TOPIC:

PeteUK (Calor) and French bottles have a totally different thread, so once UK (Calor) are empty, they become ornamental (unless you have a fitting to fill them at a petrol station that sells gas, which is something that I wouldn't recommend, and is potentially dangerous).


It's not difficult to find high pressure pipes that will replace UK (Calor) ones, so as long as the work is carried out in a proficient, safe manner there isn't a big problem.

Paul Hayes 
 

This all seems very complicated.  When I arrived in Belgium from Netherland with a Dutch barge (and Dutch gas installation), at first I could just swap bottles at the local gas specialist.  One day they said they didn't have any Dutch style bottles at the moment so gave me Belgian bottles and a free (expensive!) adaptor.  Surely a French bottled gas supplier might do something similar?
 

Hi Balliol

Sitting in front of the fire on a chilly evening I can't even consider rattling off ISO numbers 😁.

What I can do is thank you for your comments.

Without actually going and inspecting the display, what I can say from memory, is.

1. Hoses for high pressure use have specific fittings that are not transferable, e.g. a left hand thread to connect to the bottle.

2. Hoses and regulators are clearly marked for the gas type suitability, and on the case of regulator's maximum volume of gas delivery.

3. Hoses are date marked with a replacement date.

I agree that any gas installation should be safely installed and maintained. Great care must be taken on choice of equipment and materials.

​​​​​​Paul 
 

Not confusing at all and very helpful. Thanks.

I’m not wishing to add any confusion, but it is probably sensible to mention that you need to watch the pressure rating for the hose. In the U.K. we have BS3212/2 high pressure hoses, as would be used from the gas bottle to a remote or bulkhead mounted regulator, and we have BS 3212/1 low pressure hoses (37 millibar or thereabouts subject to gas type) which would be used for flexible connections downstream of the regulator in certain environments, but NOT IN BOATS. Under U.K. regulations ALL flexible hoses used on boats should be to high pressure (BS3212/2) standard, i.e. high pressure hoses, despite the fact that the pressure is regulated down. The reasoning for this is obvious. You also need hoses that are certified for LPG, not natural gas. So be very careful what you buy! You certainly need high pressure hoses between the gas bottles and the regulator if the regulator is not directly attached to the bottle, and you would be wise to use high pressure hoses for everything. Not all the hoses on that rack are to high pressure standard. Paul will no doubt advise the correct ISO number, which I don’t recall without going into my filing cabinet, which is not where I am!

Balliol.

Thanks once again Paul, for your thoughtfulness and effort. You would think that something in there would fit the bill, Kind regards.

Hi Richard

I was in the local (small) Brico a couple of days ago.

I thought that a photo of part of the selection of gas hoses, regulators, seals etc. might put your mind at rest over the proposition of changing from Calor propane to say Butagaz propane.

Paul Hayes

 

Above and beyond, Paul. Many thanks

Photo of the small gas bottles at Intermarché supermarket.Different makes have basically the same size bottle.

 

Hopefully this helps
Paul 

Paul,
ere tis, lower left of page 'attachments' and then choose from camera, files (eg your gallery) etc.

this was Balliols boat some years ago  hosting a cat enjoying the sunshine

Peter 

Basically it's about 32 cm high, including handles, by about 27 cm diameter.

A photo would have been nice 🤔☹️
Paul

I took a photo of the smallest size bottle at Intermarché supermarket.
There's a tape rule to give it scale. The diameter is about 50mm less than the height.

Note that snap on regulator fitting.

Hope this helps or it might if I could attach the photo.
New forum system not responding

Paul Hayes

Many thanks Don. I saw your exceptional craft moored in the port. We're on the hard in the boatyard. I'm sure the bottles won't be a problem and Paul seems to think the fittings shouldn't be either. We'll find out on our return in spring.

Don Chesnut wrote:

Oldtimer is in Castelsarrasin. Both the Intermarche and the E leclerc supermarkets have a variety of gas bottles available. You may be able to find an exact replacement there. The Intermarche has a nifty automated system I hadn't seen before. The empty bottle is placed on a scale in front of a camera. The "brain" determines what bottle you have, designates a bin for the empty and a bin to get a replacement, all with bank card. 

It won't recognise Calor, a UK only brand.

Paul Hayes

Oldtimer is in Castelsarrasin. Both the Intermarche and the E leclerc supermarkets have a variety of gas bottles available. You may be able to find an exact replacement there. The Intermarche has a nifty automated system I hadn't seen before. The empty bottle is placed on a scale in front of a camera. The "brain" determines what bottle you have, designates a bin for the empty and a bin to get a replacement, all with bank card. 

Thanks. The gas is for internal use only and currently, only in France.

Yes, I am aware of the variety available hence the chance of potential confusion, as I saw it. The boat is in Castelsarassin on the Garonne.

Yes, I am aware of the variety hence the chance for potential confusion, as I saw it. The boat is in Castelsarassin on the Garonne.

Do you use these bottles for appliance inside the boat or just for an external BBQ? Do you regularly travel to other countries than France and do you return home to UK regularly? I asked myself these questions before getting a gas supply for my BBQ - I don't have inside appliances - and decided that a UK-bought bottle and regulator would suit best as I can travel all over Europe and take near-empty bottles home by car to change them at B&Q or Calor stockists, rather than lug them to and from a supplier in France. I use the green 5 Kg "Patio Gas" bottles that last a year or so of quite frequent BBQ use. They have a gas level gauge, although checking by weighing them is more accurate. Probably no good if you have internal gas cooker or heater, but great for BBQs

Peter

The only 10kg bottle that I have experience of is the propane one that we use for our BBQ.
That has a regulator that clips directly on top of the bottle.
Therefore the pipe running from it is low pressure.

The use of bottled gas is so widely used in rural areas, all types of fittings, pipes etc are readily available, different types are not interchangeable so mistakes very, very hard to make. Wait until you get over here and can rummage around to your heart's content.
Incidentally, where is your boat based?

Paul

We've just had our gas check carried out, and I discovered that we have flexible gas pipes at each end that don't need to be periodically replaced, which is a huge advantage. I think they are stainless steel encased in some sort of plastic, but I'm afraid I don't have any more detail than that. Worth fitting, though. 

Storing a 13kg bottle might be problematic but 10 kg might work. Are the replacement pipes clearly designated, do you know? Don't want to fall foul of any 'rules and regs.'

Sorry, I've just read your post again 6kg bottles.
Hmm hard to find.
10 kg bottle and cube, 13 kg yes, plentiful.
6kg, I don't think I've ever seen.
Others may know differently.

Paul

French bottles have different fittings, the replacement pipes that you will need are available at DIY stores (Bricos).
There are various brands available in 13 kg bottles, Antagaz, Butagaz, Totalgaz etc. They are all readily available at supermarkets, Bricos and garages. All are about the same in price and availability.
We use Butagaz propane, and have done for 14 years, never had any problems getting refills. A 13 kg bottle lasts on average 12 - 14 weeks, but the galley chief does like to bake and roast.

Hope this helps

Paul Hayes

My boat, now based in France, still has Calor 6kg red propane bottles fitted. Can anyone suggest a French equivalent and what this might imply for connectors, regulators and the like.