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1. Gas Lines in the Wanderer. 2. Coupling Gas Cylinders 3.'GASLOW' Regulators 4. Gas Cylinder Safety. 5. General Safety.
Above is shown where the gas lines are located in the Autohomes Wanderer. While appearing to be internal, the gas pipes are taken out through holes in the base plate then run to the appliances. Where they are then taken up through another hole inside the Motorhome. At each appliance there is a gas control tap with an air vent located under the tap to ensure any leakages of gas sinks through floor vents.
It is recommended that these gas lines are checked periodically, due to exposure under the chassis. Things to check would be corrosion and movement wear under the base plate. This movement wear can be seen as a shining edge on the pipe.
GAS BOTTLES
When we bought our Motorhome it was our first time into caravanning. I had been told about caravans using gas and gas bottles to supply appliances. Looking into the gas locker I found it bare. A friend then suggested we use a gas bottle he had in his garage. This gas bottle was a 4.7kg capacity. Before going off on our trip to Spain he suggested we take Camping gas regulator. What good advice was that as our 4.7kg bottle lasted a week!
An advert in the local Yellow pages gave us the opportunity to purchase a Campingaz bottle before going.
So with the arrangement, see below, we set off. The 4.7kg lasted a week and the 2.7kg lasted another week. This was of course due to us not knowing that each bottle was partly filled! As the 2.7Kg Campingaz bottle was easily changed on the continent it was no disaster. I was a little worried about the exchange of the 2.7kg bottle as it was 10 years old, so I noticed, as I passed it over! The trouble was we now had a redundant 4.7kg gas bottle which we had to carry around with us!
Above and below are drawings of my method of coupling two gas bottles into my gas locker. Below is how we developed as we found the Campingaz bottles can be obtained in this country and on the Continent quite easily. It's rather an expensive option as the Campingaz bottle costs as much as the 4.7Kg bottle. I am paying for the convenience.
The two are coupled together using a T piece combination with change over switch.
The two bottles each have a gas Regulator, only one is on at a time. Changing over an empty bottle to a full one is simply moving the switch, closing the empty one and opening the full one.
On one occasion I had forgotten to close the empty one. Next day when I checked, I expected to find the empty one would have leaked gas from the full one, but no, the empty bottle had no leakage gas in it. This must mean that the gas regulators have a back pressure safety device which did not allow gas back in, from my error the previous evening. While it's nice to know that, the practice is, one bottle turned on at a time.
This year the plan is to travel to Norway and to the Arctic Circle. This has now presented another problem. Butane will not deliver gas to then pipes when temperature drops to zero. So another option must be considered, Propane, this gas will supply to the pipes when the temperature drops below freezing.
Why use Propane:
Advantages - it is the only gas that will continue to operate below freezing point, as low as minus 10 degrees. All propane gas cylinders have the same connections.
Disadvantages - They cannot be refilled or exchanged in the mainland Europe.
Why use Butane:
Advantages - Campingaz which uses Butane Gas can be exchanged in Mainland Europe.
Disadvantages - Butane will not operate below freezing point and is therefore not suitable for winter use.
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The Gas Cylinder Switch. The Gaslow Cylinder switch can be supplied by 'Gaslow' under catalogue number: 01-5050 |
Important Note: If you are using the black hose then it is possible this will not be recommended for Propane as it is not resistant to chemicals in the gas content of Propane.
It was while I was researching options, not able to monitor the gas capacity for example, that I came across 'GASLOW' who supply gas valves to the Caravan and Boating Markets.
They have kindly given me permission to use some of their illustrations which show options available. The prime option for me was the meter monitoring gauge. This meter option indicates the gas levels and will also produce a test function to check for gas leaks in the Motorhome system.
While I have chosen images which I have incorporated in my Motorhome, this is not all that 'Gaslow' can supply from their catalogue.
One option that interested me, was the gas level monitoring indicator which could be installed inside the living area. Probably on the voltage control panel. A future project perhaps?
Gaslow can be contacted at:
Gaslow International Ltd.
Manor House Stables,
Normanton-on-Soar,
Leicestershire. LE12 5HBTel: +44 [0] 1509 843331
Fax: +44 [0] 1509 843332
Email: info@gaslow.co.uk
Web site: www.gaslow.co.uk
We have all seen it before; 'Gas appliances should only be worked on by Corgi registered Technicians!'
The Electric industry used to say the same thing. Taking the view that the majority of DIY's are too stupid to carry out any electrical work.
When I was a young man the instructions, when doing DIY work on electrical equipment, It was dangerous, DON'T.
