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Flexible gas pipe

K

kbrad

How often should the gas pipe be replaced,I have the stainless steel covered one in use,the rubber one which came with the caravan when new has never been used.(2017)
 
Suppliers such as Hamilton or Autogas quote 5 years for rubber and up to 20 years for stainless/ptfe, subject to inspection and taking regard of the specific manufacturers instructions. IE Truma quote 12 years for stainless/ptfe.
 
I was told the same by my AWS service engineer.
I was also told it was suggested the regulator should be replaced at 10 years, but I don't know if there are any regulations on that.
 
Hutch said:
I was told the same by my AWS service engineer.
I was also told it was suggested the regulator should be replaced at 10 years, but I don't know if there are any regulations on that.
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No regulations but Truma regulators did have a "bit of a reputation" a few years back of failure at about, I think, 6-8 years?? Not sure what the current situation is. Cleese ones seem to be pretty reliable.
 
Thanks Toady, for your appreciation of my poetic input. 🥺
Looking into the problems with the regulators, came back to "oily gas" obviously some regulators could handle this others could not.
Maybe it depends on how much you use the gas systems in the caravan.
The regulator in my 2013 Coachman is still ok, but it doesn't get as much use as we did 8 years ago.
 
This is a whole can of worms, people often quote opinions as facts whereas there are no SI's(statutory Instruments) regarding 'change at' dates. The Gas installation and use safety regulation do require that the system is 'safe' to use' . The inspecting engineer has to make an evaluation of whether the regulator and pigtail are 'safe' . Obvious issues are condition, leak tightness and performance and recommended 'change at ' life . The manufacturers of regulators and pigtails recommend various 'change at' intervals , as do the various national and international standards , to which these components are compliant , of which they are a few .I've seen regulators 12-15 years still perform ( lock up pressure, working pressure and maintain correct pressure at high flow rates) and some at 18 months to 5 years old fail - oil contamination due to mishandling of the cylinder or inappropriate positioning with regard to regulator height- yes I do cut open failed regulators to see what caused them to fail.Also had one where the diaphragm had split. Similarly with pigtails , some look like they have just been installed, yet are 10-12 years old. The trouble is we can't see inside to look for internal damage( collapse of the inner tube , internal cracks or perishing. I always note the age and the recommendation based on the type and the standard they comply with , but leave it upto the client to decide. Its like tyres they look OK on the outside, lots of tread left and no visible cracking/perishing , but what's going on inside - are the steel bands still intact??. To answer the OP's question there are two types of 'steel' braided . one is actually flexible stainless steel or corrugated stainless steel made to BS EN ISO 10380:2012 has a service life of 20 years , however the second type is actually HP rubber tube with an outer stainless steel braiding and its 'change at' recommend life is still ten years .This type is often used in residential park homes and the steel braiding is there to protect against rodent attack.Unfortunately the rubber ones with steel braiding dont have the standard they are made to stamped on them so on the gas course, the instructor said to treat them as having a 10 year life.My final point is , given the relative low cost of a regulator and pigtail why wouldn't you change it at the recommend 'change at' age , sure beats a gas explosion.
 
The biggest problem these days is that the manufacturers (of the caravan) go for the shortest pigtail that they can get away with. On our latest van (brand withheld) the gas locker is over a wheel and has two bottle positions the inner one being lower than the outer. The pigtail to the (single bottle) regulator ends up being so tight that it is rubbing against the edge of the 'roof' of the inner bottle compartment. It was 450mm which I have replaced with a 600mm (500mm is just not quite enough.)
 
If it is to short it is down to the supplying dealer as they fit the pigtails on delivery, depending wether Butane or Propane is going to be used.
 
Had my 5th service done a couple of weeks back and they changed the pigtail.

A little annoyed that they'd done it without asking me first but I would most likely have said yes and it wasn't expensive.
 
Sam Vimes said:
Had my 5th service done a couple of weeks back and they changed the pigtail.

A little annoyed that they'd done it without asking me first but I would most likely have said yes and it wasn't expensive.
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When booking in with our dealer, we always have a declaration to sign which allows them to do anything required up to the cost of £50 without having to ask.
 
Woodentop said:
The biggest problem these days is that the manufacturers (of the caravan) go for the shortest pigtail that they can get away with. On our latest van (brand withheld) the gas locker is over a wheel and has two bottle positions the inner one being lower than the outer. The pigtail to the (single bottle) regulator ends up being so tight that it is rubbing against the edge of the 'roof' of the inner bottle compartment. It was 450mm which I have replaced with a 600mm (500mm is just not quite enough.)
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I didn't think manufacturers fitted the pigtails - they're normally fitted by the dealer AFTER finding out what type of cylinders you're using.
 
Note that the manufacture date of the pigtail is printed on the pipe. The pipe must be replaced by the 5th anniversary if not earlier.
 
I know its annoying to have a short pigtail , but that is the length fitted and detailed in the type approval of the caravan by the manufacturer as is the size of bottles which can be fitted .Its primary that short to stop bottles being used external to the gas locker, ie it will only reach bottles placed in the fitted clamps/straps. Go on any residential site, where touring caravans are being used 24/7/365 and you will see this flouted , they have 47kg bottles , free standing with extremely long flexible hoses ( sometimes with bottle top regulators and LP hoses :fearful:, leading into the gas locker , just an incident waiting to happen( its not an accident as it can be foreseen).
 
IanB1485 said:
I know its annoying to have a short pigtail , but that is the length fitted and detailed in the type approval of the caravan by the manufacturer as is the size of bottles which can be fitted .Its primary that short to stop bottles being used external to the gas locker, ie it will only reach bottles placed in the fitted clamps/straps. Go on any residential site, where touring caravans are being used 24/7/365 and you will see this flouted , they have 47kg bottles , free standing with extremely long flexible hoses ( sometimes with bottle top regulators and LP hoses :fearful:, leading into the gas locker , just an incident waiting to happen( its not an accident as it can be foreseen).
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Is it a new requirement for the manufacturer to fit the pigtails - if so, how do they know what cylinder will be fitted as the fitting varies -eg, Calor Propane, Calor Butane, Other brands.

Back in 2013 my Lunar was built without pigtails - the dealers asked us which cylinders we'd be using and fitted appropriate pigtails during the PDI.
 
Both of my NEW caravans came without gas pigtails,
When I asked the dealer, where is the gas pipe he said it's extra, went to my car, brought back my adjustable spanner and removed the pipe from the old van, there were lots of BUT'S, I got a new pigtail.
 
thats interesting to know from the last few posts as that is contrary to what was I was told on the gas course in relation to gas installation and use safety regulations (which are a legal regulations) for the reasons for a short pigtail which type certification ( NCC) declare , which by the way do not carry any legal status. Having just trolled my course notes I can't actually find the relevant clause about the length .So I will email my course tutor to see if its locked away in some BS -EN standard
 
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