What is a changeover gas regulator?
What is a changeover gas regulator? |
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Changeover gas regulators are used in many situations where more than one cylinder is required, such as caravans, holiday homes and boats. They usually control between two and four cylinders.
The regulator is normally mounted on the bulkhead (side wall) of the gas locker and is connected to two or more cylinders. When one cylinder is empty, a changeover regulator will switch to the reserve supply to ensure a continuous flow of gas. |
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There are two types of changeover gas regulator:
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With the manual version, when one cylinder is nearly empty you turn a lever yourself to switch the supply to the other one. | |||
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The automatic type of changeover regulator senses when the gas is running low and will switch itself over to the new cylinder at that point. | |||
Manual or automatic – which is best? |
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A manual regulator lets you control the cylinder changeover yourself. This means you can save money by ensuring the tank is completely empty before switching.
A manual regulator is also cheaper to buy than an automatic one. However, there is more risk of running out of gas than with an automatic system. |
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An automatic changeover regulator will make the switch for you, which is particularly convenient if the gas runs low in the middle of the night, or in bad weather.
On the other hand, many people find the regulator switches over too soon, wasting some of the gas left in the first tank. And if you forget to keep an eye on your usage, you could simply end up with two empty cylinders instead of one. |
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If you already have a manual changeover regulator, you may be able to convert it to an automatic one by adding an auto changeover head which screws on to the existing fittings. This will depend on the make and model of your regulator. | |||
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In caravans and motorhomes, changeover regulators used to be attached directly to the cylinders. However, in 2003 the law in the UK changed and they now have to be fixed permanently to the bulkhead, or wall.
The regulator must be positioned above, rather than level with, the cylinders. This is to reduce the risk of any condensed liquid gas, oily residue or other contaminants being drawn down into the regulator from the tank. |
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Although you can connect cylinders to a changeover regulator yourself, or add an auto changeover head to a manual system, under UK law only a qualified Gas Safe engineer is allowed to install or repair this kind of regulator.
This is because it’s a permanent fixture and all the gas pipes have to be pressure tested after fitting. |
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