Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop

Campingaz Canister - how old is too old?

VanHelsing

VanHelsing

VIP Member
Messages
39
Location
West Sussex
Vehicle
Looking to buy
330957be4f6a30306b2d04d161f35fa1.jpg


Here’s something I’d appreciate thoughts on - have recently swapped for a new 907 cylinder for incoming new Ocean… then when I brought it home, my wife said “oh, I think my dad gave us one of those”.

Sure enough, in the shed, is an old 907 with gas in it (maybe 80% full). Now, it’s been there for ten years, and we don’t know how long he had it before.

The question is… would *you* use it? And why / why not?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
take off the carry handle and visually inspect :

Check the ball in the valve it is clean and rust free ? ( should be rust free as it’s stainless)
is the rubber seal intact (in the top above the ball seal)

if so,
stick a regulator whilst the Reg is in the off position and do a soap test ( whilst in the open air)

Gas soap test: put a couple of drop of washing up liquid in water stir / shake to combined the solution,
apply the solution liberally to the regulator where it meets the cylinder.

if you see bubbles forming, you have a leak don’t use it,
if no new bubbles forming all ok.

now repeat the soap test with the reg hose attached to an appliance open the reg valve fully and repeat the soap test. No bubble OK, bubbles not OK

i see no reason why the cylinder would not be ok to use providing it does not leak
 
Last edited:
take off the carry handle and visually inspect :

Check the ball in the valve it is clean and rust free ? ( should be rust free as it’s stainless)
is the rubber seal intact (in the top above the ball seal)

if so,
stick a regulator whilst the Rey is in the off position and do a soap test ( whilst in the open air)

Gas soap test: pit a couple of drop of washing up liquid in water stir / shake to combined the solution,
apply the solution liberally to the regulator where it meets the cylinder.

if you see bubbles forming, you have a leak don’t use it,
if no new bubbles forming all ok.

now repeat the soap test with the reg hose attached to an appliance open the reg valve fully and repeat the soap test. No bubble OK, bubbles not OK

i see no reason why the cylinder would not be ok to use providing it does not leak

Amazing, thank you so much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
If still worried, you could vent the gas (carefully) and then take it for exchange. Worst case, it will be refused as too old, then you would know. Best case, only costs the gas price as exchange and you are more confident. I'm assuming that returned gas bottles are pressured/safety checked at point of refill...
 
If still worried, you could vent the gas (carefully) and then take it for exchange. Worst case, it will be refused as too old, then you would know. Best case, only costs the gas price as exchange and you are more confident. I'm assuming that returned gas bottles are pressured/safety checked at point of refill...
Old bottles are pressure checked , valves etc, but if the cylinder valve is holding the gas (which it appears to do) then there is no reason not to use provided you are happy that there are no leaks from the valve.

you Would not have to vent the gas if going for exchange, simply drop the cylinder off for exchange of a new bottle ( new doesn’t mean new it means refilled old bottle).
 
If you look at the state of some of the second hand bottles for sale on eBay yours looks brand new in comparison! As above, if in doubt just swap for a full bottle. You will save £20-30 on the bottle cost alone.
 
Here’s something I’d appreciate thoughts on - have recently swapped for a new 907 cylinder for incoming new Ocean… then when I brought it home, my wife said “oh, I think my dad gave us one of those”.

Sure enough, in the shed, is an old 907 with gas in it (maybe 80% full).
Thoughts: Talk to your wife more! ;-)
 
Here is what your old cylinder goes through to look new !

note ; look new

Blimey….. for a minute (very briefly) I almost……ALMOST thought that makes them good value………..then I remembered that the gas inside is still 10 times the price of refillable gas for my old Gaslow system (gathering dust in the garage unfortunately) that we had on our previous Ducato PVC :oops:
 
The cylinder adapter valve supplied with your van has a rubber washer. Check that the mating face on the top of the cylinder is clean and undamaged. With the adaptor screwed firmly to the cylinder it will be fine.
 
Yes I would use it. Risk of failure is low, as the condition is good, it is always upright and it sits in a vented box.
 
This may be controversial ?

please don’t post Health and safety warnings etc.

