Gaslow Or Gasit Refillable Kits

Keep thinking about fitting a Gaslow kit but not convinced....

Having thought about it a while back I wrote it off as I felt I'd be a long time getting back the instal cost, but I like the convenience of not swapping bottles and not having the worry of running out of gas while touring.

Our Broadway usually travels with 2x Calor lite bottles, does anyone know if a 11kg Gaslow bottle would fit the Broadway gas locker? If so this could well make it a more attractive upgrade.

Hi Cruising Comet

This will tell you.

"How big & heavy are the cylinders? Gaslow cylinder sizes are 492h x 246dia for the 6Kg and 580h x 304dia for the 11Kg size. The capacities are 11.5L & 21L at 80% fill. Net weights vary, newer Gaslow bottles are individually marked on the skirt while older Gaslow and other brands may be marked on the collar. As a guide the two Gaslow refillables are 7-8Kg and 12-15Kg net. This is broadly similar to 'Calor' style bottles. The gas-out fitting is a screw fitting the same as the German type and our own small butane cylinders, this accepts the new style standard hoses. To assist with problem cupboards the latest Gaslow cylinders have a collarless design - a great improvement wherever there is a sloping cupboard roof. The minimum height necessary to use a No1 cylinder is just under 550mm but you need 580mm for a No2/twin system."

(My emphasis)

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Dave

Thanks for the info Gromit... When I get a moment I'll measure the gas locker. To check... Was just hoping a Broadway owner here on the forum might have made the upgrade and could just give me their experience.

Hi Comet

Since posting earlier I've heard that Gaslow are now producing a slightly smaller bottle, presumably with small gas lockers in mind. Can't immediately find any details, but I'm sure I heard it somewhere. (Senility again).

Alternatively you could check out the Alugas system from Chris Wise at Autogas2000. He's a great bloke and does a cracking job if you need professional installation, and the Alugas bottles are much lighter than Gaslow, and a bit smaller I think. The dash mounted gauges he fits are absolutely spot on as well, so you always know just how much gas you have left.

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Just a thought. Are you thinking of one refillable plus an existing Calor as a spare? If so, why would you want to carry a spare when it's so easy and convenient to top up? Some of the Autosleepers have only a 20 litre tank (approximately the same as an 11kg Calor) but that's plenty unless you do a lot of winter camping off hook-up.

Dave


Edit - Found it. Same diameter but 20mm shorter. Could be crucial.

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CC if you havnt done anything yet have a look at GasIts web site am off out now but will email you later

May I suggest looking at Autogas 2000 kits? Aluminium, very lightweight cylinders, with gauages and filling kits, much cheaper than Gaslow systems too!

Cheers, Barry.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions... 

Had a look at the Gasit bottles at the Newark show but my hopes of fitting the 11kg bottle were dashed when I discovered after measuring the Broadway's gas locker there's not enough room! The locker is designed for 3x 6kg bottles but currently i have 2x Calor Lite's fitted and the left over space is used for storage which is very handy.

it looks like I may have to consider 2x 6kg refillable bottles which annoyingly adds over a £100 to the cost compared to the larger 11kg bottle, and I would have much preferred just the one larger bottle.

Will consider the Alugas option as I've seen these at the shows too... If I have the remote fill system with the external filler built into the locker door then do I just connect to the bottle with the hose from the regulator I currently use to connect the Calor bottles?

I may just get 1 6kg bottle kit with a view to linking this to a second 6kg bottle at a later date, as I have a full Calor lite bottle still unused, am I right in thinking when this is empty I can just change it straight over for the refillable bottle just as if it were a Calor (hope this makes sense)

How available is LPG in Europe (or UK for that matter) and how likely are you to encounter problems filling?

Morning

You said, :--

I would have much preferred just the one larger bottle.

Me too. Try to find an 11kg (or near alternative) which will go in the locker.

Will consider the Alugas option as I've seen these at the shows too... If I have the remote fill system with the external filler built into the locker door

Unadvisable. I can't see a realistic problem if it's done properly, but the theory is that frequent opening of the door could stress the hose. Not worth risking with insurance companies being so stroppy on occasions. Easier anyway to fit the filler in the skirt.

 . . . then do I just connect to the bottle with the hose from the regulator I currently use to connect the Calor bottles?

No. It's not as simple as that. These fiting instructions make it look very complicated, which it isn't! BUT you do need dedicated hoses and fittings - which can be bought as a complete kit. That's the easiest way to do it - you know you have all the right kit then. (N.B. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN the fittings as they are brass. Leaks are reported very occasionally, and these are almost aways caused by over tightening fittings.)
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[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] down until you find the relevant sections.)

I may just get 1 6kg bottle kit with a view to linking this to a second 6kg bottle at a later date, as I have a full Calor lite bottle still unused, am I right in thinking when this is empty I can just change it straight over for the refillable bottle just as if it were a Calor (hope this makes sense)

Yes and no. Gaslow bottles come as No.1 and No.2. You need a No.1 for a single bottle system as it has both filling and take-off hose fittings. The No.2 bottle has no take-off, but links to the No.1 with another dedicated hose so the two can act as one. BUT - as I said before, if you can get an 11kg bottle in the hole, why would you want a second one in reserve?


