Alugas refillable used with exchange cylinder

[paulhelenwilko]

Hello folks.

I am looking at installing a refillable system. I am looking at all the options: weight, size of cylinder, single or pair,cost, Gaslow, Alugas or Gasit that would best suit us.

My current favoured option is to have a single refillable cylinder with pigtail to a manual changeover installed before the regulator with another suitable pigtail to use with a calor or other cylinder type. Talking to suppliers this seems ok.

Except I talked to an Alugas supplier and he said you cannot do this with Alugas. I accepted he was the expert and put the phone down, but thinking about it later I can only think he has misunderstood my requirements ?

Does anyone else have any knowledge or experience of this ?

Paul

 

[Mobilvetta]

Can't understand why you can't I have have an alugas 11kg refillable cylinder fitted that goes to an automatic change over valve and then I have another pig tail coming off the auto change over valve for my Repsol bottle that I am using at the moment. Not had any problems, I always make sure that the refillable bottle is switched off when I refill it though.

 

[Okta]

I have a 14 kg Alugas with a spare 6kg Calor Lite. Autogas supplied an adapter that fits on the Alugas bottle that accepts the standard Calor pigtail. In the unlikely event of running out of gas I would simply move the pigtail from the Alugas bottle to the Calor one. Just like swapping between two Calor bottles. It also means I have retained the Truma hose with the rupture device, possibly not essential because I think the latest Alugas bottles include a rupture protection device.

 

[saxonborg]

I have the same as Okta but with an 11kg Alugas cylinder, works fine.

 

[paulhelenwilko]

I have a 14 kg Alugas with a spare 6kg Calor Lite. Autogas supplied an adapter that fits on the Alugas bottle that accepts the standard Calor pigtail. In the unlikely event of running out of gas I would simply move the pigtail from the Alugas bottle to the Calor one. Just like swapping between two Calor bottles. It also means I have retained the Truma hose with the rupture device, possibly not essential because I think the latest Alugas bottles include a rupture protection device.

I don't understand that if you wanted to use the calor you required an adaptor that fits the alugas bottle. I thought either a t joint before the regulator ( or changeover valve) with pigtails to the alugas and calor

Paul

 

[paulhelenwilko]

Can't understand why you can't I have have an alugas 11kg refillable cylinder fitted that goes to an automatic change over valve and then I have another pig tail coming off the auto change over valve for my Repsol bottle that I am using at the moment. Not had any problems, I always make sure that the refillable bottle is switched off when I refill it though.

I assume you turn off the calor to ensure it cannot get filled ? isn't there a one way valve on the bottle to prevent this ?

Paul

 

[Trotter]

My system is a 1kg refillable Gasit and a 6kg calor connected to the regulator via a T piece. I manually turn on which ever bottle I want. The calor bottle will always be the backup.
I’m no expert, of anything, but I cannot see how this arrangement wouldn’t work using other brands. Shame a chainsaw wielding expert is no longer contributing. He was pretty good with matters, gas as well.

 

[Okta]

There is an adaptor for the Alugas bottle outlet so that the standard Calor pig tail will connect to it. If you run out of gas you turn off the Alugas bottle and disconnect the pig tail so that you can then connect it to a Calor bottle. The Alugas filler is a separate connection and can be used to fill up when either bottle is in use but the two bottles are not connected together.

I have never had to bother changing from one bottle to the other, I just keep an eye on the gas level in the Alugas one and top it up when necessary. The Calor bottle is just in case I ever get it wrong and run out.

 

[Okta]

I should add that whenever you fill up a refillable bottle the outlet to the regulator should be turned off.

 

[Mobilvetta]

I assume you turn off the calor to ensure it cannot get filled ? isn't there a one way valve on the bottle to prevent this ?

Paul

No if you switch of the Alugas bottle then it is impossible to fill the other bottle, I have a filling nozzle on the skirt that only goes into the Alugas bottle, so it's impossible to fill the non refillable bottle.

 

[nabsim]

I have exactly what you are asking about. An 11kg Gaslow Cylinder and a pigtail hanking down or connected to a calor 6kg backup cylinder. I just turn on the bottle I want to use.

