michele Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 We have ordered Gaslo . No dealings what so ever with this gaz . Don't want to be ignorant have kids on board . How should we treat this lpg with respect . For safety reasons how do we treat it . Is it dangerous when on if driving . What's can anyone tell us about this gas and how to show it respect . Also will we have problems filling it up and how will we know when to fill it up . Any general advice would be great fully appreciated . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 LPG stored in a Gaslow system isn't really very different from using Calor bottles, so periodic checks of flexible hoses etc - except that you are supposed to have your bottles retested when they are ten years old, which shouldn't trouble you for a while. Get the system checked every year when you have your annual habitation checked. It's worth getting someone who has done it before to show you how to fill up using an Autogas pump, which I managed to get myself very confused about first time, because I was working it out as I went along. Unlike a petrol pump you make the connection to your bayonet first (which then holds itself in place) then walk back to the pump and press (and hold) the big button in order to start the flow of liquefied gas. It stops automatically when your bottles are full to 80% and you will hear that happen and see the gauge stop. Then you disconnect and go off to pay. Simple when you have seen it done once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerC Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Michele Gaslow is relatively simple once you have done the 'fill' thing a couple of times. Like has been said if there is someone close by who can demonstrate or otherwise assist it should help.........just make sure they know more than you already do. Failing that just patience and follow the instructions. Regarding filling Gaslow if like us you signed a contract with Countrywide it is just a matter of filling up and they debit your account. Gas from them is so unbelievably cheap so use their outlets if you can. Contents gauges are notoriously unreliable. We have those useless things that clip onto the neck of the bottle, we have the twin bottle system, and they are next to useless although they are good at indicating 'empty'....:-) Regarding safety....just treat it/them as you would any gas bottle. We have travelled with ours 'on' occasionally when I forget to turn them off at the cylinder and have no adverse events. The last thing is something you probably already know..........it's a great investment and if you use 'Countrywide' you will save a great deal compared to the old 'changing' cylinders method. Oh and at the risk of 'stating the bleedin' obvious'......remember engine off and all other sources of ignition/explosion off when refilling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Allen Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Michele I have the Gaslow system (2 bottles 6 kg and 13 kg) I always leave the 6 kg bottle turned off at the bottle until the 13 kg is empty. I then know how much I have left and fill up again (make sure both bottle taps are open) at the next opportunity. You develop a feeling after a while for how long they will last despite the sense of humour and optimism that is built into the gauges.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 7, 2016 Share Posted March 7, 2016 Michele This Gaslow document includes advice on cylinder refilling. http://www.gaslow.co.uk/pdf/Filling-Instructions-2012.pdf The document is somewhat out of date, as the current Gaslow “R67” canisters (example here) http://www.gaslowdirect.com/Gaslow-R67-11kg-Refillable-Cylinder-No have a different filler/outlet arrangement and a reliable and accurate ‘mechanical’ contents-level gauge instead of the much-criticised clip-on ‘magnetic’ type of gauge shown in the document and mentioned by posters above. Gaslow bottles are not tested when they are 10 years old (the Gaslow document says 15 years but I don’t know if that’s the case with R67 bottles). The advised procedure should involve a Gaslow agent exchanging an elderly bottle for a new one. The replacement is evidently not free but (as far as I’m aware) nobody has ever done this yet, so the cost remains unknown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerThat Posted March 7, 2016 Share Posted March 7, 2016 John Allen - 2016-03-06 9:04 PM You develop a feeling after a while for how long they will last despite the sense of humour and optimism that is built into the gauges.. Lol :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted March 7, 2016 Share Posted March 7, 2016 Hi Michele! Yes, I'm still alive and motorhoming too, just not here very often. We've had Gaslow since we bought this van, 8yrs now. It's simple and cheap, but the gauge is hopeless. However, we soon worked out that our cylinder lasts a week with no hook-up. You'll quickly find out how it works for you. Even filling up at garages it's still AMAZINGLY cheap compared with Calor or any other exchange bottles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted March 8, 2016 Author Share Posted March 8, 2016 Guys , Thank you all so very much . I suppose we can suck it and see . I won't be buying one of them gauges then lol. I will be reading Dereks links. Thanks all so much x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Tony Jones - 2016-03-07 11:44 PM Hi Michele! Yes, I'm still alive and motorhoming too, just not here very often. We've had Gaslow since we bought this van, 8yrs now. It's simple and cheap, but the gauge is hopeless. However, we soon worked out that our cylinder lasts a week with no hook-up. You'll quickly find out how it works for you. Even filling up at garages it's still AMAZINGLY cheap compared with Calor or any other exchange bottles. The magnetically-operated gauge originally fitted to Gaslow bottles could only provide a graduated readout from 50%-full down to 18%-full (as stated in the