GOK shows what the owner of a caravan/motor caravan must pay attention to if they wish to heat while driving or generally operate gas equipment while driving.
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What components do I need to operate gas equipment in the caravan and motor caravan while driving?
The following are required to heat a leisure vehicle while driving, for example: Pressure regulator and hose assembly. The type and quantity you require depends on the type of control device.
***Update***
The following article only refers to the wall-mounted gas pressure regulation systems from GOK, in order to be able to operate the vehicle with LPG during the journey. The newly developed Caramatic SafeDrive also has an integrated crash sensor, but has a completely different system design.
Requirements
In addition, according to the standard and the regulations, two special safety devices that protect against leaking LPG in the event of a traffic accident must be included. This requirement is met by a crash sensor for the hose assembly and all downstream components as well as an excess flow device for the high pressure hose assembly.
In the following, we provide you with an overview of which components you need to operate a one-cylinder or two-cylinder system and how the crash sensor and excess flow device function.
Operating a single-cylinder system
The Caramatic DriveOne consists of a pressure regulator with over-pressure safety device, crash sensor, test point and integrated wall bracket. The control device is installed on the caravan or motor caravan using the wall bracket and connected to the gas cylinder using the high pressure hose assembly Caramatic ConnectDrive.
Are you asking yourself why the control device does not attach directly to the gas cylinder, as with conventional single-cylinder systems? It is related to campers’ mobility. Gas cylinders abroad usually have a different connection. If you want to use such a system, you do not need to have a second control device suitable for the respective country connection; you simply have to replace the high pressure hose assembly with integrated excess flow device with a connection typical of the country.
Operating a two-cylinder system
Of course, the camper needs two high pressure hose assemblies, not one, if they want to use the Caramatic DriveTwo. The function, components and setup of the control device can be compared with the Caramatic DriveOne, except for two exceptions: the additional connection for a hose assembly to the second gas cylinder and the automatic changeover unit in the DriveTwo.
Safety devices
The DriveOne and DriveTwo are equipped with a crash sensor, recognisable by the addition “Drive” in the product name. The YouTube video illustrates the way it works:
The high pressure hose assemblies connecting the gas cylinder to the control device must be fitted with an excess flow device. This safety device prevents LPG from escaping uncontrolledly if the hose ruptures. See the function in this moving image:
Installation note
The hose assemblies should always be installed from the gas cylinder valve to the control device (see diagrams). This ensures that no LPG from the gas cylinder “floats” into the hose assembly during the journey, accumulates and enters the control device. Some of the liquid phase of a gas can cause massive damage in the control device as well as to the consumer equipment.
Recommendations
To protect the control device and connected gas equipment from contamination, we recommend using a gas filter. This is installed between the hose assembly and the control device.
For kink-free assembly of the hose assembly, we recommend a 90° angled fitting.
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This blog will never ask members of the public or unqualified persons to make changes to or fiddle around with technical systems themselves.
In accordance with the Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV), a qualified person must take care of a system which requires monitoring.
A qualified person is someone who has the specific specialist knowledge required. This knowledge is gained by way of a professional apprenticeship, corresponding professional experience or current occupational activity.
Please note that the texts are based on information, regulations and standards for Germany. Please always check the rules and regulations in the relevant country of destination and consult specialists if necessary.