Hi all, I have a 1994 Sterling Emerald, what is the easiest way to change butane to propane as we are away in the winter thanks for any info.
Changing butane to propane
- Thread starter junieliz
- Start date
Clearly you have to aquire a cylinder of Propane. Then assuming its for the UK then at your vintage van all you need to do is buy and fit a propane[ red] regulator. Propanes in our UK leisure world all share the same thread/connector. Best also to buy some new hose if yours is more than 4 years old from date of manufacture; its marked on it. I would only buy the red one myself.
Hi Geoff,
You might want to look at BP Lightgas.This is propane and the cylinders are very light.Homebase sell them.I've used one all summer and it's great.
You might want to look at BP Lightgas.This is propane and the cylinders are very light.Homebase sell them.I've used one all summer and it's great.
Hello Geof,
The previous replies have covered the general points you need to know, but if you only caravan in the UK, then you may find it just as convenient to stay on Propane during the summer, and save the hassle of changing over twice a year.
The previous replies have covered the general points you need to know, but if you only caravan in the UK, then you may find it just as convenient to stay on Propane during the summer, and save the hassle of changing over twice a year.
If you can use larger cylinders propane gets progressively cheaper and in 13kg bottles there is little cost difference in pence per kWhr, in 19kg bottles it is significantly cheaper.
We have 13kg for inside the locker and a 19kg for when it can sit on the floor (rallies).
We changed to propane for winter use 2 years ago and have never changed back, there seems no reason to keep duplicates of everything, we do not have to changeover twice a year and there is no cost reason.
We have 13kg for inside the locker and a 19kg for when it can sit on the floor (rallies).
We changed to propane for winter use 2 years ago and have never changed back, there seems no reason to keep duplicates of everything, we do not have to changeover twice a year and there is no cost reason.
Graham,
Why Red?
Because red hose uses a composite construction with an impervious and inert liner covered by a braid reinforcing set in and covered by a wear resistant sheath. By comparison the black hose is a solid homogeneous material, which has to be of impervious and inert. It does not benefit from having any reinforcing, or abrasion resistance, relying only on the structural properties of that forced material choice.
My experience with inspecting other peoples hoses is that if regular replacement is overlooked its always the black type that develops micro cracking.
I also have found hose on sale past its usable life , so check the date on it before purchase.
Why Red?
Because red hose uses a composite construction with an impervious and inert liner covered by a braid reinforcing set in and covered by a wear resistant sheath. By comparison the black hose is a solid homogeneous material, which has to be of impervious and inert. It does not benefit from having any reinforcing, or abrasion resistance, relying only on the structural properties of that forced material choice.
My experience with inspecting other peoples hoses is that if regular replacement is overlooked its always the black type that develops micro cracking.
I also have found hose on sale past its usable life , so check the date on it before purchase.
You need to keep away from inspecting other people's hoses. I had an Adjudent warn me about guys like you. 
Although in todays climate of equality you probably would not be Courts MartialledYou need to keep away from inspecting other people's hoses. I had an Adjudent warn me about guys like you.
Pat mentioned BP Lightgas but in March 2008 Calor are launching Calor Lite http://www.calorlite.co.uk/
Martin_E
Martin_E
Damian
Moderator
Quote: I also have found hose on sale past its usable life , so check the date on it before purchase.
I am curious to know why you say this?
LPG hose is date stamped with the date it left the manufacturing company, and is not an indication , as such, for its lifespan, as it is unaffected when stored correctly until it is actually used to transfer gas, at which time it is time limited to a max of 3 years.
I am curious to know why you say this?
LPG hose is date stamped with the date it left the manufacturing company, and is not an indication , as such, for its lifespan, as it is unaffected when stored correctly until it is actually used to transfer gas, at which time it is time limited to a max of 3 years.
Damian,
I gave the advice in good faith as I had thought that the there were some regulations in place that required LPG carrying Low pressure hoses to be changed at not more than 5years.
And very importantly because I have witnessed that the black hose on several vans was very badly crazed. I have also been next to a caravaner who found his hose broke in two whilst changing the cylinder. He had in I think he said 12 years of ownership from new never changed his hose. I replaced for him and have to add it was an installation that required the cylinder to be moved to undo the regulator. [Calor 4.5 Butane, screwed]
But following your questioning I have tried various public access sites without finding any regulatory document. I am not spending money on viewing the BS 3213 however.
Interestingly the Caravan Club is far more restrictive that my recommendation in its Members only "Liquefied Petroleum Gas" Technical sheet. Quoting
"Hoses will inevitably deteriorate with age, so they should be inspected for wear and damage and replaced on a regular basis, certainly every two years."