Gaslow-document link). This gauge gained a reputation for unreliability (eg. the gauge mechanism ‘sticking’) to the extent that Gaslow eventually ceased providing a gauge on new bottles. The following link is to the current Gaslow brochure http://www.gaslowdirect.com/WebRoot/GroupNBT/Shops/cyujrhdmmu67/MediaGallery/GASLOWCATALOGUE_2015_spreads.pdf in which the Gaslow R67 bottles are described. The gauge on these bottles is operated directly by a mechanical mechanism (like the gauges fitted to Stako-made bottles and the more-expensive Alugas canisters) and covers a much wider range http://www.gaslowdirect.com/Ask-Gaslow/Gaslow-R67-Cylinder-FAQ/Gaslow-R67-Contents-Gauge-readings and should be reliable long-term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophie2 Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 John Allen - 2016-03-06 9:04 PM Michele I have the Gaslow system (2 bottles 6 kg and 13 kg) I always leave the 6 kg bottle turned off at the bottle until the 13 kg is empty. I then know how much I have left and fill up again (make sure both bottle taps are open) at the next opportunity. You develop a feeling after a while for how long they will last despite the sense of humour and optimism that is built into the gauges.. I've always CLOSED the gas bottles off when re-filling. Is this not necessary then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickt Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Always turn bottles off when filling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverback Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 yes turn bottles off when filling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Gaslow’s original bottle-filling instructions http://www.gaslow.co.uk/pdf/Filling-Instructions-2012.pdf say (on the final page) “IMPORTANT - Always turn OFF cylinder valves BEFORE filling”. The current instructions don’t seem to include this warning, but failing to turn off the valves means that, if a bottle’s 80% cut-off valve fails, liquid gas at full pump-pressure will be delivered to the motorhome’s regulator and - if that fails too - on to the motorhome’s gas appliances. It’s possible that John Allen’s Gaslow twin-bottle system has the cylinders linked in series and does not include a changeover device. In which case the output-valve of Cylinder One would need to be open when filling to allow gas to reach Cylinder Two. However, in order to protect the regulator the output-valve of Cylinder Two should be closed before filling commences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 Just to say thank you to everyone . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samnkeez Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 We have Gaslo fitted to our van and love it! Make sure you turn it off before travelling and definitely when re-filling. Technically it is no more dangerous than the traditional gas bottle. Don't be intimidated by the puff of gas you will inevitably get when disconnecting after filling up. Also be aware that differant countries have differant connections. You can buy various brass screw on adapters. I have only used them in France so far but they havbe worked well. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barryd999 Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 The Gaslow approved fitter who installed our Gaslow system said there is no need to turn the bottle off when filling or driving, its totally safe. His words not mine. I never turn it off. As for knowing when its empty, none of the gauges work but you just get to know. Summer usage ours is about 0.5 to 0.7 litres a day, autumn about 1 to 1.5 litres a day and winter 2-3 litres if not on hookup. I have a single 11kg bottle and in 7 years have never run out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Barryd999 - 2016-04-03 10:39 AM The Gaslow approved fitter who installed our Gaslow system said there is no need to turn the bottle off when filling or driving, its totally safe. His words not mine. I never turn it off. As for knowing when its empty, none of the gauges work but you just get to know.... Your fitter’s advice conflicts with Gaslow’s (refer to the link in my posting of 9 March 2016 9:17 AM). There’s a long MHFacts discussion on the subject here http://forums.motorhomefacts.com/145-lpg-gas/111530-should-valve-closed-when-filling-gaslow-bottles.html with ‘professional’ comments on Page 5 that may be of interest. As far as turning off a user-refillable BOTTLE’S outlet-valve is concerned, it’s undeniably the case that doing so prior to refilling removes a potential risk. The risk involved may be small, but it’s there. It’s also an easy action to take. Driving with a ’traditional' Gaslow bottle turned on is no less risky than driving with an ordinary gas-bottle (eg. a Calor bottle) turned on. Turning off the bottle at its outlet reduces potential risks if the vehicle is involved in an accident or the gas system develops a leak during travel. Obviously having the gas supply turned off at source will prevent gas heating being used while travelling and ’smart’ fridges won’t be able to switch automatically to gas operation until the gas supply is turned back on. There are specialised regulators and gas-hoses that address the accident risk and/or leakage, but those measures cannot be as effective as disabling the gas system by turning off the bottle. Your Gaslow bottle will be the original type with hopeless contents-level gauge. As I said earlier, current Gaslow R67 bottles have an accurate gauge. R67 bottles also have an integrated excess flow valve preventing full flow of gas if the hose betwen the bottle and the regulator ruptures, but it’s still less risky to turn off an R67 bottle before travelling and prior to refilling. I don’t normally turn off my motorhome’s gas bottles before travelling, but I do turn them off before refilling them and before embarking on a ferry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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