Gas connection to fridge on flexible hose - is this OK?

[SamsBus2012]

Quick one I hope. For ease of future removal, is it acceptable to use a flexible pipe to make the final gas connection to a 3 way fridge?

[CovKid]

Don't see why not - as long as its secure, gas-tight, and can be inspected and replaced when it needs to be. My 3-way cool box uses a flexible hose and one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x8mm-Gas-Hos ... SwsB9V-nJP" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That way I can couple/uncouple cool box on jaunts rather than have to carry it permanently all year round. Actually, that was why I didn't opt for a fridge. Made no sense (for me) to carry extra weight when not camping which lets face it is same for all of us. Besides, cool box doubles up as buddy seat for dining and it gets used when I'm defrosting my home freezer. However, a similar connection to fridge would work equally well. Hose is relatively cheap so you could replace as often as required.

My cooker uses the same coupling, with the ability to add a longer hose I keep under back seat so I can use cooker or cool box outside when the weather suits. It may actually work in your favour as you could uncouple your fridge easily when needed to check or clean behind.

I've just recently plumbed in gas lines from scratch while I'm rebuilding my interior and they're nicely hidden away, including gas taps and quick-couplers. Really pleased with how it all works. Modular - works for any scenario.

[Titus A Duxass]

Mine's been on a flexi for a couple of years.

[itchyfeet]

Mine is on flexi too but I also have a gas alarm like this ( but not this exact one)

I sat in the van and opened a gas burner to test it and I was surprised how much gas is needed before it went off but I guess it was not enough to kill me
place close to floor lpg sinks.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-GAS-DETEC ... SwI-BWOLzb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jamesakers]

Hand-bendable copper tubing is really easy to fit and you won't need to replace it every few years like flexible hose.

Tubing: £3.39 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YORKSHIRE-TUB ... 1696003926

Compression coupler: £2.95 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compression-8 ... 1864305489

Mini pipe cutter: £1.90 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toolzone-Mini ... 120075557?

[CovKid]

No, thats true, but the downside is you'll probably need to change the olive if you do remove it and after time, you have to start cutting the pipe back to get a clean end - whereas you only need to change hose and retighten clips. Depends in the end, what works for whoever.

[jamesakers]

I was going to use flexible hose but because i'd kinked the pipe quite far back I was concerned the new hose may touch the flue which gets quite hot.

[SamsBus2012]

Thanks guys. flexi it is then and ' I like Ralf's quick release idea especially. Ive got enough hose left over from last year's refurb and most of the other compression fittings needed.

[CovKid]

The other great thing about quick-release is that with a DIY or modded interior, you can actually put the cooker away in a designated cupboard recess without having to undo hose clips, or even take it indoors if you've no need for it in colder months. It used to drive me nuts before, having to sometimes bunjee the stove in place if I had to drive anywhere.

You can also easily plug in things like a heater if it got really cold, or any other LPG appliance as required. As I'm finding, getting a new interior to work the way you want takes a hell of a lot of thought, but the primary aims are:

General 'beach theme'
Easy to keep clean
Lightweight (NO chipboard)
No space wasted
Everything has a place - and actually fits.
Easy to reduce down (ie remove stuff I don't need when not camping)

I've got the gas supply spot-on now as I bought a small agricultural gas tank that fits under back seat and I can fill at a forecourt (cheaper gas) from a filler outside. No need for sink either. After many years I discovered a washing up bowl is more practical and multi-purpose. In an emergency it can even be employed for things like containing a vomiting child. Its no fun having a child throw up in your saucepans!

Quick-release designs vary between manufacturers so at a fiver a pair, I bought four in case I need to add extra items in the future.

[SamsBus2012]

Too true, I blessed the day I got a portaloo in the buddy seat, my youngest is forever getting caught short! Thinking I'm going to add a quick release connection for a gas bbq like a CADAC or similar.

[irishkeet]

great ideas for my interior, if using an underslung tank what would be the best way to bring a gas feed into the interior of the van?

[CovKid]

Via a hole with a rubber grommet in it, and route accordingly. Each scenario will tend to dictate the most sensible route. You can get the 8mm pipe from B&Q for about £18 for ten metres - less in Wickes when they actually have it in stock.

After that you want good quality caravan taps. Mine is a five-way (see pic), not because I'll use five, but these are the best quality ones around and I got the taps at a good price via ebay. The unused ones are shut and tap handles removed but could be employed if I ever needed them. Better to have more taps than you need than waste your money by having too few.

Always leave a little extra bend at junctions somewhere just in case you ever have to cut back the pipe in the future to fit a new olive. Nothing worse than finding part of the pipework no longer reaches after you've cut it. By the way, from time to time ALDI sell small pipe benders designed for 6mm. 8mm and 10mm pipe - worth having one of those to avoid flattening the pipe on a tight curve. If you're not familiar with how to tighten up compression joints, there are plenty of youtube vids that will give you an idea so you don't overtighten. Basically do them up until you meet resistance then a further quarter turn.



