Anyone using propane refillable?

[R_Sargeant_CH]

Note that inthe picture above, the threaded connector at 1 o’clock is the JIC connector used when filling. Gaslow sell an adapter that screws on here and that in turn connects to the various country-specific LPG pumps.
At 3 o’clock is the contents gauge, showing Full after the first fill.
At 10:30 is the standard VW regulator. Note that is turned over (inverted) so that the screw lid fits. My regulator was marked “Butane/Propane” but you should check yours.
I have now achieved my aim of knowing how much gas we have, and can refill my own cylinder. Given all the costs, it’s probably not cost effective, but the wife acceptance factor is vey high!
Questions welcome.

 

[Ting Tong]

The Gaslow cylinder DOES fit and allows rhe screw lid to be put back on. As far as I am concerned, it’s a direct lug and play replacement for the blue Camping Gas cylinder. The stove works just as before. The calorific vale of Propane is higher than Butane but I haven’t tried to determine if my cuppa boils faster.View attachment 113117

Looks good! The calorific value of butane is about 20% higher than propane, so your kettle will be slower. Are you decanting from a commercial cylinder or filling with LPG?

 

[R_Sargeant_CH]

Looks good! The calorific value of butane is about 20% higher than propane, so your kettle will be slower. Are you decanting from a commercial cylinder or filling with LPG?

Like chocksaway, the OP, I am a balloon pilot, so have several large (60l) propane flight cylinders that we balloonists in turn fill from a bulk tank. I built a special adapter that allows me to decant directly from those balloon cylinders to Gaslow. I didn't mention this because it's a fringe case. I am sure there are almost no other Balloon flying California owners!
I also bought a set of adapters that theoretically allow me to refill from Gas station propane pumps, but have not tried this. My original 907 is about 25% full after about 15 months use, so it might be a while at that rate of use. At least I can check the Gaslow level before each trip and top up if needed.
I guess I could also build an adapter to go from a commercial cylinder as chocksaway has, but presently have no need. As I noted, the Gaslow connector is a JIC connector. After a long search on Fleabay I found those in the US. I can provide more details if you want.
Thanks for the calorific correction! Waiting longer for my morning cuppa is a profound disadvantage! /s

 

[chockswahay]

I am sure there are almost no other Balloon flying California owners!

@R_Sargeant_CH just saw this…… you, me and @SusiBus at least

 

[sbmcd]

@R_Sargeant_CH just saw this…… you, me and @SusiBus at least

Who said this club is full of hot air, not me

 

[turnitdown]

Questions welcome.

This post confirming the Gaslow fits in the locker is very helpful, thanks. In the past year or so since you posted, have you learned anything about how hard it is to fill these directly from a forecourt/supplier in Switzerland and/or elsewhere in Europe? I just bought an Ocean and am thinking of putting the Gaslow in, as I think I can fill it easily enough here in Edinburgh where I'm based, but it would be interesting to know what the situation is like elsewhere in Europe.

 

[ewanc]

This post confirming the Gaslow fits in the locker is very helpful, thanks. In the past year or so since you posted, have you learned anything about how hard it is to fill these directly from a forecourt/supplier in Switzerland and/or elsewhere in Europe? I just bought an Ocean and am thinking of putting the Gaslow in, as I think I can fill it easily enough here in Edinburgh where I'm based, but it would be interesting to know what the situation is like elsewhere in Europe.

Much more widely available in most of Europe than in the UK. myLPG.eu is a great app for finding gas suppliers in Europe and the UK. I would recommend going to whole hog and fitting an external refilll point. It makes it much less hassle to fill and removes the risk of creating a leak when removing and replacing the bottle to refill it, also some fuel stations won’t let you fill a stand alone bottle. Extra cost but was well worth it for me.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

I am considering having underslung lpg tanks installed on my motorhome

 

[turnitdown]

Much more widely available in most of Europe than in the UK. myLPG.eu is a great app for finding gas suppliers in Europe and the UK. I would recommend going to whole hog and fitting an external refilll point. It makes it much less hassle to fill and removes the risk of creating a leak when removing and replacing the bottle to refill it, also some fuel stations won’t let you fill a stand alone bottle. Extra cost but was well worth it for me.

thanks. Yes, what I had meant to ask about wasn't the availability of lpg but the willingness of suppliers to let people refill refillable tanks without an external fill point. Here where I am in Scotland that's no problem, but I have no idea how hard it is to refill without an external fill point in mainland Europe.

I can see the external refill would be ideal. Not sure of install cost or impact on insurance as it would be a modification.