Confused over Propane/Butane Pigtail

[Ingwe]

Just had the van’s habitation service. Was told that the pigtail has a life that ends in January 2022 and should be replaced on or before then. Quite happy to do so but then got confused when sourcing pigtails.

We have one 14kg Alugas cylinder which we filled up in Alford a few weeks ago. I understand that LPG in the UK is propane. When we were in France 2 weeks we topped the Alugas cylinder and apparently, they add butane to the LPG mix.

So now, when I’ve looked at replacement pigtails (and the stainless steel ones seem a better buy, lasting 20 years) it seems you have to select either ones suitable for propane or butane. I don't understand what replacement pigtail I should get. I’m aware that propane and butane gas at different temperatures and that if really cold, the propane will gas off but not the butane. If there’s a mixture in the cylinder what pigtail should I use?

 

[Phill D]

the connectors at the cylinder end for Propane and Butane are different for cylinders that are exchanged. you need the pigtail that fits your cylinder fittings.
I assume that your have a refillable cylinder so that has a specific fitting either end and is not type of gas specific.

 

[stevewagner]

I think you’ll find that it’s the threads for the actual butane and propane bottles that are different. All LPG is a mixture of the two gases. You would need the same pigtail they use for propane which is a left hand thread. The gas mix makes no difference.

 

[Phill D]

I think you’ll find that it’s the threads for the actual butane and propane bottles that are different. All LPG is a mixture of the two gases. You would need the same pigtail they use for propane which is a left hand thread. The gas mix makes no difference.

only if his bottle is an exchange bottle. if its a fitted refillable it is a different fitting.

 

[Raul]

I have a butane pigtail from underslung to regulator. The underslung uses the 21,8LH outlet, that’s used on continental butane.
The propane pigtail it’s a POL fitting that’s coming on Calor ted bottles. I use that on the gas torch of the bottle.

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[Ingwe]

only if his bottle is an exchange bottle. if its a fitted refillable it is a different fitting.

It is a fitted and refillable bottle, rather than an exchange bottle. So in terms of the replacement, stainless steel pigtail, just the same as the current rubber one?

 

[Raul]

Yes same fitting you currently use on the rubber hoses.

 

[Ingwe]

Raul-interesting avatar!

 

[Phill D]

It is a fitted and refillable bottle, rather than an exchange bottle. So in terms of the replacement, stainless steel pigtail, just the same as the current rubber one?

Yes. That's exactly what you need

 

[Lenny HB]

The UK butane fitting is the same as the one on your Alugas bottles.
If you have the Alugas bottles with the anti-rupture valve built in the stainless hoses will be fine.
If your bottles are the older ones without the anti-rupture valve and you change to SS hoses you will loose the feature and will not be able to travel with the gas on.

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[Ingwe]

The UK butane fitti g is the same as the one on your Alugas bottles.
If you have the Alugas bottles with the anti-rupture valve built in the stainless hoses will be fine.
If your bottles are the older ones without the anti-rupture valve and you change to SS hoses you will loose the feature and will not be able to travel with the gas on.

our 14kg MV Alugas bottle does have the anti-rupture valve built in so I think it’s worth paying for the stainless steel pigtail. It should turn out cheaper in the long run. But as Keynes said, “we’re all dead in the long run.”

 

[Raul]

Yes same fitting you currently use on the rubber hoses.

That’s Johnny Walker and Lady Cummings, outside Cardhu whiskey distillery. There was a event last week, that all Spey side distilleries had some special edition whiskey on sale. As it happens I was travelling along whiskey trail and visited few distilleries, including Cardhu.

 

[Lenny HB]

Was told that the pigtail has a life that ends in January 2022 and should be replaced on or before then.

Were they going by the manufactured date as high pressure hoses need replacing at 10 years, the older low pressure hoses it's 5 years.

 

[meanders]

Just had to replace mine on a 5 year old van. Hoses clearly marked expiry date. Bought the SS ones that are both marked with an expiry date. Got one half price as it expires in 2040. The other 2041. If I'm still around then, I am not sure the van will be, or that I will be able to drive it.

