We to have a Swift Charisma 2006 (although ours is 560) and had a problem with the gas on our second trip out. Like you we thought it was an empty gas bottle but on disconnecting my OH realised that the bottle still had gas in. When we tried to light the hob we could hear the gas coming through but then die out. When we took the van back to the dealer they told us that there had been problems with some of the 2006 regulators and replaced it free of charge. Like you again it had been serviced only a couple of weeks previous and upon enquiring as to how this could happen in such a short time after a service they advised that it could happen at any time, so it may be worth mentioning this to your dealer.
I managed to use up a 6kg propane in about 6 nights, which surprised me.
I found it was leaving the water heater on most of the day & using the gas heater. My water heater is a Carver Cascade 2, which is a better design than the Truma one which is probably fitted to your caravan. Also, I didn't leave mine on all the time, just while I was there in the day time & off at night. Also my heater was only on low & was actually switched off for much of the time.
I reckon, with a bigger 'van, such as yours, with the heater on constantly, & the less efficient Truma Ultrastore water heater, again on all the time, you may well have just used it all up.
Also, it's worth mentioning, many of those Calor red cylinders leak slightly at the valve, & I've had a few where the plastic screw in plug has orange paint on it, this get's stuck in the taper seat of the joint between regulator & bottle & gas leaks past. It's worth reminding, the taper on the end of the regulator & in the bottle fitting is the ONLY seal on these (why they haven't adopted a clip-on by now is beyond me), so both taper faces need to be absolutely clean (don't clean with harsh abrasives, a green kitchen scourer is about the harshest (& probably the best) thing to use. BOTH taper faces should be clean & shiny & the nut should be tightened up (just nipped up, not over-tightened) with the correct spanner.
Some of them still leak at the valve though, & you never know if you've got a properly full one, some bottles are returned part full, I've seen people return them myself (won't go into "why", it's too long winded & I've rambled on long enough).
Without wanting to cause offence ignore the posters that give a gas usage while on an ehu.
On a non-electric pitch your usage is going to be a lot higher. However 6kg in 24hrs seems very high To give a comparason I have used 11kg of gas in 5 nights I changed it this saturday afternoon. What you will learn is that a 6kg bottle is to small and expensive at this rate of usage. A 6kg calorlite costs ~£22 for 6kg a 13kg calor costs ~£25,50 you do the maths
Hi boff, I have done the maths but the problem is that for safety reasons the cylinder has to be secured and the front locker will only accommodate 6kg. cylinders which is exactly what the caravan was designed to carry regarding to noseweight etc. If you read the link in my previous post it explains about on board gas security and even though it works out cheaper for a larger cylinder we sometimes have restrictions as in this instance. Safety is paramount and is more important than saving a few quid. That's my view but each to his own.
Hi boff, I have done the maths but the problem is that for safety reasons the cylinder has to be secured and the front locker will only accommodate 6kg. cylinders which is exactly what the caravan was designed to carry regarding to noseweight etc. If you read the link in my previous post it explains about on board gas security and even though it works out cheaper for a larger cylinder we sometimes have restrictions as in this instance. Safety is paramount and is more important than saving a few quid. That's my view but each to his own.
Just for the record a 13kg calor fits comfortably and safely within my gas locker. One full 13kg calor weighs less than 2 full standard calor propane bottles and given that I can lift my hitch I suspect the nose weight is considerably less than the 100kg limit of my van
Dont know if this will help - on our previous van there was a washer in the connector of the hose to gas bottle which would fall out when the bottle was disconnected. If not replaced the hose would tighten up but did not actually seal and would leak very slightly, but enough to run out a gas botle in a couple of days.
Just for the record a 13kg calor fits comfortably and safely within my gas locker. One full 13kg calor weighs less than 2 full standard calor propane bottles and given that I can lift my hitch I suspect the nose weight is considerably less than the 100kg limit of my van
That's exactly where you benefit see having a limit of 100kgs. whereas our car only has a less limit of 75 kgs. so I'm restricted with the caravan noseweight, that's why I have to have 2 x lighter cylinders rather than 1 heavy one. I always prefer to have a reserve cylinder on board just in case I run out at the most unexpected time.
Well as an update I have spoken to the dealer who seems to think that I have bought a dud bottle, so I have bought a new full bottle yesterday and I have the weight what it should be off the calor website. I could not smell any gas and tbh with the water heater on all the time and the fire all the time using the gas we should try to use the electric. When we go this weekend to the van I am going to test all the joints and check for the rubber washer as little jack has said. If no joy I will tow back and get them to test everything whilst I am there. If I Ido find any leaks (and not the veg kind) I will tow back there and then.
Just hope we have had a dud bottle it did seem quite light so watch this space. Thanks all for your help once again
Cheers
Kev
You'll only find a washer on the very small butane bottles. Propane seals only by the taper fitting on the end of the regulator. It's probably wise to make sure this is nice & clean & shiny (yes shiny, it's made of brass so you can easily tell when it's clean & easily see any defects).
As said before, the best thing to clean it is a green scourer from the kitchen (slightly damp if you wish, just wipe it off with a cloth afterwards). If you have a bulkhead regulator you will still have the taper fittings, the big brass bullet shape on the end of the pigtail(s). These must be kept nice & clean & never require any lubrication of any kind.
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Topic: First weekend away problem