How available is LPG in Europe (or UK for that matter) and how likely are you to encounter problems filling?

Very unlikely. There's no shortage of filling stations, and you don't have to wait until the bottle is empty to top up. If you have a remote gauge fitted on the dash it's even easier to keep a check on how much gas is left.

In spite of some scare stories, filling via an external filler is very unlikely to cause problems abroad, and if it does you just go to the next station. In the UK, Calor can be stroppy, but there are plenty of garages which supply LPG powered cars, so no problem finding one. 


[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] If you click on "LPG Stations" at the right on this website, you will be quickly reassured. 1676 stations in GB and 1728 in France. You can download the POI sets and install them on Maps.Me or CoPilot, or any other satnav. (I've never bothered. If we are getting a bit low I just keep my eyes open for the "Autogas" sign.)




Hope this helps




Dave



P.S. I am not "gas qualified" but to the best of my knowledge the above information is correct. If in any doubt of your own competence, I would advise getting it professionally installed.

Thanks Gromit... Blimey lots to think about there  and there's me thinking it was quite straight forward!

Can see your point about fitting the filler into the skirt rather than the locker door, was going to fit a stainless steel braided hose to counteract the frequent open and shutting of the locker, having said this though I like the idea of the filler fitted in the skirt but seems like more work involved this way as you need to then cut through the metal surround of the gas locker rather than the easy option of cutting through the locker door.

Made up my mind to definately go with a 'Gasit' kit and unfortunately as I've said earlier their 11kg bottle is to fat to fit in the gas locker, so leaves little choice but to fit the 6kg size bottle. When traveling to Europe , go for a month at a time so would be happier with 2x bottles on board even though I realise they will be refillable don't want to have to constantly think about topping up inbetween stop offs.

Hoping to catch Gasit at the P'boro show if they are attending (does anyone know if they are on the stand list?) also, think I'll enquire about the fitting of it even though I'd like to have a go myself, my dilemma is currently having a full Calor lite which I was hoping to use up before switching over to the Gasit system, then in the foreseeable future then get a second bottle fitted as a pair.

On the subject of Calor does anyone know if you return empty Calorlite bottles can you claim back the bottle deposit (guessing not?) if not then I'll just sell them on to try get back some of the deposit prepaid.

Thanks for the advice Dave  thought a few others with similar kits might have joined in, also had some help from Roli (thanks Roger) so will work it all out one way or another.

CC

The amount of rebate you get from returning  cylinder to Calor depends on how long you have had the cylinder.
You will get more by flogging it !!!

Cruising Comet wrote: seems like more work involved this way as you need to then cut through the metal surround of the gas locker rather than the easy option of cutting through the locker door.

Why not go through the perforated gas dropout on the locker floor. Easy enough to cut a hole in one corner and fit some sort of Grommet. (Note spelling!   ) to protect the hose against possible chafing. That's what I did when I installed an exterior filler point. (I had the installation itself done professionally, but they put the filler inside the locker on a bracket, which was inconvenient and MIGHT have caused problems with "jobsworth" filling station attendants.)

Two 6kg bottles will be ample, but just to get an idea of how often you need to top up with only one, how long does an 11kg Calorlite bottle last you? Halve that and you have an idea how long a 6kg bottle would last.

Unless you use a lot more gas than we do, I reckon you would need to top up only once if you set out with a full bottle. Not much of a problem until you get a second bottle fitted.

Good luck. I think you will be well pleased with the system.

Dave

Just an update...

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Glad to say I went with Gasit only a single 6kg bottle for now & when we've used up the full Calor lite then I'll add a second Gasit bottle in its place.

Having enquired about Gaslow bottles at the Peterborough show the difference in price is staggering! Gaslow were more than double the cost of Gasit, further enquires reveal these bottles are identical and even manufactured in the same factory! 

I've managed to get hold of some Gaslow hoses for both the Gasit bottle & one that fits the Calor bottle to avoid any of the residue issues blocking the regulator, not cheap but with a 20 yr life it doesn't really cost any more in the long term.

Very neat job CC.
We tend to stay on sites mostly, rather than Aires, so I will be sticking to my 2 off 6Kg Calor Lite plus a Calor Gas for emergency back up but I shall remember this mod if circumstances change.

Very professional CC. You will be delighted, specially now you don't have to spill blood from your knuckles changing a cylinder in the driving rain at midnight!


This might be very useful to you (Posted on other threads, but worth repeating). It's a very useful site with the position of LPG filling stations all over Europe and beyond, plus lots of other related information. You can also download the data as POIs to install on the TomTom or Maps.Me on the mobile or tablet. (I wouldn't use the App myself as the mapping does not work offline.)
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One thing you will no longer need, but others might, is the emergency adapter. This screws directly onto many Continental bottles and converts them (effectively) to a Calor propane bottle, so you simply screw your pigtail into the adapter. Intermarche were (probably still are) selling their bottles for a nominal €1 plus the cost of the gas, so some folk may want to leave home with only one Calor bottle, then buy an Intermarche one for sole use in France. Then exchanging bottles is easy, and the nagging doubt about running out of gas is gone forever.
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Hope this is useful.

Dave

Gromit, What size is the Intermarche bottle please