Refilling Gas Bottles
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 08:29
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Redbac
Hi All,
can anyone suggest which is the best way to go as far as refilling gas bottles goes as we travel around Oz. The 'swap and go' type setup looks good but we are worried as we venture outback these will not be available. I know we could simply refill a 'swap and go' bottle but would it be just as easy 'cheaper' to buy our own bottles and get them refilled as we find servos that can do this?
All suggestions welcome.
Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 08:57
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 08:57
I have my own cylinder, and fill as I go.
But,
Check the date stamp on the cylinder. Cylinders only have a 10 year life, then need a safety
check, which can cost up to as much as a new cylinder. If the cylinder has less than 1 to 2 years, thats when I go for a swap and go and update my cylinder. :o)
AnswerID:
294954
Follow Up By: Redbac - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:26
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:26
The bottle that came with my van is the same age '20 years old' !!
It may have expired....just :)
Cheers
John
FollowupID:
560892
Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:10
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:10
Redbac,
Swap and go gas bottles are getting out there more and more.
I take two gas bottles with me when I go away. I have a two burner gas BBQ that is used every night and could be used for up to an hour with the customers on tour. This would be a lot more than a family would use on a daily basis and I find that the gas last
well over 6 weeks.
Having two bottles I will use one bottle until it runs out. The next place that has gas I will swap or fill. I would need fuel before I need to fill the gas bottle.
I have also found that even caravan parks are going for swap and go. Filling a gas bottle is very time consuming and it is easy and cheaper for them to have the swap and go.
I have been doing this for a few years and have not run at of gas.
Wayne
AnswerID:
294957
Follow Up By: Redbac - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:24
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:24
Thanks for your advise Wayne.
I take it you have purchased two 'swap and go' bottles so that if you cannot refill you can just swap ay?
FollowupID:
560891
Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:36
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:36
Redbac,
I had a bottle that was just about of date when swap and go first came in.
They got my old bottle and I got one of theirs. I did get another bottle through them and now have two. When I do swap the gas bottle they get a very empty bottle and I get maximum value for money.
I have there bottle for a few months so I don't have to worry about out of date bottles.
The bottles would have to be checked by swap and go before they refill them so I am sure that I am getting a safe bottle each time.
Wayne
FollowupID:
560897
Follow Up By: Redbac - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:42
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:42
Will a servo fill a swap and go bottle if they do not have the whole system of swap and go type thing?
FollowupID:
560898
Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:49
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:49
Redbac,
I don't think a servo would worry about where the bottle comes from as long as it is in date.
Most servos have gone to swap and go now.
I wish I had come up with the idea.
Wayne
FollowupID:
560899
Reply By: Member - Sheepie (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:15
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:15
Be aware that there are some bottles out there that can ONLY be used as a swap!
I know the Bunnings
home delivery service has bottles like this - they can not be refilled at a servo (or at least that's what I have been told).
They can be swapped with the swap-n-go's, but no filling.
Don't know why this is, but it's something to be weary of.
AnswerID:
294977
Follow Up By: Redbac - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:49
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:49
Defiantly, thanks for the heads up!!
I was looking at buying bottles from Bunnings for around $35 but I wonder if they are like the ones you are warning me about.
This is why I love this
forum!!
Cheers Sheepie
FollowupID:
560918
Reply By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:28
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:28
Redbac,
If you head down the swap-and-go path just make sure that the bottles will physically fit in your holder(s). Our KK had two 4kg bottle holders, but I discovered that most swap-and-go 4kg bottles were a different shape and would not sit properly in the holders.
For what it is worth, with two bottles I have never had difficulties getting them refilled and the second bottle ensures that you can run one empty (you pay for the capacity of the bottle regardless of how empty it is) and if you do have trouble getting a refill in one spot, you can hold off for a while until you can.
Cheers,
Matt.
AnswerID:
294978
Follow Up By: Redbac - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:53
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:53
Yes I know what you mean. I fortunatly have a pretty standard shape holder on my little CT, however I will measure the circumference of my original bottle before I part with my pennies.
Cheers Matt.
Your picture looks great...is that on Frasier Island?
FollowupID:
560919
Follow Up By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 12:34
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 12:34
Redbac,
With
mine it was the bracket at the base that was the problem, not the strap around it.
Photo at
Cape Leveque.
Matt.
FollowupID:
560928
Follow Up By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 13:01
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 13:01
Hi Matt,
Is
Cape Leveque worth a visit? I have only seen it from the blue side.
Nice to see your new job lets you use the net during working hours! :o)
Cheers
Pete
FollowupID:
560935
Follow Up By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 14:25
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 14:25
Pete,
It was fantastic, but a bit expensive as there is only one place to stay. Heaps of spots on the way up which are good as
well. Like you, I had never seen the
Kimberley from the 'brown' side until we did our trip there. Just blown away by the amount to see and do. I have lost count of the number of times I have been to
Broome, but had never driven in before. A new experience and I discovered that there is more to
Broome than the
Roebuck Bay Hotel (fancy that!).
Work is mainly at
home now so access to the internet not a problem. The joys of the private sector, they worry about getting the work done, not how I do it.
Sorry Redbac, bit of a thread hijack.
Cheers,
Matt.
FollowupID:
560958
Reply By: Barry 2 - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 00:11
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 00:11
Hi Redback
All previous post are great info
This is my personnal experience with Swap and Go 9kg bottles !!
anything smaller you can have troubles getting a replacement.
1..All 9 kg bottles are not same size had trouble fitting to my camper trailer bracket in the past, older bottles different shape.
2. If you look close at the date stamps on bottles they can be many years old supposedly Re-checked ???? Resprayed and refreshed yes !!!
I had a bottle once that was 20 yrs old and restamped ??
3.Some outlets will not refill swap and Go bottles - not very handy when out bush !!!
4.In the past I have got round the refill problem by taking swap & go sticker off and painting bottle with a silver paint (Looks like any ordinary bottle) outlet that refused to fill swap and go bottle happily filled it next time go Figure ??
My conclusion is ... After years of experience ...
Swap and Go is Ok for your
Home BBQ use when you can go to the same outlet but for camping/outback travels my preferrance is to buy a new bottle or two what ever size you need ( Rays Outdoors on sale @ 26%) and as mentioned previously have two when 1st runs out you have plenty of time to fill 2nd bottle. With no troubles of refilling out bush as long as the bottles are in date.
Sometimes trying to buy the cheapest is false economy !!
Just my experiences, good luck !!
Safe Travels
Barry
AnswerID:
295355