Solving gas problems

• Thursday, 8 November 2007
• John Wickersham
• 0 Comments

I have had to arrange for the replacement of a bulkhead fixed Truma gas regulator due to blockage. The replacement has been placed as high as possible, but the new position still does not place the regulator above the top of the bottle as the locker size limits the position.
On checking my freestanding propane regulator I note that it delivers gas at 37mbars. Can you confirm that, as the fixed regulator delivers at 30mbars, it is safe to fix the 37mbars regulator to the cylinder and then the hose to the fixed regulator so that any oily liquid blockage will be intercepted? Also, my cylinder is refillable and I have noticed at petrol stations that there is a choice of Autogas or propane liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). What is the difference and can I use either?
Ernest Di Rollo, Hale, Altrincham

JOHN SAYS
It is disappointing to hear that your repositioned regulator is still situated lower than the gas cylinder's outlet. However, you must not try to overcome gas blockage conditions by creating a mixture of different types of regulator. One answer would be to get a dealer to change the 30mbar wall-mounted regulator for a 30mbar regulator designed for direct cylinder mounting. One of these was fitted on a Calor propane cylinder installed in a Dethleffs Esprit RT6844 coachbuilt that we tested and reviewed in June 2006.

A second strategy that eliminates any possibility of rubberised hose plasticiser upsetting a wall-mounted 30mbar regulator is to fit one of Gaslow's stainless steel coupling pipes (as seen in October's Motor Caravan). These are semi-flexible and comprise convoluted steel tubing covered with a steel braided sheath. As regards your question about Autogas, I checked this with the national trade association concerned with LPG. The adviser that assisted confirmed my understanding that Autogas with a capital 'A' is the trade name of one of several propane distributors selling LPG at automotive filling stations. Just as Hoover once became an unofficial generic term for vacuum cleaners, it would appear that the word autogas has gained a similar status.