Calor v BP

[BillD.]

I am thinking of changing to a lightweight cylinder when my current calor butane one runs out. Any thoughts on merits of Calor or BP? (I understand they are both Propane)

My caravan manual (Sprite Alpine2 2007) states the cylinder base fixing in the front locker is suitable for the BP.

Thanks.

Bill D.

 

[Zafiral]

I changed from the calor 'blues' to BP light and have had no problems.

It is alot better than when I got mine, but you may need to carry two cylinders as you may have to travel a few miles for a swapover. I do not know of any caravan sites that stock the BP. Homebase stores stock them now as do most cravan dealers.

 

[Graham_374319662]

i too was using Calor but 6kg propane. I wanted to change to Calor lite but all the sites I have visited this year, not one stocked the new Calor lite cylinders. I then picked up 2 BP bottles off ebay cheap and havent looked back. ok I havent found any on sites but my local dealer and homebase stock them. As I carry 2 bottles if one runs out, all i have to do is wait till I am at home and change it locally. Because Calor will only supply caravan sites and dealers (not mine he is BP stockist)there is no supply of Calor lite at home either.

 

[AlanJ]

Hi, I moved to BP Light on my new van. Originally went for 2 x 5kg bottles but have now exchanged one for a 10kg (you can move between 5 & 10kg at no additional charge as deposit the same for both).

Main reason for change was that BP Light now available in Europe and will become easier as their distribution network grows both in UK and Europe.

I like the lighter bottles both on hitchweight and for lugging around. Lots of Home Base stores around especially if you carry two bottles.

 

[Rodone]

I changed to Calorlite only to help with a nose weight issue when I used a car to tow with. Now the car is going, so we will be using a CR-V and therefore no more trouble with noseweight. However, beware of some of the Calor rip - off merchants who will try to get up

 

[Guest]

Has anyone faced the issue of using both propane and butane. The reason I ask is that I like to carry a Camping Gaz cylinder as it is easily exchangeable in Europe. I normally have 1 Calor butane and 1 Camping Gaz cylinder linked as a pair in the front locker. I would like to change the Calor to a lighter cylinder but also want to keep the paired set up. Obviously I would need to change the pigtail for the Calor lite etc but with a manual switchover I do not really see a problem, but am asking if anyone has done the same.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Scotch lad,

The only problem is that Propane gas bottles operate at a higher pressure than Butane. If the change over system allows any chance that that both bottles will be 'open' at the same time, then gas will try to transfer from the higher pressure to the lower. THIS MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.

Not only is highly dangerous, as butane bottles are not designed to handle propane pressures, it is also highly illegal.

The change over valve must block both bottles before opening which ever you want to feed the system.

the change over valve must block the connection to both cylinders before making the next connection. This is to prevent any possibility that gas from one bottle may find its way into the other.

 

[joeby]

I have my foot in both camps ,i have 1 10kg BP gaslite and 1 6kg calor , when the BP runs out i just connect the Calor , then i can change the BP at leisure

 

[Guest]

John L

I fully accept your points as one oneof the reasons I was asking. My changeover valve is a Gaslow one, but I would not like to trust it that much. However, one answer I could see is to disconnect the Butane cylinder at the cylinder itself while the propane is being used, and vice versa. What I was trying to avoid is having to swop pigtails around each time, and the issue is still the fact that Camping Gaz is still the easiest system for use abroad.

I am also not quite so sure the weight savings are as useful as may at first seem. The full Calor 7 kg butane cylinder is 15 kg while the Calor lite comes in at 10-11kg I believe, because Calor refuse to state the exact cylinder weight, while BP (5kg) is just under this at 8.5 kg. 5 - 7 kg is there to be gained but is it worth it, I wonder. Just dropping one of the Calor butane cylinders will save me 15 kg right away, and yes, I accept it has taken me a long time to stop thinking I need to carry 2 cylinders. When planning on being abroad for 3-4 months at a time the mind tended to tell me put both in, just in case etc.

It is a pity, in my mind anyway, that neither BP nor Calor saw fit to lighten their butane cylinders, especially as it is at a lower pressure, but I suppose market forces pushed them the way they did.

 

[rob_jax]

Scotch Lad,

I'd suggest you check the pigtails - those used with a change over system for Propane and Butane should also have non-return valves in the "loose" end of the pigtail - nothing more than a ball-bearing and a spring, but that should stop the odd leak from mishandling the change-over valve.

In truth, it should be impossible to operate the changeover valve and cause a leak - for a valve in good condition that is.

But as you use the valve, it will scratch and score the bearing surfaces, and eventually it will leak. So there is a requirement to annually check these valves for leakage - and you'll probably sell the caravan before a leak occurs - but any manufacturing issue and gas could leak the wrong way... Hence the need for the non-return valves.

And I agree, I'd like lightweight Butane bottles, and I don't know why they aren't available

Robert

 

[TD42]

I have changed my 7kg butane bottles for calorlight propane.As for use abroad I bought a 20 mm clip on connecter to fit french bottles & a screw on propane adaptor from Gaslow this allows me to use the same pigtail for both bottles I also have a french bottle that we bought in france last year you can get them at super u for _24