By passing bulkhead regulator

[Surfer]

Apparently continetal caravans do not have a bulkhead regulator fitted as standard but where they are fitted they must comply with some EU regulation. This is all a bit hazy to me.

Our Truma bulkhead regulator has clogged up and it looks like about £90

 

[Surfer]

Don't know why it posted itself but a new regulator fitted is about

 

[Guest]

My understanding is that from 2006, a year later than in the UK, all EU vans should be fitted with a 30 mb butane/propane regulator. However, i believe some systems allow this to be fitted directly to the cylinder and use low pressure hose to the caravan system.

My own continental van was made in 2005 and indeed came with just a hose nipple. I had a 30 mb bulkhead regulator fitted as i did not wish any 'complaints' from UK servicing companies, and trying to explain the difference in dates would have be just too much bother.

 

[WiltshirePete]

My Hymer (2006) came with a metal pipe into the front locker, then a flexi hose to a 30mb regulator with a propane tail from that. I have replaced the propane tail with a push on fitting to suit the BP Gaslights we now use.

Pete

 

[WiltshirePete]

My Hymer (2006) came with a metal pipe into the front locker, then a flexi hose to a 30mb regulator with a propane tail from that. I have replaced the propane tail with a push on fitting to suit the BP Gaslights we now use.

Pete

 

[WiltshirePete]

My Hymer (2006) came with a metal pipe into the front locker, then a flexi hose to a 30mb regulator with a propane tail from that. I have replaced the propane tail with a push on fitting to suit the BP Gaslights we now use.

Pete

 

[WiltshirePete]

My Hymer (2006) came with a metal pipe into the front locker, then a flexi hose to a 30mb regulator with a propane tail from that. I have replaced the propane tail with a push on fitting to suit the BP Gaslights we now use.

Pete

 

[WiltshirePete]

My Hymer (2006) came with a metal pipe into the front locker, then a flexi hose to a 30mb regulator with a propane tail from that. I have replaced the propane tail with a push on fitting to suit the BP Gaslights we now use.

Pete

Don't know how the 4 posts happened - sorry!

 

[caravanoracle]

a new truma regulator costs less about

 

[caravanoracle]

plus you could have a clesse regulator fitted instead. same operating pressure and they dont clog up like the truma ones are prone for.

 

[Surfer]

We were quoted in the region of about

 

[alunhve]

a new truma regulator costs less about

 

[ProfJohnL]

Ian,

Feeling fairly competent does not cut it with the regulations.

Do you know how to complete a compression coupling?

Do you know how to test the regulator output pressure?

Do you know how to check the lock off function of the regulator?

do you know how to perform a a gas soundness test in compliance with the regulations, at the required test pressure?

plus a mirriad of other requirements.

Such knowledge is not necessarily in the general public domain. Unless you have that knowledge, you must refer the complete replacement work to a competent person.

 

[RayS]

I have never understood the logic behind the EU change to fixed reegulator supplied via flexible pipe. This goes totally against all concepts of safety and would not have survived a chemical industry style HAZOP (Hazard and operability) study for a minute.

The most vunerable part of the system is obviously the flexible pipe, and it made good sense that this shoould carry the flammable gas at the low pressure not the high. Many of the old regulators had a flow limiting device such that if the flexible failed, the leak flow was restricted.

If there is a flexible failure on the current system, the leak is fed by the high pressure in the cylinder with no restriction to flow apart from the size of the valve orifice of the cylinder valve.

Given that a caravan is mobile (at times) there is potential risk of damabge to the flexible from unsecured items whereas the old rigid metal pipe would withstand this much better.

It is fairly common with long stay carravanners in other countries to isolate the regulator using the valve provided on the discharge side and then back feed gas from an external cylinder fitted with the appropriate regulator directly onto the cylinder and connected to the BBQ point.

This also means that if the flexible does leak for any reason it is outside the van in free air and that the flow is limited by the regulator.

Finally, with the 'old' system replacing the flexible was easy and inexpensive. The new type with end fitting is not cheap and therefore there is the temptation not to replace it according to schedule.