 

[Ingwe]

That’s Johnny Walker and Lady Cummings, outside Cardhu whiskey distillery. There was a event last week, that all Spey side distilleries had some special edition whiskey on sale. As it happens I was travelling along whiskey trail and visited few distilleries, including Cardhu.

I had some lovely single malt whiskey called Loch Dhu about 20 years ago. It was completely black and had that lovely soft Speyside single malt flavour that I love. I kept hoping that it would return and I rationed it out. But to no avail. But bought some Tomatin when we passed the distillery en route to Inverness. Lovely stuff! Far more interesting than pigtails.

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[Ingwe]

Were they going by the manufactured date as high pressure hoses need replacing at 10 years, the older low pressure hoses it's 5 years.

I’ll check the dates on the hoses when next at the van (it’s kept in storage about 5 miles from home). I’m not sure to what hose specifically they‘re referring.

 

[mitzimad]

when we changed from normal bottles to alugas e got a convertor that screws onto the bottle and takes the propane hose means we can change back anytime we cant get gas

 

[Ingwe]

when we changed from normal bottles to alugas e got a convertor that screws onto the bottle and takes the propane hose means we can change back anytime we cant get gas

Presumably, you have to carry a normal bottle as well as the alugas bottle in that event?

 

[mitzimad]

Presumably, you have to carry a normal bottle as well as the alugas bottle in that event?

we do occasionally but usualy just see it as a back up in an emergency it may be possible to beg steal or borrow one

 

[Basildog]

It’s actually completely crazy as the NCC approved workshop lot get all excited about hose dates when actually in the Gas Safe information and many manufacturers instructions there isn’t actually any expiration date on most hoses .
I have some brand new hoses here that are marked for recommended replacement in the U.K. at 5 years but 10 years for EU and Germany

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[Basildog]

Some of the older Alugas cylinders actually required the German style pigtails.

 

[Lenny HB]

Some of the older Alugas cylinders actually required the German style pigtails.

Can you tell us when they changed & the difference please?
They look like mine (2014) I thought they were the same thread as UK butane.

 

[Basildog]

The first picture is the newer type adaptor which uses a standard 21.8lh Butane type connection
Two middle ones are both German type hose adaptors with no rubber washer on the pigtails.
Last adaptor is Gaslow type the same as the newer Alugas.
Date of change was probably around 2015

 

[IRHP]

Post a pic and someone will tell you what you need. I suspect you will have a w21.8 left hand thread which is usually known as a butane fitting. Forget about what goes in it or what mixture.

 

[busbuddy]

If you are fussy I'm sure the stainless steel hoses wont have passed the testing specs even though they are sold widely, I wouldnt have a problem using them but each to their own

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[Ingwe]

Won’t the SS hoses be subject to the same testing requirements?

 

[Stealaway]

I decided in these as you have to remove them to refill the bottle --- and they have a rubber seal so as not to damage my refill bottles.

 

[busbuddy]

The hose inside will but the ss covering wont as I'm sure there is no EN testing for ss over the top of compressed gas hoses so the gas hose might be up to spec but the ss part cant be checked as there is no test, that's how I understand it anyway
The modern high pressure gas hoses are in kit form, you build them yourself from pipe and ends so why would you need stainless exterior covers

 

[Basildog]

If you are fussy I'm sure the stainless steel hoses wont have passed the testing specs even though they are sold widely, I wouldnt have a problem using them but each to their own

I would be very interested in the relevant information you have to back up your statement ?
Where are you getting your information from ?

 

[Basildog]

The hose inside will but the ss covering wont as I'm sure there is no EN testing for ss over the top of compressed gas hoses so the gas hose might be up to spec but the ss part cant be checked as there is no test, that's how I understand it anyway
The modern high pressure gas hoses are in kit form, you build them yourself from pipe and ends so why would you need stainless exterior covers

I think you are confusing yourself and referring to overbraided rubber hoses (rodent protection) which are actually completely different to stainless steel hoses .
There isn’t any rubber inside a stainless steel hose it’s convoluted stainless steel pipe with welded on fittings then overbraided for protection and finally a plastic sleeve for further protection .

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