LPG tank or Solar Panel

[Dave46049]

Looks like to get an underslung LPG tank on my new van is going to cost about £1k.
I’d already set aside about that amount to have a solar panel fitted on the roof.

So, wise and wonderful people - if you can only have one which one would you choose?

if I go with the SP I can still have a small LPG bottle but it seems it won’t last that long between fill ups.

thanks

 

[Rustyspanners]

Do it yourself and have both

 

[RM_Marine]

Which one would you have with your gut feeling?

Which one would make your life easier and more comfortable for longer, I think is the question while you save to have the other fitted

https://www.autogasleisure.co.uk/ give a discount to funsters

 

[RubyOptics]

I mean, just looking at it logically I would go with the solar first. The reason is that during the summer, you aren't (hopefully!) going to be using the heating at all and so you're going to be using a lot less gas than you would do in the summer months. You'll still be wanting to power the same stuff, charge your devices, use fans etc etc and so getting the solar makes you far less reliant on EHU or driving each day. Then, you can save to fit an LPG system before winter if funds allow, or next winter if you need a bit longer.

 

[Rustyspanners]

It depends on whether you of grid.
If you only use hookup you my not need either.
LPG tank gives you ability to fill it in Europe with adapters were Calor refills etc may not be available

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[Raul]

With one thousand I have change for both self installed. Is really down to your personal needs witch one is a priority for you. What works for me, may not benefit others. I have a small 20l underslung lpg and 820w solar. Can I do without lpg? Yes absolutely, does it help to have it? Yes, specially at times with poor sun or daylight. Can I do without solar? Not really, unless I drive allot, use a genny, or campsite ehu. These 3 are the most expensive if you add up months worth of usage. I planed for me, as I know my wallet best.

 

[Blue Knight]

Tell the Autotrail dealer that you want a free 120W solar panel fitted as compensation for Autotrail not being able to provide the original spec'd LPG system.

....you can then use your money for the LPG aftermarket fit.

 

[Lenny HB]

I would go for the LPG, solar is easy to fit yourself and you could start with one panel and add more as needed & finances permit.

 

[The Wino]

How about safefill for the gas and a self fitted panel

 

[Lenny HB]

Tell the Autotrail dealer that you want a free 120W solar panel fitted as compensation for Autotrail not being able to provide the original spec'd LPG system.

....you can then use your money for the LPG aftermarket fit.

Didnt realise it was the Autotrail saga, in lue of the gas tank I would want more than one 120w panel, at least 300 Watts with a decent MPPT controller.
Even that is not enough compensation.

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[Blue Knight]

Didnt realise it was the Autotrail saga, in lue of the gas tank I would want more than one 120w panel, at least 300 Watts with a decent MPPT controller.
Even that is not enough compensation.

Yep, I like yer style Lenny

 

[glenn2926]

Looks like to get an underslung LPG tank on my new van is going to cost about £1k.
I’d already set aside about that amount to have a solar panel fitted on the roof.

So, wise and wonderful people - if you can only have one which one would you choose?

if I go with the SP I can still have a small LPG bottle but it seems it won’t last that long between fill ups.

thanks

Do you want to keep warm or do you want to see?️

 

[TheBig1]

either job should be way less than a grand. £200 solar panel supply and fit for 100w,as the panels are cheap now. and the lpg tank £500-£600. If you can fit 6kg bottles in the locker the refillable kit is under £200. Not much more involved in fitting an underslung kit, just a bit of pipework

 

[Abacist]

Didnt realise it was the Autotrail saga, in lue of the gas tank I would want more than one 120w panel, at least 300 Watts with a decent MPPT controller.
Even that is not enough compensation.

And a second hab battery!

 

[Dave46049]

Thanks for the info and advice folks!

On the topic of going back to the dealer - already done this and no dice - £200 off is the most the will do - if there were other vans of the same spec in the same price range I'd be tempted to push further - but to get anywhere near it I think it would cost me about 7-10 grand more - if the current spec was offered at the time - I still would have bought it.

On the fitting yourself - although I'm happy outting curtain poles up and a small amount of DIY - the idea of fixing a bracket to either the bottom or top of a van, and then running pipes or cables through a hole I have to drill myself is beyond my capacity and I'd much prefer a professional to do that.

Thanks again.
Dave

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[chasper]

The only drawback with LPG is it seems that the availability to refill is being reduced because of the reduction in vehicles that are powered by LPG, thus making it unviable financially for garages etc.

 

[bigalw35]

It depends on whether you of grid.
If you only use hookup you my not need either.
LPG tank gives you ability to fill it in Europe with adapters were Calor refills etc may not be available

CALOR gas (is a type/trade name) and is only available in the UK, EUROPE have several different types of bottles and gas, the adaptors mentioned are generally for the underslung bottles

 

[Rustyspanners]

CALOR gas (is a type/trade name) and is only available in the UK, EUROPE have several different types of bottles and gas, the adaptors mentioned are generally for the underslung bottles

Yes that's what I said

 

[Blue Knight]

Dave, just make certain that you check your van thoroughly for build quality issues. There was an example on the Autotrail Unhappy Owners Club where a couple picked up their new Expedition 67 on the 17th June and they had already rejected/returned it by the 23rd.

The dealers are clearly not PDI'ing the vans so be extra vigilant.

 

[poppycamper]

The only drawback with LPG is it seems that the availability to refill is being reduced because of the reduction in vehicles that are powered by LPG, thus making it unviable financially for garages etc.

Sorry.. disagree.. autogas is here to stay...

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[Howard B]

Just fitted a Gaslow 11KG tank this morning , took an hour with an external filling point. Cost £280.

 

[Lenny HB]

The only drawback with LPG is it seems that the availability to refill is being reduced because of the reduction in vehicles that are powered by LPG, thus making it unviable financially for garages etc.

Plenty in the South East & more appearing in Spain every year.

 

[Dave46049]

Dave, just make certain that you check your van thoroughly for build quality issues. There was an example on the Autotrail Unhappy Owners Club where a couple picked up their new Expedition 67 on the 17th June and they had already rejected/returned it by the 23rd.

The dealers are clearly not PDI'ing the vans so be extra vigilant.

Thanks for that - is there a link to that site - is it here or external?

 

[Blue Knight]

Thanks for that - is there a link to that site - is it here or external?

The Autotrail Unhappy Owners Group is a Facebook-only club Dave. It started a few years ago to cope with the volume of issues coming out of the AT factory. It's a well supported club and there's even a small core membership who help people with the rejection of their new Autotrail vehicles. I wouldn't bother joining unless you have a problem though.

 

[chasper]

Sorry.. disagree.. autogas is here to stay...

Interestingly the government is proposing a ban on the fitting of new gas boilers in the future.