gas butane///propane

[BurningSmell]

Morning all,
Thought better to post here rather than start a new topic, albeit this one is dated it’s the same sort of question.

This is the connection I have in our ‘new’ old van. It’s a 2005 Lunar Quasar. The previous owner used 4.5kg butane. I have some 6kg propane but want to check if I can use either or if the connection is only for butane.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Please read the forum etiquette for new members regarding reopening old threads. Hopefully the Moderators will move this to a new thread.

But to answer your question.

The connection you have is specifically for screw on Butane cylinders. However the regulator is compatible with both Butane and Propane, and all you need to do is to get the Pigtail ( the flexible hose with the butane connector) changed to a Propane Pigtail.

The only other concern is the bulkhead mounted regulator should be fixed higher than the top of the gas cylinder, to prevent the possibility of heavy ends( the remnants of oils and other contaminants that are present in commercial grade LPG cylinders) from reaching the regulator.

 

[BurningSmell]

Apologies, I did read the 3 month rule but was on auto pilot there! Used to a local car forum where we do that. Will keep that in mind.

Thanks for the advice, will maybe just play it safe and get a buntane and look again next season when we’re not so close to heading off

 

[ProfJohnL]

Apologies, I did read the 3 month rule but was on auto pilot there! Used to a local car forum where we do that. Will keep that in mind.

Thanks for the advice, will maybe just play it safe and get a buntane and look again next season when we’re not so close to heading off

Butane is fine as long as the ambient temperature remains above about 5C. The reason is because the liquefied gas inside the cylinder draws heat from the atmosphere around the cylinder to have the energy to evaporate the liquid into its gaseous state, and the vapour pressure it creates in the cylinder is also temperature dependant. the lower the ambient temp the lower the cylinder pressure.

In addition as you use gas from an LPG cylinder (Butane and Propane) the cylinder needs to evaporate more liquid to replace the gas you have used. This further cools the liquid content of the cylinder, so even though Butane theoretically would stop gassing off at 0C the fact gas usage cools the liquid below ambient means that for practical purposes Butane can become temperamental at about 5C ambient.

Exactly the same thing happens to Propane but the big difference is it has to be cooled to about -40C before it stops gassing off. So Propane is the choice for winter caravanning, and in fact its safe for all year round use in the Europe and the UK.

The cost of buying a Propane pigtail is typically between £10 to £15, If you are competent you can change it your self, but its literally a 5min job .

Generally Propane is cheaper to buy compared to Butane, and whilst there is a slight difference in the heat that can be obtained from the same mass of either LPG, its small and you are not likely to notice it. Propane cylinder can often be found cheaper from builders merchants, than caravan/leisure retailers.

 

[BurningSmell]

Thanks for the info. I called in to exchange my 4.5kg blue butane to be told they no longer offer these as they’ve removed them. Offered a yellow 5kg butane which they think would also need a different attachment 🤷🏻‍♂️
It’s going in for some revealing next week so going to ask the pigtail be changed to propane

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Thanks for the info. I called in to exchange my 4.5kg blue butane to be told they no longer offer these as they’ve removed them. Offered a yellow 5kg butane which they think would also need a different attachment 🤷🏻‍♂️
It’s going in for some revealing next week so going to ask the pigtail be changed to propane

Calor reissued 4.5kg butane a few months ago.

 

[RogerL]

Calor reissued 4.5kg butane a few months ago.

I believe customer feedback from building contractors, who use a lot of "dumpies", persuaded Calor to continue the 4.5 kg butane cylinder.

 

[Hutch]

I believe customer feedback from building contractors, who use a lot of "dumpies", persuaded Calor to continue the 4.5 kg butane cylinder.

And a lot of small day boat users complained. So you can get the 3.9kg propane.