Utilising gas locker for battery, inverter etc

[MisterB]

I have been thinking of removing gas altogether or as an alternative,, fitting an underslung, so I can re purpose the gas locker as my electric locker, batteries, inverter, B2B etc.

If I did go with an underslung what would I do with the regulator etc as I wouldn't want any gas connections any where near my electrics.

Has anyone done something similar and resited the regulator etc somewhere else?

 

[Basildog]

I have been thinking of removing gas altogether or as an alternative,, fitting an underslung, so I can re purpose the gas locker as my electric locker, batteries, inverter, B2B etc.

If I did go with an underslung what would I do with the regulator etc as I wouldn't want any gas connections any where near my electrics.

Has anyone done something similar and resited the regulator etc somewhere else?

The regulator for an Underslung LPG tank should always be situated as close as possible to the tank , but definitely no high pressure hose / pigtail should ever exceed 750mm .
The vast majority of LPG tanks have either a direct to tank regulator or the regulator is remotely mounted in close proximity to the tank .
Unfortunately there are some that don’t understand these requirements and they run metres of high pressure pipe back to the locker mounted regulators
Some so called professional installers / suppliers don’t have a clue and the customer can’t understand why they are seeing a frozen up regulator and are regularly replacing their regulator

 

[Two on Tour]

I have been thinking of removing gas altogether or as an alternative,, fitting an underslung, so I can re purpose the gas locker as my electric locker, batteries, inverter, B2B etc.

If I did go with an underslung what would I do with the regulator etc as I wouldn't want any gas connections any where near my electrics.

Has anyone done something similar and resited the regulator etc somewhere else?

This is my underslung tank Dave, with the regulator fitted directly to the outlet of the tank.

 

[Whippet93]

On a previous van, I had an underslung tank fitted, which as others have said, had the regulator attached, then a hose run into the gas locker to connect to the original pipe work into the van. Doing this you might be able to safely box in the gas connection to separate it from the electrics.
Certainly I found the space in the gas locker useful for muddy boots and dog stuff.

 

[Pugsy]

I have been thinking of removing gas altogether or as an alternative,, fitting an underslung, so I can re purpose the gas locker as my electric locker, batteries, inverter, B2B etc.

If I did go with an underslung what would I do with the regulator etc as I wouldn't want any gas connections any where near my electrics.

Has anyone done something similar and resited the regulator etc somewhere else?

I am looking at doing away with my gas locker also I have 2x 11kg gasit cylinders that John fitted at Thirsk this time last year but the locker door has a little twist in it and is difficult to lock as the cylinder doesn't quite fit because the filler hose in in the way and I think as the locker is above the offside front wheel and me sitting on top as the driver the van sits a bit lower on that side with the weight.
So I am looking at replacing it with an underslung tank and freeing up that locker like you are thinking.
I will go and see Basildog at the Lincoln show next week and see what kind of price he can do for me.I fitted the underslung tank on my last van and the regulator was right next to the tank..

Good luck with whatever you do Dave

Cheers Cris

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[Lenny HB]

This is my underslung tank Dave, with the regulator fitted directly to the outlet of the tank.

View attachment 1115853

A bit of a pain having to carry a Workmate around with you.

 

[jumar]

Interesting project...just looking at the utilisation of a gas locker that would be able to fit huge Lithium's...underslung LPG for what? heating or have you a diesel heater...?

 

[MisterB]

Interesting project...just looking at the utilisation of a gas locker that would be able to fit huge Lithium's...underslung LPG for what? heating or have you a diesel heater...?

That's the crux. I'm really trying to be gas less eventually, the cost of the underslung is taking me closer to to that point to be honest.
We haven't used gas for cooking for over a year, so as we've now added more lithium and the 12v compressor fridge freezer then the Truma diesel combi is probably the key to it all.
I have toyed with installing a diesel heater and the 12v/240v water heater though, which is a lot cheaper and well within my skill set!
I really need to see and hear the Truma diesel in action ..... I know you can get quiet pumps for the diesel heaters from the guy in Colchester and the afterburner controller from Australia which may be the way I decide to go ...

 

[Eno]

This is how I fitted underslung to ours.

Underslung gas tank

Looking at options to fit an underslung gas tank to our Itineo SB740. I'm wondering about doing the work myself and get it certified, local ncc chap seemed content with this. Is this a reasonable approach? See the picture attached but think could fit a 300mm 1m tank in, so 70l. Regulator...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Regulator mounted underneath near the tank and well shielded by the chassis and a cover.
Depending on your existing gas pipework how to join it. I tee'd into mine under the van, fairly accessible, so could use the gas locker tail for a bbq connection, since using it as storage not electrical. I could have just used a straight join and removed or capped the pipework to old locker.

 

[herald_400rl]

That's the crux. I'm really trying to be gas less eventually, the cost of the underslung is taking me closer to to that point to be honest.
We haven't used gas for cooking for over a year, so as we've now added more lithium and the 12v compressor fridge freezer then the Truma diesel combi is probably the key to it all.
I have toyed with installing a diesel heater and the 12v/240v water heater though, which is a lot cheaper and well within my skill set!
I really need to see and hear the Truma diesel in action ..... I know you can get quiet pumps for the diesel heaters from the guy in Colchester and the afterburner controller from Australia which may be the way I decide to go ...

We seem to be crossing paths on this topic a bit. I was out measuring my gas locker this morning thinking could I fit 600+ah of lithium in there. If so, I could go underslung but thats £750 toward more solar, battery, etc.
Feeling a bit silly getting a 2000w inverter now as I think I'll end up with a 3000.
I could easily then remove the gas hob, oven & grill, install a combi-microwave/airfryer/grill and a 2 ring induction hob.

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[Eno]

I have no doubt that all electic is the direction of travel but for us, with an existing working 3way fridge, gas heating and hot water, and gas hob the electrical upgrade just didn't quite balance out.

Never mind the stored energy capacity. Our 300Ah of lithium gives about 3Kwh of usable energy, our 70l tank gives about 200Kwh of usable energy or more for heating.

 

[MiniNick]

Well as a soon to be motorhome owner, picking up my Hymer 682 on Saturday (hopefully ) i am about to embark ona similar mission. Plan is to remove all gas and switch to diesel heating/hot water (via a Truma Combi D6E) and then move everything else on to electric.

So i had the same thoughts about re-using the gas locker for batteries and/or other electrical bits such as the inverter/charger. I liked the idea of batteries being outside the sleeping area but my one concern was how water tight the gas locker is and also will the batteries be more susceptible to the cold. Now i know the batteries have internal heating for charging but it will be colder in the gas locker than the main cab. Also there was also a weight concern as two 11kg gas bottles are actually lighter than two big lithium batteries.

Anyway once we get the van i will investigate and see what we can do.