Gas Bottles & Installations

[Caulkhead1]

I have just purchased a new Hymer Exsis T 564, one of the things that I would like to do is change the Gas Bottles for one of the refillable systems, because with previous M/Homes that I have had and use between here and Europe have been fed up with trying to find exchange bottles.

My question is what is the best gas system to buy ?....... in this Hymer the access to the Gas Locker is via the garage, is it now normal that bottles are removed for filling or is it usual to have a skin fitting through the van bodywork to fill the bottles or ?

Also where either on or close to the South Coast are there any suppliers for these, and how long does an installation take ?

I look forward to all replies and help.
Thanks in advance

 

[Lenny HB]

My gas locker is in the garage in my Hymer, I have 2 x 13 kg Alugas bottles saves about 10 kg over 11 kg steel bottles.
Filler is mounted in the skirt under the locker, easy enough to install yourself.

 

[LaMB]

It is best to fit an external filler point as some garages are a bit funny about filling bottles directly. They may refuse you filling them, and who wants to lug heavy bottles about anyway.

I fitted a Gas-It system myself, easy enough and Gas-It provided a gas leak detection pen thingy so I could check for leaks (didn't have any though).

 

[Peter A Forbes]

Better mount the filler a bit higher if possible, bending nearly double to get down that far isn't going to do your back any good!

An underslung tank is another option, depending on the base chassis and room underneath.

If the bodywork is too thin to carry the filler (the nozzle and hose are heavy) then you can fit a spreader plate to the filler.

Peter

 

[TheWM]

Better mount the filler a bit higher if possible, bending nearly double to get down that far isn't going to do your back any good!

An underslung tank is another option, depending on the base chassis and room underneath.

If the bodywork is too thin to carry the filler (the nozzle and hose are heavy) then you can fit a spreader plate to the filler.

Peter

@Peter A Forbes can you advise further on spreader plates? I've got over the fact that I'm going to have to drill a 70mm hole, more worried about the weight of the pump and hose against the skirt. Just when I convince myself that I'm going to be OK I get last min doubts! I think a spreader plate will ease my worries.

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[Peter A Forbes]

We have a standard fitting spreader plate that we drew up and have made for us in 16g stainless steel.

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On the trailer is it 14mm GRP/Ply walls so the plate just trims the hole, but on fibreglass or steel body panels it does spread the load over a wider angle, but you do need the recessed filler housing and the right size hole saw.

You can mount it vertically or horizontally as in the picture, holes are for M5 screws/bolts.

Here's the back view:

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Peter