Gas Regulator

[787driver]

My original gas regulator had finally packed up. Would one of these do? Cut the original pipe and secure with a jubilee clip?

 

[Kedaw]

My original gas regulator had finally packed up. Would one of these do? Cut the original pipe and secure with a jubilee clip?

View attachment 107507

yes that's the correct one although I would suggest installing the in-line quick connection as shown earlier in this thread. It makes changing the bottle so much easier.

 

[KGCali]

Just as a follow up, I've now fitted the regulator and in-line quick disconnection and I'm really happy ( a quick and easy job), also changing the bottle will be so much easier and quicker. It also means that if I ever have problems with the regulator I can can change it cheaply, easily and most importantly from any camping shop.

A good solution, where did you get all the parts from?

 

[Kedaw]

A good solution, where did you get all the parts from?

Picked up the regulator and hose kit from halfords, but loads of places sell them. The in-line connector was from ebay, not totally necessary but makes changing the gas quicker and easier.

 

[KGCali]

Picked up the regulator and hose kit from halfords, but loads of places sell them. The in-line connector was from ebay, not totally necessary but makes changing the gas quicker and easier.

Thanks, did you cut the original hose or get a new hose with fittings to fit the Cali screw fitting?

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks, did you cut the original hose or get a new hose with fittings to fit the Cali screw fitting?

When I did it I cut the original hose and it wasn't easy, rubber, reinforcement and an inner , what looked like polyurethane lining. It is certainly not plain red rubber.

 

[Kedaw]

When I did it I cut the original hose and it wasn't easy, rubber, reinforcement and an inner , what looked like polyurethane lining. It is certainly not plain red rubber.

Thanks, did you cut the original hose or get a new hose with fittings to fit the Cali screw fitting?

Yes I cut the hose, but I'll replace the rest of the hose in the future.

 

[787driver]

Finally got around to fitting the regulator. I’ve fitted an inline coupler too for ease of tank removal. However, after finally fitting the pipe to the regulator and one end of the coupler I am struggling to fit the other end of the coupler to the other end of the pipe which is attached to the van. Any suggestions? It’s the original pipe with twin lining

 

[Kedaw]

Finally got around to fitting the regulator. I’ve fitted an inline coupler too for ease of tank removal. However, after finally fitting the pipe to the regulator and one end of the coupler I am struggling to fit the other end of the coupler to the other end of the pipe which is attached to the van. Any suggestions? It’s the original pipe with twin lining

Soak the pipe in boiling water for a while and apply a little washing up liquid to the fitting when putting them together. If you push the pipe down onto the fitting on a hard surface this really helps.

 

[KGCali]

Just been looking at replacing my original Gok regulator with a Campingaz type 794 regulator for the 907 bottle but when I read the instructions on the back it states ...

'This regulator is not for use in caravans and motor caravans'.

Any idea why this is as I know a few of you have already done this?

 

[yossarian]

Just been looking at replacing my original Gok regulator with a Campingaz type 794 regulator for the 907 bottle but when I read the instructions on the back it states ...

'This regulator is not for use in caravans and motor caravans'.

Any idea why this is as I know a few of you have already done this?

View attachment 108992

View attachment 108993

View attachment 108994

Here's some reading:

Loose gas connection

Thanks @briwy for the pictures. Fitted it all today. The gas tube has an inner plastic type lining, very difficult to fit tubing, but with judicious use of an electric paint stripper to warm the connectors got the tubing fitted and fuel line clamps. No leaks, even with the Quick Release fitting...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

It's quite complex, the GOK regulator is certified to annex d of the standard which applies to motorhomes. At the end of the day you need to decide if some safety features that are quite poorly described are important to you.

My thinking was that I didn't know enough to do it differently to VW.

All of this is complicated by the fact that if you actually want to read the standard you've got to shell out € 500 or so.

 

[WelshGas]

Just been looking at replacing my original Gok regulator with a Campingaz type 794 regulator for the 907 bottle but when I read the instructions on the back it states ...

'This regulator is not for use in caravans and motor caravans'.

Any idea why this is as I know a few of you have already done this?

View attachment 108992

View attachment 108993

View attachment 108994

These regulators for Campingaz and variations for Calor are widely used in Caravan and Motor Caravans, BUT, they are normally fitted either in external lockers, outside the habitation area or in gas tight lockers with external vent, which is exactly the case with the California.
I have had one fitted for 8 yrs. No problems, no leaks and easy to change cylinders or remove to weigh etc.

 

[Brian’s Dad]

I wonder if this would fit in the locker? Maybe not enough head room?

https://www.campingaz.co.uk/twin-connection-with-regulator-cvr/SP_2822233.html

We use the smaller CV cylinders for the BBQ so they could be a a backup.

 

[andyinluton]

These regulators for Campingaz and variations for Calor are widely used in Caravan and Motor Caravans,

No they are not. Since 2004 all regulators on motorhomes & Caravans are supposed to be bulkhead mounted.

