cleddytanhouse Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Has anyone any advice on a suitable valve. I don't know how much gas I have in the bottle being used, but, with a changeover valve, I will know when one is empty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-B Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Hi, I've been using a automatic one from GasIt for some years now and have never had a problem. Sods law now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 As each gas bottle has it's own tap I found a changeover valve a bit pointless so for many years I used a 'T' piece to connect two gas cylinders to one inlet. Like the link below except mine had the two inlets inline across the top and the single leg had the nut that fitted onto the regulator but I couldn't locate one online! https://www.gasbottlesdirect.co.uk//lpg-pigtail-w20-tee-piece-connector-60820-p-118.html?osCsid=ea94on39uueadebb2umlasnps1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Chris, If you use a Gaslow (or similar) 'Manual Changeover Gauge' then you are in control of which cylinder you are running off by only opening the valve on the correct cylinder. Then when the cylinder runs out you close that valve and open the one on the full cylinder. The added advantage is that the 'T' section has non-return valves in both inputs so you can disconnect the empty cylinder whilst still running on the full cylinder, and you get a leak checker for free by turning off both cylinders and checking the gauge after say 5 minutes. http://www.gaslowdirect.com/epages/cyujrhdmmu67.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/cyujrhdmmu67/Products/01-1630/SubProducts/01-1630 Keith. PS Much like what Rich (Tracker) was suggesting but plus the gauge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Tracker - 2017-08-26 6:39 PM As each gas bottle has it's own tap I found a changeover valve a bit pointless so for many years I used a 'T' piece to connect two gas cylinders to one inlet. Like the link below except mine had the two inlets inline across the top and the single leg had the nut that fitted onto the regulator but I couldn't locate one online! https://www.gasbottlesdirect.co.uk//lpg-pigtail-w20-tee-piece-connector-60820-p-118.html?osCsid=ea94on39uueadebb2umlasnps1 Tend to agree with Tracker. I use a manual changeover valve BUT with pressure gauge. The pressure gauge has a two-fold purpose: 1) Shows the pressure of the contents in the gas bottle. After many refills in mainland Europe the pressure reduced significantly due to a mix of butane/propane. UK is 100% propane, or thereabouts. Purged the bottle and refilled in UK - normal pressure now restored. 2) Leak detection. Open bottle to pressurise system then close bottle valve. Check if there is a reduction in pressure, say over 10 minutes. I've found leaks in the hose connections between bottle and changeover valve, requiring the connections to be tightened. If you have internal isolation valves for hob, fridge and boiler you can carry-out similar individual tests to make sure there are no leaks between regulator and appliances. The manual changeover valve does mean you only have one bottle open at any one time. This does mean that when one bottle runs out, you have to visit the gas locker, probably in the pouring rain, and switch over to the full bottle. A small price to pay IMO for the other benefits. This is what I use: http://www.gaslowdirect.com/epages/cyujrhdmmu67.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/cyujrhdmmu67/Products/01-1630/SubProducts/01-1630 Edit: have just seen that Keith also has the same views, must type quicker !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleddytanhouse Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 When I posted my question, I omitted to say "automatic" changeover valve. I want this, as, when I use my awning, the side wall coincides with the gas locker door and it cannot be opened to manually change the cylinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 cleddytanhouse - 2017-08-26 8:57 PM When I posted my question, I omitted to say "automatic" changeover valve. Then you need this... http://www.gaslowdirect.com/epages/cyujrhdmmu67.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/cyujrhdmmu67/Products/01-1755 Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-B Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 As I've already said, The GasIt automatic valve is brilliant and only costs about £43 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 cleddytanhouse - 2017-08-26 8:57 PM When I posted my question, I omitted to say "automatic" changeover valve. I want this, as, when I use my awning, the side wall coincides with the gas locker door and it cannot be opened to manually change the cylinder. I believe you own a 2015 Auto-Trail Tracker RB. A couple of things worth bearing in mind when opting for an automatic gas change-over valve: 1: Your Tracker will probably have a bulkhead-mounted Truma/GOK 30mbar ‘safety’ regulator and, if this is mounted vertically, there will need to be space above the regulator to install the change-over valve. 2. If the regulator is the Truma/GOK ‘safety’ type, the high-pressure gas-hose between the regulator and gas-bottle is also likely to be the Truma ’safety’ variety with rupture protection involving a green ‘button’. In principle, the additional gas-hose you’ll be using to connect the 2nd gas-bottle to the change-over valve should also be the ‘safety' type. Various automatic change-over valves are available, with the most common (and cheapest) probably being the Cavagna-made product (mentioned by Pete-B) that is widely available (example here) https://www.autogasshop.co.uk/automatic-changeover-head-unit-1055-p.asp Truma offers the “Duocomfort” change-over valve that is designed to fit directly on to a Truma/GOK regulator, but it is a good deal more expensive than the Cavagna valve. https://www.caravanstuff4u.co.uk/truma/1259-truma-duocomfort-gas-changeover-valve.html If the space available above an existing regulator is insufficient to mount a change-over valve, an option would be to replace that regulator with a combined regulator/change-over valve. Truma offers the “Duo Control” product (in several formats) but again not cheaply. https://www.caravanparts.co.uk/regulators-supply-regulators-control-c-334_365_364.html The Cavagna-made equivalent is significantly less expensive (example here) http://tinyurl.com/y9qwcl47 Motorhome metal gas pipework will be 8mm or 10mm diameter, so if the combined regulator/change-over valve approach were chosen (and also when a replacement regulator is to be fitted) it must be possible to attach the regulator’s outlet to the gas pipework. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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