Sparky7 Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Interchange in February's MMM contained a rather worrying message by Norman Smith, to the effect that Dometic do not reccomend the use of Autogas for running their fridges. As I have just ordered a Gaslow refillable cylinder with my new camper, I find this rather alarming. Has anyone else had any problems using Autogas (or its foreign equivalents) with fridges, or has Norman Smith just been unlucky? Sparky7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Just ask yourself what gas the likes of Calor or Flogas use to re-charge their red bottles. Why would it be any different to the Propane at British pumps? Any muck in a gas system will easilly block up the very small jet in a dometic fridge but what comes out the top of a gas bottle is gas from the evaporated liquid Propane below. Even if a small amount of oil was in the liquid propane or the bottle initially I cannot see how this can turn to gas at even ambient pressure and get out. However Dometic fridges use bundy pipe as part of the gas pipework to the burner and these oxidise on their surface inside and outside and small bits of oxide can and do block up the jets after a few years. But its not difficult to remove the jet, carefully blow it clear and replace it. The easiest mistake is to remove the pipe from the burner, let the small pressed steel jet fall on the floor and loose it. Been there got the T shirt. Thankfully I found it before I trod on it. With Gaslow and modern gas systems there is some debate about the inner of the high pressure flexible pipe used releasing polymers or something. Proper fixed tank instalations don,t use any flexible pipe at all. http://www.motts.dsl.pipex.com/GASKIT.htm Good luck C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Hi Sparky, I have been using Gaslow/Autogas now for a few years, the fridge has been running on it continually for 8 months, and no problems with igniting or in use with autogas. We use aire's with no electricity so the fridge is only on electricity (12vdc) when travelling, all other times we use Autogas. If there is a problem, I think it might be restricted to those installations where the regulator is below the top of the gas in the cylinder, i.e. using tails with a bulkhead fitted regulator installed low down in the gas locker. If you install standard propane (£4.50 jobies) regulators onto the gaslow cylinders, instead of a bulkhead fitting if you have one fitted, you shouldn't have a problem, the gas appliances are usually designed to cope with pressures 28 to 35/37, but check your MH manual and the label on the gas appliances. I use standard rubber gas hose to connect the two regulator's, to a two in and one out brass gas tap so I can switch from one cylinder to the other without tools, the output hose from the tap goes straight into the motorhome 8mm copper gas pipe. All the hoses run upwards from the each cylinder regulator, any bitumous gel leeching from the rubber gas pipes should not get into the MH 8mm copper piping. Any bitumous gel leeched from the pipes will go back into the cheapo regulators, easily replaced, I always carry a spare regulator just in case. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usinmyknaus Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Hello Sparky7, I went through the same thought processes as you before I took delivery of my new van last year and had the refillable gas system installed by Dave Newell. Dometic provided a response from a technical specialist to my direct question about using Autogas in my van. It was: "I am advised that the problem using autogas, is that the flue central tube (chminey) will soot up in a short period of time. Autogas contains oily substances which give rise to combustion problems i.e. sooting when burning. This is the reason we do not recommned its use, although the performance of the fridge itself should not be affected. If autogas is used the burner and central tube will need to be cleaned regularly when in use." Note that they did not say the 'fridge's warranty would be void and I took comfort from that. On balance, having read posts on here similar to the learned comment in the posts which preced this one, I decided that for me, the benefits of the refillable cylinder greatly outweighed the risks as described by Dometic. I have since operated the fridge almost exclusively on autogas (I don't use hook-up) for 50 nights away over 6 months without any problem. I understand that a rouine safety inspection of the fridge is part of the annual habitation check at my dealer. A member of this forum kindly gave me detailed advice on how to clean the chimney and jets myself and I intend to do this immediately before I send the van in for the habitation check, so hopefully, it won't cost anymore, but if I make a mistake cleaning the chimney and burner (unlikely) it will show up on the safety check the day after. Hope this helps. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Just to add to all the common sence above, I serviced our fridge after 9 years of use mostly on Autogas (regular you see!) No soot, just lots of dust and a little rust which was the reason I had to service it. No oily substance anywhere that I could see. We have already spec,d an underslung bulk LPG tank for our next motorhome even though the order is not placed yet. I like the confidence a real fuel gague gives and a spare locker which can be used for something else. Go 4 it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 We have also been using Autogas LPG with Gaslows for the past three years mainly on Aires and CL's so the fridge has been used almost exclusively on gas with absolutely no ill effects. I can also say that there has been no change to the condition of the burner or flue at annual cleaning time either. Go ahead and get your Gaslows fitted with no worries and appreciate the benefits. Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joankitch Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 we have gaslow and are going abroad for the first time , do you need any special adaptor to refill in France , Spain or Portugal Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Yes you need two adaptors for refilling, possibly a third but I have not found the need, go to http://www.autogas.co.uk/accessories.htm and click the link to their shop you need the second down http://www.autogas.co.uk/index.php/shop/product/autogas+lpg+filler+gun+adapters_connectors/CuWhdaTCmiPTgC8L and third down http://www.autogas.co.uk/index.php/shop/product/autogas+lpg+filler+gun+adapters_connectors/dLkob3J7POZiIXca This is a very helpful company and has been consistantly the cheapest available in the market, remember their prices include vat and delivery to UK mainland. Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usinmyknaus Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Terry/Clive/Bas - I really appreciate the info you provided - it is very reassuring to know that you all have had no problems over a number of years. Thanks. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky7 Posted February 3, 2008 Author Share Posted February 3, 2008 Many thanks for all the good advice. How useful is this forum? Sparky7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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