Give Charlie a shout he can give you advice ?

 

[paulhelenwilko]

Thought I would draw it out. Apologies for the roughness. I think this is what I am trying to achieve. Couple of questions :

I want to mount a BBQ connection and I am reluctant to cut another hole in the van so would prefer it if it were mounted in the gas locker. So can I use something like the below rather than the bullfinch.

 

[nabsim]

Your diagram looks similar to what I have, I have a manual changeover valve for two bottles which includes non return valves so it doesn’t matter if I just have a pipe hsnging down with no bottle connected. I can change pigtails as necessary if I want to use anything other than calor propane. Del did his using tee’s so diesnt have the same option I don’t think but I could be wrong, Del will update if I am as we went for the same option just I had manual changeover.

The bbq points you show, I have the one on the left and is has auto shut off if nothing connected to it. Mine is built in but I would think you could rig up where it’s like a pigtail. You will be better talking with Charlie though as I am old and forgetful

 

[Deleted member 4455]

I have a very reliable gas system fitted, 2 13kg propane cyclinders, I refill them at any Autogas pump, with a special adapter, no problems easy peasy and very cheap, simples !

 

[Okta]

I have a very reliable gas system fitted, 2 13kg propane cyclinders, I refill them at any Autogas pump, with a special adapter, no problems easy peasy and very cheap, simples !

What cylinders are you using?

 

[Trotter]

View attachment 43087

Thought I would draw it out. Apologies for the roughness. I think this is what I am trying to achieve. Couple of questions :

I want to mount a BBQ connection and I am reluctant to cut another hole in the van so would prefer it if it were mounted in the gas locker. So can I use something like the below rather than the bullfinch.
View attachment 43088

This is pretty much the system I have.
I’ve got a T where your change over is. I turn on/off the bottles as needed by the valve on the bottle. I’ll not be putting a bbq point in, but if I did, all I’d do is put a 2nd T in the line.

 

[Trotter]

I have a very reliable gas system fitted, 2 13kg propane cyclinders, I refill them at any Autogas pump, with a special adapter, no problems easy peasy and very cheap, simples !

If you’re filling Calor or Butane bottles with your ”special “ adapter, that’s up to you. Not saying you’re right or wrong, your choice, just maybe not so clever to suggest as a way for others to go. Just my two Pen’orth

 

[Deleted member 4455]

What cylinders are you using?

Calor LPG, the red ones, and before anyone says anything, NO its not illegal, its Just Calor that don't want you to do it, hits them in the pocket, its much cheaper, last time I filled a 13kg cylinder it was around £15, against £35 to buy a refill, you do the maths.

 

[Okta]

Calor LPG, the red ones, and before anyone says anything, NO its not illegal, its Just Calor that don't want you to do it, hits them in the pocket, its much cheaper, last time I filled a 13kg cylinder it was around £15, against £35 to buy a refill, you do the maths.

A comment for others who might consider following glesgaman’s idea. You really do need to know exactly what you are doing before filling a cylinder not designed as refillable. The refillable cylinders have an 80% safety cut out valve which is not found in other bottles, this prevents overfilling. All cylinders are designed to be filled to a maximum safe limit of 80%. Some people feel confident that by careful weighing they can get the 80% spot on but I am pretty sure that I would get it wrong and anyway it would be a pain in the butt doing it. Filling to more than 80% is not a safe option and if anyone is planning on doing this please don’t park in the same post code as me.

 

[Deleted member 4455]

A comment for others who might consider following glesgaman’s idea. You really do need to know exactly what you are doing before filling a cylinder not designed as refillable. The refillable cylinders have an 80% safety cut out valve which is not found in other bottles, this prevents overfilling. All cylinders are designed to be filled to a maximum safe limit of 80%. Some people feel confident that by careful weighing they can get the 80% spot on but I am pretty sure that I would get it wrong and anyway it would be a pain in the butt doing it. Filling to more than 80% is not a safe option and if anyone is planning on doing this please don’t park in the same post code as me.