French Gas

[Jim_374537773]

We're going skiing next week so will probably need to purchase a gas bottle in France.

I can get an adaptor in the UK so that I can use Calor in Fance but I understand Calor uses Butane, which will probably freeze in the Alps. Anyone what alternatives there are? I know there are alternative suppliers - Le cube etc but I don't know if they are ok for low temperatures, or if there are adaptors available for them in this country.

Alternatives are to take an extra bottle from the UK, but I'm not sure if this is ok with the Ferry company (Sea France), or to sort things out when I get over there.

Any advice gratefully received

 

[Jaydug]

Calor produce butane and propane. If you are going into cold areas propane is the gas you want. As the temperature drops below 5C, butane will gradually stop gassing, giving the impression that the bottle is empty. Two full bottles shouldn't be a problem on the ferries.

 

[Jim_374537773]

Thanks for the help.

I was told to get a butane adaptor for Calor, that's probably the confusion.

Does it mean that the Calor french adaptor is likely to be Ok for both propane and butane or do you know if you need a separate adaptor for each of the gases?

 

[Jaydug]

Butane and propane regulators are not interchangeable. Also Calor regulators won't fit French bottles - at least don't think so. Personally I go with two bottles and together with electric hookup, they last a surprisingly long time. But don't go with butane. It won't work in the cold.

 

[TD42]

you will not find "Calor" in france it's a british supplier & their bottle connectors wil not fit French gas bottles

However you will find PROPANE gas & this is what you need below 10deg C unfortunatly I can't tell you what regulator adaptor you will need for French propane bottles You may be better to buy 2 calor propane bottles & the propane adaptor here.

Unless your caravan uses gas bottles that have the old style clip on regulator & does not have the bulkhead fitted regulator in the front locker.If you have the old clip on reg you can get a free regulator when you buy a french propane bottle at most supermarkets

 

[Rod_5041370]

In France I use Twiny propane cylinders and regulators (detendres) bought in a hypermarch

 

[Jim_374537773]

Thanks again

I've just found out how difficult it is to get Calor in France so it has to be one of the alternatives.

I have a fixed 30mb regulator so I need a hose connector to twiny or something like it. Anyone know if the Pigtail described here is any good?

http://www.caravanning-online.co.uk/acatalog/euro-propane-pigtail.html

 

[NickinFrance]

It may be worth remembering that you will normally be given a regulator when you get your first bottle.

I spent a morning & 26 _ looking for a regulator only to be given one when I got the gas bottle for a total cost of 17 _.

 

[TD42]

Hi Jim try this link to gaslow for connector for continental bottles http://www.gaslow.co.uk/pages/products/list_1.htm

I think you will also find that the clip on reg for BP light gasbottles is 20 mm so will also fit french ELFI,Malice & Twinny bottles

 

[Dave_374330759]

BP Gaslight has a 27mm clip-on adapter+pigtail for fixed regulators or 27mm clip-on propane regulator for things like BBQ or vans with cylinder mounted regulators

 

[Dave_374330759]

http://www.gaslow.co.uk/pages/c_s2_1.htm
this link shows you what adapter/pigtail that you need for all the different cylinders that abound in Europe - some if not all should be available from your dealer or failing that Gaslow should be able to help you

 

[TD42]

BP Gaslight has a 27mm clip-on adapter+pigtail for fixed regulators or 27mm clip-on propane regulator for things like BBQ or vans with cylinder mounted regulators

Dave Thanks for putting me right. I knew the BP gas light connector was the same size as a French bottle,The Le cube also uses A 27mm connector so if you buy the LE CUBE connector it will also fit the BP bottle,but not the other way round

 

[TD42]

Dave Thanks for putting me right. I knew the BP gas light connector was the same size as a French bottle,The Le cube also uses A 27mm connector so if you buy the LE CUBE connector it will also fit the BP bottle,but not the other way round

 

[Dave_374330759]

I was intrigued about that, what is the subtle difference between the LeCube and the BP GasLight valves and what is the point of having two slightly different adapters when one will do both jobs - the obvious route is to get a LeCube compatible one and you are coverd for both the UK and France

 

[Dave_374330759]

And as an aside, how do you know if the one you've got is Gaslight only or the LeCube compatible one?

 

[TD42]

Hello again the LE CUBE one has a higher Gas takeoff in order to clear the cage around the gas valve.The BPlight one does not have the height so the cage will foul the pigtail,However if you buy the LE CUBE connector it will fit both bottles

 

[TD42]

Hello again the LE CUBE one has a higher Gas takeoff in order to clear the cage around the gas valve.The BPlight one does not have the height so the cage will foul the pigtail,However if you buy the LE CUBE connector it will fit both bottles

this is according to Gaslow

 

[Jim_374537773]

Many thanks to everyone for their helpful comments.

I've spoken to Gaslow and they have sent me the Butane connector (which is also fine for Propane) and a 20mm connector, so I'm Ok for Malice, ELFI and Twiny.