Filling a LPG Tank in Uk and France

[Caterhamkid]

We have a new Autotrail V Line fitted with an underside LPG tank. We have no experience of filling up with LPG as for many years had propane bottles in our Swift Motorhome. Is it a straightforward excercise and do I need any adaptors to fill up in France and Spain where we're off to shortly for 6 weeks.

 

[Madcaravanner]

Simple
Yes get the set of three from Ebay -
Download Fill LPG dot EU APP for your phone look for a green icon on the map if you can they have been updated recently
and if you need ask for help

 

[TerryL]

It's quite easy really, just follow the pictograms you (usually) see on the pumps. Bear in mind;-

1/ the gun must be locked to the inlet before the pump will start, there's usually a little lever within the handle as well as the trigger. In the UK (and Netherlands who use the same connectors) you line up the bayonet with the lugs (look inside, you'll see what I mean) then twist the end collar clockwise a quarter turn before locking the gun. Elsewhere you insert the gun into the adapter and lift the handle then lock it. If the pump won't start you haven't got it in right!

2/ you must hold the fill button in before the pump will register and keep holding it in until the pump stops. The other button is the emergency stop - guess how I found out.............?

3/ when releasing the gun from the inlet it is normal to get a squirt of gas vapour - keep your hands clear it's extremely cold. Maybe safer to wear industrial gloves to avoid possible frostbite until you get the hang of it.

As for adapters, assuming you've got a standard system the UK pump will connect directly. Abroad there are different connectors for different countries, sometimes for the same country. Best get a set, usually 3, from a reputable LPG conversion supplier although often garages have one to hand.

I'm sure there's a video knocking around somewhere that someone will link to. But if you have problems just go ask for help. That might not work in France, though, as some places won't allow you to refill bottles - however if you explain it's a tank you ought to be okay. Otherwise just go somewhere else.

Once you've done it a couple of times you'll be okay.

 

[Wendo55]

You might find it a bit awkward the first time as you have to lock the nozzle into the side of the van before it will dispense (to get a proper seal). Follow the instructions and don't be rushed. Keep your finger pressing the button until it is full. If you let go you will have to start again. The adapters for different countries simply screw in first before attaching the nozzle. Same as anything, easy after the first time.

Haha, TerryL beat me to it!

 

[Riverbankannie]

In Spain the ever helpful forecourt attendants at Repsol stations will do it for you!
I still haven't got used to the slightly scarey filling process and my husband is even worse. I do put on a pair of gloves to protect my hands.

Because we had a Gasit underslung, I bought the set of adapters from the Gasit website.

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

 

[Rusty Pumper]

Further to the above posts, I hope these are helpful:

 

[Allanm]

You will find that lpg ( GPL) is more common in France than the UK and easier to find. Most larger Total stations sell it as do most motorway services, but the latter at a premium. Many of the larger supermarkets sell it too.

 

[mitzimad]

as a basic rule if the gun doesn't stay firmly in place when you let go it isn't on properly

 

[Pete5996]

I've found the connecting procedure with the French and Spanish adaptors much more straightforward and easier than the UK bayonet system

 

[rosalan]

I think most of us are a little uncertain the first time we fill up with gas. To date I have not been to any fuel station where they have not been keen to do it for you or show you how to do it.
However, I do know of at least one station near Rota (Cadiz) that have yet another adaptor. The attendant came out when he saw me having trouble and had perhaps six fittings with him, so perhaps there are new improved models on the market.
By far the best fitting is the Spanish one with seemingly no hole. This one does not ever 'blow back' when removing it but Gaslow told me it is much more expensive to make so it may die out.

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

 

[Cliffdale]

3/ when releasing the gun from the inlet it is normal to get a squirt of gas vapour - keep your hands clear it's extremely cold. Maybe safer to wear industrial gloves to avoid possible frostbite until you get the hang of it.

I filled up for the first time last week.

The first bit filled quickly then really slow until it clicked off. I would say a litre over 2 minutes.
Is this normal?
but what concerned me the most, the squirt of gas vapor from the van was a blast when I released the nozzle and removed it! Perhaps I removed it too quickly?

