Changing from campingaz to calor

[Sneaky Pete]

For comparison, natural gas - as delivered to millions of homes via the gas mains - has the chemical formula CH4. When burnt, a cubic metre of natural gas will provide 38 Megajoules of energy.

Propane, chemical formula C3H8, produces 96 Megajoules of energy per cubic metre.

Butane, formula C4H10, produces 126 Megajoules of energy per cubic metre – more than either natural gas or propane.

So this energy from butane would appear to be the dogs small bits, why is it that propane is so popular with gas powered vehicles, roofers, tar layers, road whiteliners etc.

 

[Sandyman]

Current official Calor price is £27.25. Flogas can be sourced somewhat cheaper. I recently bought 13kg BUTANE for £23 delivered (with no bottle deposit required).

s

Thanks

 

[daveyw]

I decided to keep the Gaz 907, but added a change over switch and a Calor bottle. The 907 acts as reserve.

Shame the regulator is lower than the cylinder valve!

 

[pvb]

So this energy from butane would appear to be the dogs small bits, why is it that propane is so popular with gas powered vehicles, roofers, tar layers, road whiteliners etc.

The MJ per cubic metre comparison is perhaps misleading, because LPG isn't bought in cubic metres for lots of uses, it's bought by weight. When you compare energy by weight, butane produces 49.5 MJ/kg, and propane produces 50.0 MJ/kg - so not much difference. But propane performs much better at lower temperatures, so it's much more practical for all-season use in our dreadful climate.

 

[pvb]

Shame the regulator is lower than the cylinder valve!

What's the problem with that?

 

[Momac]

So this energy from butane would appear to be the dogs small bits, why is it that propane is so popular with gas powered vehicles, roofers, tar layers, road whiteliners etc.

As said - Butane is no good in cold weather and propane regulator is at higher flow rate to compensate for lower energy per unit volume (I think).
I think butane requires lower pressure (not sure) . So perhaps the cylinder scan be a bit lighter and more compact? The only real advantage of Campingaz being the compact size of the cylinders and ease of handling a lighter cylinder. My gas locker is made to suit campingaz 907 cylinders and even that is a tight squeeze. It's a shame the 907 refills are so expensive in the UK. I did get a 907 refill for £23 at the weekend but even that is expensive compared to Calor gas buane or propane.

 

[VicS]

As said - Butane is no good in cold weather and propane regulator is at higher flow rate to compensate for lower energy per unit volume (I think).
I think butane requires lower pressure (not sure) . So perhaps the cylinder scan be a bit lighter and more compact? The only real advantage of Campingaz being the compact size of the cylinders and ease of handling a lighter cylinder. My gas locker is made to suit campingaz 907 cylinders and even that is a tight squeeze. It's a shame the 907 refills are so expensive in the UK. I did get a 907 refill for £23 at the weekend but even that is expensive compared to Calor gas buane or propane.

Traditionally propane is used at 37mb and butane at 29mb but there are now dual fuel regulators which deliver 30mb ...... I don't really understand how you can now use propane at 30mb when previously it was 37mb ?? Presumably the performance is reduced somewhat???
Appliances should be marked with the type of gas and the pressure for which they are suitable.

The main reason people retain interchangeability with Camping Gaz is because of its availability almost world wide while Calor is a purely British phenomenon

 

[charles_reed]

Fed up with silly 907 campingaz prices I have realised that Calor Lite 6Kg bottles fit perfectly in my gas locker :encouragement:
I have searched the forums & am still somewhat confused! What exactly do I need to make this change?

You need to "buy" the bottles (you'll never get any money back as they're the property of Calor Gas UK) and get the correct controller.
When you've finished you'll look @ the sums and find you're no better off financially and only able to change your bottles in the UK. Calor prices (when I used them in the UK) were very similar to Camping Gaz.

 

[robertj]

I have sourced a decanting butane valve so will be buying large cylinder butane to decant into 907 bottles.
I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[alteredoutlook]

Calor is a purely British phenomenon

True, but practically every country seems to have its own type of bottles, all to a different size and shape. If the EU could only agree/define a single standard then the majority of our gas filling problems would be over.......Mind you if the EU could only agree on a single thing then..........!

 

[pvb]

.....Mind you if the EU could only agree on a single thing then..........!

What about free movement of citizens?

 

[VicMallows]

I have sourced a decanting butane valve so will be buying large cylinder butane to decant into 907 bottles.
I'll let you know how I get on.

Plenty of info on here. (It is very easy).

 

[steveallan]

[QUOTE. I did get a 907 refill for £23 at the weekend but even that is expensive compared to Calor gas buane or propane.[/QUOTE]

Mine cost £2.30

 

[daveyw]

What's the problem with that?

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&s..._nBHXwYAtR4UeGxbw&sig2=BUYplQn62SbV9CbhUNRSEA


Bottom of page 2 ....or is it 3. Section title "rubber material and gas quality"

 

[robertj]

Plenty of info on here. (It is very easy).

Vic

Do tell please.

 

[oldvarnish]

The main reason people retain interchangeability with Camping Gaz is because of its availability almost world wide while Calor is a purely British phenomenon

Calor is a British brand, true, but it's what is in the bottle that matters.
Propane is used in almost all parts of the world, but butane is not. Long distance yachts always carry propane.

 

[KellysEye]

>Most boat appliances work fine on either butane or propane.

Yes but do check with the manufacturer or manual before swapping.

 

[maxi77]

Calor is a British brand, true, but it's what is in the bottle that matters.
Propane is used in almost all parts of the world, but butane is not. Long distance yachts always carry propane.

It is not just what is in the bottle but how you connect to it. UK style pol connectors as used on UK propane bottles are almost unique. If you use bottle mounted regulators then you need a regulator for each type of bottle connection, for example in Portugal they are all bayonet.

 

[oldvarnish]

It is not just what is in the bottle but how you connect to it. UK style pol connectors as used on UK propane bottles are almost unique. If you use bottle mounted regulators then you need a regulator for each type of bottle connection, for example in Portugal they are all bayonet.

If you are dodging from country to country, the best set up I have found is to go to www.socal.co.uk and buy a regulator which does both propane and butane, then add to that a set of adapters (which come in a boxed set for about £100) which enable you to connect to the regulator via a pigtail to 'any gas bottle in the world'.

I've been to some quite remote places lately and never failed to get a gas connection. I even managed to get my UK Calor bottles re-filled in the most southerly village in the world, but only ever with propane.

 

[Sarnia]

Fed up with silly 907 campingaz prices I have realised that Calor Lite 6Kg bottles fit perfectly in my gas locker :encouragement:
I have searched the forums & am still somewhat confused! What exactly do I need to make this change?

When you buy a regulator my advice is not to buy a cheap one, I find this company good: http://www.socal.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/index/?brand=202&limit=all&q=regulator+marine no connection other than a satisfied customer.