And......................................we're back

[admin]

Crikey where the hell was I then - it was way over than in Limossen.

[Gilbertd]

It would be, you're way out in the sticks over there!

I also saw something you'd never see here. Travelling east on the A8 between Cannes and Nice, the matrix signs were flashing up "PAS DE GPL A 6KM" (No LPG in 6 kms). Sure enough, 6kms down the road was the Bréguières Sud services with another big sign outside saying Pas De GPL. Considering there's services every 30 or 40 kms (and they all sell LPG), it wouldn't really matter though.

[DerykR]

Thanks for the info Gilbert and I hope you had a good trip.

I will have to fill up once on the motorway, but I will be able to use the supermarkets once I get to St Dizier. I just hope the Euro exchange rate improves over the next couple, of months

Rgrds Deryk

[Gilbertd]

I don't, I hope it gets worse. Although the fact I'm sitting here with over 400 Euros in my wallet that I want to convert back to Sterling without losing a fortune may have something to do with it. It's a real rip off sometimes. On the P&O ferry going over they were giving 1.12 to the pound but to buy back they were quoting 1.37 to the pound!

Good run there and back though. I can testify that a 4.4 litre Range Rover Sport does 15mpg at a steady 85-90mph whereas a 5.5 litre SL55 AMG does 20mpg at a steady 100mph!

...and it sounds absolutely glorious when you floor it away from the toll booths......

[admin]

Am I seeing things or has the value of the pound against the Euro leapt up again. I am seeing it at 1.18 on some sites, and even the post office are doing 1.15 and they are normally give a pretty poor rate.

Maybe now is the time to buy that house

Damian

[Gilbertd]

It's less than 2 years ago when it was 1.70 Euro to the pound, in fact it almost got to 2.00 at one point, that as the time to buy a house over there.

[DerykR]

I would be happy if it climbed above 1.20, but I wont hold my breath

I think I will be more careful of measuring fuel consumption on the next French trip as when we returned we were a bit late for the ferry so did not fill up when we should have done and fully expected to have to finish on petrol...., but she just kept on going on gas

Rgrds Deryk

[Gilbertd]

In the UK Autogas is 100% Propane, other countries blend Propane with Butane. Butane ceases to burn below about 0 degrees and has a lower octane rating but is still a viable fuel. The best I ever managed out of my Saab in the UK was 261 miles on a full tank but driving across Poland I got 280. Was this down to the Butane content? I have no idea but somebody else mentioned that they use less fuel when running on stuff bought the other side of the Channel.

[DerykR]

Now that's interesting and something I didn't know and it would explain a lot

I keep a track of my petrol/gas consumption on the disco and I will get an accurate fix before I go and then compare it against consumption of the other side of the ditch.

The only problem is I need to fill up the petrol tank to get an accurate base line and that will probably need a mortgage or having to sell my first born

Rgrds Deryk

[mat_fenwick]

Yeah, I've only brimmed ours once and didn't want to again just to check the petrol consumption!

Have you got yours back on gas then Deryk?

[SimonHobson]

Butane ceases to burn below about 0 degrees ...

Actually it's just a minor detail that it won't boil off once you get down to freezing - as I've personal experience of when out in the caravan*. That means no pressure in the tanks in freezing weather. As a mixture, there's a risk of ending up with butane left after using the propane (would definitely be the case with vapour take-off) - though normally the pressure from the propane ought to be able to push the liquid mix up the line and the hot reducer will soon have it all boiled off.

* Got up in morning to find snow on the ground. Couldn't even boil a kettle, let alone run the heater. Still, at least I wasn't in a tent like some of my mates - they woke up to find their water bottles frozen, inside the tents Spent most of the morning (bank holiday) finding someone to buy a propane regulator and cylinder from - IIRC the nearest place I could find was a caravan dealers 30 miles away.

[DerykR]

Wow, I prefer to be tucked up warm indoors on days like that , or out in the Disco getting the ABS to work

Rgrds Deryk

[SimonHobson]

Wow, I prefer to be tucked up warm indoors on days like that ...

This was a weekend interclub Land Rover event we had some time ago. It wasn't too bad once you were wrapped up, but I did feel for those in tents having to transition from nicely wrapped up in a sleeping bag to dressed in clothes that had been in the cold all night - when there's ice on the inside of the tent. Brrrrrr. Once I got a propane bottle, the caravan was soon nice and toasty

[DerykR]

I used to do that when fishing, out in all weathers under an umbrella! I even looked forward to snow so that I could get that important "carp in the snow" pic

But these old bones ain't up to it now

Rgrds Deryk

[mat_fenwick]

Couple of years back, camping in winter with my bike.



Still cold despite a heavy beer jacket, all my leathers and a sleeping bag!

[Gilbertd]

Stuff that!!!!

My bike has stayed locked away and all wrapped up since about September, although I do intend getting out there and giving it a pre-use check today as the missus is working. Nice old Beemer you've got there Mat.

[mat_fenwick]

Thanks. It's an R45 but I rebuilt the engine as a 650 about 10 years ago (how time flies).

Taking this thread even more off topic, what bike do you have?

[Gilbertd]

'99 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer. Currently with the battery on charge and the alarm system disconnected to allow it to reset...... Good job I was only planning on getting it ready to use and not actually using it today!

I think this thread went way off topic a long time ago but I suppose it proves that we have two types of people on here. Those that have bought an LPG car and are trying to learn how it works (or why it doesn't) and the proper petrolheads that are into vehicles of any form. My personal fleet has dropped by one since the Saab went but I've still got 2 Range Rovers, the bike, a Maserati Biturbo Spider and one other that nobody will have heard of. Coupled with the wife's Tigra (horrible little thing) and the SL55 AMG I bought back from France last weekend that hasn't been collected by it's new owner yet, it's a bit crowded outside at the moment!

[mat_fenwick]

I suppose it proves that we have two types of people on here. Those that have bought an LPG car and are trying to learn how it works (or why it doesn't) and the proper petrolheads that are into vehicles of any form.

Well I (like most people I suspect) joined the forum due to a problem, but I'd definitely put myself into the latter category. LPG is the only way to make running a V8 bearable! I've stuck around to continue learning, but also because this forum is an enjoyable place. Hopefully as my knowledge builds up I can return some of the help and advice I've received.

My personal fleet has dropped by one since the Saab went but I've still got 2 Range Rovers, the bike, a Maserati Biturbo Spider and one other that nobody will have heard of.

Now you've got me intrigued! I've got a varied fleet consisting of the bike, a Citroen BX, old shape VW LT35 (DIY camper conversion), 205 fitted with the Mi16 engine, the Discovery, and a Hyundai Stellar fitted with a Rover V8 (unfinished project). Less exotic than your fleet but rare enough to be moderately interesting....

[admin]

This went off topic a long, long time ago - I seem to recall it started due to the LPG Forum running out of gas amd going down for a couple of days :0) Oh how cheesy.

So how many topics have now been covered under this one:

Forum Down
Fuel Prices
Exchange Rates
......

Oh what fun.....

SO why not start another one - Any advice while talking France about using LPG to power a Swimming Pool heater and filtration pump..

Damian