I am confident I’m my ability to assemble and leak test gas fitting.

This SHOULD NOT be attempted IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY CONFIDENT IN YOUR ABILITY.

I purchased a set of fitting and hose for transfer filling from a donor Calor Butane 15kg to camping Gaz 907 bottle. see photo below ( component parts need to be assembled and can be bought from gas spares suppliers on line. (Choose quality brass parts only) sets can be bought online comprising all the parts you will need ( suggest a NRV is included for added safety)

I assembled the components and joined them to the hose using correct size spanner’s (ensure a Non return valve fitted to the assembly)

I filled two partially empty camping Gaz cylinders from a larger 15kg blue Butane bottle. Large 15kg Calor gas butane ( current cost £52 / 15kg)

local Hardware shop refill (exchange) camping Gaz 907 bottle £37 each

here is what I did (I AM NOT SUGGESTING OTHER SHOULD DO THIS I am am merely sharing what I did )

Warning : DO NOT DO THIS INSIDE or in an enclosed environment, because of the potential for gas leaks !

Ensure it is done outside.

Important: I did this in the morning with two cold (ambient) gas canisters Calor & 907 (having been stored in a garage).

establish the existing weight of the 907 cylinder.
refer to the chart posted by Kmann (photo below ) for weight / percentage fill level.
link here

1) weigh the 907 bottle to give a base reading by weight. (I did this with bathroom scales, me standing on them, first without the bottle, secondly holding the bottle, I then subtracted my weight (chubby) to determine the existing level of gas in the bottle and establish how much gas I would need to transfer: to achieve the target weight ( keep the scales close to hand during the filling process)

1a) leak test both the 907 & Calor gas bottle valve to ensure they do not leak from the factory valve (ensure both cylinder valves are clean and dirt free.

2) ENSURE : 907 adaptor switch off fully.
3) connected the set to the calor bottle with the small regulator.
4) Switch on the small calor regulator ( noting : other end 907 still not connected to the 907 bottle and is switch fully OFF

5) Important: carry out a soap gas leak test to ensure all joints ARE gas tight THROUGHT the assembly.

6) When confident there are no leaks, screw the 907 tap onto the 907 bottle.
7) invert the calor bottle and lift it up above the 907 bottle (I used a my wooden garden bench as a platform,
907 bottle standing upright on the floor, so the Calor bottle regulator faces the floor (elevated in the bench) and the 907 tap in vertical.

8) open the 907 adaptor tap partially ( filling begins, you can hear the liquid entering the 907 bottle)

9) IMPORTANT: immediately Re check with leak test to ensure 100% there are no leaks ( switch off both bottles if leak detected & rectify )
9a ) if no leaks open the 907 tap fully.

10) IMPORTANT: during filling regularly weight the cylinder (myself together with the bottle) on the scales to ensure the 907 bottle is not over filled. (Combined weight )
when the desired fill % level is achieved: immediately switch off the 907 tap.

11) IMPORTANT: under no circumstances: DO NOT exceed 6kg overall weight for the 907 cylinder,
there is a safety margin to this weight, the weight of the 907 tap adaptor attached to the bottle whilst filling Increases the overall weight of the 907 tank.
if you exceed 6kg weight of the 907 cylinder you risk overfilling, which will cause gas to escape / vent from the 907 valve When you disconnect the 907 bottle.

12) Switch off the Calor regulator.

13) before disconnecting the Calor gas regulator, recheck the 907 tap is switched off Fully

14) disconnect the Calor regulator from the Calor bottle. (you will hear a small hiss as the residual gas escapes & is normal when disconnecting a gas bottle.

15) disconnect the 907 tap.

16) check the 907 bottle valve for leaks (soap test)
note: if a leak is detected (shouldn’t if you don’t overfill) carefully attach a 907 regulator to the bottle and vent a small amount of gas. (disconnect and recheck as necessary until no leaks are detected)

using the 15kg butane as the doner at a cost of £52 equates to £3.46 per kilo x 2.7 kilo capacity of the 907 = £9.36 per 907 fill vs £37 from an exchange from a dealer.
a saving of £27.64 per fill. (The cost of the parts pay for themself with the first fill).




