LPG/Gas-It for use in Europe

SiLo replied on 15/06/2022 15:41

Posted on 15/06/2022 15:41

Hello,

We're heading off to Europe in a short while for several months, mostly in Scandinavia. I'm think two thirds of the overnights will be off-grid with a third spent on campsites. With this in mind, would it make sense to replace the existing 6 Kg calor with two 6 kg Gas-it bottles which can then be filled from a petrol station? It seems LPG is far more likely to be available than calor. For the times we will be on a campsite we can use EHU.

Interested to hear any alternatives you may have.

The gas will be used to heat water and the van (it could get pretty cold in Norway!) and provide for cooking.

We had entertained the idea of fitting a diesel heater, but decided against drilling holes in the newly purchased van.

Thanks 

replied on 15/06/2022 16:42

Posted on 15/06/2022 16:42

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SteveL replied on 15/06/2022 17:18

Posted on 15/06/2022 17:18

Unless the Gas it bottles are a fixed installation, like our Gaslow, with a pump filler connection on the outside of the van, you could experience problems in being allowed to fill them. They will also empty fairly fast if you have one of the large fridge freezers. We have only stopped for 3 off grid Nights so far in 22 nights, only heated a bit of water and minimal cooking, as it’s been so hot and have used about 8 kg. Although there will also be a bit of use by the fridge while in supermarkets restocking.

replied on 15/06/2022 17:58

Posted on 15/06/2022 17:18 by SteveL

Unless the Gas it bottles are a fixed installation, like our Gaslow, with a pump filler connection on the outside of the van, you could experience problems in being allowed to fill them. They will also empty fairly fast if you have one of the large fridge freezers. We have only stopped for 3 off grid Nights so far in 22 nights, only heated a bit of water and minimal cooking, as it’s been so hot and have used about 8 kg. Although there will also be a bit of use by the fridge while in supermarkets restocking.

Posted on 15/06/2022 17:58

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SteveL replied on 15/06/2022 18:07

Posted on 15/06/2022 18:07

Those large Dometic fridge freezers, although very useful as we don’t need to shop as often, certainly do guzzle gas when not on EHU. I believe Another David amongst others has experienced the same. Not really a problem, as we don’t intend doing more than 5 / 6 off grid sites on our tour and of course we can refill if required.

SiLo replied on 15/06/2022 18:34

Posted on 15/06/2022 18:34

Hi All,

Really useful info - thank you! We do have a full-height fridge/freezer, so that might be a concern..frown

So, from what I can understand, we wouldn't be able to fix the filler for either gas flo or gas-it within the locker, it would have to mounted externally, on the exterior of the van. Is it a case they don't allow you to fill the cylinders otherwise?

I've also been told that the regulator used for calor, gas-it, gasflo are all different, so you wouldn't be able to have one calor and one gas-it, for example? I liked the idea of having one cylinder that you could exchange with one that you could refill, kind of covering all angles.

Cheers all

 

replied on 15/06/2022 20:19

Posted on 15/06/2022 18:34 by SiLo

Hi All,

Really useful info - thank you! We do have a full-height fridge/freezer, so that might be a concern..frown

So, from what I can understand, we wouldn't be able to fix the filler for either gas flo or gas-it within the locker, it would have to mounted externally, on the exterior of the van. Is it a case they don't allow you to fill the cylinders otherwise?

I've also been told that the regulator used for calor, gas-it, gasflo are all different, so you wouldn't be able to have one calor and one gas-it, for example? I liked the idea of having one cylinder that you could exchange with one that you could refill, kind of covering all angles.

Cheers all

 

Posted on 15/06/2022 20:19

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

SiLo replied on 16/06/2022 19:54

Posted on 15/06/2022 20:19 by

The best advice is to have the filler mounted externally, however, some do mount them inside the locker door.  I did on our first van and was only refused a fill once. 

If you want to use local cylinders, which is a better bet than being stuck with Calor you can use a Gaslow Local Gas Cylinder Connection Hose which should be used with an externally mounted filler.  

You almost certainly have a bulkhead mounted regulator.  If so it will deal with whatever cylinders are connected to it.  They all just supply LPG. 

I suggest you join Motorhome Fun where you will find a mass of info about gas systems and virtually everything about motorhoming including travelling in Europe.  

Posted on 16/06/2022 19:54

Thanks DDM, appreciate hearing your thoughts on this. I'll check out Motorhome Fun and find out more there.

 

cyberyacht replied on 18/06/2022 09:21

Posted on 18/06/2022 09:21

I bought a 7.5Kg Safefill shortly before my recent trip to France and started out with 10L of gas. It did 9 nights off-grid and 14 nights on EHU before it ran out and I switched bottles. I was surprised how long it lasted given the hard work demanded of our large fridge/freezer in the heat.

SiLo replied on 19/06/2022 20:38

Posted on 19/06/2022 20:38

That sounds encouraging - thanks. I need to look into the safefill option.

hitchglitch replied on 20/06/2022 15:02

Posted on 20/06/2022 15:02

Just about every service station on the French autoroutes has LPG (GPL) and I topped my fixed tank up OK using an adapter that I carry. I did notice however that it was forbidden to fill cylinders from these pumps.

If you are going mainly to Scandinavia it may be worth investigating what type of cylinders are popular there, buy a “tail for the bulkhead fitting before you leave the UK then buy a cylinder when you are out there.

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