Gas Bottles

Hi Jay

We don' let go of ours for the swap-and-go thin ones. When going to Tasmania last year, on the pre embarkation inspection, we had to prove they were current. Our van was manufactured in 1998, which gave them 2 years to go. We have had not problems getting them filled, through agencies who follow the rules and don't fill out of date bottles. I can't see the date stamp on them, but it must be visible to the people who fill them.

Motherhen

The last test date will be stamped on the collar shielding the valve, it usually consists of the test station symbol with the month and year it was tested below it. Every test station has a separate symbol to identify them in case something goes wrong, its not very big, about the size of a postage stamp.

Gas bottles have been covered in past posts, as far as being thick or thin material it was all a myth, the main difference between steel bottles was the surface coating, eg paint or gal.

Jay, aluminium bottles? are these used in marine situations.

Paul.

Hi, on the "aluminum", my error - the are painted steel.

That doesn't change the fact that they are only good for less than four years from delivery of the BT!

If I would have know to check for the dates there is no way I would have accepted bottles with the dates I have indicated.

All I can do is pass on to the new owner that it is the opinion of BT that he should simply participate in the exchange program; if he doesn't want to do that he will have to buy new bottles.

Frankly, I am quite surprised that BT used such old bottles when in reality they were already ten years old when I took delivery of the van.

Jay

Paul is right on the thickness issue. All gas bottles have the same thickness of steel....here is my earlier posting on the matter.

"Just noticed in the TIPS section that Bushtracker's incorrect Tip pertaining to GAS Bottle exchange/ replacement is still there after it was established in Post 2618 (October, 2006) that the Australian Standard differred from DOT Standard.

I think Steve was referring to American Department of Transport (DOT) standard.......NOT the Australian Standard.

In Australian Standard AS 2469 - 2005, the categories which are stamped (1 to 4) in a circle on the top of the cowall surrounding the valve assembly on GAS BOTTLES are as follows:-

1 = Hot Dip Galvanizing

2 = Abrasive blasted + inorganic zinc rich coating + organic zinc rich coating.

3 = Sprayed Zinc Coating

4 = Red oxide or polyester powder coat.

The numbers refer to the rust-proofing treatment of the steel, not the thickness of the steel. Obviously, the thickness of the treatment will vary. e.g. Hot-dip galvanizing is thicker than powder coating.

The Australian Standard requires all GAS BOTTLES manufactured in carbon steel to have a wall thickness of 1.75mm and be tested to a minimum pressure of 320Mpa.

The only exception is GAS BOTTLES manufactured in stainless steel are to have a wall thickness of 1.5mm, and be tested to a minimum pressure of 360MPa.

Obviously, Stainless would probably be the best for caravan usage, but they are likely to be quite expensive. So, when exchanging GAS BOTTLES, the No. 1 in the circle should be preferred. The No.2 BOTTLES should be the minimal treatment for caravan usage. The No 3, and the K-mart powder coated type with No. 4 in the circle should be restricted to home use for the barbie."

Now if you review Post 2618 you will see that Steve was totally opposing the SWAP gas bottles........Now Jay is saying that Steve says it is best to use the Swap Bottles.

For me, I'll stick to the swap, with a preference for the Number 2 in the Circle.

Happy travels...............Rob

Thanks Paul, I am not sure it makes sense to do the exchange program every 6 - 8 weeks when you live full-time in the you van.

Cheers, Jay

Hi folks,

A gentle reminder : - Beer comes in bottles; Gas comes in cylinders !

We had to take back a "swap-over" gas cylinder last year in Broome. It was sufficiently different in diameter not to be securely held in the original BT supplied gas cylinder holding frame. Luckily, I could still identify our actual cylinder the next day due to the track grime thereon and waited around until the Kleenheat man re-filled it [and I had paid the small extra for "re-fill" over "swap-over"].

Another reason for hanging on to your "own" cylinders until they "die'' of old age.

Cheers from Martin B.