0C29A8E0-F020-4EF1-B09E-3950C7E52221.jpeg

09AD9577-DDB3-4A5C-9EF9-497AB4798E04.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Yes it is entirely possible to learn or be trained to carry out this procedure with proper equipment in a safe manner. It is a safer process that driving a 3000kg vehicle at 120 km per hour on a busy motorway.
 
I had also one (in the attic): I suspect 15-20 years old/could be more. Placed in our coast and already used after connecting; if gas escapes from the gas bottle, it can escape at the bottom of the space in which the bottle is located. Everything on the cali itself has been tested after assembly and before delivery and this has been a good month so I assume this is ok. But: I will still carry out the gas soap test applied by @Perfectos, I do not suspect a leak but better be safe than sorry. So yes, I would say use. Have lots of fun!
Greetings
Calibusje
 
Last edited:
This may be controversial ?

please don’t post Health and safety warnings etc.

I am confident I’m my ability to assemble and leak test gas fitting.

This SHOULD NOT be attempted IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY CONFIDENT IN YOUR ABILITY.

I purchased a set of fitting and hose for transfer filling from a donor Calor Butane 15kg to camping Gaz 907 bottle. see photo below ( component parts need to be assembled and can be bought from gas spares suppliers on line. (Choose quality brass parts only) sets can be bought online comprising all the parts you will need ( suggest a NRV is included for added safety)

I assembled the components and joined them to the hose using correct size spanner’s (ensure a Non return valve fitted to the assembly)

I filled two partially empty camping Gaz cylinders from a larger 15kg blue Butane bottle. Large 15kg Calor gas butane ( current cost £52 / 15kg)

local Hardware shop refill (exchange) camping Gaz 907 bottle £37 each

here is what I did (I AM NOT SUGGESTING OTHER SHOULD DO THIS I am am merely sharing what I did )

Warning : DO NOT DO THIS INSIDE or in an enclosed environment, because of the potential for gas leaks !

Ensure it is done outside.

Important: I did this in the morning with two cold (ambient) gas canisters Calor & 907 (having been stored in a garage).

establish the existing weight of the 907 cylinder.
refer to the chart posted by Kmann (photo below ) for weight / percentage fill level.
link here

1) weigh the 907 bottle to give a base reading by weight. (I did this with bathroom scales, me standing on them, first without the bottle, secondly holding the bottle, I then subtracted my weight (chubby) to determine the existing level of gas in the bottle and establish how much gas I would need to transfer: to achieve the target weight ( keep the scales close to hand during the filling process)

1a) leak test both the 907 & Calor gas bottle valve to ensure they do not leak from the factory valve (ensure both cylinder valves are clean and dirt free.

2) ENSURE : 907 adaptor switch off fully.
3) connected the set to the calor bottle with the small regulator.
4) Switch on the small calor regulator ( noting : other end 907 still not connected to the 907 bottle and is switch fully OFF

5) Important: carry out a soap gas leak test to ensure all joints ARE gas tight THROUGHT the assembly.

6) When confident there are no leaks, screw the 907 tap onto the 907 bottle.
7) invert the calor bottle and lift it up above the 907 bottle (I used a my wooden garden bench as a platform,
907 bottle standing upright on the floor, so the Calor bottle regulator faces the floor (elevated in the bench) and the 907 tap in vertical.

8) open the 907 adaptor tap partially ( filling begins, you can hear the liquid entering three 907 bottle)

9) IMPORTANT: immediately Re check with leak test to ensure 100% there are no leaks ( switch off both bottles if leak detected & rectify )
9a ) if no leaks open the 907 tap fully.

10) IMPORTANT: during filling regularly weight the cylinder (myself together with the bottle) on the scales to ensure the 907 bottle is not over filled. (Combined weight )
when the desired fill % level is achieved: immediately switch off the 907 tap.

11) IMPORTANT: under no circumstances: DO NOT exceed 6kg overall weight for the 907 cylinder,
there is a safety margin to this weight, theweight of the 907 tap adaptor attached to the bottle whilst filling Increases the overall weight ogpf the 907 tank.
if you exceed 6kg weight of the 907 cylinder you risk overfilling, which will cause gas to escape / vent from the 907 valve When you disconnect the 907 bottle.

