Gaslow refiller position (1 Viewer)

[plwsm]

Hello all,
We are looking to get a Gaslow system installed as we are planning a long trip to Europe next spring.
My local dealer says that this must be fitted by a Gas Safe approved fitter but I thought this was only required if the MH will be hired out or lived in permanently. Can this be fitted by a competent DIY'er (i.e me) or is he correct?
He also said that the filler would best be fitted in the skirt below the gas locker. I have a Frankia A class MH where the gas locker is located just behind the front wheel arch on the drivers side. I have some concerns about potential damage due to stones etc. picked up by the wheel and also potential corrosion issues (incidentaly, I think this is covered in regulation 7 of the GSUI Regulations that should be adhered to by a Gas Safe installer!).
To avoid any potential problems, I was hoping to fit the filler into the gas locker door. I know that I would need to be careful about stressing the hose when the door is opened, so what I want to do is to fit a right angle adator on the filler and use a long hose (1.5mtrs) and separately secured with a saddle clamp to the door. The hose would then loop down and up again to the gas bottle with another clamp somewhere near the gas bottle. This will avoid any movement on the gas connections when the door is opened and the long loop of hose should be able to take up the movement without damage.
Does this approach seem ok to you? Any other potential pitfalls you can think of?

One last point, if I did fit it myself, how can I test it without any gas in the system? Can I just fill it with a small amount of gas (0.5 ltrs or so) to start with?

Thanks
Phil

 

[vwalan]

ebay gas bottle filling adaptor .
just weigh the bottle then with a bit of arithmatic you will know how much to put in . saves a fortune.

 

[daveandsan]

My filler was fitted just above the gas locker door.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

Last place you want to fit the filler is in the locker door. The sill is by far the best place for it, when fitting in the sill best to use the small square filler inlet about 40mm sq as opposed to the round ones that are about 75mm.
You can fit it in the sill further away from the wheel arch inlet hoses come in varying lengths, the inlets are fairly heavy brass unlikely to be affected by corrosion.
After fitting you need to fill the bottles completely to ensure gas in both.

 

[bigtree]

I have a Frankia A class as well and when I came to look at where to fit the filler for an Alugas bottle I found the sill had to much of a curve on it,so manufactured a bracket and fitted the small square fill point in the top left hand corner of the gas locker. Not had a problem filling anywhere in Europe,even got it filled by an attendant at a Repsol garage in Spain and they are meant to be a bit difficult about opening locker doors.

 

[Bobby22]

I have just had mine fitted onto the locker door. It was fitted to the door by the dealer.
Once it is fitted you will very seldom have to open the door. In my case the door fills the full space of the locker and the fitter suggested it was the only place it could go.

My last van had it on the locker door 3 years no problems.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Theonlysue]

It does specifically say in gaslows instructions not to fit filler in door.
So why do it??

 

[EX51SSS]

ebay gas bottle filling adaptor .
just weigh the bottle then with a bit of arithmatic you will know how much to put in . saves a fortune.

Don't think it would be necessary to weigh the bottles. If it were necessary, whether filtered by self or professionally, the weight woukd be known.
As regards how much to in? How would knowing the weight empty determine how much you can put in? I think this eludes to the 80% full area. The cylinder system is designed to stop filling at 80%. The 20% remaining is the ullage that is required with this type of cylinder. The remaining space (ullage) may vary from different products bit in this case, it's 80% full. Again, unless crucial to overall weight, knowing the weight of the cylinders is irrelevant, full or nominally empty. (Once used, a cylinder is never empty. It's always classes as nominally empty unless it's been purged and cleaned and a certificate obtained)

 

[grasscutter]

I fitted mine and it was perfectly alright. Used the stainless steel braided hoses throughout. Cannot see that you would have any problem with stones damaging these. You could always fit them in a flexible conduit in the exposed area if you were that concerned.
Personally I would fit the filler in the skirt.
If you use Ptfe tape on the joints make sure you use the gas type and not the water.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Reallyretired]

In the Rapido the gas locker is bigger than the door and just room to fit the filler next to the door.

 

[iandsm]

It does specifically say in gaslows instructions not to fit filler in door.
So why do it??

View attachment 127378

Gas low say you should turn off the cylinders before filling which is rather difficult through a closed door.

 

[Theonlysue]

Open the door then lol

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[peterc10]

My A class Hymer gas locker layout is similar to yours. I fitted it all myself with no problems. The filler fits nicely into the skirt. Mind you I measured for it about 10 times before I drilled into my brand new motorhome!!

Here is a piccy of it when finished

 

[Enword]

So why do it??

