Propane vs Butane

m8

My Camper has butane but I was told that I should have propane instead.

In the Gas hatch has a sticker that says 50 mbar.

It's a 2k german import if that make any difference.

Can anyone tell which I should have?

I don't mind changing to propane if it's better.

Printer

I have Butane in mine but its only a 4.5kg cylinder for a Mazda Bongo conversion.

I started a thread about buying gas in Dublin with similar questions, so waiting to hear what people say in there.

aujopimur

Propane has a higher calorific value so it burns hotter, it also has a much lower boiling point which keeps it from freezing in cold weather.
Butane would be handier as most filling station and other retailers stock it.

m8

aujopimur wrote: »

Propane has a higher calorific value so it burns hotter, it also has a much lower boiling point which keeps it from freezing in cold weather.
Butane would be handier as most filling station and other retailers stock it.

So which do I go with?

aujopimur

I suggest butane, as it's much more readily available at retailers, unless you intend using it in sub zero conditions.

martyc5674

I remember looking into this when I got the van first and I think propane was considered the slightly better option fir the reasons already mentioned plus IIRC the truma boilers work better on propane.

Anyway I went with propane for some reason or another and it works fine.
The 50mbar is your regulator.. Which would suggest you'd appliances are 50 mbar... Most are 30 from my limited experience, but you needn't worry.

Marty

Printer

Hey guys

My van has Butane, is it is easy to switch to propane? Do you need an RGI certified person to switch it over?

Can you have a look at my thread on buying gas in Dublin please... thanks.

*Kol*

Is there any price difference between a cylinder of propane vs butane?

Aidan_M_M

they are practically the same price , but the Propane lasts longer and burns better , so in fact it works out cheaper. All of the better known MHs built in europe should run on Propane or Butane , with no adaptions needed as long as the correct pressure regulator is used .

*Kol*

Aidan_M_M wrote: »

they are practically the same price , but the Propane lasts longer and burns better , so in fact it works out cheaper. All of the better known MHs built in europe should run on Propane or Butane , with no adaptions needed as long as the correct pressure regulator is used .

Thanks. I think I have gone through about three bottles in the last 4 years!! I am thinking of just carrying around one bottle in future. I can use the space for a bit of storage.

Aidan_M_M

Also , in my experience , Irish butane is of a sh1te quality . I've changed countless regulators that were choked up with oil from Butane.

Printer

So would you recommend I switch from butane to propane then? Do I need a certified RGI gas installer to do the switchover? If so, is there any you know of in Dublin I can go to on Tuesday?

Thanks

Aidan_M_M wrote: »

Also , in my experience , Irish butane is of a sh1te quality . I've changed countless regulators that were choked up with oil from Butane.

martyc5674

It's a simple case of exchanging your empty bottle of butane for a full propane.
Fittings are the same.., they are both an LPG so nothing else needs doing.
Marty.

Printer

Thanks Marty

On the Mazda Bongo forum I got this reply:

"Is that a Calor cylinder? Obviously you can only change like for like (ie if it is Calor then you'll have to exchange it for another Calor) but if it is, are you aware that Calor is only available in the UK so make sure you have enough to see you through your big trip.

And in answer to the "does it have to be butane" question. No, it just needs to fit in your gas locker but changing from butane to propane will probably entail the purchase of a new gas cylinder (ie more expense as it's highly unlikely you'll be doing straight swap without money changing hands). To to my mind the only good reason for making the change is that propane can be used at much lower temperatures so it would be worth changing if you plan on any low temperature Winter adventures."

It is indeed a Calor cylinder. Is he right that I can only exchange it for another Calor one??? Whats deal with this?

martyc5674

I had no problem exchanging mine ( butane for propane) but they were the regular 11kg ones...
Don't know if there would be an issue with the smaller ones.

If it's hassle/costly there probably isn't good enough reason to change over.
Marty.

Aidan_M_M

it's generally easier to get propane in cylinders with a LH thrad screw on fitting , but the standard "jumbo adapter" , Kosangas type ones are out there too . IIRC I got Ergas the last time.

aujopimur

martyc5674 wrote: »

It's a simple case of exchanging your empty bottle of butane for a full propane.
Fittings are the same.., they are both an LPG so nothing else needs doing.
Marty.

The snap on regulators for propane and butane although interchangable,
are different.
Propane has rotating on/off, where as butane has a flip type on/off.
I suggested regular type butane as it's the easiest to source.

niloc1951

aujopimur wrote: »

The snap on regulators for propane and butane although interchangable,
are different.
Propane has rotating on/off, where as butane has a flip type on/off.
I suggested regular type butane as it's the easiest to source.

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

The Jumbo ('snap on') type with the red rotating on/off knob is not a regulator, it can only be used in connection with a wall mounted regulator elsewhere.

But, as you say the one with the flip type on/off is a regulator.

BTW, Calor do both propane and butane in the same type bottles, yellow = butane, red = propane, and the red propane are available with either the top 'snap on' or side 'screw on' connections.

My experience is that a dealer will cross exchange for any type of the three versions, yellow - red top connection - red side connection.

Aidan_M_M

A word of caution , I've seen lots of Red Cylinders with Butane , so don't assume Red is ALWAYS Propane . It'll be written in fairly big letters on the side . One thing for sure though , Yellow is always Butane .

boardsiebob

I've got a yellow 5kg propane one very common in the plumbers trade.
The colour doesn't make any difference, maybe the propane bottles always come with threaded screw-on fitting to attach regulator/hose and come with gas turn on/off knob.

coolvale

is l.p.g propane or butane ? anyone please.

eth0

Aidan_M_M wrote: »

Also , in my experience , Irish butane is of a sh1te quality . I've changed countless regulators that were choked up with oil from Butane.

never had this problem myself. is it hard to clean the regulators?

aujopimur

coolvale wrote: »

is l.p.g propane or butane ? anyone please.

LPG= liquid petroleum gas= propane or butane.

aujopimur

Aidan_M_M wrote: »

A word of caution , I've seen lots of Red Cylinders with Butane , so don't assume Red is ALWAYS Propane . It'll be written in fairly big letters on the side . One thing for sure though , Yellow is always Butane .

Yellow bottles with red handles is propane.

Aidan_M_M

LPG is a combination of Propane and Butane.