This was not satisfactory. People needed to carry out simple maintenance on electrical appliances, if just to change a plug. The electrical industry has got their 'Act' together and you can see the results every day. The completely sealed electric plug on appliances, the insulated sleeves on the Live and Neutral pins of the plug, this is to ensure if you fingers go around the face of the plug you didn't grab the pins, and the fitting of instructions with every individual plug. Also the RCD trip safety devices which cut off if they detect a 30mA current.
We see the same lame excuses in the Gas industry and I don't think it is good enough. Murphy's Law states; 'If there is a way how not to do a job, then that way will be used'
On a camp site in Spain a guy approached me and asked if I knew about gas leaks! I went to have a look at his installation and found he had lost the sealing washer which is part of the Campingaz Regulator base. This should not have happend. Was it the fault of the Motorhome user or the manufacturer? I believe it was manufacturer who had not taken the trouble to produce a valve rubber seal which would not come off. There are many instances in the gas industry.
As I see it the gas industry depends on any work being done by a skilled man to ensure their own poor manufacturing methods are supported.
What can the DIY man do to ensure his system is not at risk?
The Motorhome owner's first contact with gas is to change the cylinder for an exchange cylinder. Or possibly replace a faulty regulator to a gas pipe.
The gas cylinder will go through many stringent checks while in the factory while being prepared for refilling, and the Motorhome owner will have no worries in that respect.
It is because of these stringent service checks that the industry frowns on the refillable cylinders. Will they ever be checked and serviced in their lifetime, as they do at the factory?
I have illustrated below some things the Motorhome owner can do:
Check the gas pipes to valves and permanent pipes. Check for cracks and obvious poor condition. Are they dated, if so then anything over 3 years old could be suspect and will require changing. It's possible a replacement pipe has never been used, but it is not recommended for use if the age has been exceeded, as the rubber properties could have changed over the time.
When checking pipes connected to the regulators, are the Jubilee clips biting into the pipe covers and exposing the black inner core. I recommend them to be changed.
Fitting pipes to the valves is quite a chore. The bore is very tight, for obvious reasons. To fit the rubber pipes over the valve regulator pipe, the most convenient way is to place the end into boiling water for 30 Seconds, the pipe will slip on without any trouble.
Illustrated is the gas pipe bore.
Gas pipe showing date marking
Gas valve ready for connection. Jubilee clip to be added.
Unscrew the regulator and check the rubber washers. If it looks like the picture then get a new one immediately. What's wrong with it? It has ridged rings around it's circumferance. At the centre aperture it has cracks. It is at these points that the gas will leak out.
Gas Cylinder Seal with Ridges on the face.
Gas Cylinder Seal with Ridge and splits.
When attaching the Regulators to the cylinder ensure the seals, as seen below in black, are secure and not damaged.
Check the screw thread, as these have an anti-clockwise tightening action some people try to force them on and damage the thread.The Campingaz valve could be confusing as it has a Clockwise tightening action. again ensure the threads are not damaged.
Having checked and possibly fitted new parts. Go over every joint you have handled and spread over them some soapy water. Any leaks will be seen as bubbles.
Do I need to say it; Do not use a naked flame to find a leak!
Having done that carry out the 'Gaslow' leak check. I am assuming you have fitted the 'Gaslow' gauges.
Gaslow Valve Regulator, Gas Seal enclosed inside the securing Nut
Campingaz valve adaptor from Gaslow. Valve Seal on face of securing head.
The Gaslow regulator is designed to supply gas to appliances at a pressure and capacity as indicated on the identification label
Storage areas must be well ventilated. Ensure the gas escape aperture below all appliances are clear.
Use no naked flames, cigarettes, matches, etc., also do not light in the vicinity, when connecting, disconnecting or when operating the gas supply.
The gas cylinder must always be used in an upright position.
When used outdoors the GASLOW must be suitably protected from the elements.
From: aplested[at]hotmail.com
Date: 19 Jan 2002
Comments
We go skiing in Austria every year and usually run out of gas. The local propane has a different regulator. Will that fit my gas tubing? Can I buy the regulator in UK? My wife will leave me if we have to sleep in minus 20 degrees again this year. Surely someone out there has been thru this before!!!! Is Austria different to the rest of Europe .... apart from an ex Nazi as president!
Re: SAVING MY MARRIAGE FROM A FROSTY ENDING..HELP!!!!!!!!
From: Brian W.
Date: 21 Jan 2002
Comments
Hi Applested, Have a look in my web site there you will see how I have connected up two cylinders. When you get to Austria, call in to any place selling cylinders, and purchase a regulator with a cylinder and connect up. Incidentally propane is recommended at freezing conditions. Butane will not "Boil Off" when frozen. Best Regards, Brian
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Additions to Motorhome pages 2010:-
