LPG at Le Mans

[Ferrari Spider]

sorry if this has been covered before

What manner of LPG is available at Le Mans, Propane/Butane?  Which type/size of valve would the cylinders accept?  and the final query is, where might spare supplies be obtained during a busy LM?

Many thanks for your kind attention and sensible replies

[nickliv]

IIRC the regulators are different, but inexpensive. As for stockists, I am led to believe from the BM forums that Carrefour will provide.

[paulydee]

From what i can remember when we swapped a bottle for JPC a few years back, Carrefour stock loads of Camping Gaz bottles, but they have about a £10 surcharge if you don't have the handle on the top (maybe someone else can confirm). I assume you'll get charged that on top for your first bottle. See http://www.campingaz.com/sunbeam/distribution/index_cartridge.htm and search for Le Mans. Regulators to suit Camping Gaz bottles are readily available from outdoor stores over here if you want to get sorted before you go.

[nopanic - neil]

Many thanks for your kind attention and sensible replies

What?

- Take all fun away! 

[DelBoy]

Almost any reasonably-sized supermarket stock camping gaz  907 904 and the smaller cartridges.  They used to be cheaper than the UK, but who knows with the exchange rate what it is.  There was a problem a couple of years ago when there was a complete dearth of refils in the LM area - all supermarches had sold out and I eventually got one in a small 'outdoor' shop in Arnage.  If you are taking an empty bottle back, go first to the accueil in the supermarket where they will take the empty and give you a ticket that you present to the checkout to save you having to pay the deposit (again).

You will not get refills for any other bottle that is available in the UK (Calor, Flogas etc) as, as has effectively already been pointed out, the regulators are unique to each manufacturer.  In an emergency, there is a plentiful supply of the larger bottles from supermarkets, garages etc, but you will have to pay a deposit on the bottle plus buy a regulator.

Summary:  Stick with Camping Gaz or take enough with you.

Del

[Paddy_NL]

Refilling would take too long during a pitstop, so I guess that's why the ACO won't allow it

[jpchenet]

Peter, as Paulydee says, Camping Gaz is available at most supermarkets.

What we did last year though was to get some "local" cylinders and regulators. Much cheaper to refill, and very cheap to obtain (certainly compared to the UK!)

I can't remember exact costs, but it was something like €25 for the Full Cylinder, Regulator and the Cylinder deposit for a large Butane bottle.

This was from the petrol station at Carrefour!

[jpchenet]

Mark, what size of cylinder would that be?

Thinking of running the chilling and cooking from gas, to save on the malarkey of a petrol generator and gas, its never easy.

Got a full 30 man ex-army field kitchen to bring along, might be a bit of overkill.

Are you cooking for the whole of Houx Annexe Peter???

It was the large cylinder. I can never remember what weight is which but 15Kg seems to ring a bell. it's the same size as goes into a Patio Heater.

Our's are stored in France. We ran the Gas BBQ off one and there was still plenty left at the end of the week. Also used one for the Turkey Fryer and one for the Scottle. Both of those are probably at elast 3/4 full still!

[Steve Pyro]

The mincer will come in useful 

[LangTall]

Peter, any chances of getting a similar kit somewhere?

Might be usefull with a group of 30.

[Bob U]

The mincer will come in useful 

You take one if you like but don't bring it anywhere near our camp

[Paddy_NL]

Peter, any chances of getting a similar kit somewhere?

Might be usefull with a group of 30.

probably at an army-dump-store, and then buy all they have on the shelf

 

[Lorry]

I know where you can get these, but I didn't realise they included "2 x slutted serving spoons"  20% off at the minute             

[Buck Bundy]

Refilling would take too long during a pitstop, so I guess that's why the ACO won't allow it

As LPG has only 80% of the calorific value of petrol, then you would have an engine 80% down on power for the same fuel consumption.

Remember fuel consumption is actually slightly worse on LPG, but the fact that it's much cheaper to buy means people quote an equivalent fuel consumption figure. But when has cost bothered a race team?

Buck

[DelBoy]

As LPG has only 80% of the calorific value of petrol, then you would have an engine 80% down on power for the same fuel consumption.

Remember fuel consumption is actually slightly worse on LPG, but the fact that it's much cheaper to buy means people quote an equivalent fuel consumption figure. But when has cost bothered a race team?

Buck

You're partly right, Buck.  The calorific value of LPG is less than that for petrol, but against that, as LPG is a gas (rather than a vapour as with petrol) you get a much more complete 'burn' of the fuel in the cylinder (which is also why LPG is much 'cleaner').  Ok, the net result is that LPG is still down against petrol, but not by that figure.  Depending on the engine, the LPG equipment etc, it can be as little as 5%.

This is for 'road' cars - I have no experience or data relating to 'tuned' engines.

Del