In UK with almost empty German cylinders

[tait]

Hello,

We're relatively new to the motorhome scene and a bit ignorant to the struggles of Gas in different countries.

We've found ourselves in the UK with almost empty gas cylinders from Germany/Netherlands. They are made by the same company who make the safefill and FloGas Gaslight bottles, however we can't find anyone who will fill them up. They all seem to only fill their own cylinders.

We're not comfortable refilling ourselves (yet).

Any advice on where/how we might be able to refill?

Thanks!

 

[Mikeco]

If they are not genuine refillable bottles and are the ones that you exchange for a full one then I don’t believe that anyone will fill them, not legally anyway.
You don’t say how long that you are in the U K for but you may have to buy a UK one.

 

[tait]

Thanks Mikeco. I should of mentioned they are the genuine refillable ones, just not bought from one of the UK brands. Our van has a German set up so not sure a UK bottle would fit, however something we will look into if refilling isn't an option!

 

[monzer]

When you say your not comfortable refilling, do you mean your van has a filling point on the outer body but you just don't want to use it yet? Or is physically taking your bottles out, the only way of filling them?

 

[DandG5515]

For a UK pump you need a bayonet UK adapter, sorry I unable to upload a picture of one. Some of the smaller independent pumps are not self service and will do filling for you. If you are in Norfolk I can give you a couple of places to try. Other funsters may be able to advise if you give a rough location.

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[WillysMB]

Amazon product ASIN B09J13NJBH

 

[Basildog]

Thanks Mikeco. I should have mentioned they are the genuine refillable ones, just not bought from one of the UK brands. Our van has a German set up so not sure a UK bottle would fit, however something we will look into if refilling isn't an option!

My guess is when you say refillable you mean your cylinder is exchangeable at a gas dealer ?
You don’t have a user refillable cylinder ?

 

[Lenny HB]

If you upload a photo of you cylinders we would then know exactly what you have.

 

[bigtwin]

Amazon product ASIN B09J13NJBH

Valiant attempt but those are to adapt UK mountings to European pumps NOT to adapt a German mounting system to a UK pump.

Ian

 

[Lenny HB]

Valiant attempt but those are to adapt UK mountings to European pumps NOT to adapt a German mounting system to a UK pump.

Ian

He mentioned Netherlands and German cylinders so as Basildog says probably not refillable. The UK filler is also known as a Dutch Bayonet.

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[tait]

Thanks everyone! They are refillable and we've been able to refill them in Germany and Austria without problems. However have always just gone to companies who take the bottle and refill for you (not exchange).

I'm thinking that if we were able to get our hands on the right adaptor we could refill at a pump ourselves by takingthe cannister out. However this is not something we've done and would like to avoid if possible.

Ideally we could find a place (maybe a distributor) who could help us but we haven't had any luck.

 

[tait]

Thanks everyone! They are refillable and we've been able to refill them in Germany and Austria without problems. However have always just gone to companies who take the bottle and refill for you (not exchange). I've attached photos above.

I'm thinking that if we were able to get our hands on the right adaptor we could refill at a pump ourselves by takingthe ca. However this is not something we've done and would like to avoid if possible.

Ideally we could find a place (maybe a distributor) who could help us but we haven't had any luck.

 

[The Wino]

Theres refillable cylinder and refillable cylinders. Ones sold as self refillable have an 80%cut off valve to prevent overfilling a date by which they are retested and a safety valve. Calor cylinders don't so they are refilled only by calor presumably in a more controlled way. Unless you paid quite a lot for the cylinders ( in the order of £100 or more each) I think they're unlikely to be self refillable .

 

[WillysMB]

you could try these guys ... https://lpgshop.co.uk/motorhome-leisure-gas/

 

[tait]

Theres refillable cylinder and refillable cylinders. Ones sold as self refillable have an 80%cut off valve to prevent overfilling a date by which they are retested and a safety valve. Calor cylinders don't so they are refilled only by calor presumably in a more controlled way. Unless you paid quite a lot for the cylinders ( in the order of £100 or more each) I think they're unlikely to be self refillable .

Hi Wino,

Yes you could be right! I assume Calor wouldn't want to refill another brands?

Are there any places that do this? Maybe smaller distributors?

