Can I use a Calor gas bottle on its side?

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Pandora

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The gas locker on my boat is 13" deep, a Calor gas bottle is 14", so that was well planned by the designer/builders! Have been using Camping Gaz, but as it is more expensive, would like to change to Calor. Obviously not recommended practice to use a bottle on its side, but the gas locker is sealed and drains overboard, and this is the only way the bottle would fit.
 
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The gas locker on my boat is 13" deep, a Calor gas bottle is 14", so that was well planned by the designer/builders! Have been using Camping Gaz, but as it is more expensive, would like to change to Calor. Obviously not recommended practice to use a bottle on its side, but the gas locker is sealed and drains overboard, and this is the only way the bottle would fit.

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Absolutely not. Regulator is designed only for vapour and not liquid. In fact if a bottle is laid over and then stood upright, technically you should not use a bottle straight after it's had liquid contact the regulator. You should allow bottle to stand for short while.

If your locker is 1" too shallow, why not cut out bottom so that bottle sits into a round slot. 1" ply ring and then a ply bottom fixed to the ring will seal of the bottom of the locker. This will then allow bottle to be locked into position, allow that extra height.
 
NO!!!

Standard Calor bottles must be used upright, otherwise you can get liquid gas coming through the pipework. This is a bad idea. There would be a large fire if you're lucky and a big bang if you're not.

However, Calor do a cylinder for use on its side - used on forklifts etc. I think it'll be too big for your locker tho. I can't remember the size (gas-wise) - we gave up selling Calor about 6 years ago.
 
I agree, have seen the result of doing something similar.
When we had a caravan and were in residence in a typical UK Easter - frost and snow - the gas cooker would light OK but soon die down due to poor vapour pressure in the rapidly chilling bottle.

A trip outside and a good shake of the bottle would usually restore the flame height.

However one time I must have shaken too vigorously and liquid gas got into the pipe, flame roared and nearly reached the ceiling. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Definitely don't try it.
 
Which cylinder are you using? The 3.9 Kg propane cylinder is 340mm tall, but the 5 Kg Patio Gas cylinder (also propane) is only 314 mm tall, which is 12.36 inches. You can exchange cylinder types.
EDIT. I have just seen that Calor say all sizes except patio gas can be exchanged, but I don't know if this means that you cannot swap them for other sizes or swap others for them, or both. Worth finding out however.
 
Even if the liquid level happened to be just below the level ,of the regulator when static, it certainly wouldn't be when the boat started moving about.
 
I'm not an expert in gas installations and they are to be treated carefully, but would it not be satisfactory to use a regulator that's separate from the gas bottle, on high pressure flexible hose, and mounted higher than the top of the gas bottle?
Derek.
 
I won't be trying that then! Your idea is interesting. Thanks for all the advice, it is a 4.5kg bottle,I will investigate other bottle sizes. May have to lower the bottom of the locker, I think for this season I will just remove the lid.
 
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I won't be trying that then! Your idea is interesting. Thanks for all the advice, it is a 4.5kg bottle,I will investigate other bottle sizes. May have to lower the bottom of the locker, I think for this season I will just remove the lid.

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The other way of course is to raise the lid required height. Our friends boat has a raised lid at back end of cockpit bench. Never been a problem.
 
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friend of mine set a tent on fire doing that... ended up buring down 3 in the end...

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Did he not learn from his experience, or was it all 3 at once? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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