Ray Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 I have never used gas bottles, for anything... ever! Common sense of course is step one and I understand that escaped gas can sink to the bilge. My boat has one canister, it's in a dedicated gas bottle locker and all looks well. Apart from not being able to make a cup of tea, how do I know when it's empty (or getting empty)? Do all bottles have the same gas in them? How do I know what to buy? This really feels like the proverbial silly question but after all it is gas so I think it's worth asking rather than experimenting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imtamping2 Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Ray, the only real way of knowing is when it runs out.......most people carry 2 bottles (is there room in your locker for two) A gas locker should have a bottom vent hose that vents outside your boat.....if you can see a vent whole in the bottom of your gas locker pour some water down it and see where it comes out......this will prove that it is vented and its not blocked.....replace like with like you probably have a small calor bottle Red or Blue ....which do you have ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZimbiIV Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 they are usually left hand thread as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 3, 2018 Author Share Posted February 3, 2018 Left handed thread! That's good to know in advance - thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Hello Ray, There are two types as already stated Red & Blue, red is propane and blue bottles are butane, both of these types of gas have different connections to the bottles and are run at slightly different pressures. The red fitting goes into the fitting at the top of the bottle connection, the blue screws onto the outside of the bottle fitting. If you do not have a gas bottle spanner you will need to purchase one. If you do have space for a spare bottle then just make sure the rubber pipe is long enough to change over the bottles. You could have fitted a new regulator that has a pressure gauge on it, these are usually just used as a guide, the ones on the market are cheap and are not that great. Some systems may have two connection pipes and flexible connections to go to each bottle, they also additional valves to control each bottle, the danger here is that you can have both bottles in use and of course run out of gas on both bottles, the best policy is to use one bottle at a time. If the system has been tested fully then you may be able to leave the gas on overnight, at one time we would even turn the gas off if cruising. If you leave the boat then turn the gas off at the bottle. Regards Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 3, 2018 Author Share Posted February 3, 2018 Thanks Alan, I need to go and have a good look at what's already there by the sound of it. I didn't know about Propane/Butane either! Once I've checked it out I will add a second bottle, the same as what is in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Just to add to this thread....Some gas bottles are GREEN too! Usually Butane and are PlusGas I believe. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 3, 2018 Author Share Posted February 3, 2018 Thank you.. it's a good job I asked, I have a good idea what I'm looking at now :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 22 minutes ago, BuffaloBill said: Just to add to this thread....Some gas bottles are GREEN too! Usually Butane and are PlusGas I believe. Hi Bill, Yes I had forgotten about those, are they green with a red top? you see them at a number of garages in cages, yet another connection and I think they are used for barbecues etc and a few few small appliances. Regards Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelsea14Ian Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 It may also be worth checking in case you have a gas leak.Our first boat (Which was new).We had between 5 and 7 leaks.It was soon sorted out.Bottles come in sizes we have 2 ×12 Lts.Its well worth having 2 bottles on board.For piece of mind get your gas checked.If you have a friendly marina ask someone to have a look and or an engineer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Hi Alan. If the boat has the green ones, it has a different size top and Calor ones won't fit! How do I know you ask? Got them on our new boat and Richardsons are changing them to Calor. Boulters had some so at least it helped out for a while. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 3 hours ago, ranworthbreeze said: Hello Ray, There are two types as already stated Red & Blue, red is propane and blue bottles are butane, both of these types of gas have different connections to the bottles and are run at slightly different pressures. The red fitting goes into the fitting at the top of the bottle connection, the blue screws onto the outside of the bottle fitting. If you do not have a gas bottle spanner you will need to purchase one. If you do have space for a spare bottle then just make sure the rubber pipe is long enough to change over the bottles. You could have fitted a new regulator that has a pressure gauge on it, these are usually just used as a guide, the ones on the market are cheap and are not that great. Some systems may have two connection pipes and flexible connections to go to each bottle, they also additional valves to control each bottle, the danger here is that you can have both bottles in use and of course run out of gas on both bottles, the best policy is to use one bottle at a time. If the system has been tested fully then you may be able to leave the gas on overnight, at one time we would even turn the gas off if cruising. If you leave the boat then turn the gas off at the bottle. Regards Alan If you are going to leave it switched on I'd suggest a "gas sniffer" in the bilge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 3 hours ago, Ray said: Left handed thread! That's good to know in advance - thank you. You can normally tell it is left handed thread as there is what looks like a saw cut between each of the flats on the union nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 3, 2018 Author Share Posted February 3, 2018 I'm learning a lot here... many thanks indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrundallNavy Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 (edited) You also have Flogas, not all bottles are screw fittings some have a quick release connection and you can get two different sizes. A photo of your set up would be good because once we know the type we can suggest places to get them. i have flogas with a quick release connection and I get mine from Boulter’s in Horning. Doug Edited February 3, 2018 by brundallNavy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 3, 2018 Author Share Posted February 3, 2018 I'll get a photo tomorrow, there's more possibilities than I thought. I like Boulter's by the way, very helpful and patient with a new owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bound2Please Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Butane Blue bottle) doesnt like cold weather, where as propane (red bottle) is fine in below freezing temperatures 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 3, 2018 Author Share Posted February 3, 2018 So is there a "most common" type? I mean if you check 100 boats would a majority share a common gas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diesel falcon Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 post the photo, a butane bottle will not be ok on a propane system, propane is red/orange ,butane is blue ,these gases do not use the same burning pressures, and have different fittings ( the bit that screws into the bottle), sounds complicated but it ain,t,should look like these................. Note the different weights, propane burns hotter, so...you don,t need as much! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 3, 2018 Author Share Posted February 3, 2018 Photo coming tomorrow, thanks for those examples Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diesel falcon Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 you,ll be fine bud , a safety point ,after you change the bottle , test the joint with soapy water ,ie washing up liquid diluted in a cup poured over the nut....simple common sense measures will keep you safe, any problems I,ll help you, I am a gas engineer 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 3 hours ago, Ray said: I'll get a photo tomorrow, there's more possibilities than I thought. I like Boulter's by the way, very helpful and patient with a new owner Boulter's are very nice folk and in the past iv exchanged a calor bottle there for flow gas or possibly the other way around its a long time ago, but the point is,some yards are strictly calor only brooms for example . Not to worry though you will use surprisingly little gas in a yr , as a full time live aboard I use around 2x 13kg propane bottles per yr n no I don't do salad so that includes 365 days cooking ( on less I ever find the superbly hidden BBQ ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 That's very kind Diesel Falcon, thank you very much! I'll remember to follow your advice and check for leaks! Ricardo, sounds like a bottle will last us a lifetime lol Tea, coffee and the occasional light meal/snack is all I think we'll be using. Very lucky to live quite near our boat so most cruises are day trips.. with several longer cruises planned for later in the year though, intend to enjoy every inch of The Broads 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 Space is always the issue, I use the 7kg calor bottle. more or less the same footprint of the 5kg but taller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetAnne Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 Just to add my bit. To know how much gas is left you need to weigh the bottle. Most bottles have a disc round the neck that gives its nett weight. So, for example, if you have one of the small bottles shown above and your bottle weighs 12kg empty and currently weighs 15kg you have three kg of gas left. It's not foolproof but is a very good guide. To weigh the bottles use fishing scales. They will hook under the handle nicely. The health and safety bit. Don't drop it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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