Cadac - 37 mbar or 30 mbar

[markw]

Fitted a bbq gas connector to the my caravan, the caravan has a 30mbar bulkhead mounted gas regulator and i run on propane, last year I thought the performance of the cadac was not as good as i was lead to believe from various peoples reviews and comments, it did not seem to be hot enough, particularly when bbq'ing which seemed to need the lid kept on.

The Cadac instructions state 37 mbar for propane, so what I am intending is to buy a old type bottle mounted 37 mbar regulator and using my 2nd gas bottle pipe that up purely to supply the bbq gas point, so the cadac is getting its 37mbar on propane, whilst the rest of the van is still usinf the bulkhead 30mbar regulator on the other gas botttle.

My question is:

has anyone else tried the cadac on both 30 mbar and 37 mbar (using propane) and if so was its performance much better on 37 mbar ?

Regards

Mark

 

[DeliDave]

mine works fine on the bbq point of van got 30mb bulhead regulator,seies 6 Indiana.Have also got a regulator with a bayonet receiver so i can use cadac in garden

 

[markw]

Do you notice any diofference between using it on the 30mbar bulkhead regulator or the 37mbar regulator you use with it at home ??

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Mark & Dave

The letter of the law requires the user of any gas appliance to ensure it is used on the correct gas supply. 30mBar is not 37, so technically you should not do it.

 

[markw]

Please read my post again before quoting "the letter of the law" at me. I stated I was going to supply the gas bbq point ONLY from a 37 mbar regulator, independant from the rest of the caravan gas supply, which would remain on the original 30 mbar bulkhead regulator, so no "law" issues as everything in the caravan is rated for 30 mbar which it would remain on, the cadac is rated for 37 mbar (propane) which it would be running on.

What I was looking for was peoples experiences running cadacs on either 30 or 37 mbar.

Im now sitting back waiting for all the comments about not altering the pipework myself etc. etc.

So has anyone any comments regarding the difference in using gas bbq's and or cadacs on both 30 and 37 mbar ?????

 

[DeliDave]

have not noticed any difference,it is true about letter of law but incorrect pressure to such a small degree does not bother me too much as any imbalance in products of combustion is soon lost outside.Wouldnt do it indoors of course.As far as I know, gas farm equipment is exempt from regs as being designed for use outside fumes are not considerd to be a problem

 

[Damian]

Mark, if you run the cadac on a 37mBar regulator to the BBQ point, why not just use a direct connection outside the van?

The problem you may encounter is when you have your van serviced, if you do have it serviced, as there will be a dual pressure system in place which is not allowed.

As regards differences in burn pattern, it should only make minimal difference between 30 and 37mBar.

Just a point to note please, you asked a question regarding the use of gas, it is inevitable that you will get the official position given to you, as is right.

Many people have done modifications to vans in the past and ended up with disasterous consequences, never mind the legal minefield you will be running into.

If you do not like the replies, just ignore the bits that you do not like, and refrain from the snappy answer syndrome which seems to be rather prevalent at times.

 

[markw]

Mark, if you run the cadac on a 37mBar regulator to the BBQ point, why not just use a direct connection outside the van?

The problem you may encounter is when you have your van serviced, if you do have it serviced, as there will be a dual pressure system in place which is not allowed.

As regards differences in burn pattern, it should only make minimal difference between 30 and 37mBar.

Just a point to note please, you asked a question regarding the use of gas, it is inevitable that you will get the official position given to you, as is right.

Many people have done modifications to vans in the past and ended up with disasterous consequences, never mind the legal minefield you will be running into.

If you do not like the replies, just ignore the bits that you do not like, and refrain from the snappy answer syndrome which seems to be rather prevalent at times.

Fair comment, the poster's reply was very quick to comment on the "law" and technicalities, His reply read as though he had not fully read my post.

 

[markw]

I admit I could use a direct connection outside the van, but for tidyness was going to avoid having to lift the spare propane bottle in and out of the gas locker every time I wanted to use the cadac.

