LPG/ Calor bottles query

[regulo]

Hi, all, sorry if this is in the wrong category, but here goes.

1. Is LPG autogas the same thing as Calor camping/caravan bottled gas?
2. If it is, is there a way of refilling Calor bottles from petrol station forecourt pumps, or private LPG heating/cooking gas tanks?
3. Is it allowed to do this?

Thanks in Advance.

[Conleth]

The gas is identical.
However, do not, under any circumstances try to fill Calor bottles on the forecourt. It is hightly dangerous and LPG pumps have a special nozzle for gas powered cars. There are currently 2 designs in use. Continental pumps use a different connector and purpose made adapters are available for use in Europe.Bottles are filled in a different way. Try this link to the Autogas UK site for further information. http://www.autogas.ltd.uk/

[AlBags]

There are actually a few different fillers .. French, Italian and the UK/Dutch one .. called Dutch Bayonet.
UK forecourts use a bayonet filler, so adapters can be used/are needed to fill other types.
You can't fill a Calor bottle on a forecourt .. Safety and policy reasons .. nothing else. Not against the law tho.
There are refillable storage bottles available (I use one) which you can fill on a forecourt. They have a bayonet attachment for the filling arrangement.

[regulo]

Thanks both. I don't think I'd like to try this anyway.
AlBags, what are the refillable bottles? Not the usual Calor ones, I presume? And having filled them do you then have to have special connectors to use them? The original query was raised in respect of gas bottles used on boats and caravans for gas cooking, which have been shooting up in price quite alarmingly of late.

[DTCwordfan]

No it is not identical, conleth.

Bottle gas includes refinery LPG and that tends to have isobutane in it - autogas is field LPG and is 100% butane and propane.

Also your bottle refill also takes account of a valve check and replacement about every 6 refills and then the condition of the bottle for light or heavy maintenance - or even scrapping (on average about 16 years life expectancy on the bottle). You do not notice this as you rent the bottle, not own it.

[regulo]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to stick with exchanging bottles, this stuff sounds far too dangerous to be faffing about with!