I have a Berlin Westy that used to have the underslung as mentioned above. I was really keen to fix the old tank but I was surprised how my temporary 7kg calor tank sat comfortably under the sink at the back and didn't take up a lot of usable space. So I've decided to keep that solution.
Ok, took tank outside (in pouring rain) for another test. Seems that the regulator needs to have some sort of back pressure to start. Holding finger over outlet, turning on valve then releasing the outlet caused it to run properly. The main valve only leaks if not fully closed or fully open. Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk
You could get one of these from gas-it and put in spare wheel well if space really that much of a concern -I have a gas it tank but in my cupboard under sink with an external fill point. Each to their own but to use a tank that’s 50 years old and leaks and hangs off bottom of van is like having a bomb strapped to your vehicle.
My westy Berlin had a mint looking under slung tank when I bought it. I spent a few quid getting adapters for it and used it for a year but had a couple of leaks. Also I didn’t like the way you filled it up. A sort of guess to make sure it was never more than 80% full. The thought of having it leaking in to the awning stopped me sleeping at night so I binned it. Now I have a callor gas bottle under the sink. That cupboard is surprisingly big.
Sound advice here. Looks like I will stay as I am with onboard 907. I will gradually empty the tank over a few weekends and sell on. I did find a place that does sell new main valves though. Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk
I found this. Is this correct? https://autogasshop.co.uk/product/american-westfalia-tank-bottle-service-valve/ Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk
Cheers. I think I found that one when I was was doing my search (did I post in here???..maybe I didn't ). I then looked at all the parts needed to link this to a new valve and it started to add up cost wise. I also seem to remember stumbling at locating the joining piece. TBH, the tank and the threads in it look sound on mine, so somebody with gas knowledge could fix them, but that's as far as I got.
I used to use mine and I loved it until I missjudged a 2 post lift and the arm caught the valve and...snap! IMHO.... Pro Tank outside so safer (gas leaks outside, but see below). Tank outside does not take up space. They survived 45 years without damage, so something is right about the idea. Cheaper fuel at petrol stations. Can be refilled here and in Europe (Calor is not really common in Europe). Cons Tank outside...can be damaged by being hit. Filling at petrol station quite nerve wrecking (loud bang on filling). Can't go in Eurotunnel as no gauge. Smallish tank but can be refilled here and in Europe (Calor is not really common in Europe). I'm sure these other pros and cons, but you get my drift. Modern underslung tanks exist and have been fitted on Bays AFAIK, but to my eyes look too low., they are about 30% (?) bigger in diameter than old one, if I remember correctly. Edit :- a useful thread link attached below https://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/how-to-gasit-lpg-setup.75470/
I've only used gas for cooking myself and a bottle lasts me years. Horses for courses - Long travelling holidays, gas fridge, propex heater - they all bump up the gas use and desire for a better solution. 907 are a rip off, but if you're like me and hardly use any it doesn't really matter, I haven't even lit my cooker for 4 or more years.
I too have only used my gas bottle for cooking, since i fitted a cdh. I've never liked the weight factor, but it's the crazy refill prices that did it for me, now i just use two portable hobs that use the disposable tins, much less weight and hassle.
I was using the small calor gas bottles and that I knew would last over a week for cooking and the gas heater. Just perfect for fitting in a cupboard with space remaining and enough to bugger off into the middle of nowhere away from so called civilisation for a week at a time. Plus plenty of places to exchange it (petrol stations,garden centres,campsites etc Then calor discontinued it The next size up is too big for a cupboard really and it’s a heavy old lump when you don’t need that much gas. I looked into refillable bottles but it seems as time goes on less and less places have facilities to refill lpg especially when you get further away from population centres. That leaves the small camping gaz cylinders However they are very expensive to exchange and I’d have to carry at least two. So now I’m back to square one and I’m unsure on the best approach. A lot of the full time van life people have ditched gas completely They are using Chinese diesel heaters connected to bobble water heaters with an additional 12 volt input And they are cooking on small induction cookers. This is all because of the advancement in battery technology A roof full of solar panels,large lithium ion batteries and battery to battery chargers and more is possible whilst living nomadic than ever before. But that’s no good for me There’s not enough roof area on a bay for the size of solar panels needed. Even if it was enough space I’d never be able to lift the pop top with the weight Not much space for a large battery or bank of batteries And I can’t use an induction hob because of my pacemaker/Icd. I wish calor would bring back the smaller cylinders
@paradox, have you looked at Flogas, they do smaller bottles than Calor, you'd have to check availability but they do 4kg. https://www.flogas.co.uk/shop/category/all-cylinders/page/2
It’s the availability problem again Chris there’s not many places that do them. I think my approach is going to have to be two small camping gaz cylinders and try to stretch it out by using the Coleman unleaded stove and the petromax fire pit when outdoor cooking is possible. That still has its downfalls as butane isn’t much use in winter and camping gaz don’t do propane cylinders and a lot of the remote uk doesn’t play fair with the weather for outdoor cooking.
I am lucky with the Westy Berlin as the space at the back of the sink/cooker cupboard swallows a 7kg propane tank without any real loss of usable space.
Hope I’m not teaching granny to suck eggs but have you got a gas drop out vent in the cupboard Chris?