Its a new gaslow fitted by Edyvanbitz,, not sure what is normal or whether to return it for checking.

 

[Riverbankannie]

I filled up for the first time last week.

The first bit filled quickly then really slow until it clicked off. I would say a litre over 2 minutes.
Is this normal?
but what concerned me the most, the squirt of gas vapor from the van was a blast when I released the nozzle and removed it! Perhaps I removed it too quickly?

Its a new gaslow fitted by Edyvanbitz,, not sure what is normal or whether to return it for checking.

For those of us used the the gentle psssst when changing a gas bottle, the “blast” of the LPG nozzle is the disconcerting bit!

I once had a slow fill, towards the end of the fill, at a pump in France. In the end I stopped it myself. I was a bit scared that I could have overfilled the tank and spend a worried few days until we had used some of it!

 

[Cliffdale]

This was a blast that roared out! you could see it but only for a second or so

 

[Nirvanauk]

I filled up for the first time last week.

The first bit filled quickly then really slow until it clicked off. I would say a litre over 2 minutes.
Is this normal?
but what concerned me the most, the squirt of gas vapor from the van was a blast when I released the nozzle and removed it! Perhaps I removed it too quickly?

Its a new gaslow fitted by Edyvanbitz,, not sure what is normal or whether to return it for checking.

Its normal or at least it is when I fill mine up, terrifies me!

 

[Robert Clark]

I’d strongly suggest wearing gloves when filling as any spilled gas can burn your skin.
I wear thin leather gardening gloves

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

 

[Viennese]

I've found the connecting procedure with the French and Spanish adaptors much more straightforward and easier than the UK bayonet system

I agree - quite often have to ask for help at the filling station because it's difficult. Much easier abroad. The other thing I have found is that it initially goes in quite quickly, but at one station where I asked for help, she told me it was full with 9 litres in, but by pressing on for 10 minutes more I got to 14 litres which was nearer what I thought it should be. Since there are only 2 LPG stations in my area I needed to get as much in as poss.

 

[sweetie]

Filled up today at Flogas depot at Catfield in Norfolk 27.7 litres £16.63 think is was about 0.589ltr.
If you have a Safefill bottle do not expect to get it filled there, notice on pump stating NO Safeill Bottles.
Also have leather gloves by pump.

 

[TerryL]

I filled up for the first time last week.

The first bit filled quickly then really slow until it clicked off. I would say a litre over 2 minutes.
Is this normal?
but what concerned me the most, the squirt of gas vapor from the van was a blast when I released the nozzle and removed it! Perhaps I removed it too quickly?

Its a new gaslow fitted by Edyvanbitz,, not sure what is normal or whether to return it for checking.

The questions to be answered are 1/ what is the total capacity of your system and 2/ how much did you finally get in?
The rate of fill is dependant upon the pump, we've had fast and slow fills - a very slow fill such as you experienced is I believe the overfill limiter on the tank coming into action.
Did Vanbitz fill the tank once they'd fitted it? I would expect them to have put at least a few litres in so that they could check for leaks.
Maybe a quick call to Vanbitz will put your mind at rest.

 

[Zigisla]

I filled up for the first time last week.

The first bit filled quickly then really slow until it clicked off. I would say a litre over 2 minutes.
Is this normal?
but what concerned me the most, the squirt of gas vapor from the van was a blast when I released the nozzle and removed it! Perhaps I removed it too quickly?

Its a new gaslow fitted by Edyvanbitz,, not sure what is normal or whether to return it for checking.

Sounds normal to me. The speed of the pumps can very a lot between garages. I filled 8 litres last week and it took and absolute age, but that was down to the garage tanks being low. Same garage different day easily fill 15 litres in under a min. It does sound like @TerryL said above like you were nearly full any how. I know @eddievanbitz put a lot of LPG in mine when he fitted ours.
Blast of vapour was nothing to do with you, that how they are and why it is recommended to use gloves and keep hands behind the nozzle guard.

 

[rosalan]

I filled up for the first time last week.

The first bit filled quickly then really slow until it clicked off. I would say a litre over 2 minutes.
Is this normal?
but what concerned me the most, the squirt of gas vapor from the van was a blast when I released the nozzle and removed it! Perhaps I removed it too quickly?

