Gas bottles

I have just ordered a Safefill 7.5kg bottle for our new van conversion based on recommendations on this forum. It is slightly wider than the Calor cylinder but according to Wildax it will still fit. We have an LPG supplier nearby but the main reason for ordering it was that it is light with a visible level and I wont need to change the whole cylinder when half full and off to France for 4 weeks.

A couple of observations. I didn’t realise that you were allowed to fill a bottle at a garage with an LPG pump - do you need an extension adapter or will the nozzle fit?  Concerning the sticking valve, Safefill recommend using a pigtail with an O ring seal to reduce wear on the valve. I also note that the first fill should be 10 litres maximum (14 litres after that). Anybody know why?

"I also note that the first fill should be 10 litres maximum (14 litres after that). Anybody know why?"

It's because the air that's in the cylinder from new has to be displaced. With regard to the extension adapter - I keep one in my car - just in case I come across a garage which has the guard around the gun and the extension is needed.  So far - never had to use it but for what they cost it's worth having one just in case.

I agree that the Alde can get through a lot of gas, but we find the opposite regarding operation.    Ours will only use gas if it has no electricity, or when starting to heat and the weather is very cold.  It prioritises using electricity,   and of course it  cannot use gas at all unless gas is selected on the control screen.

Spot on.  

Some places may allow you to do this others are not so keen on it and certainly abroad they do not allow it.

When we had our coach built MH we installed Gaslow bottles and an external filling point.

We now have a PVC but it has an underslung tank 26ltrs. Much better as no loss of space in van for bottles. 

Have a look on mylpg.eu for garages near your location that still retain an LPG pump. If filling on the Continent you will probably need different adapters to connect up.

Their listings of garages with LPG pumps normally state if refillable bottles are allowed

If your local Asda is unattended like ours is then I'd just go for it.

Also don't be alarmed when attaching the pump for the 1st time or from empty if you hear a sound like a massive fart! It's just getting rid of surplus air

Hitchglitch, you will definitely need adapters to use the LPG pumps abroad different ones for each country, although some countries are the same as others. 

Just checked, France, Italy, Poland, Slovenia have the same size.

Germany, Austria, Belgium same size.

Spain and Portugal are the same.

So 3 different sizes if you go to these countries. 

If it a Safefill, a Safefill filling extension may also be required 😉.

Safefill kit: Safefill Set

Thanks to all. I had an underslung tank on my previous motorhome so am familiar with filling LPG. Also have used pumps in France using the adapter which I still have. Various YouTube videos show bottles being filled at garages so will give it a try. The bottle arrived yesterday and it is impressively light and of course has great grab handles and transparent walls for viewing gas level. Remind me why clunky Calor bottles are so popular?

We have ordered a Wildax Europa van conversion for delivery in March. The purchase of the gas bottle was a necessity as Wildax have stopped fitting underslung LPG tanks. They also now fit a very low power consumption compressor fridge and larger solar panels. I expect gas use to be minimal as it will be for cooking only hence no need to go to the extra cost of, say, Gaslow with external filling point. Once a year top-up of the Safefill bottle will probably suffice and their are currently three LPG stockists in the area.