Gas bottles

Spare wheels are not checked in an MOT since they are not a legal requirement.

If the outer casing side joints have separated the cylinder is in a dangerous condition as the casing provides part of the structural integrity.  

Safefill makes sense for us.  We don't use a lot of gas, but I still reckon we'll break even in 10 years.  The most important thing for us is the saving of weight compared with a steel bottle.

David

One issue for those buying either vans with a fixed tank or portable refillable bottle, is the life period of that tank/bottle, some suggest tanks need to be replaced after ten years, some sooner. I’ve seen quotes ranging between £600 and £800 to do this.
A similar situation, but not as expensive maybe, would apply to portable refillable bottles. I guess this expense needs to be factored into the cost effectiveness of purchasing such systems.

I'm guessing the suggestion is based upon the fact that the tank is a pressure vessel. Good practice would be to have the vessel tested, which I believe is the case when "normal" gas bottles go back for filling. 

Colin

I don't know much about the 'installed tanks', to be honest.  I am a bit neurotic about gas though.... I'm one of these folk who switch off the gas at the cylinder as soon as we've finished cooking the meal, and I always disconnect the pipe from the bottle when we travel.  It's a pity they haven't yet found a solution to the bottles having to be disguarded after 10 years.  I wonder how long the metal bottles last before they are sent for scrap?

David

I'm one of these folk who switch off the gas at the cylinder as soon as we've finished cooking the meal, and I always disconnect the pipe from the bottle when we travel. 

I'm with you on that one David. Mind you OH has a great sense of smell and smelt gas once and since then I changed to turning things off.

Me too, not very much of a problem even when it is raining. However I don't disconnect when travelling as I believe in touching the locking nut as little as possible.

Turning off the gas bottle at night is something we used to do in the 70/80s as that is what my dad used to do. Nowadays we rarely do this.

However what I ensure is that I never turn on the gas until I am certain the Alde is operating on electricity. We all learn by our mistakes and I found out that the Alde really devours gas!

Posted on 06/12/2023 19:39 by Wherenext.

I'm one of these folk who switch off the gas at the cylinder as soon as we've finished cooking the meal, and I always disconnect the pipe from the bottle when we travel. 

Each time you break the seal you increase the risk that it will not reseal safely when it's reconnected. 

If it's a rubber or fibre seal it should be replaced each time it's released or if it's a metal to metal seal it needs to be kept scrupulously clean as even the smallest bit of contamination can cause a problem. 

As Nellie suggest it is best left alone.  If you are concerned about equipment leaking inside the van you should turn off the isolation (safety) valves which are designed and intended for that purpose.