Refilliable gas bottles and regulators

[mr_nunn]

Hi folks

I wondered if anyone has experience with refillable gas bottles. I am thinking of adding a Propex HS2000 heater and upgrading our old-skool blue butane gas bottle for a refillable cylinder, since our gas usage will go up with the heater. Plus I like the idea of being able to top up before a holiday rather than never knowing if the bottle's going to run out halfway through cooking dinner.

I am looking at the Gas-it or Gaslow refillable systems (which appear to be pretty much the same).

But I am a bit confused by the issue of pressures/regulators. My current butane bottle has a standard 29 mbar regulator. I know that for standard Calor propane bottles you generally use a 37 mbar regulator.

I don't know what you're meant to use for refillable LPG which might be a mix of propane and butane. They seem to sell 30 mbar regulators for more modern systems, but will this underpower everything if the gas is mostly Propane (which I read somewhere that it is in the UK) and therefore expecting 37 mbar?

The Propex installation documentation actually says:
"The heater is designed to operate on Propane gas 37mbar or Butane at 28
or 30mbar. The HS2000 may also be used on 30mbar Propane but the heat output will be reduced."

So would I lose 20% of the heat output, and would other things like the hob/fridge be adversely affected by running predominantly propane through at too-low pressure?

Any help navigating this minefield appreciated !

[lloydy]

i wouldn't worry to much about it, just get the 37mbr regulator.

[itchyfeet]

Auto gas is propane

[mr_nunn]

Ok thanks fellas will go for 37 propane regulator.

[CovKid]

Wise to go refillable. You soon get the money back. I've now got a medium sized 'vapour' tank under the back seat that I bought for £26 on ebay (full as well) that only needs a refill hose fitted. The description of the tank was vague, described as LPG tank (and why there were no real bids) but on scrutiny of the photo clearly had an ordinary tap valve for the outlet so purchased it on a hunch. Works perfectly and half price gas.

What prompted me to change was the lack of supply for calor-lite bottles. Was fed up driving around to find gas and paying a premium for it - on top of my fuel. Calor can whistle dixie now. The tap is such that I can still couple an ordinary bottle up if I had to, so its a win-win.

I think these type of tanks originate from big mowers, agricultural stuff. Does the job anyway.

[ghost123uk]

I use a SafeFill re-fillable bottle. It has paid for itself many times over.
One has to be a bit sneaky if refilling at Shell garages though as they think your not supposed to

[mr_nunn]

Good to hear the positive experiences. Ghost yes that's why i was leaning towards gasit/gaslow as you can install a fixed remote fill point on the outside of the van to avoid that issue of not being allowed to fill up a bottle directly.