Using an electric blanket to keep gas cylinder warm.

vyv_cox said:
Yes. We had big problems with this in the motorhome last winter. Unlike UK, Spanish autogas is about 50/50 butane/propane. After the propane had gassed off the butane remained. We could start our heating first thing after cold nights but it would only run for a few minutes. Bottle temperature noticeably lower than ambient.
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I used to run the DS on LPG (system awaiting recommission), and I was told that UK autogas changes composition with the seasons - less butane in the winter, more butane in the summer.
 
I've only experienced this problem when first arriving at the boat when I would run the engine for 20 mins and pour a bucket of exhaust water over the cylinder. Not much use if you don;t want to run the engine, though.
 
JumbleDuck said:
I used to run the DS on LPG (system awaiting recommission), and I was told that UK autogas changes composition with the seasons - less butane in the winter, more butane in the summer.
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According to mylpg.eu UK autogas is 100% propane. I am told that lpg converted cars in Europe have a heater in the tank to cope with the presence of 50% butane.
 
vyv_cox said:
According to mylpg.eu UK autogas is 100% propane. I am told that lpg converted cars in Europe have a heater in the tank to cope with the presence of 50% butane.
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Calor, on the other hand, who actually make it, say ...

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(https://www.calor.co.uk/lpg)

It was the chap who installed my conversion who told me there was some butane (5 - 10%, iirc) in the UK mix - basically to warn me not to use summer LPG in the winter if I could help it. Never a problem, though, because I have never used the DS in snow or during the four months of the year for which D&G council think every road needs a thick topping of rock salt. Old Citroëns rust quite fast enough without encouragement.

By the way, Ayr Calor Centre was the cheapest place I ever found for LPG. They charged 34p/litre when everyone else charged 50p. Apparently the manager ran an LPG car ...
 
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Stemar said:
A propane adapter plus propane bottle is the solution unless you're in Siberia or northern Canada.

Probably not a lot dearer to buy than the leccy blanket solution and next to no additional running costs thereafter. I think you'd have to be very unlucky to have a problem with the blanket, but...
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Possibly easiest to just put a blowtorch on the butane bottle for a few mins :boxing:

Seriously, I agree, except with Calor it would only be the cost of the adapter/regulator as one can freely exchange red and blue cylinders within the same category grouping.
 
If OP wants to go electric heating thena 12v heat wire would be best. Get a lot of typical locking wire relatively thin for locking wire. Get an amp meter and connecting across a 12v battery determine how much wire you need for a suitable wattage. ie about 20w or 1.5 amps. Stainless steel or monel wire has a much greater resistance than copper so more suitable. Once you have a suitable length you wrap it around the cylinder perhaps over plastic to provide insulation but this enough to conduct the heat. Heat should be not so hot as to melt plastic. Depending on the number of turns of wire you may need to fix the turns in place to stop one turn touching another. Ideally fibreglass spaghetti tubing insulation would be used. Heat insulate then on the outside.
The heating wire can be passed through the wall of the locker to a connection outside the locker. Providing the wire does not get too hot and turns do not touch one another there should be no chance of sparks.
Just a few thoughts. With sympathy for you in the dark of winter. ol'will (antipodes)
 
Google motor cycle handle bar warmers. Also a thermostat for 12v. Make sort of wrap around coat for the bottle, set the thermostat and Bob's your uncle.

Used them with a foam box to make a 12 v slow cooker.
 
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