Quick-release gas connectors - safe?

[skyflyer]

This sort of thing:-

Do they leak?

Are they safe:-
a) anywhere
b) only in vented gas locker
c) nowhere

reason for purchase is to enable quick swap from calor to campingaz, with connector to be downstream of regulator but before gas shut-off solenoid in gas locker. thus any seepage will go overboard but still not good if they have problems?

 

[Seajet]

No experience with these things but my instincts say ' don't ' !

 

[prv]

It looks very much like the sort of connector used for the compressed air supply to diving drysuits and buoyancy compensators. Those certainly fit together very convincingly and I've never seen one leaking underwater (and the bubbles would make it pretty obvious if it did). If they're sold for gas use at the appropriate pressure then personally I'd be happy to use it in the gas locker. Might think twice about having it below though, just out of general conservatism and paranoia

Pete

 

[theoldsalt]

As 'prv' advises but also check the seals are compatible with the gas being used as they may be designed only for air.

 

[Dave_Seager]

I use both Calor and Camping Gaz by fitting an adaptor to the Camping Gaz bottle that has the Calor male thread. This allows me to use one regulator for both types of gas bottle. This would appear to be simpler than having two regulators and additional hose joints.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Have a look on the BES web site ( www.bes.co.uk ) . They do quick release type connectors for catering equipment which are to the required British standards

I have one of their Bayonet type that I use to connect any non fixed LPG equipment BES part No. 6997.

Note I am not in the UK so the standards required are different.

 

[VicS]

I am sure if they are sold for LPG they will have suitable seals and be Ok esp if in the gas locker but I think I'd avoid if possible.
Those Hoselock connectors for garden hoses soon leak !

As said get the adapter valve for the camping gas bottle that is threaded to take a butane pigtail or regulator.

Some are straight some are right-angled ... you will probably need the right-angled type

BES, Southampton Calor Centre and probably most caravanning shops will have them.

BES £8.51 ......

£19 from SOCAL ..

£8.95 ebay...

£15 SOCAL (plated?)

£5.73 BES ( brass)

 

[skyflyer]

we actually have propane not butane (USA boat)but i guess a connector for those two can also be found

Thanks

 

[vyv_cox]

We had a similar device on a previous camper van for connecting the barbecue. The female part was fixed, the male plugged in outside the van. Worked perfectly well but of course the lost gas simply fell to the ground, not into the bilge. Very convenient.

 

[prv]

BES £8.51 ......

£19 from SOCAL ..

That's interesting.

One of the big annoyances with Camping Gaz is having to turn the regulator (dragging the hose after it) to get it seated onto the threads of the bottle. Then you have to pick the bottle up and spin it round. It looks like that connector can just be placed onto the bottle and then the wing-nut or knob turned to screw it in. Have I understood it right?

Might be worth getting even if I plan to use Gaz exclusively (due to the locker shape).

Pete

 

[VicS]

That's interesting.

One of the big annoyances with Camping Gaz is having to turn the regulator (dragging the hose after it) to get it seated onto the threads of the bottle. Then you have to pick the bottle up and spin it round. It looks like that connector can just be placed onto the bottle and then the wing-nut or knob turned to screw it in. Have I understood it right?

Might be worth getting even if I plan to use Gaz exclusively (due to the locker shape).

Pete

I take the hose off the regulator nozzle to change the bottle. I have a hose clip that can be undone/tightened by hand. Little silicone grease ensures that the hose is easily removed/refitted.

 

[maej]

This sort of thing:-
Do they leak?

Are they safe:-
a) anywhere
b) only in vented gas locker
c) nowhere

I use several of them when camping to allow various configurations of fridge/bbq/cooker/cylinder. I made 2 regulators with short tails and female (self sealing) connectors, 3 x 1m lengths of hose with male and female ends, a 'T' piece of short tails with 1 male and 2 female connectors, and each 'consumer' has a short tail with a male plug.

I was dubious about them at first, especially having bought them on ebay, but after a week of camping and several uses in the garden they have worked a treat and despite looking intently for any signs of leakage I found none. I never left an open end though, the female connectors seal themselves but I wouldn't trust them for anything more than a few moments while swapping consumers, and always shut off at the cylinder when not in use.

In an open environment outdoors or in a ventilated tent they are a great convenience, but personally I would not trust them anywhere that they could possibly drain in to somewhere that will contain the gas like the bilge of a boat.

As has been suggested by others there are better options for your need to handle 2 types of cylinder connection, but as a user of these quick connectors I thought I would feed back my experience of them.