10 year old refillable cylinders, replace or not?

[Googlebot]

Refillable system of X2 11kg Gasit cylinders are due for testing this year. That’s virtually impossible so replacement it is.

Or is it?

They are kept in a cupboard that is heated, free from excess moisture and no UV. They look in perfect condition.

So is it worth the £420 to replace? Shall I go with an alternative, do the hoses need replacing as well?

Would welcome anyone’s thoughts, I am inclined to say they should be changed along with all the hoses in the system. That’s £520 though and seems a bit excessive for something that’s stored in perfect conditions.

Choices choices.

 

[Mikeco]

My underslung tank is 11 years old but I’m not doing anything about it. I have checked it over and I did paint it with some protective paint when I installed it. It’s all copper pipe from the attached regulator and that’s protected as well.

 

[Lenny HB]

The cylinders are supposed to be pressure tested but more importantly the valves should be replaced.

My Alugas cylinders are ten years old I shall be calling in at the Alugas factory €180 for a refurb while you wait or €200 for a new cylinder, I will get a couple of new cylinders.

 

[Lenny HB]

My underslung tank is 11 years old but I’m not doing anything about it. I have checked it over and I did paint it with some protective paint when I installed it. It’s all copper pipe from the attached regulator and that’s protected as well.

You should at least replace the valves and regulator.

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

Maybe one for Basildog to comment on?

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[Mikeco]

You should at least replace the valves and regulator.

As you were typing I thought that a new regulator would be okay, not sure what valves you are talking about as there is one shut off valve and I don’t know if that can be replaced.

 

[bobandjanie]

Had mine tested in Germany. Bob.

Thread 'Refillable gas bottle good for another 10 years. ' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/refillable-gas-bottle-good-for-another-10-years-.224317/

 

[Googlebot]

This is what I mean though, the last post in the linked thread saying there is no requirement to replace.

Where does the 10 year life rule come from? I can see why with Calor cylinders being dropped from ladders by builders or kept outside etc. However mine are kept in perfect storage conditions.

I am happy to replace if needed, but there is no such requirement in homes for Gas cookers with hoses as far as I am aware?

Interested to know more, bottom line is if it’s unsafe, then it will all be replaced.

 

[tonyidle]

My Alugas 15yo. No damage. Valves, hose, regulator tested for leaks annually (by me).

 

[Lenny HB]

Where does the 10 year life rule come from? I can see why with Calor cylinders being dropped from ladders by builders or kept outside etc. However mine are kept in perfect storage conditions.

I believe they are tested and checked before refilling.

I am happy to replace if needed, but there is no such requirement in homes for Gas cookers with hoses as far as I am aware?

A gas cooker is not a pressure vessel.

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[Lenny HB]

My Alugas 15yo. No damage. Valves, hose, regulator tested for leaks annually (by me).

How do you test your regulator to ensure it is delivering the correct pressure and what about pressure testing the bottles?

 

[dunnah01]

I've got a 1980s calor bottle stored outside in the freezing winter and warm summer and it's still going to power the gas Barby this year- unless it finally runs out of gas.

 

[Gadget]

Looking to replacing my Gasit ten year old system with Gaslow, which have a warranty of 10 years. However checking on Gaslowdirect.com they will replace 10 year Gaslow bottles with refurbished for £99; these will then be certified for fifteen years! Why are refurbished bottles lasting longer than new ones?

 

[tonyidle]

How do you test your regulator to ensure it is delivering the correct pressure and what about pressure testing the bottles?

I leak and pressure test using a manometer. I don't worry about pressure testing the undamaged non-corroding bottles.

 

[Lenny HB]

Looking to replacing my Gasit ten year old system with Gaslow, which have a warranty of 10 years. However checking on Gaslowdirect.com they will replace 10 year Gaslow bottles with refurbished for £99; these will then be certified for fifteen years! Why are refurbished bottles lasting longer than new ones?

Looks like the info on their site has not been updated, it used to be 15 tears for bottles, it's now 10.

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[Winger]

Looking to replacing my Gasit ten year old system with Gaslow, which have a warranty of 10 years. However checking on Gaslowdirect.com they will replace 10 year Gaslow bottles with refurbished for £99; these will then be certified for fifteen years! Why are refurbished bottles lasting longer than new ones?

