't too hard to find a place that will do that for you because propane is used in cabins and homes in rural areas but with very big cylinders and a big truck comes and refills it for you when you need a top up. Refills are usually at least a third cheaper than exchanges.
Basically in the UK for portable heating/cooking uses propane or butane in cylinders that are exchanged are the most common, you take your empty cylinder to somewhere that sells your brand (Calor and FloGas seemingly the most popular options, with Calor being the most popular by a lot) and swap it for a full one. Petrol stations are one of the most popular places that sell the bottles, but a lot of caravan supply places and campsites sell it as well.
You pay a "deposit" for the cylinder when you get you first one and that is partially refunded if you return the cylinder to the supplier, noting that for most cylinders you can swap them for different sizes, though calor would not let you do that with the 7kg cylinders that motorhomes seem to find popular. You can also get the companies to deliver bottles directly to your home, though that does incur a delivery charge.
As for the ground mounted tanks/bulk supply, that is used by some households that don't have access to mains gas and some caravan sites use it or their static caravans so they don't need bottles outside every van and the replacement headaches that come with it (a site might have a few thousand in use).
On the caravan site I work at we have bulk supply for everything, including for the kitchens and for the gas tumble dryers, the only parts of the site that use bottles are the housekeeping building for the dryers and boiler (two lots of 4 x 47Kg bottles), and the caravan used for the maintence/grounds team.
Not too shabby, as others have said, a trim ring or plug in that hole and it will look great. I hope everything goes well for you when you get it inspected. Aside from the lines touching that you said you are going to fix it all looks safe enough.
The holes that you cant find a reason for are usually locator holes for the pieces to be put in the welding robots. the individual pieces fit on pins and are then clamped down and welded together.
Take a short 6 - 12 inches of rubber hose and slide it over the small propane hose so it can be a buffer and then zip tie or tape the hoses all together so they won't rub. If you don't want to take the propane hose off to slide the piece of rubber hose onto it then just cut a lengthwise slice in the hose and open it up with your fingers and slip over the LP Gas line. Cheers ! nice work ! :-) Dennis in Saskatchewan which is in western Canada. Carry on !
Another great vlog David,
The vent under the bumper is a pressure release vent, when you close a door it lets the pressure inside to reduce so the door closes easier. It does not let air in(or shouldn't!).
Building a canal boat at the moment but dare not video it due to the high standards many achieve on you tube!!
Ah, that makes sense, cheers. It's certainly not air tight in any sense so there could still be airflow I think. Building a boat, now that's impressive :-)
Also that's how the air gets out when you have the ventilation fan running. Or, if no air coming through the vents with the fan off, windows closed, when driving means the outlet vents are blocked. Great job with the gas.
Very professional job!
Very interesting... refillable propane cylinders are the norm in North America however you can not fill them yourself. We must go to a propane vendor (some gas stations, hardware stores, Costco) and have them fill the tank. Standard tanks are also smaller, only 20lbs (roughly 9kg). Some places do have an exchange program as you mention. You pay a large deposit to get your first tank and then just swap them for the cost of the gas.
The problem with the cylinder swap isn’t so much that it’s not available overseas, but that there are so many different ones throughout Europe. Same applies to LPG fillers, btw, in some countries you need an adapter.
I know in the marine stores here in the states you can get a round plastic access cover that screws into a plastic flange in various sizes, maybe use one as a cover for the fill.
Now u need a small dameter rubber hose.....cut a channel along it to use as a trim piece.... To clean up the edges of the cut plastic bumper.... Length of hose would be the circumference of the hole (for aesthetic reasons ) :)
Looking sharp mate!
Nice work. You should be able to find some sort of little framed hatch. It can be attached to the bumper where you cut the circle.
Very nice work, sir. Figuring it out as you go is the best way. Many complications, but, you always seem to find an acceptable work-around.
I like the results. You might even be able to find a plastic plug of some kind to fill the hole in the bumper, thus hiding an protecting the filler cap.
Best Of Luck
Thank you; I'm doing my humble best. And that reminds me to go and Google for a filler plug. Cheers!
Wow! I rarely see your vlogs in time for any comment of mine to be of any help!
That said, have you considered piping to the front under the hood (or bonnet)? That would open up any number of mounting options and add some security from theft and vandalization.
And, now, having JUST viewed the very first episode of this channel, I see your warning about the very SORT of info I posted above. In my defense, you posted that vlog just a week after my sixtieth birthday so, I was probably still drunk... lol? So, yes, tath was me giving my OWN response a thumbs down, Cheers!