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[bobandjanie]

Maybe the same as safefill do they cut off at 80% or could you overfill them, do you know if they visually watched the gas level and stopped filling. Bob.

Safefill | Safe and easy to refill LPG Gas Cylinders

Safefill LPG Gas

www.safefill.co.uk

 

[tait]

Maybe the same as safe fill do the cut off at 80% or could you overfill them, do you know if they visually watched the gas level and stopped filling. Bob.

Safefill | Safe and easy to refill LPG Gas Cylinders

Safefill LPG Gas

www.safefill.co.uk

Yes I believe it was visual/weighted. So not a proper ODP valve. We could theoretically do the same at the pump (or perhaps it's illegal in the UK?) - however as this isn't something we're confident with would prefer to avoid.

 

[bobandjanie]

Yes illegal without the 80% shut off valve, even Safefill are not excepted everywhere, we have had refillable bottles since 2007 and always had an external filling point, and never had any problems, as soon as you open locker doors it draws attention, we started with Gaslow but changed for the lighter aluminium gas it bottles. Bob.

 

[MichaelT]

Thanks everyone! They are refillable and we've been able to refill them in Germany and Austria without problems. However have always just gone to companies who take the bottle and refill for you (not exchange).

I'm thinking that if we were able to get our hands on the right adaptor we could refill at a pump ourselves by takingthe cannister out. However this is not something we've done and would like to avoid if possible.

Ideally we could find a place (maybe a distributor) who could help us but we haven't had any luck.

View attachment 712797 View attachment 712798 View attachment 712799

They do not look like refillable to me but more an exchange cylinder.

 

[Nanniemate]

Yes I believe it was visual/weighted. So not a proper ODP valve. We could theoretically do the same at the pump (or perhaps it's illegal in the UK?) - however as this isn't something we're confident with would prefer to avoid.

Where in UK are you

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[tait]

Where in UK are you

Currently in Wales nearby Swansea. We'll head towards Pembrokeshire and then North from there. Though if we need to travel to fill up that's okay for us.

 

[The Wino]

Yes I believe it was visual/weighted. So not a proper ODP valve. We could theoretically do the same at the pump (or perhaps it's illegal in the UK?) - however as this isn't something we're confident with would prefer to avoid.

It's illegal you can buy adapters to refill calor cylinders off ebay but it is illegal to use them. I think calor work on the weight each cylinder has the empty weight stamped on the collar. The ones you have look more modern and lightweight so they probably refill to a standard weight which will allow for a vapour gap at the top of the cylinder

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes I believe it was visual/weighted. So not a proper ODP valve. We could theoretically do the same at the pump (or perhaps it's illegal in the UK?) - however as this isn't something we're confident with would prefer to avoid.

It's illegal in all European countries.

 

[Basildog]

Just done some quick research on these cylinders and it looks like you do own the cylinder as they are available for sale , can’t find the information regarding the 80% shut off valve , but there are plenty of user owned refillable cylinders in the U.K. that have been sold without the 80 % valve too
Very unlikely anyone will have the correct adaptors or allow you to fill .
I do have the correct adaptor

 

[Basildog]

It's illegal in all European countries.

Plenty of refillable cylinders have been sold in the U.K. without an 80% shut off valve.
But look at this gem I found last night

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[Lenny HB]

Plenty of refillable cylinders have been sold in the U.K. without an 80% shut off valve.
But look at this gem I found last night

View attachment 712813 View attachment 712814

Just had a look on their site, those bottles are refillable but with a single valve like Safefill.

 

[Basildog]

That’s not the issue here
Propane cylinders should NEVER be stored or used indoors
That’s a bomb
Single stage Propane regulator that could very well vent off excess pressure .

 

[Lenny HB]

That’s not the issue here
Propane cylinders should NEVER be stored or used indoors
That’s a bomb
Single stage Propane regulator that could very well vent off excess pressure .

I didn't know that, explains why propane bottles for domestic cookers are always outside.

 

[Nanniemate]

Currently in Wales nearby Swansea. We'll head towards Pembrokeshire and then North from there. Though if we need to travel to fill up that's okay for us.

try the welsh lads they may be able to suggest somewhere silkcut1105 or swanseajack not sure if yu can help with your local expertise

 

[Landy Andy]

Basildog is it worth them heading across to your place to see if they can be helped???

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