Our's is fitted in the locker door, after speaking to a fitter he advised fitting as near to the hinge as possible & using a 90 degree adaptor, (common sense really) Reason,1, both the lpg garage's local to me said if they see someone faffing around on their knees or with the locker door open, it makes them suspicious, 2, one of the pumps is not covered so when its raining I wound be getting wet knee's if it was fitted in the skirt.

 

[Fletton]

Had mine fitted below gas locker by Autogas... All works fab
If i'm due to fill... I turn off gas... Drive to station.. Turn gas back on at next stop..
Although I have done it (turned gas off) whilst at the pump prior to filling

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Welsh girl]

A dealer fitted ours in the door. The action of opening the door made a kink in the hose. Gas leak, dangerous. We had to buy a different connection to the one provided by gaslow. I wouldn't fit in a door had it been my choice.
The gaslow instructions says not to fit in a door. Obviously the fitter hadn't read the instructions.
Plus we always turn off gas when filling.

 

[Enword]

Obviously the fitter hadn't read the instructions.

It was a approved gaslow fitter & they supplied the fitting
Link Removed

 

[jtp890]

Fitted filler on a bracket behind door, Dethleffs has a sliding carriage for bottles, which allows removal over filler should bottles be removed. Re DIY installation no problem, re testing fill with 5l of gas and test joints with soapy water.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[iandsm]

Open the door then lol

I was referring to a. Earlier post which read,

"Once it is fitted you will very seldom have to open the door"

Which obviously does not sit with Gaslows advice to close cylinders before filling which they say is important, but thank you for your advice.

 

[vwalan]

Don't think it would be necessary to weigh the bottles. If it were necessary, whether filtered by self or professionally, the weight woukd be known.
As regards how much to in? How would knowing the weight empty determine how much you can put in? I think this eludes to the 80% full area. The cylinder system is designed to stop filling at 80%. The 20% remaining is the ullage that is required with this type of cylinder. The remaining space (ullage) may vary from different products bit in this case, it's 80% full. Again, unless crucial to overall weight, knowing the weight of the cylinders is irrelevant, full or nominally empty. (Once used, a cylinder is never empty. It's always classes as nominally empty unless it's been purged and cleaned and a certificate obtained)

it was about knowing how much is in the bottle . if you know the tare of bottle .usually stamped on the bottle .weigh it and take off the tare ,thats how much liquid you have inside.

 

[Boringfrog]

A gas safe or the old Corgi gas fitters have nowt to do with motorhomes.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

View attachment 127406 View attachment 127407

Had mine fitted below gas locker by Autogas... All works fab
If i'm due to fill... I turn off gas... Drive to station.. Turn gas back on at next stop..
Although I have done it (turned gas off) whilst at the pump prior to filling

I certainly wouldnt fit a filler like that......
EXTREMELY prone to damage from road humps etc.
So far you've been lucky.

 

[pappajohn]

it was about knowing how much is in the bottle . if you know the tare of bottle .usually stamped on the bottle .weigh it and take off the tare ,thats how much liquid you have inside.

And unless you completely empty or remove and weigh the partly used bottle the tare weight is pointless.
Most refillable bottle owners refill BEFORE running out.
Cheap ebay refill adaptors are both dangerous and illegal.

 

[bigtree]

Here are couple of pictures of my install.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[vwalan]

I certainly wouldnt fit a filler like that......
EXTREMELY prone to damage from road humps etc.
So far you've been lucky.

not ideal for cornish lanes with rocks hidden behind what looks like a grassy bank.

 

[Fletton]

I certainly wouldnt fit a filler like that......
EXTREMELY prone to damage from road humps etc.
So far you've been lucky.

It's no lower than the step assembley!.. And that is more central - so would ground first - pivot rule...

So I think it'll be fine ... We did discuss it at the time of fitting

 

[Fletton]

not ideal for cornish lanes with rocks hidden behind what looks like a grassy bank.

Grassy bank "land mines" would be on near side - this is fitted on off-side

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[vwalan]

Grassy bank "land mines" would be on near side - this is fitted on off-side

we do have some very narrow lanes here . but could also be abroad . they have similar stone hedges .

 

[Fletton]

we do have some very narrow lanes here . but could also be abroad . they have similar stone hedges .

Thanks for the heads-up .. But I'll not be loosing any sleep over it...

 

[Geo]

Another advantage of skirt fitting is water ingress will have little or no effect on the bodywork as they are mostley solid fibre glass
whereas door panel fitting and water ingress would /could mean major expense for new door or door panel at least

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}