I think piping all the way to the front would be too long and quite complex; the longer the pipe goes under the car the more chance it has of being hit by stones etc being thrown up.
I think you were smart to go with the propane, as opposed to butane. If memory serves correctly, they run at different pressures. And propane is easier to find. I had no idea you couldn't work on your own gas lines in your houses.
I fear much of the so called restrictions are done to protect the money making industry rather than deep OSH reasons. I have seen some shoddy work by "licenced professionals" and superb installs by skilled DIYers.
They make 2 inch snap in caps,I have them on my boat trailer. It will snap in the hole perfectly. Google 70mm cap and you'll see tons of them. If you don't find a color to match I'm sure they sell a can of touch up spray paint for the car. Here in the States we've got a company called duplicolor that sells color matched spray paint. I'm sure you'll have the same and in the end it will look better than having the fitting in the plastic. Not to mention it will be a stealthier install ;-)
That's a damn good idea!
Vandemonium 70 mm is one of the most popular center cap sizes but if the hole is a little bit more than 70 you'll find them in 74 and I think 76mm too.
Either way they're super cheap so you can try a few to find the best fit. Best part is it'll look like you meant to do it that way ;-) Also if you want guys custom print vinyl stickers to fit them. It's a common way to customize wheels or recreate old caps,so it'd be really easy to get a label made for it too if you wanted.
It is indeed 70mm, I checked this afternoon.
Zip tie the 2 hoses together where they touch each other. This will make them act as a single entity and minimize chafing.
Spray foam to close off under body holes. Comes out like thick liquid, expands and seals.
I don't want to close the holes, they're there as gas drop vents.
Great job. That small hole already in the steel bumper may just be a jig hole from the press manufacturing process.
Hi David, I think your positioning of the gas filler into the metal work is much safer than having it through the bumper as well because it doesn't take much to rip those sort of bumpers off. Down here in Devon land you often see bumpers growing in the hedgerows as driving by touch here seems to be requisite rather than optional. Good Job well done
Good point! It occurred to me afterwards that if I have to take the bumper off again for any reason, it also means I won't now have to disconnect the filler pipe and screw it back on again afterwards, which I'd have had to do otherwise so I think this is the best solution in my case. Unlike a motorhome, the van has very limited options for where to place this filler!
David I think where the filler cap ended up is a better place than on the bumper. Like many have said you could put some kind of removable blanking plate over the bumper hole.
Another great blog. The reason the panels are "wibblywobbly" (one word or two, not sure) is for strength and to reduce vibration and resonant frequencies from driving you mad....or something like that. Keep up the fantastic work.
Ah, cheers
The holes that have no obvious use have already done their job. They fit over alignment pins on the assembly robots.
Aha! Thank you! I was so curious about what those were for :-)
I have to admit I did nod off.... during part of this process to awake with 'that's it'...at the end....Sorry !
The real advantage of this system is the lower running costs. Autogas is 3-4 times cheaper than bottled gas. The big advantage of an external underslung tank is the space you save. Pity you had no room underneath. Had mine fitted 2 years now & would not go back. BTW my van insurance policy does not allow me to “fiddle” with anything gas.
Try The App Find LPG. Useful if you are in an unfamiliar area. I find prices can vary by about 15p a litre. Worth shopping around.
Thanks, I'll download it. I've read my policy a couple of times and there's no reference I can see to anything relating to how/who built it. It's just documented as a self-build camper.
Nice job (good video coverage too)... however, i would have built a cardboard encasement around the receptacle body between both walls, and injected it with hardening foam so that you could have mounted it cleanly and supported as originally planed.
The holes may be part of the manufacturing process in moving the and positioning the pieces on the press? The odd angles and shapes are probably a way to add strength (flat metal sheets tend to bend, flex and torque).
PB
I think I would make the plastic bumper hole xtra large & fix the gas fitting firmly to the metal part, it would be out of the way from possible object contact. Finish off with some "U" profile.
Yes, it's definitely fixed firmly to the metal. Cheers
Oh. Now that the filler is only attached to the metal body, my thought of using the vent so you could cut your own hole for it in wood might have worked.
Hope you remembered to use some gas sealant tape on the connection, it is very good, (unexpert explanation follows) when you screw tight onto it is gunge-like to seal off any tiny gaps.
