LPG re-fillable bottles

[Guest John Lovell]

Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) on the above system. I am thinking of installing the 'Gaslow' system of an LPG re-fillable bottle (or 2) with an exterior filler nozzle.As we plan to tour abroad quite extensively,this seems a more convenient option. I notice the comments re; Eurotunnel and wondered if any other Ferry companies would exclude me and my unit.

[Guest Mel E]

I have the sytem from MTH Gas (they advertise in MMM and are at all shows). It is of Swedish construction and, I believe, superior in several ways to the Gaslow offering. Like all gas cylinders, it should be turned off at the cylinder before driving, but there is no problem with either Eurotunnel or the ferries: it is treated as the same as a removable gas bottle. It is, I believe, the large, underslung, prmanent fixed tanks that are not allowed by Eurotunnel (and many other tunnels such as that down into Rouen). Two tips: 1. Fill up before you leave the UK; believe it or not, gas is cheaper here than abroad. 2. Buy the two adaptors that cover most European countries. Also note that there may be problems in Spain: officially you should not fill up these cylinders at a petrol stations, though I have heard of those who have done so.

[Guest trixie]

If you buy from MTH the installation comes with the 3 adapters suitable for europe. I think I am right in saying the light weight gaslow bottles do not have a 80% cutoff neither do the the lightweight MTH ones. The heavier MTH ones however do. We got a qoute from gaslow but we were not happy as to how they intended to do the installation. Having spoken to Richard of MTH recently we are going to go for the heavier MTH bottle. We are not doing the change to save money but to be more convenient for us now we are less able. Humping big gas bottles about is getting to the point of being a no no for us. Trixie

[Guest Brian Ramsden]

It seems necessary to restate, yet again, that there is no blanket ban on gas tanks or cylinders of any kind on Eurotunnel when the gas is used for "domestic" purposes as opposed to being used as a fuel to drive the vehicle. The only limitation is that the bottles or tanks must not be more than 80% full. This is the same limit that applies in circumstance, as such bottles are dangerous to use when more than 80% full. With the small MTH bottles the person filling the bottle has visually to ensure they are not overfilled. with the larger MTH bottles and, I think, with all the Gaslow bottles, they are equiped with a device to prevent them being overfilled. All these bottles, and fixed tanks for domestic gas, are accepted by Eurotunnel, subject to their contents collectively not exceeding the total quantity they allow. Brian

[Guest Bill]

I'm also thinking of going this route, so just a question: How do they (Eurotunnel and the fery operators) check that you are complying with the 80% rule? I certainly would not flout safty rules in either of these environments, but on the other hand not do want my rig torn apart by inspectors.

[Guest Clive]

I have seen a cutaway view of the refillable gas bottles sold by MTH and these most definately DO have the 80% cut off feature incorporated. As I understand does the Gaslow bottles . My DIY fitted MTH fixed tank also stops at 80%. Hope that clarifies this point.

[Guest Derek Uzzell]

This is an attempt to summarise the UK refillable gas-bottle situation. (I'm not going to preach about the safety implications - everyone knows gas is potentially lethal stuff and I don't intend to treat adult motorcaravanners as infants who have yet to learn the value of common sense.) 1. It's possible to refill an ordinary Calor-type exchange-only propane bottle via an Autogas LPG pump at a fuel service-station. However, all such canisters are provided through a 'hire-only' contract that forbids that practice, so to do so would be illegal. The bottles always remain the property of the hiring company (eg. Calor) so, wherever you obtained your bottle from (eg. a recycling centre), it's still illegal to fill it up yourself. You would also be faced by the problem of assessing how much gas to put in so that the container is not filled with liquid gas beyond 80% of its capacity. Presumably you could either let the bottle become totally empty before refilling or weigh it first (and preferably after), but the overall process would not be straightforward. Law abiding motorcaravanners will reject this option. 2. Composite-construction user-refillable bottles. As far as I'm aware these are only available from MTH Gas Systems Ltd (www.mthautogas.co.uk) and are currently offered in 3 capacities - nominal 5 litres, 12 litres or 24 litres. (If you want kg then 2 litres = 1kg). Filling is via the gas output valve using screw-on adapters exactly as one would (illegally) fill a Calor-type bottle, however, as you buy (and hence 'own') the composite bottle not 'hire' it, no contractual illegality is involved in refilling a composite container. Composite bottles do NOT have an 80% stop-fill valve which means there is the potential to overfill them. This risk is alleviated by the gas vessel's translucent walls that make it possible to see the level of liquid gas within the container. However it needs saying that this isn't always easy to do. The bottles are sourced from the Czech Republic (www.kompozit-praha.cz) and the UK representative told me that an 80% stop-fill valve has been developed but there are ongoing difficulties getting the (Chinese) manufacturer of the 'mechanical' fittings used on these bottles to agree to provide a relatively small number of stop-fill valves at a commercially viable price. The bottles are very light and easy to handle (that's why they are used as exchange-only containers in Holland), but the user does need to exercise care when refilling them. I've used one for a couple of years and have found the capability of removing the bottle from the gas-locker to refill it useful on several occasions when the Autogas pump has been difficult to drive the motorhome close to. 3. Gaslow bottles. These are steel and come in 2 capacities - 11.5 litres or 21 litres (at 80% fill). Diameters are respectively 246mm or 304mm, as opposed to 256mm or 315mm for 6kg or 13kg Calor canisters. An 80% stop-fill valve is fitted to the bottle but no indicator of gas level. Gaslow bottles are comparatively cheap (£75 or £85 in a leaflet I have) but the remote-fill 'kit' will cost a further £50 and (unless you DIY the system) you can reckon on £50-£60 for installation. (There are lots of 'adapter' gas-fittings on the market and I've sometimes wondered if it's feasible to use these to customise a Gaslow canister to have an on-bottle rather than remote filler. This would offer an economical solution for those who value the convenience of an 80% stop-fill valve but also want the gas container to be easily removable.) 4. Traditional '4-hole' bottles. Like the Gaslow products these are also steel but have the added sophistication of a mechanically-operated level gauge incorporated in the canister's upper surface. The 12kg "Carabottle" is probably the best known example in the UK, available through Autogas 2000 outlets and TB Turbo (advert in MMM). More recently, MTH Gas Systems Ltd has begun to market similar concept bottles manufactured in Poland by Stako (www.stako.pl). My Stako leaflet shows 5 capacities (80% fill) - 9.6L, 20.8L, 28.8L, 30.4L or 33.6L, but I don't know which of these are available in the UK. It appears that the Stako bottles are designed to accept an on-bottle filler, but I suspect most people would opt for a remote filling point. Prices are significantly higher than those of Gaslow bottles.

[Guest john lovell]

thanks very much all of you! Seems as though it is fine to go ahead.

[Guest Colin Hamilton]

All I know is I had the GasGlow system fitted and have never looked back! They met me in Bristol and fitted it in around an hour! I spent a year touring Spain Portugal France and Italy and the only problem I had was the limited stations in Spain. However, I found the list of Repsol stations that serve it and was able to plan around it. Also don't forget that for the most part in Spain the sun shines, so you don't use so much gas! I would recommed Gas Glow to anyone.