UK/European propane

[jamiehc]

Moving boat to UK/European waters. Is there and adapter to the UK/European propane tank for North American Acme female line on the boat?

[Jammer]

If you're moving permanently you'll want to replace your USA regulator with a regulator suitable for whatever country will serve as your home base. In Europe and the UK, the regulators attach directly to the tank valve.

If you're just passing through, well, there are a wide variety of LPG valve connections in UK/Europe, so it depends what you are doing.

If you're using Calor cylinders in the UK, they use a POL connector similar to that used in the USA but slightly larger. The USA POL connector will sort of fit but not in a way that is safe and secure. Adapters are available but have become hard to find. Right now there's one on ebay, https://www.ebay.com/itm/224786838002 - note that the acme threaded USA connector always has a (usa) POL on the inside.

If you're using Campingaz bottles then those require a different adapter. The campingaz bottles are available throughout Europe and the UK, but are expensive and normally only available in inconveniently small sizes (six pounds). They are also butane or, at best, a mixture of propane and butane, and will require adjustments to the air shutters on your range burners to burn properly (otherwise the flame will burn rich and produce soot and CO). An adapter is also needed:

https://defender.com/en_us/trident-m...pter-1195-1615

But in reality most people on USA boats who are cruising in the area for a year or less are able to muddle through without changing anything by finding fills for their USA cylinders somewhere. Maybe not in every country and certainly not every port. Other people transfill their cylinders (though this poses safety risks of frostbite and fire--wear gloves, goggles, and a long-sleeved shirt if you do this, and be sure your connections are secure and will withstand the pressure).


At least that was the case until fairly recently. The situation was tightening up and I haven't encountered any first-hand reports from the last few years.

[Pete7]

Probably and I would contact Will:

https://www.whayward.shop/shop

Just be aware of two things. In the UK cylinders are exchanged rather than owned. So hand in an empty and receive a nice full one in place of it.

Secondly the gas cylinder market in the UK is in turmoil. Calor Gas who were the supplier for decades has just (1 Feb 23) decided to withdraw some of the smaller cylinders from the market. They are now owned by the Dutch and the accountants have deemed that its better to hire out large cylinders because this sells more gas. Sadly many UK and European yachts have gas lockers that wont accept the larger cylinders. Result uproar across the sailing, RV and caravan forums. I honestly don't think the other smaller suppliers have the capacity, so if the weather is nice, there will be a shortage for the summer at least.

There are going to be some unhappy teddy bears come Easter next week when they can't get direct replacement cylinders.

Is Europe better? nope not really as every country has their own style cylinders and fittings, with the exception to Camping Gaz which is pretty wide spread across Europe but quite small cylinders. Note the UK price is high, much cheaper in France (16-20 Euro) were every garage and supermarket sells them https://www.socal.co.uk/c/171/campingaz The regulator fits directly on to the cylinder, so only low pressure gas is supplied to the pipe work at 30Mb. Will your cooker accept this. CG Marine Regulator https://www.whayward.shop/product-pa...ngaz-regulator

If I were in your position, I would come anyway and plan swopping out your regulator for Camping Gaz type and hiring a Camping Gaz cylinder or two. We have one large 907 and one small 904.

Next ensure you have sorted out mains electric as the supply is universally 230v 50Hz. Many chargers will accept this, but worth checking. If that have pass through to the other items on board then you need to check these too.

Our solution given the Calor Gas cut backs is to switch to Campng Gaz as a fall back plan, but electric cooking predominately.

[Pete7]

Just be aware, that Butane is probably more popular in Europe though Propane is available and modern European cookers will accept either with the correct regulator. Butane will work down to near freezing temperatures without a problem.

Pete