Hi. Tape shouldn't be used on this kind of connection, it's a metal-to-metal junction within the end of the hose that makes the join.
No tape - bits can get into the regulator. Loxseal if anything.
I think they put those extra holes behind the bumper and other places in case you want to fit a body kit. There are all sorts of extras you can bolt onto these vans, Totally change the look. Maybe more like an ATeam van....
Blinking Nora that looked hard
Much better to have the filler recessed as you have it now. It will mean the bumper will actually be able to protect it to some degree. More so if you put a large pad of stiff sponge between the plastic and the body work. In the late 60's the law on bodywork was changed so that exposed petrol fillers were banned and they had to be recessed so they didn't get ripped off in minor, and major, side swipe accidents. With your filler on the outside of the bumper it would be prone to being scraped off by a clumsy parker.
Fair point!
I may be wrong but usually the reason for those what seem pointless holes etc are different fixing options depending on model but will use the same chassis.
Why don't you put some of the window edging trim around the ugly bumper hole, or buy some rubber trim.
Yeah, I might do if I can find a spare bit
There are spiders but the holes have a plastic grating at the top which should stop any big ones coming in.
Near perfect clarity, and as always a humbling experience for me to watch. Actually twice. I am sure there is a 5" square flap cover on a mount you can cover the empty eye-catching hole with, somewhere on the market. Let me guess...next video?
Hi...maybe buy a hinged water flap...spray it bodywork colour and fit to bumper .will look neater also pad those pipes out as possibility of friction sparking.cheers.si.
There won't be any sparks off the pipes bit I am going to do something with them, cheers!
Nice work!
I wondered if that fill point was for installation in the vehicle fuel flap if the vehicle were converted and maybe one could obtain a fuel flap assembly to make a really sleek installation. I'm not suggesting that your installation is something less than than suitable, but may aide install.
Ply wood should have been a good buffer between bumper and body
getting refillable bottles topped up in the uk is a PITA, as most places with lpg are also calor dealers etc, and calor do not want you avoiding the empty bottle tax...... they get very iffy with the retailers if they find there refilling bottles...
I just went down to the nearest petrol station with LPG and filled up... easy.
I think I've read on some motorhome forums in the past that people have had issues with the staff at some filling stations in Europe with those refillable gas bottles.
It seems generally to be the case where the filler cap is inside the locker; as soon as they see you opening the locker they stop you filling. That's one of the reasons I wanted to mount the filler on the bodywork so it presents itself as a normal LPG filler.
It's a big late now David but I would have suggested not having an external refill point. Is it possible to just remove the bottle and refill it outside the van? My reasoning is that a 6kg bottle will probably last you for months so you might only have to fill it 2 or 3 times a year. Very clever idea raising the unit though 👍
Nope, the fuel stations here would never let you, they're twitchy enough about LPG refuelling as it is.
A large rubber grommet might just fit to hid that huge hole. I should clarify that I mean the one in the bumper 😉
David, nice job. I like it. Try it on my van. Just Bought a Hyundai Iload, little taller than yours, bout the same length. Have to film my build now, Eh! Thanks, Stay vertical m8.
To finish the edge of the bumper could you find a ring or cap.
How about making a much larger hole through the metal behind the bumper so that the filler cap can have both parts firmly against the plastic bumper? you'll have the added benefit that you can later remove the bumper without having to take apart the filler cap, just to disconnect the pipe.
I'd still have to disconnect if I removed the bumper unless simply shifting the bumper a few inches
you'll have disconnect the pipe but you can leave the cap assembly on the bumper, and it will look MUCH better from the outside!
Too late now, it's fixed to the metal as shown!
Love the VLOG. Really like having a second VLOG from you. A little worried that you need new tires. Treads look a bit, uh, worn.
Shouldn't be, the rear ones are practically new
Ok, well it might just have been the camera angle or the amount of light. I'm sure you have it all under control.
Or the dust! The tyres were new less than 500 miles ago.
i think the therm compitent is mostly a legal thing , like you said
hi david good video it's 15 bob in derby
Hi Dave, I agree it is so irritating when you find a hole that serves know purpose. You think did the manufactures put it there for a Posher model or did the previous owner put it there just to annoy the next owner. Torqe screws and squashy bits make you want to swear don't they? Kepp up the good work.
cable tie those two pipes together and they wont be able to chaff
some car holes are for unused options.
I think that was a fair bit of practical effective fudging. As someone suggested, a bit of trim-loc and jobs a tarted up goodun!