As an aside, it was only when I re-plumbed it all that I discovered the pipe to Propex heater had a minor leak so glad I did it now. Mount the taps well out of view but so you can get to them easily enough. Tucked up under a cupboard is a good spot. If you ever get broken into, the last thing you want is some moron (or even an adventurous child) turning on all your taps for fun.

You also want a load of 8mm pipe clips to make sure everything is secure and the pipes don't rattle.

[irishkeet]

great help and advice CovKid - many thanks

Via a hole with a rubber grommet in it, and route accordingly. Each scenario will tend to dictate the most sensible route. You can get the 8mm pipe from B&Q for about £18 for ten metres - less in Wickes when they actually have it in stock.

After that you want good quality cara van taps. Mine is a five-way (see pic), not because I'll use five, but these are the best quality ones around and I got the taps at a good price via ebay. The unused ones are shut and tap handles removed but could be employed if I ever needed them. Better to have more taps than you need than waste your money by having too few.

Always leave a little extra bend at junctions somewhere just in case you ever have to cut back the pipe in the future to fit a new olive. Nothing worse than finding part of the pipework no longer reaches after you've cut it. By the way, from time to time ALDI sell small pipe benders designed for 6mm. 8mm and 10mm pipe - worth having one of those to avoid flattening the pipe on a tight curve. If you're not familiar with how to tighten up compression joints, there are plenty of youtube vids that will give you an idea so you don't overtighten. Basically do them up until you meet resistance then a further quarter turn.



As an aside, it was only when I re-plumbed it all that I discovered the pipe to Propex heater had a minor leak so glad I did it now. Mount the taps well out of view but so you can get to them easily enough. Tucked up under a cupboard is a good spot. If you ever get broken into, the last thing you want is some moron (or even an adventurous child) turning on all your taps for fun.

You also want a load of 8mm pipe clips to make sure everything is secure and the pipes don't rattle.

[CovKid]

No worries.

Also worth routing a pipe near to sliding door with a quick-connector on the end. You may not use it much but when the weather is warm, you can cook outside or even connect a small heater for under the awning if its chilly. Just make sure you use the goop they sell to seal compression joints. The trend these days is to use a silicone version so I just used a bit of high-temperature gasket stuff I had in a tube. Did the job nicely.

If you are fed up paying bottled gas prices, almost any small, compact four-hole LPG tank can be converted to accept gas at the forecourt. The only difference is the outlet valve and a filler hose needed. On an LPG tank the pick up is from the bottom of the tank (liquid). On a catering, Westy-type tank, the take off is from the top (gas). Tinleytech do the right valves and show the different diameters they're designed for. I went that route, picking up a tank for £26 and only needed to buy an external filler and hose to connect to tank. Its less than half price gas now.

I haven't done a "How To" for obvious reasons but any competent bod could convert one. I use my Propex a lot during the winter, even when driving, and I used to spend about £60 a year on gas refills. Now it costs about £14. Propex can be fired up from indoors when its below zero outside as I wired in a remote. Nice to get out there and it be not only toasty but all windows defrosted while everyone else is still scraping theirs.

[irishkeet]

many thanks, yep aware of the refillable bottles etc. I have an underslung westy tank but Im looking for something much smaller to tuck away under the syncro, will run the cooker and the propex. If I cant find a small underslung I may go for a bottle, been looking at the company which has a good rep - http://www.gaslowdirect.com

Currently the smallest tank I can find is a 200mm diameter from here - http://tinleytech.co.uk/shop/motorhome- ... and-box-2/ Would prefer a small diameter if possible

Would be good to know more about the Propex remote control

No worries.

Also worth routing a pipe near to sliding door with a quick-connector on the end. You may not use it much but when the weather is warm, you can cook outside or even connect a small heater for under the awning if its chilly. Just make sure you use the goop they sell to seal compression joints. The trend these days is to use a silicone version so I just used a bit of high-temperature gasket stuff I had in a tube. Did the job nicely.

If you are fed up paying bottled gas prices, almost any small, compact four-hole LPG tank can be converted to accept gas at the forecourt. The only difference is the outlet valve and a filler hose needed. On an LPG tank the pick up is from the bottom of the tank (liquid). On a catering, Westy-type tank, the take off is from the top (gas). Tinleytech do the right valves and show the different diameters they're designed for. I went that route, picking up a tank for £26 and only needed to buy an external filler and hose to connect to tank. Its less than half price gas now.

I haven't done a "How To" for obvious reasons but any competent bod could convert one. I use my Propex a lot during the winter, even when driving, and I used to spend about £60 a year on gas refills. Now it costs about £14. Propex can be fired up from indoors when its below zero outside as I wired in a remote. Nice to get out there and it be not only toasty but all windows defrosted while everyone else is still scraping theirs.