Propane or butane (1 Viewer)

Aug 7, 2013
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I'm a newbie bought our first motorhome 7months ago and love it
Hi guys

Can I use either in my motorhome ?
We know propane has a higher calorific value, so would it damage my appliances?

Thanks in advance

:Smile:
 

jonandshell

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Dec 12, 2010
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Just use propane.

Butane won't evaporate at freezing temperatures which means no heating when you need it most!!!!:Doh:
 

daisy mae

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Mar 12, 2013
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I`m a newbie, now 1 year
You can use either, never had a problem in Scotland when it was -4 and we have only ever used butane in the caravan,

I have one bottle of each in my Motor Home

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TheBig1

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Nov 27, 2011
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many many years! since I was a kid
its fine to use either in the motorhome without any issues with overhot flames. well tell a lie actually because propane tends to burn a little dirtier in practice with slightly more soot. its not an issue though and most use propane year round or have gaslow refillable cylinders using autogas which is a mixture of both. the percentages of butane to propane in autogas tends to vary for ambient temperature where bought
 

DBK

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I think this is still a bit of a minefield, no pun intended. In general propane is what you want for round the year use. It boils at a much lower temperature. Butane might heat a kettle when it is freezing but it will do so very slowly and certainly won't do anything more with a typical MH stove or heating system. I've huddled in too many tents with my hands wrapped around campinggaz cannisters (butane) to know this is true.

You do need different regulators but the appliances themselves can normally cope with either these days.
 
Apr 22, 2013
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You do need different regulators but the appliances themselves can normally cope with either these days.

Not for the past ten years have different regulator been required. The C&C have a page on gas here:
Broken Link Removed

I quote a small section:
Until September 2003, caravans and motorhomes used a different regulator depending on which gas was being used to provide the appropriate operating pressures, 28mbar (millibar) for butane and 37mbar for propane. Some units from European countries used different pressures, up to 50mbar. Since September 2003 a European standard (EN 1949) has made the supply pressure the same for both gases throughout the EU at 30mbar . While pre-2003 units still require different regulators depending on the gas used, all current UK-built caravans run at 30mbar , and this figure should be marked in the gas locker near to the regulator .
Gordon

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pappajohn

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Aug 26, 2007
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Not for the past ten years have different regulator been required. The C&C have a page on gas here:
Broken Link Removed

I quote a small section:
Until September 2003, caravans and motorhomes used a different regulator depending on which gas was being used to provide the appropriate operating pressures, 28mbar (millibar) for butane and 37mbar for propane. Some units from European countries used different pressures, up to 50mbar. Since September 2003 a European standard (EN 1949) has made the supply pressure the same for both gases throughout the EU at 30mbar . While pre-2003 units still require different regulators depending on the gas used, all current UK-built caravans run at 30mbar , and this figure should be marked in the gas locker near to the regulator .
Gordon

both correct info and incorrect info.

A bulkhead mounted regulator will work the same for both propane and butane.......but......

A bottle top propane regulator WILL NOT fit a butane bottle top valve....and visa-versa.
The two bottle valves are different in that propane has a left hand thread screw-in connection and butane use either a clip on or right hand female thread connector


Propane regulator left hand thread male connection

Broken Link Removed

Butane regulator right hand thread female connection

Broken Link Removed

Butane clip on connection.

128734_5060070229737891847858.jpg
 

pappajohn

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I think this is still a bit of a minefield, no pun intended. In general propane is what you want for round the year use. It boils at a much lower temperature. Butane might heat a kettle when it is freezing but it will do so very slowly and certainly won't do anything more with a typical MH stove or heating system. [HI]I've huddled in too many tents with my hands wrapped around campinggaz cannisters (butane) to know this is true.[/HI]

You do need different regulators but the appliances themselves can normally cope with either these days.

:Eeek: im surprised your still here to tell the tale.
 
OP
OP
TheDentons
Aug 7, 2013
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I'm a newbie bought our first motorhome 7months ago and love it
Thank guys for the information.

We went to Switzerland over Xmas, we went with a standard British propane bottle and regulator, we had all sorts of problems trying to buy gas due to contracts and regulator fittings and language barrier :Smile:

Anybody have any information on buying bottled propane abroad
:Smile::Smile:

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pappajohn

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Aug 26, 2007
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Thank guys for the information.

We went to Switzerland over Xmas, we went with a standard British propane bottle and regulator, we had all sorts of problems trying to buy gas due to contracts and regulator fittings and language barrier :Smile:

Anybody have any information on buying bottled propane abroad
:Smile::Smile:

if at all possible buy a local used bottle....many countries want a fixed address in that country to get a bottle so classified adverts and markets are favourites....you can buy regulators in many supermarkets abroad.
Best option if planning a lot of european touring is a recognised refillable bottle and filler hose....gaslow or gasit are the best known.
Simply refill anywhere bulk lpg (autogas) is offered...same stuff as lpg cars run on.
 
Last edited:

cmcardle75

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Jun 8, 2012
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Thank guys for the information.

We went to Switzerland over Xmas, we went with a standard British propane bottle and regulator, we had all sorts of problems trying to buy gas due to contracts and regulator fittings and language barrier :Smile:

Anybody have any information on buying bottled propane abroad
:Smile::Smile:

At the end of the day, if you intend to travel, take a refillable bottle that can be topped up at an LPG petrol station. It isn't worth your time trying to buy expensive local bottles that will become a liability when you return home.
 

pappajohn

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Aug 26, 2007
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At the end of the day, if you intend to travel, take a refillable bottle that can be topped up at an LPG petrol station. It isn't worth your time trying to buy expensive local bottles that will become a liability when you return home.

if you are lucky you may pay €10 or €15 in classified ads and if its a one off trip who said anything about bringing it home. :RollEyes:

But i do agree....refillable is best

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OP
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TheDentons
Aug 7, 2013
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I'm a newbie bought our first motorhome 7months ago and love it
We found a service station sold us a bottle of gas for €25 we were very grateful as we had no gas we still have the bottle what bottles do we get to refill
 

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