I assume that this bottle can be filled up from just about any LPG station throughout the UK, Europe and hopefully one day beyond?
That's the notion though you need nozzle adapters for euro but I've bought those.
Nicely rescued :) A bit of edging around the bumper hole and it will look like you meant to do it. You've ended up with a better arrangement by mounting it to the metalwork, anyway so that the bumper can do its job without ripping the gas line out.
NB you need to check that the filler is at least 250mm away from the heater exhaust (See www.go-lpg.co.uk/Filler.html )
The holes are for jigging pins that hold the body panels in position when they are welded together at the factory.
Keep up the good work.
That seems to refer to the car exhaust so I'm not sure it holds for the heater exhaust, especially as it's wrapped in a heatshield but I shall certainly keep them as far from each other as practical. Cheers for the note about the holes, that clears that mystery up!
I *believe* it also applies to the heater exhaust - just the exit, though; not the whole pipe run. I'm sure that Gaslow would know for sure :)
You could have installed it so it vented out through the gas box as that has will already be vented provided you sealed the entry from the filler into the sealed gas box.
It *is* installed into the gas locker, via the drop vent in there. That's where the other end of the hose goes, as seen in the end shot.
nicely wombled there! just one question, is the red heat pipe thingie going to be attached anywhere or is it floating for a living?!
im very impressed by your work! your becoming an expert of types! excellent! now how you building the garage on the boat?! lol 😂
It was floating because I'd taken it off to access the space at the back
Good job, but you'll have to put something over that hole in the bumper. It looks ghastly 😱
It looks ghastly close up but you don't really notice it looking at the van as a whole (or I don't!)
Vandemonium It’s your van... Just think if you got a spare front filler cap or even one of those flaps that fit over a 240v supply box & mounted it on the bumper it would look neater. Yes, you’d have to undo/open 2 caps/flaps to refill with gas, but you wouldn’t have a rough-cut hole in your bumper...
Yeah, fair point. I'll have to find one in black, I'm not having a white box there.
Vandemonium I’ve looked on eBay; there are black ones available. Even a water fill cap (for vans/motorhomes which have on board water tanks) might work?
And another thing, do you know there is a Self-built-van rally happening in Edale September 7th (for the weekend). I am going (even though I only have a tent, but *cough* {looks at knees} I made my tent out of an old Bedford van, The "Campervan Tales" lads have organized it, if you want more info I can tell you (or they can).
No, I didn't know (and I don't know where that is, either but will look it up!)
Ok, it is called HardHurst Farm in Edale, The lads from "Campervan Tales" arranged it, but I booked direct with the farm, because I know that the lads are out on a trip, they still chat on their vlog regularly, but it might take a day for them to see a message.
This wont let me put a link in, but hardhurst farm edale gets the right booking place anyway.
Good job. As others mentioned, you could find some plastic cover to place in the outer bumper hole, just for cosmetic purposes.
A big hole needed for a not-so-big connection. The manufacturer could have made this smaller.
Just curious, in the US 20 lb (9.1 kg) propane cylinders for outside grills are common and can be refilled or swapped full-for-empty at certain locations. Refilling is cheaper.
Are these not available or common in the UK?
Dave.
We have Calor swappable bottles but generally refillble standalone cylinders are not used because the filling stations refuse it on safety grounds. It's part of the reason I fitted the external filler rather than just opening the locker to refill - the fuel stations get twitchy (apparently) if they see "naked" cylinders being refilled.
I am not trying to debate this detail, just interested in the difference between US and UK.
In the US the 20lb cylinders are refilled at e.g., a hardware store. The store employee takes the cylinder, places it on a weigh scale, sets the weight and fills until the internal shut-off valve closes then disconnects the cylinder and hands it back to the customer. I think the weight is now redundant since the propane pump shuts off when the internal shut-off valve in the cylinder closes.
The cylinders have a date stamp on the upper ring/guard. The store can refill the cylinder up to 12 years from the stamped date of manufacture.
I had the tank for my grill refilled many times, before I stopped using the grill........ The cylinder is now out of date, so needs to be recycled.
Dave.
The nozzle at the european tankstations have a handle, which you put forward. Then put the nozzle in and turn and take the handle back. Are you sure you have enough space between the end of the handle and the plastic bumper, so the nozzle can grip when turning?
No I'm not but the plastic bumper pushes in as seen inn the video so I believe it should be OK. If not, I shall enlarge the hole in the bumper. Also, if I'm in Europe I'll have to have screwed on an adapter anyway which will bring the filler further out.
