Hi all just purchased a new to us van and it has a spanner type propane gas bottle regulator and i need advice as regards to if i should change it to a butane quick fit one or a spanner less propane one [i dont fancy keeping the one thats on because i use them at work and no they can leak through thread ] so all advice really appreciated thanks .DARREN
Hi darren, millions of us are using the propane type gas regulator and its rare indeed if any of us has had a problem with gas leaking from the thread,most gas connections have some sort of threaded attachment even the clip on ones have flexi-pipes to the van bulkhead,( we use Propane during the winter because of the low "freeze point" of the gas compared to Butane) so if you are not sure check all joints with leak detector or soapy water or better still get a gas leak detector regards S/C
Personally i use Butane, i know others who swear by Propane, Butane can freeze in extremely cold weather (although i've never had the problem).
The price and availability is about the same, and there's little to choose between them in my book.
It is all a matter of choice I think, or why would they sell both butane and propane? We started caravanning almost 20 years ago using butane through fear of the un-known.....but we changed owing to wanting to go winter caravanning and I honestly can't think now why anybody would want to use the rather slugish butane. When we used butane in the early years we could not cook whilst the heater was on or vise-versa, whilst with propane the presure is just great and it seems much hotter.
thanks s/c was just a bit wary of the screw type thread on the propane because ive had refills at work [with all differant gases ] and sometimes theyve leaked so you have the rigmarole of putting ptfe on threads and re-checking with soapy water [dont fancy havin to go through all this in my scarce leisure time]and just wondered what other more experianced caravanners thought.
dazparty,
The threads form no part of the seal on the connection to our propane bottles. The seal is entirely at the spherically nosed nipple, and PTFE tape should never be used. Small bits of it could get into the regulator and cause a dangerous malfunction. Whilst the standard nipple is made of bronze or brass and needs to be tight to seal, Gaslow did and may still do one with a rubber seal integrated into the nipple. This is less prone to leak. If bruised the all metal connection can and does occasionally leak but its rare. If this is happening very carefully check the condition of the nipple on your coupling, and it must be replaced if at all damaged.
If there is a leak when the regulator is properly fitted to the gas cylinder, then the regulator is possibly damaged, probably on its spherical seating.
Buy and fit a new regulator, and always handle it with care to avoid damage to it. Never leave it hanging loose and unwrapped in the gas locker if it isn't attached to a cylinder. Put a plasitc bag around it, then wrap it in cloth, such as an old towel.
Hi Daz ,ive been vanning for 30 odd years and I had the same choice as you last week, we wanted to go away in the freezing snow so we changed to the red bottle for the first time, and found no noticable difference and also they are simular in price, I went in and did a straight swop but had to buy a new regulator for £6 I see no reason now to swop back ,I hope this helps a little
When we bought our caravan the dealer asked if we wanted propane or butane regulators (red or blue), when we said red - he indicated that it was really the only choice if you wanted to go camping in winter. When we were tenters using camping gaz (mainly butane with some propane) there were a few times that the flame was so low as to almost non existent!
Mine is handtightening, but I'm in Holland. I could use a spanner, but if you know the trick tightening by hand will do. This is possible as the regulator is fitted on the hose, not on the bulkhead.
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Topic: propane or butane
