 | Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > Propane bottle on the outside |
 
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| DaftOldGit Member Since: 20 Sep 2015 Location: London Posts: 50  
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I hadn't realised how involved it would be to fit a propane heater for use whilst driving as well as for the roof tent.
Apparently the gas bottle mustn't be inside the vehicle. I can either make a gas bottle cupboard that's accessible from outside only or just mount the bottle outside (either on the roof or on some kind of bracket on the back). No flexible tubing is allowed inside either, it all has to be copper pipe. I've been looking up what fittings i'll need. I found a bulkhead fitting http://www.grasshopperleisure.co.uk/gas-co...-489-p.asp that has 8mm compression fitting on the inside and flexible hose connection on the outside, so i guess i'd just have the rubber hose outside going straight to the regulator on the bottle. I have two questions though: Will the rubber tube be ok fully exposed to the elements whilst driving through Scandinavia in winter? What are the pros and cons of a regulator fitted on the bottle or a permenant regulator inside the motor? |
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11th Dec 2016 2:21pm |
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| DaftOldGit Member Since: 20 Sep 2015 Location: London Posts: 50
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That's a bit concerning. I'd been advised that Propane was good for -40c and that Butane freezes around +3c
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11th Dec 2016 3:21pm |
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| mick Member Since: 08 Feb 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 2109  
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Have a look here http://gasforges.co.uk/tools-supplies/gas-cylinder-cabinets or at other farrier supply companies and Van converters
I've never had problems with propane freezing and you need to inform your insurance  |
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11th Dec 2016 4:44pm |
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| ARC99 Member Since: 19 Feb 2013 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1831 
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I have only used Propane in this Country for caravanning and have been out in all weathers during the winter and believed what I was told which is the same as you "propane is good till -40c " I have had bottles stop gassing off at -10c and on more than one occasion -5c.. I and some of my caravanning friends built collapsible insulated boxes to put our gas bottles in taking care to allow venting at the bottom. I have seen on the interweb insulated wraps for gas bottles.
Its not the propane freezing its the gassing off that stops. Don't make old people mad. We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to  us off.
Richard |
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11th Dec 2016 4:48pm |
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| mick Member Since: 08 Feb 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 2109
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Best thing is to wrap it up well in an old sleeping bag and insulate the pipes well , I've been to -15 with the tint tent with no issues but then the jet boil is crap in low - numbers so maybe it's something to do with the pressure it's coming out
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11th Dec 2016 4:56pm |
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| ickle Member Since: 22 Jul 2010 Location: South Vendee Posts: 1728  
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Not sure on the science of insulating a bottle - if it has to absorb energy in able to turn from liquid to gas, how can it do this if its outside and insulated? Unless you were to insulate 3 sides and allow warmth from the car on the 4th?
Just a thought! |
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11th Dec 2016 6:51pm |
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| JWL Member Since: 26 Oct 2011 Location: Hereford Posts: 3443 
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I'm sorry if I've got this wrong but when did having a gas bottle inside the vehicle become a no-no? Yes it's preferable that it should be in a seperate box/compartment much like caravans have a front locker box, motorhomes have a seperate locker within the fabric of the vehicle, there's plenty of vehicle applications that have gas powered appliances fitted. As long as the bottle is secure and any gas leak can be contained from entering the rest of the passenger compartment with a bottom vent as the gas is heavier than air.
As for solid pipe, I'd be more inclined to go for rubber flexible pipe to help absorb vehicle vibrations which could be disasterous to use in a vehicle. I may be talking out of my backside but mobile gas regulations are nothing like house gas installations, yes get an expert to check it over but don't get fooled into paying for unnecessary work. |
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11th Dec 2016 9:33pm |
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| davew Member Since: 02 Jan 2012 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 888 
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There's no reason not to have it on the inside as long as you have a drop vent. If you want real belt and braces then a gas locker will meet all the regs, including those for going through the channel tunnel.
If you intend to hire the vehicle out as a camper van then you need to only have access to the gas bottle from the outside HOWEVER that can be met by, as an example, having the gas locker door only accessible when you open the rear door (common on camper van conversions). For your personal use rather than for hire, there are far less regulations. Gaslow, who also do some really good ones and also do a really nice refillable cylinder which, for touring, is a half way house between a cylinder and an LOG tank as well as all the fittings you need for an internal installation.They'll also be able to advise you on current UK and EU regulations. http://www.gaslowdirect.com/epages/cyujrhd...as_Lockers One thing that you do need to check though is the suitability of you heater for use while driving, many of them are either not suitable or require a specific pipework The vehicle mounted regulators are much better than bottle mounted ones IMV, if nothing else it means you can fit virtually any kind of cylinder just by changing the flexible pipe between the regulator and the bottle. http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/ |
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12th Dec 2016 12:15am |
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| miker Member Since: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 1758 
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Potentially daft question alert. If it's just for heating, then why not go down the webasto/eberspacher route and fit a diesel fired heater?
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12th Dec 2016 1:23am |
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| DaftOldGit Member Since: 20 Sep 2015 Location: London Posts: 50
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In hindsight, that may have been easier, but i've bought the gas one now.
I dont want to cut a cabinet into the side of the motor as I probably wont use it again for another year, so now im thinking maybe mount an enclosure on the roll cage in front of the roof-tent for the bottle(s). I could put a 12v heated seat pad on the bottle to be sure it'll be ok. If i use a bulkhead fitting regulator by the heater instead of a bottle-top one then the exposed hose will be at maximum pressure, so maybe that'll help too. If i also fit the heater up there in a second enclosure then it'll mean that the ductwork will be much shorter and therefore more efficient in such extreme cold. |
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12th Dec 2016 11:59am |
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| davew Member Since: 02 Jan 2012 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 888
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Why would you need to cut it into the side of your motor ??? http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/
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12th Dec 2016 12:35pm |
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| DaftOldGit Member Since: 20 Sep 2015 Location: London Posts: 50
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What do you suggest?
Can i have the gas locker inside and just have a low level vent to the outside instead? |
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12th Dec 2016 12:47pm |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7873 
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I used to have a V8 90 with the LPG tank in the back mounted against the bulkhead
 As was/is pretty common? James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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12th Dec 2016 1:02pm |
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| wyvern Member Since: 14 Dec 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2070 
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We have our camping gaz 907 cylinder mounted on the outside on a small fitted shelf with a strap in the inside rear wheel arch of our 110 dormobile to feed the cooker.
Its a little bit of a tight fit and a bit of a fiddle to change but it does sit nicely there. (no need to remove the wheel either !) We have a flexible hose on the outside to regulator and copper pipe inside to the cooker with a on/off valve inside close to the inlet and another one that is the regulator. we have never had any issues in the cold for the gas to freeze (the diesel would freeze before the gas I think...) hope that helps  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126 |
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12th Dec 2016 1:36pm |
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