@pkrboo @Bertie the Bus Mobile gas man came. He took a look and said he wasn't that comfortable interfering with an old LPG tank. He said if he did, he'd want to test it and probably replace parts (pipework, regulator, etc) and the cost would go up! I did sort of expect this once they saw the old tank. He did, however, suggest plumbing it into a Butane bottle which could sit next to it. This would reduce the pipework, and as long as it was secured down, he'd be happy to certificate it. Unfortunately, there's not enough room for a 4.5kg Calorgas bottle (bottle is too tall), only a Campingaz 907 bottle. Will a 907 last a reasonable amount of time? Luckily, he didn't charge me a call out fee. Also, he's connected the copper elbow to the Propex and put a short length of copper pipe onto it. So if I was feeling really cheeky, I could now do it myself! I don't think I have the heart though!
did he price it up for you. I think if this is the rout you intended to go down then for peace of mind and future-proofing I would go for it.(cost of course is a factor)
He had told me I was looking at about £150+ for hooking up to LPG tank. That's before he told me he would want to replace parts on LPG tank! OR ideally, not even do it! I did think this was a bit steep, as @pkrboo said, but I kinda have no other option I think I might just try and plumb it in myself, as it's only an 0range rubber hose to a bottle.
Is this the hose I need? http://www.towsure.com/high-pressure-gas-hose-per-metre It says up to 17.5 bar, whereas I thought the Propex/Butane was 28! Or is the mbar?
Im not sure what you are actually doing tbh but that's the stuff from the regulator on the bottle to the fixed system. Im avoiding adding to my already heath Robinson gas system and am intending simply to fit a Y piece into the flexible hose, a foot mounted quarter turn valve fed via a Fulham nozzle (gas barb), 8mm copper thereafter to a bulkhead fitting through the floor and then more solid copper to the heater. I think that if all you are doing is connecting your heater direct to the refillable bottle regulator then what's the copper for? Would have seemed easier to fit a Fulham nozzle onto the heater and just feed it directly in flexible?
You're right. Not sure what purpose the copper pipe serves. In fact, it's probably not as safe as it's not tapered and grooved. I think I will get a Fulham nozzle, metre of orange high pressure hose, two hose clips, a Campingaz 907 bottle and regulator. I feel comfortable fitting all that myself.
That'll do you Andy, but as Dicky suggests why not lay out on the forum exactly what you are intending to plumb in to what & where it's all located. It is straight forward & you can do it but as it's gas it's better to be safe rather than sorry...or dead! If you like we could have a go at blowing up your van at TE
OK, so..... Propex is under the bed. Power comes from leisure battery. Thermostat is above side cushion by sliding door. The Butane canister (Campingaz 907) will sit next to the Propex and be secured by a square wooden base, and a large strap to secure it upright. Out of the Propex will be a Fulham nozzle, into an orange gas hose, into the regulator, into the 907. The gas man said that he's happy to check its safety once fitted so I might do that if I feel nervous post-fitting!
Ok that's your shout but if the gas man was unwilling to plumb the propex in to the underslung you should really question the sense in running anything off it! At the very least, have you replaced the hoses on the underslung? They are good for about 5 years (to be really safe & anal) as gas rots them from the inside & cracks may not be obvious. There is a skin fitting in the base of the spare wheel cabinet that the hose to the hob is attached to. Replace this hose if you do nothing else as it's the one in the habitation area. Sorry if that's complicated things for you but it would be awful if you had an accident. I would suggest, if you really want to keep it, that you refurb the underslung with new hoses & o-rings on the tap & outage valve minimum & then run both appliances from the one source. A 907 is OK but it'll cost you in the long term coz refills are not cheap. We can easily rip through a 907's worth of gas on a cold weekend (Mrs BM is a bit nesh though). If you don't feel the need to do the above, get some gas detector spray & liberally dose all the joints/valves etc. Gas specific PTFE tape is available for all threaded joints.
OK....just to throw a spanner in the works....Officially, butane/propane/camping Gaz bottles carried inside motorhomes should be installed in a gas tight locker with a drop out vent sized accordingly...a bona fide gas installer could not 'certify' the set up you suggest....he'll simply be checking for leaks/obvious safety issues. Note that the Propex has a spark ignition...make sure at the very least you have a drop out vent I can see the rationale behind a sealed locker and drop out vent, but in a VW, short on space, a sealed locker is pretty impractical...I think a DO vent and a good quality gas detector/alarm is a much better bet
yeah, good shout. I managed to get the locker on Chip in behind the drivers seat, right in the corner but unless someone is doing a complete re-design/re-fit it is hard. The old Continentals had their gas 'locker' in the bottom of the tall cooker/wardrobe unit & there was enough room for 2 x 907's in there. There was still a bloody great hole cut out of the floor though!
Any idea on the size of a drop out vent for a 907 canister? I have a (probably) 10mm hole in the floor where the diesel pipe used to come through.
I very nearly succeeded on mine...installed a squat Camping Gaz bottle under the rear seat, with upright partitions either side, from floor, to the underside of the seat...was going to fit a 'lid' with a seal, then realised I'd be 20 mm short on clearance with the regulator fitted...could use a thinner lid, or jack the seat up.....but then thought...feck it!
there's a formula on the web somewhere, but 40mm diameter would be more than adequate.... for the drop out vent underneath my fridge, I used the flexihose from a plastic petrol canister....the size and shape meant that the hole in the van floor could be smaller than the hole in the ply flooring, and the flexi 'tail' can be angled to prevent water ingress
like this....it may or may not suit your purpose, as the whole idea behind a drop out vent is that it's the lowest point below the gas source