My take on it is that it’s like everything else at the moment. A licence to print money

 

[Basildog]

I leak and pressure test using a manometer. I don't worry about pressure testing the undamaged non-corroding bottles.

Now that’s an interesting one .
Believe it or not industry experts would actually prefer that aluminium wasn’t used for LPG at all due to corrosion.
I was talking to the only remaining commercial gas cylinder testing company, they cannot test Aluminium cylinders.

 

[Basildog]

Maybe one for Basildog to comment on?

I will start a new thread but this topic is now on the radar amongst industry bodies and hopefully we might start to see safety being taken seriously in the Leisure industry as at the moment it’s like the Wild West sadly

 

[JockandRita]

When confronted with the same info regarding 10 x year testing/replacement of cylinders and underslung bulk tank, I did some research. It was a long time ago, so please don't ask me where the link is to the info, but basically, I found out that it was a UN Directive recommending the 10 x year testing/replacement of gas cylinders/tanks..................installed for the purpose of vehicle propulsion, ie, those cylinders/tanks with fluid take off valves, used in LPG powered vehicles.

I couldn't find out anywhere, info where this directive applied to cylinders/tanks fitted with vapour take off valves, as used in domestic circumstances.

I then approached a very learned friend, who had vast experience with procurement within the Admiralty and MOD, often travelling across the world on projects. He too could not find any info with the 10 x year directive applying to LPG cylinders/tanks for domestic use.

I then visited a local LPG converter, to discuss the renewal requirements, and obtain a quote. He confirmed outright that the 10 x year testing/replacement did not apply to cylinders/tanks fitted with vapour take off valves for domestic use.

I then commissioned him to carry out a visual and maintenance inspection of the whole gas system, which involved a gas pressure/leak test, and the issue of an official letter headed certificate to that effect, for which I paid £25.00.
That certificate was passed on to the new owner of the vehicle in December 2019.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Googlebot]

I will start a new thread but this topic is now on the radar amongst industry bodies and hopefully we might start to see safety being taken seriously in the Leisure industry as at the moment it’s like the Wild West sadly

I am on a number of campervan conversion groups. I am glad I am as it has meant that I will never, ever, ever buy a self conversion.

There have been a couple of well documented gas explosions in my patch and of course Jersey in the last year. Those were natural gas but even so, it’s something you don’t mess with unless you know what you are doing.

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[Basildog]

When confronted with the same info regarding 10 x year testing/replacement of cylinders and underslung bulk tank, I did some research. It was a long time ago, so please don't ask me where the link is to the info, but basically, I found out that it was a UN Directive recommending the 10 x year testing/replacement of gas cylinders/tanks..................installed for the purpose of vehicle propulsion, ie, those cylinders/tanks with fluid take off valves, used in LPG powered vehicles.

I couldn't find out anywhere, info where this directive applied to cylinders/tanks fitted with vapour take off valves, as used in domestic circumstances.

I then approached a very learned friend, who had vast experience with procurement within the Admiralty and MOD, often travelling across the world on projects. He too could not find any info with the 10 x year directive applying to LPG cylinders/tanks for domestic use.

I then visited a local LPG converter, to discuss the renewal requirements, and obtain a quote. He confirmed outright that the 10 x year testing/replacement did not apply to cylinders/tanks fitted with vapour take off valves for domestic use.

I then commissioned him to carry out a visual and maintenance inspection of the whole gas system, which involved a gas pressure/leak test, and the issue of an official letter headed certificate to that effect, for which I paid £25.00.
That certificate was passed on to the new owner of the vehicle in December 2019.

Cheers,

Jock.

All I can say is I am not surprised.
All pressure vessels require testing no matter who owns them .
The cylinder / tank manufacturers have always recommended testing / replacement at 10 years.
And the valve manufacturers have again always stated they require replacement at 10 years especially the PRV .
But as there is actually no training available to most of the Leisure industry fitters ,they have just told them not to touch tanks or cylinders .
The 10 year tank removal inspection / testing is also in at least 3 codes of practice.
I certainly wouldn’t want to argue in a court that it doesn’t apply to me
Also the codes of practice for LPG pump operators states that we should not be filling out of test / inspection cylinders or tanks .
We are responsible for checking.