Bigger gas supply for winter camping

Post by **Nickblue** » 17 Sep 2007, 17:42

Being retired, we like to use the camper all year round, sometimes for two or three weeks at a time. Now I can just imagine some of you saying, lucky xxxx! But it does have it's drawbacks. The main one being that you have to be old.
We have found that with our Autohomes Kameo, the Campingaz 907 butane bottle is OK for a few days in the summer, but during the winter, when you need to use the heating system as well as the fridge and cooker, it only lasts a couple of days, and at £16 a time it is just too expensive.
So I have spent a few hours today changing it over to a 13 kg propane system. Propane operates far better at colder temperatures.
The calor 13 kg bottle is huge in comparison to the tiny 907 bottle so a biggish locker is required. The cupboard to the left of the fridge proved to be just the right size.
I removed the shelf, and tried the bottle for size. Perfect. I cut a piece of 4x2 softwood to length and shaped it to accept the curviture of the bottle. On the back I cut a shallow slot to accept a nylon webbing belt. I stained the wood a darker colour to blend in with the cupboard wall and then drilled and bolted it to the wall.
I removed the old rubber hose and butane regulator and replaced them with a new hose and propane regulator and re-routed them into the larger cupboard.
I re-used the old shelf in an upright position and clipped it into position so that it can be easily removed when the bottle needs replacing. We had an old vegetable rack in the garage and I used a piece of this to make a rack and fitted it to the upright. So we haven't lost too much storage space, and we do have the space where the smaller bottle and a spare was housed. Part of that space will house a second much smaller propane bottle as a back up that will give us a few days supply while we get the 13kg one replaced.
So we now have the reassurance of a much longer supply of gas and the satisfaction of knowing that at £16 we get five times as much gas for the same cost.
Now that I have found that everything works I will drill a vent hole in the floor.

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Post by **DiscoDave** » 17 Sep 2007, 17:57

good call! i bought one of these about two years ago

[img:400:265]http://i8.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/b6/1a/3d09_1.JPG[/img]

cost about £5 to fill and with the heating, fridge, oven, and hobs it last a full week! it can be filled at any autogas station very easily!

Post by **sherlock** » 17 Sep 2007, 17:59

Very neat job done there. Great idea

Post by **busbuddy** » 17 Sep 2007, 18:01

we use ours all year round but only use a 6kg propane bottle, in the past 3 weeks we have spent 15 days and nights away in it.
Not cold enough to use the heater all the while I will admit but mine runs the hot water for the shower/sinks as well as the fridge/cooker.

I think a 13kg will run for a very long time in yours

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 17 Sep 2007, 18:31

Nickblue wrote:

I've been looking all over for the belt off my trousers this weekend!

Seriously though, that looks like a good job well done. Given me some food for thought.

Tony

Post by **High Peaker** » 17 Sep 2007, 19:31

What are the drawbacks of propane compared to butane? I know that it evaporates (therefore burns) more readily at lower temperatures, but if it is all good we would all have it! I'm struggling to remember my O level chemistry.
I like the idea of a bigger bottle, as 907's seem to attract a huge cost premium. I have seen a bulbous looking bottle which appears somewhere between the 907 and the 13kg - is that the 6kg that you mention Budbuddy? How much are they to buy / refill?
If you convert to propane from butane, how much of the system neeeds replacing?
Presumably the regulator, but do gas cocks, hoses and even stove burners need switching?
A few questions there for a resident gas expert!

Post by **ringo** » 17 Sep 2007, 19:45

It looks a neat job.

I have a feeling (not that anyone will ever know but you may want to do it for your own safety) that gas bottles that are housed inside the van need to be in a metal encased cupboard (sealed at least) with a vent in the bottom (which you have taken care of) and a sealed door.

I imagine a bit of silicon in the corners of each joint and some of that foam stuff around the door will be suffice.

Anyhow, im envious - the cupboard in my van isn't wide enough - so im going to have to stick with paying £18 a bottle for the 907.

I love the idea of refilling the gas at an autogas station - but alas, the van is to low to stick a tank underneath...

Have a great warm winter!

Ringo

Post by **busbuddy** » 17 Sep 2007, 20:26

High Peaker wrote: I like the idea of a bigger bottle, as 907's seem to attract a huge cost premium. I have seen a bulbous looking bottle which appears somewhere between the 907 and the 13kg - is that the 6kg

I would think thats the 3.9kg one, the 6kg is about the same diameter but taller, no idea how much they are to buy or replace coz get mine cheap from local marina

most items will run on both propane and butane, just need to change regulator

Post by **Nickblue** » 17 Sep 2007, 21:11

Thanks about the advice regarding lining the locker Ringo. I have some sheet alluminium in the garage. I'm also thinking that I may use butane instead of propane, as I now understand propane which is under a much higher pressure should only be stored in outside lockers? Any knowledge on that anyone

It would be no big deal to swap over, as the bottle in the pictures is from my outside barbie. I would just need to change the regulator. Butane, I am told, ceases to function well at below 5c degrees, so I could always snuggle it up in a blanket

Post by **Other-Power** » 17 Sep 2007, 22:04

The vent and sealing of the cuboard would do the trick no need to line it with ali or metal. Gas only burns at the point it vents, its the liquid fuel in the metal tank that is dangerous. Looks a good job that said and i ca see the advantage over and external tank like the westys.

Good luck and yes lucky ba**ed

Post by **Shootz** » 18 Sep 2007, 19:48

The only problem with butane is that it freezes when the temp gets below 0.
I normally swap over to propane(red bottle) for the winter as this gas does not freeze.
Lee.

Post by **jonno** » 19 Sep 2007, 06:48

DiscoDave- How much are those gaslow refillable bottles and where are they available ?

Thanks
Jonno

Post by **ringo** » 19 Sep 2007, 08:37

Aye Dave - have you got any dimensions ?

Ringo

jonno wrote:DiscoDave- How much are those gaslow refillable bottles and where are they available ?

Thanks
Jonno

Post by **Dubstar** » 19 Sep 2007, 08:54

http://www.gaslow.co.uk/pages/home.htm
They also seem to adaptors for various foreign gas tanks too. I might try them when the one in My Westy runs out.

Post by **High Peaker** » 19 Sep 2007, 09:16

So why don't we all use propane all of the time?

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