You have done a great job if you want to cover the cap take the bit you cut out put wee hinge in the top and get a clear seal like the ones for the Cassette toilet put a wee hole in the bottom attach something you can hold to open it. 😊 but great job.
If I hadn't a) made a mess of the cut out and b) thrown it away ... ;-)
Vandemonium
Listen nobody died and it works and that’s the important thing. You did a great job. 👏👏
Super!👍👍👍👍
In U.S.A you can run your electric, gas, water and wastewater on your home. But you may have to check out by a inspector if it’s up to code for insurance. But you should have a professional do the work.
We can do water, not gas. I think we can do electricity but it must then be checked by a certified professional.
In australia, we have swap an go gas bottle exchange. at desinated stores and out lets. refilling you have talked about and then there are the 250g camp stove cartages that i used in the past and underway and way in my boat.
Gerard.
What is your experience with Gaslow setup? How long a 6kg bottle lasts for you and do you use it mainly for cooking or heating aswell? Thanks for an informative video!
Sadly, I haven't used the van enough to burn even a quarter of my first tank, due to mainly going out on my boat during the summer months. So I can't really comment. It is used for heating and cooking though, see the heater installation videos for more on that.
Forgive me if this has been answered, I am playing catchup on this amazing van vlog adventures. But were you required / did you install a carbon monoxide alarm in your van? And I guess the same could be asked of your narrowboat. Great postings!
Not required but certainly strongly advisable and yes I have two CO alarms in the van as well as a fire alarm and a propane detector.
So many holes and so many hoses hanging. I'm afraid I would have had to be committed by this point. 😨😨😨
Hi there, thank you for your helpful videos. Question: I don't see a double connector on top of your cylinder to accommodate two pipes, one to your cooker and one to the heater. Can you explain what part I would need to buy to achieve this, and how to connect? I currently have just one orange pipe from cooker with a regulator on the end, and want to now buy a Gaslow and connect two pipes, one going to Propex... Many thanks!
It's not on top of the cylinder because it goes from the cylinder (at high pressure) using flexible pipe, to the regulator which brings the pressure down. From there it's copper tube and you can buy t-connectors etc at plumbing and heating merchants. However, if you have no experience or expertise in gas, it is essential you get the work done by a professional, certified gas engineer.
Competency equals doing a right and proper installation of the gas hookups? So the authorities trust that you can do that in a motor vehicle of some nature but not in a "proper house"? I have come to a conclusion where an authority requires someone with the "proper credentials" and a fee is required means they want a piece of the action.
wel job done :)
David, I always thought this was a brilliant, economical system - however, I now understand that the number of filling stations selling LPG is reducing exponentially! For example, Shell have withdrawn all LPG pumps in the UK due to lack of demand and I read somewhere that BP were about to follow (includes Morrisons). Am I wrong - what's your take on this in July 2020?
I truly don’t know as I haven’t refilled in so long! It may be that it’s now a better system if you’re going abroad, perhaps.
I'm enjoying the series and think you are doing a sterling job. I have just bought a gas locker and intend to go down the same LPG route as yourself. I am assuming you have to drill a hole/s through the gas locker for the propex heater and external fill pipe ... are there instructions for this?
No instructions, in fact Gaslow are very vague about the pipe route from the filler to the locker. You just have to suss out what's best for yourself, pretty much. My next vlog shows some further detail (coming soon)
Oh, should say also that if you're in any doubt, get an LPG/motorhome qualified gas engineer to do it, don't take any risks.
Good man ... I look forward to it. There aren't many videos on Gaslow installations so this could be quite popular .... the more detail the better.
Funny you should say that; I thought the same but I've had more downlikes and negative comments about this one being boring than any other!
Give it time, many people will be interested to know how these are installed, could be a grower.
I have a question regarding the position of the dropout vent. Would it be acceptable to have it underneath the gas bottle if you had the gas bottle supported on legs?
I would imagine so but probably not optimal. You'd need to be damn sure the legs wouldn't collapse in any way.
You put your law degree to good use determining competency and then you spent quite a bit of time worrying about your filler installation. A lot of work for one gas hole. Yes, I went there!
Just a thought, as you said perhaps you'll be travelling throughout the EU - is that gas fitting the same as the fittings in the EU - as I believe the household gas bottles have a different connection over here. Perhaps the auto ones are different too.
