Adapter for US propane to EU tanks or fills

[Anders]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I've heard from a couple of places that the red Calor propane tanks are in short supply, at least the smaller size. Are you seeing that?

I've no personal experience this year but last year they were in very short supply and no retailer would sell you one only exchange bottles. People paid silly money on ebay for an empty bottle so that they could use their new caravan or motor home. Check prices on eBay or Facebook marketplace to see what they charge these days.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Jammer

You don't have to use an on-bottle regulator even if that is the convention for the bottle. The bottles don't come with the regulator, it stays with the boat (or appliance or building, for land-based uses) and you move it from bottle to bottle.


Camping Gaz to POL adapters exist so that you can use your USA-spec bulkhead regulator.


https://tridentmarine.com/product/u-.../#.Yo7OhVTMLb0

Sheesh

I made the point that if you want a TrueType multi country arrangement about the only thing you have in Europe is the campingaz 3.5kg cylinder. This is supplied with a thread and simple ball valve and as you say various adapters are available

However it’s the most expensive solution per M3 of gas and in some places ( Ireland ) it’s not easy to find that cylinder

For many other cylinders there is high pressure fitting available but they are very difficult to source , This will include on Ireland , kosangas 5kg and 11kg and new calor 4kg ( 21mm left hand fitting )

This means you end up searching for multi-farious specialist high pressure adaptors and the issue gets worse as you change countries , even if you eschew butane the issue doesn’t get much better

On bottle regulators however are widely available and cheap.

Hence the recommendation to convert to on bottle regulators. Life is much simpler and you can easily use a wider variety of bottles. Again that’s not to say high pressures fittings aren’t available but you need to assemble a fair few in advance

[goboatingnow]

For example let’s say you decide to stick with propane in the U.K. and Ireland



This is a typical 6kg bottle with the U.K. POL fitting. However this assumes you can fit that bottle ( common in caravans ). The smaller 3.8kg approx cylinder is much harder to find in my experience

( currently gas supplies are restricted , but presumably that will change )

This cylinder type is a good choice but the op is visiting Ireland , propane is largely distributed via commercial distribution and not stocked at typical butane outlets. It can be a bugger to locate the small propane bottles ( I know all this for a fact )

Hence my comment that you need a flexible solution

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by skipmac

One question. All my hoses are US and have inch rated connections and threads (aside from the QCC1 tank connection) like 1/4" NPT, etc. Will I be able to get fittings in Ireland to make adapters if needed or will everything be BSP, metric or Whitworth sizes? (that last is an attempt at humor).

USA hoses have a nylon liner and can't be safely attached to a hose barb with a clamp. They leak. You have to use a crimp fitting. This is the USA way because the hoses then last a very long time.


The rest of the world uses rubber hoses without a nylon liner and replaces them every few years, because they deteriorate from propane exposure.


If you are going to use a barb and clamp you have to use a compatible hose.

Originally Posted by skipmac

Alternatively an adapter that will allow me to fill or have filled my US tanks from a UK source.

Fill adapters are widely available. Places that have self-serve LPG for use in LPG-powered cars can be used for fills. Regulatory policies vary and in some cases it isn't permitted to fill USA cylinders.

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Hence the recommendation to convert to on bottle regulators. Life is much simpler and you can easily use a wider variety of bottles. Again that’s not to say high pressures fittings aren’t available but you need to assemble a fair few in advance

With a USA boat that's visiting the problem is you have to buy the local cylinder and regulator and use it, and still find a place to put your USA cylinder and regulator since you will need them at some future point in the journey. The received wisdom is that given that it isn't worth modifying the boat (twice) to use local regulators.


The OP is in a tight spot because he has a very small 6# (~3kg) cylinder in comparison to most cruising boats that size which have two 11# (~5kg) or one or two 20# (~9kg) cylinders. Some long-distance cruisers with 11# cylinders find a place for a third.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I've heard from a couple of places that the red Calor propane tanks are in short supply, at least the smaller size. Are you seeing that?

Yes its country wide, particularly for 4.5kg blue Calor and the same sized 3.9kg propane cylinders. Larger sizes which don't often fit UK yachts are more readily available.

The blue Butane Gamping Gaz 2.7Kg (called 907) and the half sized 904 is more readily available.

There appears to be a growing cottage industry filling cylinders in a garage and flogging them on Facebook Marketplace, filling the shortfall because Calor can't get their act in gear. The local tip is full of empty cylinders waiting collection.

Best advice is to bring a portable induction stove (230v 50Hz) and buy one of these when you get here to cut down gas usage when in harbour or marinas.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4821...kettle:1:111:1

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Fill adapters are widely available. Places that have self-serve LPG for use in LPG-powered cars can be used for fills. Regulatory policies vary and in some cases it isn't permitted to fill USA cylinders.

Customers often turned away from garages trying to fill cylinders unless they are permanently fitted to vehicles, although its not illegal. Filling petrol cans with more than 5L can also be a problem and I have been refused before now.

Sadly filling USA cylinders unless DIY also going to be a problem.

Depends were you are going after UK/Ireland. If its to do the Grand Tour, then perhaps opt for Camping Gaz. Nearly twice the price in the UK, but very cheap once you get to France and more commonly available across Europe.

If you do the loop, take them back across the Atlantic and dispose of them when home. Though you might get them filled (exchanged in the Carib).

[skipmac]

Well, the solution. I have purchased enough different hoses, connectors, fittings, adapters, bits, pieces, odds and ends to outfit a good sized propane gas distribution center.

Hopefully with all this and a bit of help when I get to Ireland (from previous visits I'm certain this will be the case. Irish I've found to be extremely friendly and helpful) I'll figure a way to attach a local tank to my boat.

Thanks to all for the information and suggestions.

[goboatingnow]

Be aware that in Ireland autogas has almost completely disappeared from forecourts so that option can be discounted. Re filling , except under specific arrangements is illegal and has largely disappeared. ( occasionally a back street option remains available )

Autogas refill requires specific approved tanks anyway.

If you need a high pressure small bottle in Ireland your only real option is the campinggaz one.

[mojoman2]

A lot of people cruising in Europe use campingaz bottles. These are more expensive but they are widely available. Of course, they have their own unique fitting too.

[CAVOK]

If you are in the EU & not UK, Campingaz is the standard & good luck with the adapters. SVB24 sells numerous fittings as does GOK. After 50 years of union you would think they would have it all sorted..
Then you would be wrong, just like power plugs.
Good luck!!

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by mojoman2

A lot of people cruising in Europe use campingaz bottles. These are more expensive but they are widely available. Of course, they have their own unique fitting too.

Yes I made this point particularly if you need high pressure feeds

[skipmac]

Update. Unfortunately all this may be moot. Crew flew in Sunday, we had our predeparture Covid tests and I came out positive. Was exposed two weeks ago when previous crew flew in and one of them tested positive. I tested regularly after my exposure but was negative until 13 days after the crew member left.

By the time I am clear and can pass a screening it's going to be a bit into the hurricane season so probably have to put the trip off another year. %@^%@%!!!!!!!!