gubby wrote:

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Hi HW  still hoping to get too Greens, will know for sure shortly, let you know as soon as possible.

Goinsoon, I just can't believe how some people can give advice on things that can seriously effect peoples lives....

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 Ah well they say life is full of mysteries, it amazes me as well

Thank you as well Ron & Shirley, good to know I have support in rational thinking

I doubt if Cindy has the time to sit and read every post as its put up. That would be impossible. Whose to say she would know straight away that wrong information has been posted unless someone informs her via a PM.
If she was to delete all misinformation that comes up on here, we wouldn't have much of a forum left now would we?

That is what I was referring to in my earlier post where I said that a reliable source had informed me that he filled the car and the bottle from the same outlet.

gubby wrote:

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Ron and Shirley wrote:

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I am more surprised that Cindy allowed a new members 2^nd or 3^rd post to the forum, advising something that not only is illegal in Australia but potentially dangerous, to remain on the Forum.

I guess we have shown it is not a practice to be followed. 

-- Edited by Ron and Shirley on Saturday 29th of October 2011 11:01:26 PM

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 Just in Cindy's defence, I'm not sure that she is able to read and understand everything that is put on this forum, the way the wrong information gets a foothold is when people get information that sounds feasible from someone claiming they know all about it.

Unfortunately on the internet anyone can claim or say anything, the worse thing is that a lot of these people get wrong or misleading information and honestly believe it themselves.... A little knowledge is a dangerous thing....

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 Yes I agree, a little knowledge in this case is very dangerous indeed.

It is not safe for the average person to play with gas fittings and lines let alone create their own systems but in the event that it may save the DIY'r from blowing them selves up I offer these corrections, answers and suggestions.

I'm a qualified Mechanic, still run my own business, I have worked as a gas fitter labourer for years though have no official qualifications in that field, I work on gas forklifts frequently, run 2 gas/petrol powered cars and also have been safety trained in filling BBQ gas bottles in a previous job at a servo.

Corrections,

1. There is no such thing on sale at a servo in OZ as pure propane, there is always a percentage of Butane in it due to the cost of refining it out.

2. Butane is sometimes added to Auto LPG as an extender as the higher percentage the propane the faster it burns and the more power is produced, Butane slows the consumption rate but also drops the power thus auto LPG is never 50/50, closer to 75% propane to 25% Butane as the more butane the less power and the higher rate of waxing and freezing which is what effectively blocks jets etc on BBQ's and Fridges etc.

Answer,

IT IS ILLEGAL in every state to MODIFY OR TO FILL A BBQ BOTTLE FROM AN AUTO LPG FILLING STATION But it is not specifically illegal to use Auto Lpg for other purposes such as heating, cooking or running welding equipment. 

Suggestion,

Forklift bottles are portable as the fittings are quick couplings and are able to be filled at the servo. They can be easilly adapted to do most anything and are universal threads to other gas appliances.

I have a friend that uses these to run his gas hot water service for his house and another couple who use them for welding equipment (LPG OXY) and patio heater bottles.

If you plan on doing this, it is very important that 3 things are dilligently enforced.

1. Use a pressure reg with a pressure guage, these are easilly purchased from ANY welding supplier and is normally used for LPG/OXY welding equipment. This will allow you to adjust the pressure setting to suit the equipment your running.

2. Use a flow shut off valve, again easilly purchased from a welding supplier or even at Bunnings and if the flow stops it will shut off the valve so that if it's iced up and then comes free you don't end up with a gas leak with no ignition.

3. Check everything for leaks with soady water, including new copper line and fittings and use either gas rated teflon tape (yellow not white) or gas Stag sealer on the fittings. I have had in the past leaking copper line through pin prick holes that could not be seen so don't just think it will be ok because it's new.

I don't condone or recomend in any way that anyone without the correct training do this but it would be safe and technically legal to have a qulified gas fitter to set up a system for you.

There is also the possibility of having a qualified gas fitter fit a small Auto LPG tank in the caravan permanantly and have the filler attached to the drawbar.

This would be as safe as filling your car with LPG and as long as there is a gas flow shut off and correct pressure regulator fitted I think it would work extremely well.

Again, it is illegal and not smart for the home handyman or DIY person to do this and I recomend that if you want to play around with this sort of thing find a gas fitter willing to try as they have the appropriate training and expertise to fit it safely.

It will never be a legal fitment unless it is complience plated and if you paly with, modify or adapt anything that may cause damage or injury to person or property, YOU are liable and may face extremely harsh financial penalties and/or jail.

Cheers Damo

-- Edited by Mccanic on Friday 29th of June 2012 12:30:03 PM

-- Edited by Mccanic on Friday 29th of June 2012 12:30:39 PM