I don't know how VW get away with the California installation as the current regulations also state all pipework between the regulator & appliance should be steel or copper, hence the move to bulkhead mounted regulators.

 

[Corradobrit]

I don't know how VW get away with the California installation as the current regulations also state all pipework between the regulator & appliance should be steel or copper, hence the move to bulkhead mounted regulators.

Probably the same way I got my 80L fuel tank when the dealer said it couldn't be optioned due to the Cali's weight. VW seem to think they are a law unto themselves.

 

[WelshGas]

No they are not. Since 2004 all regulators on motorhomes & Caravans are supposed to be bulkhead mounted.

I don't know how VW get away with the California installation as the current regulations also state all pipework between the regulator & appliance should be steel or copper, hence the move to bulkhead mounted regulators.

Is that UK or German/EU standards? If that is the case why do Californias leave the factory with German Gas Safety stickers on the tailgate?

 

[andyinluton]

Its BSEN1646 which should apply - a British Standard implementation of a European standard.

 

[KGCali]

Here's a useful guide ...

The Ultimate Guide to Campervan Gas (LPG) - Gaslow System

This guide teaches you all about campervan gas installations! Including campervan gas bottle, campervan gas locker, and the Gaslow system

www.thevanconversion.com

 

[WelshGas]

Here's a useful guide ...

The Ultimate Guide to Campervan Gas (LPG) - Gaslow System

This guide teaches you all about campervan gas installations! Including campervan gas bottle, campervan gas locker, and the Gaslow system

www.thevanconversion.com

Well according to that article the VW California fails on a number of points, so is basically illegal in the U.K. and EU and yet it is on sale and has been for 20+ yrs with essentially the same illegal system and every California leaves the factory with a German Gas Safety check/certificate.
Strange.

 

[andyinluton]

Here's a useful guide ...

The Ultimate Guide to Campervan Gas (LPG) - Gaslow System

This guide teaches you all about campervan gas installations! Including campervan gas bottle, campervan gas locker, and the Gaslow system

www.thevanconversion.com

The blue screw on bottle regulator is single stage & the cali standard is 2 stage.


Extract from the linked document:


Gas Regulator


There are two types of regulators: Single stage regulators and two stage regulators.

A single stage regulator reduces pressure to 30mbars in one step. They’re more compact & cheaper than two stage regulators, but not as accurate. Single stage regulators are normally bottle-mounted - they are for temporary installations and not to be used in campervans.


Instead, it is recommended to use a two stage regulator which reduces the pressure in two steps. They are better at delivering constant pressure as the tank pressure declines and temperature fluctuates.


The blue screw on bottle regulator is single stage & the cali standard is 2 stage.

 

[Wesel]

Well according to that article the VW California fails on a number of points, so is basically illegal in the U.K. and EU and yet it is on sale and has been for 20+ yrs with essentially the same illegal system and every California leaves the factory with a German Gas Safety check/certificate.
Strange.

What are the points that you think would make the gas installation of the Cali not legal?

 

[WelshGas]

What are the points that you think would make the gas installation of the Cali not legal?

Security of gas bottle, 2 straps according to that article, which also quotes the material the pipe work has to be made of and the connections used.
VW have their own system which has been in use for many years. I’m not concerned in the slightest.

 

[yossarian]

Security of gas bottle, 2 straps according to that article, which also quotes the material the pipe work has to be made of and the connections used.
VW have their own system which has been in use for many years. I’m not concerned in the slightest.

Yes I noticed the straps and pipe work. One thing evident in this thread is that the factory fitted rubber pipe is clearly different to standard 10 bar UK lpg pipe.

I've experienced extremes of what would be considered normal in many parts of the world: factory VW is certainly safe, probably the various modifications proposed here are pretty safe, certainly much more safe than many things i'm exposed to as a matter of course.

Risk is cumulative. It can never be reduced to zero. We need to be realistic when assessing it.

 

[WelshGas]

Yes I noticed the straps and pipe work. One thing evident in this thread is that the factory fitted rubber pipe is clearly different to standard 10 bar UK lpg pipe.

I've experienced extremes of what would be considered normal in many parts of the world: factory VW is certainly safe, probably the various modifications proposed here are pretty safe, certainly much more safe than many things i'm exposed to as a matter of course.

Risk is cumulative. It can never be reduced to zero. We need to be realistic when assessing it.

I’ve not seen many systems where the cylinder is in a sealed , vented gas locker surrounded by a double skinned water tank, and using a “ red rubber “ low pressure gas tube that is reinforced and at least double if not triple skinned with crimped , screw connectors and connected to the Isolation switch via a one piece, stainless steel gas line ( well it looks like stainless steel ).
I think I’ll keep with the VWsystem.

 

[Wesel]

German standards are known to be very strict. It would be surprising if the gas installations of the VW California were not legal. (Except for lies about exhaust emissions). Personally, I don't ask myself these questions.