The Camping Club is 50% more relaxed. Its Data sheet "Gas for Campers and Caravaners" quotes in respect to hose. "Those manufactured in this country are made to British Standard 3212 and are stamped with the date of manufacture. Whichever hose you use it should be inspected regularly and replaced three years after the date indicated or earlier if it shows signs of cracking." Possible where your three years comes from but not from first use. Taking up your other point on storage, my experience is no storing really copes with the aging from ozone.
The LGPA Liquid petroleum gas association in its Technical Memorandum 66 www.lpga.co.uk/Public%20Domain%20TM's/TM66.pdf
States that there is no specific service life for LP hose but points out the requirement for regular inspection and immediate replacement?? Presumable only if it's found faulty but that's not what they say!
I gave the advice in good faith as I had thought that the there were some regulations in place that required LPG carrying Low pressure hoses to be changed at not more than 5years.
And very importantly because I have witnessed that the black hose on several vans was very badly crazed. I have also been next to a caravaner who found his hose broke in two whilst changing the cylinder. He had in I think he said 12 years of ownership from new never changed his hose. I replaced for him and have to add it was an installation that required the cylinder to be moved to undo the regulator. [Calor 4.5 Butane, screwed]
But following your questioning I have tried various public access sites without finding any regulatory document. I am not spending money on viewing the BS 3213 however.
Interestingly the Caravan Club is far more restrictive that my recommendation in its Members only "Liquefied Petroleum Gas" Technical sheet. Quoting
"Hoses will inevitably deteriorate with age, so they should be inspected for wear and damage and replaced on a regular basis, certainly every two years."
The Camping Club is 50% more relaxed. Its Data sheet "Gas for Campers and Caravaners" quotes in respect to hose. "Those manufactured in this country are made to British Standard 3212 and are stamped with the date of manufacture. Whichever hose you use it should be inspected regularly and replaced three years after the date indicated or earlier if it shows signs of cracking." Possible where your three years comes from but not from first use. Taking up your other point on storage, my experience is no storing really copes with the aging from ozone.
The LGPA Liquid petroleum gas association in its Technical Memorandum 66 www.lpga.co.uk/Public%20Domain%20TM's/TM66.pdf
States that there is no specific service life for LP hose but points out the requirement for regular inspection and immediate replacement?? Presumable only if it's found faulty but that's not what they say!
Our van is equipped with a Butane and a Propane bottle with a changeover valve. The idea is that we use the Butane in the Spring/Summer months or whenever we can because Butane lasts longer, burns hotter and cleaner. But Butane won't work in the cold winter months so we'll have to switch to Propane. I asked our dealer if they would swap either a Propane for Butane or a Butane for a Propane and he said yes, no problem.
The reason for asking was so we could have two Butane bottles for the Summer months caravanning and Propane for use when it's cold. The changeover valve saves any hassle.
The reason for asking was so we could have two Butane bottles for the Summer months caravanning and Propane for use when it's cold. The changeover valve saves any hassle.
Damian
Moderator
JTQ, thank you for your explanation.
Having just returned home from undertaking the European Registration Scheme Gas course, under the auspices of CITO, and from the Caravan Industry Training Organisation Engineers Handbook, they give the information which I have previously posted, the hose is dated, but that is manufacture, and it does not deteriorate under correct storage.
Once LPG is passed through the hose, it does deteriorate, and it is from first gas use that the time limit is applied, with the recommendation of changing every 3 years being the best option, but at a max of 5 years.
Most service workshops change the hose or pigtail every year, just to be on the safe side, especially on 2004 onwards caravans which have the fixed bulkhead regulators, as they have 100psi gas pressure in the hose, unlike the cylinder mounted style which only have 28 or 37 mbar in the hose.
When I change a pigtail or hose, I affix a date label in the gas locker with change date and next due date for the owners information.
I do not know of any other workshop or service engineer who does this, but I do not know why they dont.
Having just returned home from undertaking the European Registration Scheme Gas course, under the auspices of CITO, and from the Caravan Industry Training Organisation Engineers Handbook, they give the information which I have previously posted, the hose is dated, but that is manufacture, and it does not deteriorate under correct storage.
Once LPG is passed through the hose, it does deteriorate, and it is from first gas use that the time limit is applied, with the recommendation of changing every 3 years being the best option, but at a max of 5 years.
Most service workshops change the hose or pigtail every year, just to be on the safe side, especially on 2004 onwards caravans which have the fixed bulkhead regulators, as they have 100psi gas pressure in the hose, unlike the cylinder mounted style which only have 28 or 37 mbar in the hose.
When I change a pigtail or hose, I affix a date label in the gas locker with change date and next due date for the owners information.
I do not know of any other workshop or service engineer who does this, but I do not know why they dont.
Hi all, thank you for your info on changing butane to propane. Have taken on board all advice, now just to get the changeove done and our very cosy and warm vintage van will be ready for the off. Our vintage van is like a good wine matures with age and we love it.
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