Yes indeed, I bought the set of overseas adapters too
Any chance of adding the link to those adaptors, I could use some. Cheers David...
Have a look at the products link on gaslow.com, look under 21.8LH adapters
Cheers mate!
How do you fill the propane tank unless it has a bleeder valve to vent pressure while filling it full? Without such bleeder valve, you will never get it completely filled I think. If it has one, needs to vent to outdoors. For that reason, I'd prefer a quick ability to just lift from vehicle and fill it while completely outdoors.
The tanks never fill to more than 80% anyway and they automatically cut off at that point as you fill them.
@@Vandemonium Oh. Here in US we have tanks with bleeder valves, but not all of them have it. www.spaco.org/Blacksmithing/PipeForge/RefuelingPropaneTanks.htm This video goes along with your 80% fill value, but shows US type with bleeder valve also used. ruclips.net/video/tQvgnelHgmw/видео.html
@@Vandemonium I'm not sure thats entirely true, I managed to overfill my gaslow 2.7kg on its first fill, there was no automatic cut off, luckily gaslows have a overfill release valve so any excess gas will be emitted but into your van. So I think thats something you should be aware of.
On the first fill, yes, the instructions are clear you should only go to 80%; after that it’s automatic, they say.
My only concern is that the pipe and filler are in a vulnerable position if you were to be rear ended, would the pipe sever if you were hit from behind?
Conceivably yes but bear in mind the filler valve on the cylinder is a non-return type so cutting the pipe doesn't release the cylinder contents, only what's left in the pipe itself; this would immediately vapourise and, of course, is then a flammable risk but then so's petrol in a fuel tank or indeed the gas in the gas locker which is also at the back so I suppose that's just one of those things.
Vandemonium oh that’s great then, a really neat job.
ianmedium the braided steel line the fitting used is brutally strong stuff. If he got hit hard enough to sever that line the minuscule amount of gas left in it will be the least of his worries.
How do you know how much gas ( propane ) is in the tank do refillable cyclinders have some sort of meter to check how much gas is in there ?
There's a tiny gauge on top though I don't know how accurate it is.
Vandemonium ok
Is it ok to use LPG with propane regulators? Cant find too much info. Cheers.
I'm no gas expert and I'd suggest asking me or the Internet at large is a recipe for disaster - talk to a qualified gas engineer, especially one experienced with campervan installations. Your local motorhome/campervan dealer should be able to advise.
Also, regulators should be listed for sale with their specifications including pressure and gas compatibility.
Am liking your videos but I am not liking the hard cut endings you normally close of well but lately you are in the middle of
I classify myself as totally incompetent!! Doing that sort of work then rules me out :)
Haha, oddly enough it is sort of straightforward really, whether the copper piping or whatever, albeit that you do need to take great care and test it carefully afterwards.
I'm just so paranoid that's why I want it checked because I reckon there's no harm in having a second pair of competent eyes looking over it or indeed any safety-related work.
I have noticed the red heat exoust pipe has a cut in it, had you replaced the tube ?.
Gerard.
I had two pieces of the tube
Can people use this kind of refillable gas bottles at home and carry them to the lpg station by car to refill them?
There are some types you can do that with but some of the filling stations get really twitchy about gas bottles and will prevent you doing so. They're petrified of people blowing themselves and the station up (and knowing how some people are, they're probably right...)
Isn’t it dangerous to have the gas opening on a bumper as bumpers are the part of the car hit mostly by other people?
Not really, plenty of campervans have their gas at the back, or underslung at the back.
have you thought about the bumpers on a car are meant to take bumps all the time and you have just put a gas fitting on something which is almost guaranteed to be knock bumped and cracked within its lifetime.sorry but that is the last place i would fix a gas fitting to.
Well firstly it's now not in the bumper itself but the van metal underneath. Secondly there's nowhere else on the van it can go else it would enter via the habitation area which is not recommended.
thank you for the quick reply and i do understand the points you made.but it still sits uneasy with me using any of that area for a gas fitting that could rupture.the whole lower back end including the bumper area would have been designed to be a crumple zone and as such would deform a lot in the event off a accident.is there no way the filler cap could be on the sealed box so its inside the van but only accessible with the back door opened?that way its not become part of a crumple zone.
Peter, it's actually the best place for it on a van like this. Where its mounted is not part of the crash structure and not that it's going to ,but any flex is safely absorbed by the braided steel line. If it was mounted with a copper hard line you might have a valid concern, but it's not so relax.