12) Switch off the Calor regulator.

13) before disconnecting the Calor gas regulator, recheck the 907 tap is switched off Fully

14) disconnect the Calor regulator from the Calor bottle. (you will hear a small hiss as the residual gas escapes & is normal when disconnecting a gas bottle.

15) disconnect the 907 tap.

16) check the 907 bottle valve for leaks (soap test)
note: if a leak is detected (shouldn’t if you don’t overfill) carefully attach a 907 regulator to the bottle and vent a small amount of gas. (disconnect and recheck as necessary until no leaks are detected)

using the 15kg butane as the doner at a cost of £52 equates to £3.46 per kilo x 2.7 kilo capacity of the 907 = £9.36 per 907 fill vs £37 from an exchange from a dealer.
a saving of £27.64 per fill. (The cost of the parts pay for themself with the first fill).




View attachment 94837

View attachment 94887
Being an ex gas engineer and having constructed and commissioned LNG plant I'd certainly feel quite comfortable doing this, did you buy the kit complete or buy the parts individually.

My only suggestion is luggage scales would probably provide better accuracy during filling.

I'm also thinking it may be a useful way to introduce a propane / butane mix similar to what is used for camping stoves in winter, further design research required. I hate it when the very low ambient temperatures effect my ability to cook in winter.

No insurance comments required
 
Being an ex gas engineer and having constructed and commissioned LNG plant I'd certainly feel quite comfortable doing this, did you buy the kit complete or buy the parts individually.

My only suggestion is luggage scales would probably provide better accuracy during filling.

I'm also thinking it may be a useful way to introduce a propane / butane mix similar to what is used for camping stoves in winter, further design research required. I hate it when the very low ambient temperatures effect my ability to cook in winter.

No insurance comments required
I bought the components as kit, all The parts are available individually on line or as a kit (needing assembly)

the cheapest was to buy the parts is individually from the same supplier.
I agree luggage scales would be a more appropriate and accurate way to measure the 907 cylinder weight (I didn’t have any )

I did not Brim the 907 cylinders (filled two to approx three quarters )
 
This may be controversial ?

please don’t post Health and safety warnings etc.

I am confident I’m my ability to assemble and leak test gas fitting.

This SHOULD NOT be attempted IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY CONFIDENT IN YOUR ABILITY.

I purchased a set of fitting and hose for transfer filling from a donor Calor Butane 15kg to camping Gaz 907 bottle. see photo below ( component parts need to be assembled and can be bought from gas spares suppliers on line. (Choose quality brass parts only) sets can be bought online comprising all the parts you will need ( suggest a NRV is included for added safety)

I assembled the components and joined them to the hose using correct size spanner’s (ensure a Non return valve fitted to the assembly)

I filled two partially empty camping Gaz cylinders from a larger 15kg blue Butane bottle. Large 15kg Calor gas butane ( current cost £52 / 15kg)

local Hardware shop refill (exchange) camping Gaz 907 bottle £37 each

here is what I did (I AM NOT SUGGESTING OTHER SHOULD DO THIS I am am merely sharing what I did )

Warning : DO NOT DO THIS INSIDE or in an enclosed environment, because of the potential for gas leaks !

Ensure it is done outside.

Important: I did this in the morning with two cold (ambient) gas canisters Calor & 907 (having been stored in a garage).

establish the existing weight of the 907 cylinder.
refer to the chart posted by Kmann (photo below ) for weight / percentage fill level.
link here

1) weigh the 907 bottle to give a base reading by weight. (I did this with bathroom scales, me standing on them, first without the bottle, secondly holding the bottle, I then subtracted my weight (chubby) to determine the existing level of gas in the bottle and establish how much gas I would need to transfer: to achieve the target weight ( keep the scales close to hand during the filling process)

1a) leak test both the 907 & Calor gas bottle valve to ensure they do not leak from the factory valve (ensure both cylinder valves are clean and dirt free.