Its a new gaslow fitted by Edyvanbitz,, not sure what is normal or whether to return it for checking.

The filling slows down when the bottle is full or almost full when the safety device cuts off the incoming gas. I had the same effect some time ago. Basically when it stops rushing in, stop filling.
It is not that quick at the best of times. If in any doubt, chat to Eddie

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

 

[f6c]

It's an unknown science until you know HOW

 

[MikeD]

I’d strongly suggest wearing gloves when filling as any spilled gas can burn your skin.
I wear thin leather gardening gloves

You are trying to keep a liquid off your skin and I am not sure gardening gloves would do this.

Calor recommend:

"Wear suitable gloves and overalls to prevent cold burns and

frostbite (Neoprene or LPG resistant Gauntlet Glove)."

Broken Link Removed
https://www.calor.co.uk/media/wysiwyg/PDF/ButaneSafetyDataSheet.pdf

 

[Spriddler]

I fitted my own Gaslow system and the first fill was a bit scary with securing the nozzle (I have only one arm/hand to use!) plus the blowback an' all. It's a doddle now.
But as they rightly say: 'Experience is something you get just after you needed it'.

 

[Puddleduck]

I can do ours with no issues as a rule - some pumps easier to use than others.

One place we tried to fill up in Wales the attendant came running out and I thought he was going to say "no" but he'd come to help and ask if he could look round the van!!!! He was really interested in the Alugas system and impressed, not worried at all that it was a refillable cylinder and not an underslung tank. We ended up moving the van to the rear of the garage and staying overnight as he wanted to show his Dad and a couple of his Dad's mates

If you get stuck or have problems always ask as there will be someone to help you.

The garage we usually use for autogas we have often loaned adaptors to foreign cars that are LPG powered, Romanian or Polish as a rule. A couple of times when we have gone into pay after they have left they have bought a chocolate bar for us and left it at the counter

 

[scotzsue]

Our filler is inside the gas compartment, but fixed, have never been stopped from filling this one yet, but it is usually hidden from the attendant. last van we got stopped twice in france, when we checked we should have known better, same place each time
One of the stations we go to is very easy to use, but too far out of the way unless we are heading that way.

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

 

[namwaldog]

Talking about the hiss of escaping gas when you disconnect making you jump.....

We were on Bonterra Park a month or so ago when I run out of Repsol Propane. I switched over to the Gaslow bottle , turned off the Repsol and disconnected the Jumbo Spanish adaptor. Popped down to the store, new Repsol bottle, refitted, and reconnected the Jumbo Spanish adaptor. Rechecked all that I had done and everything was as it should be and was just about to switch back over, reached into the on/off control and the maintenance man who had been emptying the bins nearby, dropped the contents of one of those green bell shaped bottle banks into a big metal skip.

I literally fell over backwards and a change of underclothes was required !!

Barry

 

[tacr2man]

One bit of advice when filling up , do the gas first , before the diesel ,that way they think its a dual fuel vehicle . It is very rare to get someone object to you filling your hab gas tho, usually worried by h&S concerns .

 

[Reallyretired]

I make a point of not filling the gas and the diesel at the same station/time. That way they don't know it's not dual fuel. I don't think you can have diesel/lpg dual fuelled vehicles (though I may be wrong)

 

[PeteH]

I make a point of not filling the gas and the diesel at the same station/time. That way they don't know it's not dual fuel. I don't think you can have diesel/lpg dual fuelled vehicles (though I may be wrong)

Yes you are wrong. (sorry) I passed (or was passed by) a Calor road Tanker only a few weeks back. It clearly stated on the door of the cab. "Dual Fuelled, to help the environment". Link Here :-
https://www.calor.co.uk/business/products-and-services/transport-and-logistics/dual-fuel Interesting read actually.

 

[TerryL]

Refilled this morning at a Repsol near Castellar in Spain - the attendant was waiting by the van before I was even out of the seat. Pointed out the adapter I needed and all I had to do was screw it (the adapter!!!) in. She filled it then unscrewed the adapter - she was wearing protective gloves and it was very cold! Just for €18 of gas.

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