Gas bottle adapter

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Updated – November 26, 2022

First of all, there are various gas bottle adapters as sets that enable German gas appliances to be connected to foreign bottles. For example, the company offers Vosken appropriate for almost every application adapter or adapter sets under the brand Turnmaster at.

If you want to be sure that you choose the right adapter for your application from the wide range of adapters, you should send an inquiry to the company or simply call and get individual advice.

Fill gas cylinders at LPG filling stations – in Germany

Filling up your gas bottle at conventional LPG filling stations is advertised by a number of internet providers of gas bottles. However, this is prohibited in Germany and, if so, is reserved exclusively for specialist personnel.

The information from the DVFG (German Liquid Gas Association) in the Technical information from July 2021 state that containers that are supposedly approved for self-filling are not allowed to be filled at public LPG filling stations.

Quote:

„The Operational Safety Ordinance (BetrSichV) applies to the operation of gas stations in Germany.
and the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV). The requirements of these regulations are set out in
Technical rules (technical rules for operational safety/hazardous substances). TRBS 3151/TRGS 751 “Avoiding fire, explosion and pressure hazards” applies to petrol stations
at gas stations and gas filling systems for filling land vehicles”, September 2019 edition
(including last change from October 2nd, 2020). There it says:
5.1.4 Refueling of motor vehicles (…)
(4) May be used on gas filling systems for liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, liquefied natural gas or hydrogen
Compressed gas containers in the sense of TRBS 3145/TRGS 745 such as gas bottles with liquid gas
not be filled.„

But: different countries, different customs – and laws.

… abroad

In principle, the regulations applicable in the respective country must be observed. Bottles with a filling stop must always be filled vertically and never tilted. With an inclined bottle, the function of the filling stop, which is intended to ensure the maximum permissible 80 % filling level, cannot be achieved. The bottle would then have too little expansion volume when heated and, in the worst case scenario, explode.

To put it a little more objectively:

• At an outside temperature of 15° C, there is a pressure of approximately 7 bar in an 80% with propane gas cylinder.
• At a temperature of around 70° C, the bottle, which was originally filled to 80 %, is completely filled. The pressure now prevailing is 25 bar.
• If the temperature continues to rise, the pressure inside the bottle increases as before by 7 bar for every degree increase in temperature, which ultimately leads to the bottle exploding.

Filling is easy with the appropriate gas bottle adapter. Where private individuals are prohibited from doing so, specialist staff on site may be able to help.

Filling quantity

An 11 kg gas bottle holds 22 - 23 liters of liquid gas. If you want to be sure that you don't overfill the bottle, consider 22 liters as the maximum capacity.

Since a bottle may still contain residual quantities, you should make sure that the bottle is definitely empty before filling!

Difference between butane, propane and LPG

Butane gas is a summer gas because it no longer evaporates below 4 °C. Propane, on the other hand, evaporates down to -40 °C, so it is suitable even in the depths of winter.

In warmer countries, gas with a higher butane content is often sold. For example, if you start your winter holiday from Spain with freshly purchased gas bottles, you will have bad luck at your destination. Therefore: take empty bottles to the ski area and have the gas bottles filled or exchanged there.

The gas bottles sold in Germany contain 60 % butane gas in summer, while in winter they only contain 40 % butane. The season also plays a role in determining whether the bottle fillings are suitable for winter.

LPG is identical to the gas types/mixtures mentioned above. There is no other difference.