Page 3 of 4

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 26 Oct 2013, 09:39
by ghost123uk
garyharbord wrote:Just a thought could, you run a propex by teeing off the underslung that runs the hob and fridge or is that liquid gas as well.

You could do that :ok

The fitting of such a tank is what Brian "Wychall" was referring to earlier on ^^^

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 26 Oct 2013, 09:48
by garyharbord
Thanks ghost123uk so I could just tee off from one of the inside pipes and there wouldn't be a pressure problem running propex hob and fridge at the same time.
Cheers
Gary

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 26 Oct 2013, 10:18
by ghost123uk
Should be fine, but keep within the safety guidelines for gas piping ;)

I think some on here might suggest you get the work certified for insurance purposes too.

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 26 Oct 2013, 14:41
by Wychall
The underslung tank for the hob is a vapour tank, which is the same as the Propex requires.

The tank is NOT anything special. It does however need a valve, which is a vapour valve rather than a liquid valve. Price not too bad, tank, mounting frame, vapour valve and regulator approx £190 from TinleyTech. Once fitted, it would supply all of your leisure requirements, ie Propex, hob, gas barbeque, patio heater and any other accessory you care to use. :ok

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 26 Oct 2013, 15:44
by ronsrecord
ghost - are you limited where you can refill the safefill bottle? I take it the Shell garages wouldn't allow it?

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 26 Oct 2013, 16:56
by ghost123uk
ronsrecord wrote:ghost - are you limited where you can refill the safefill bottle? I take it the Shell garages wouldn't allow it?

No, so far all the garages I have been to know that it is legal and safe to fill these type of bottles. You mention Shell, I have filled it at two Shell garages with no problem. I even asked at one (Welshpool) as they had a sign saying no re-filling of gas bottles, but the guy understood about safefill bottles.

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 26 Oct 2013, 18:21
by gypo
garyharbord wrote:Just a thought could, you run a propex by teeing off the underslung that runs the hob and fridge or is that liquid gas as well.
Cheers
Gary
Would this be the same as teeing off the lpg tank? if so would it work or are we back to the need of a special tank?
Cheers
G

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 26 Oct 2013, 18:42
by Wychall
gypo wrote: Would this be the same as teeing off the lpg tank? if so would it work or are we back to the need of a special tank?
Cheers
G

The valve that connects the supply line from your road tank supplies liquid LPG. No good for a Propex. The valve that connects the supply line from an underslung, or leisure tank supplies LPG vapour. No good for your engine but ideal for your Propex.
The only tee'ing allowed between your road tank and any leisure appliance is to tee the fill line so that a leisure tank can be filled at the same time as your road tank. The second tank is obligatory.
Or stick with a bottle. :idea

Re: Propex 1600 compact and now running costs

Posted: 01 Jan 2015, 11:39
by ghost123uk
Holy thread resurrection :shock:

I was just replying to a different thread on a similar subject, but thought this best here.

I use my Propex a lot more than most folk do. I warm up / de-mist the van on winter mornings for an hour most working days. I use it to keep the van warm when I am having a quick shandy after work etc etc. Using conventional cylinders the fuel cost would be an issue, so I use a legally refillable red "SafeFill" bottle so my gas costs are MUCH lower than swapping cylinders. I have owned it for 2 or 3 years now and so the initial outlay is well paid for.

I just worked out that my Propex running costs are about 4p per hour (at ~50% duty cycle) with the 15L SafeFill bottle compared to about 25p per hour if using a 4.5Kg conventional cylinder :shock:


N.B. = assuming my maths are roughly correct ! (113g per hour at 65ppl for LPG versa £21 for 4.5 Kg Calor type cylinder and at 50% duty cycle by the way)

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 01 Jan 2015, 12:08
by CovKid
Seen these?

http://www.tinleytech.co.uk/acatalog/Va ... -Kits.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 01 Jan 2015, 12:13
by ghost123uk
CovKid wrote:Seen these? http://www.tinleytech.co.uk/acatalog/Va ... -Kits.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No, they look like good value. I still would prefer mine though as it's much lighter with it's plastic construction and has a see through bit so I always know how much is left in it. Nowt worse that running out on the first night of a weekend away !!

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 01 Jan 2015, 12:20
by CovKid
They are good value but the fitting kit seems a tadge pricey. I suppose you could source those parts yourself.

They do have level guages though.

Re: Propex 1600 compact and now running costs

Posted: 01 Jan 2015, 12:35
by ghost123uk
Missed the level gauge bit :oops:

Mine just sits in a wooden frame I made inside the cupboard to the right of the fridge where the original Calor cylinder was, no fitting kit as such (so a saving on cost). It is an easy(ish) job to take it out for re-filling.

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 01 Jan 2015, 14:59
by CovKid
Another (possibly) cheaper way is to buy a small single-hole lpg tank and buy Tinleytech's vapour conversion kit (£58 plus VAT)

Re: Propex 1600 compact

Posted: 01 Jan 2015, 15:07
by ghost123uk
Not that I personally wish to do it, but would that Tinleytech's vapour conversion kit ^^^ plumb into the outlet from a road LPG tank ?

The reason I wouldn't do it is because "one" often runs out of road LPG and then "one" would have no cooking, fridge or heating, just curious.