2) ENSURE : 907 adaptor switch off fully.
3) connected the set to the calor bottle with the small regulator.
4) Switch on the small calor regulator ( noting : other end 907 still not connected to the 907 bottle and is switch fully OFF

5) Important: carry out a soap gas leak test to ensure all joints ARE gas tight THROUGHT the assembly.

6) When confident there are no leaks, screw the 907 tap onto the 907 bottle.
7) invert the calor bottle and lift it up above the 907 bottle (I used a my wooden garden bench as a platform,
907 bottle standing upright on the floor, so the Calor bottle regulator faces the floor (elevated in the bench) and the 907 tap in vertical.

8) open the 907 adaptor tap partially ( filling begins, you can hear the liquid entering three 907 bottle)

9) IMPORTANT: immediately Re check with leak test to ensure 100% there are no leaks ( switch off both bottles if leak detected & rectify )
9a ) if no leaks open the 907 tap fully.

10) IMPORTANT: during filling regularly weight the cylinder (myself together with the bottle) on the scales to ensure the 907 bottle is not over filled. (Combined weight )
when the desired fill % level is achieved: immediately switch off the 907 tap.

11) IMPORTANT: under no circumstances: DO NOT exceed 6kg overall weight for the 907 cylinder,
there is a safety margin to this weight, theweight of the 907 tap adaptor attached to the bottle whilst filling Increases the overall weight ogpf the 907 tank.
if you exceed 6kg weight of the 907 cylinder you risk overfilling, which will cause gas to escape / vent from the 907 valve When you disconnect the 907 bottle.

12) Switch off the Calor regulator.

13) before disconnecting the Calor gas regulator, recheck the 907 tap is switched off Fully

14) disconnect the Calor regulator from the Calor bottle. (you will hear a small hiss as the residual gas escapes & is normal when disconnecting a gas bottle.

15) disconnect the 907 tap.

16) check the 907 bottle valve for leaks (soap test)
note: if a leak is detected (shouldn’t if you don’t overfill) carefully attach a 907 regulator to the bottle and vent a small amount of gas. (disconnect and recheck as necessary until no leaks are detected)

using the 15kg butane as the doner at a cost of £52 equates to £3.46 per kilo x 2.7 kilo capacity of the 907 = £9.36 per 907 fill vs £37 from an exchange from a dealer.
a saving of £27.64 per fill. (The cost of the parts pay for themself with the first fill).
Myself and a few others on here have been doing this for ages, not to save money but to have the reassurance of always having a near full cylinder on board. The tare (empty) weight of the cylinder is about 3.7kg and is stamped on the base: you just have to fill it to that plus 2.7 kg* for butane. You can fill with propane and some Campingaz cylinders are stamped to indicate they take 2.5kg* propane but you seemingly can't top up a part full propane cylinder with butane as the pressure is higher. All parts are available from BES plumbing supplies - pm me if you want details.
* I always limit to 2.5kg butane / 2kg propane.campingaz.jpgcampingaz2.jpg
 
Last edited:
have the reassurance of always having a near full cylinder on board
That is exactly why I did it, having two cylinders near empty and one empty I didn’t want to chance a trip where I could run out of gas. Or have to take multiple 907 cylinders just to be sure. (Pure convenience with the added benefit of a healthy cost saving as a bonus)

exchanging three 907,s at one time =£111 (ouch)
 
Myself and a few others on here have been doing this for ages, not to save money but to have the reassurance of always having a near full cylinder on board. The tare (empty) weight of the cylinder is about 3.7kg and is stamped on the base: you just have to fill it to that plus 2.7 kg* for butane. You can fill with propane and some Campingaz cylinders are stamped to indicate they take 2.5kg* propane but you seemingly can't top up a part full propane cylinder with butane as the pressure is higher. All parts are available from BES plumbing supplies - pm me if you want details.
* I always limit to 2.5kg butane / 2kg propane.View attachment 94893View attachment 94894
That's really interesting about the mix, defiantly useful for those ski holidays with the van. Will PM you for kit details
 
When we go away in the van we always take a spare 907 as back up and for use with a Camping Gaz grill, always nice to cook outside if the weather is good.
 

Similar threads

Back
Top