Having fitted the bbq gas outlet myself, it occoured to me that if people here found the cadac better on 37mbar then why not just connect the gas bbq point only to a reg fitted directly to the spare gas bottle, this would obviously be easier than lifting the spare bottle in and out all the time.

If peoples experiences tell me they see no difference between 30 and 37 mbar then the bbq point will be connected into the original gas system

 

[David_from_Ashby]

Hi Mark

I have been going through the same conundrum. I have, I think, decided to use a seperate gas bottle for convenience. I am then free to use the Cadac more than 3 feet from the gas point which will usually end up being inside the awning and not very practical.

I will probably invest in a medium CampingGaz bottle to use it with too, so I do not have to struggle and move the big propane bottel every time.

My few pennies worth.

David

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Mark,

I apologise for tone my earlier reply, it was perhaps rather abrupt, and after reading your question again, I concede that I had taken full account of the later part, however I stand by the content of my reply, and it is/was relevant as you had written that you had used the 37mB Cadac on the 30mB supply.

I am obliged to point out the legalities with regard to technical questions. If I were to offer what turns out to be technically flawed advice then I too would be in breach of regulations. Besides which if it averts a transgression by someone else and that in turn removes the possibility of further action by the authorities. Don't forget that a transgression of the gas regulations is prosecuted under criminal law (not civil law) and may result in a heavy fine or even a prison sentence.

With regard to the use of 37mB appliances on 30mB supplies, the law is clear, and it applies across all gas appliances in the UK even those fitted in touring caravans.

I have heard of a number of people who do use appliances rated for 37mbar propane on 30m supplies, and whilst they do not suffer any apparent problems, the appliances may actually be performing inadequately with respect of its specifications, and with regards to emmisions and flame stability.

Classically there will be a reduced heat output because less gas will be passing through to the burner, but for appliances with thermostats that proportion the gas feed, there may be no noticeable difference once normal operating temperatures have been achieved.

Appliances with lower rated burners will be more affected by the reduction in operating pressure. This may significantly affect pilot burners, or small flame devices such as fridges etc.

 

[Graham_374319662]

I had the same question as you. However I have a new cadac carri chef and in the instruction book for other countries Propane 28-30mb with the same Jet size and number.

Therefore I take it to mean it will work correctly at 37 or 30mb in the uk

Hope this helps? At the moment I have only tested the BBQ on a standalone bottle

 

[IanMc]

I use my cadac with a camping gaz bottle. Seems to work fine. Not too sure what the regulator is.

Regards

ian

 

[geoff_374346877]

Hi Mark you can use eather it states it in the instructions cheers

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Graham,

If your instructions say 28 to 30mBar, then it is incorrect to assume it is legal to use it on a 37mBar supply. You are technically over gassing it.

I state again that that it is only fully legal to use a gas appliance on the supply stipulated on the data plate fixed to the appliance.

I should also point out that whilst in the UK it had been the traditional practice to specify most low pressure LPG appliances for both Butane and Propane but at their respective operating pressures of 28mBar and 37mBar, it would be a contravention of the regulations to attempt to the same appliance on a propane supply at the new standard of only 30mBar.

Whilst on the face of it there may not be any obvious difference between appliance designs and the injector size may be the same both old and new standards, but there may be small differences to ensure the correct aeration of the burner.

Equally I am aware that some manufactures have not had to make any changes to their appliances to meet the new standard. But you cannot make the assumption that it is the case for all appliances.

Now whilst I am pointing out the legal aspects of this, some may say that the standards for the new 30mBar gas pressure have a tolerance that encompasses the old 37mBar nominal pressure, well technically yes it does but that does not make it legal, as a 37mBar regulator also has a tolerance band, which exceeds the upper limit for the 30mBar standard, and equally the 30mBar lower limit is less than the lower limit for the old 37mBar pressure.

In most cases the user would not notice any significant problems with mixing appliance and gas standards, but under test conditions the appliance may not meet its performance specification or the legal test limits imposed under the construction and CE regulations.

As far as I am concerned this subject is now closed on this thread