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Never unexpectedly out of gas again: How to read your gas bottle level from the inside?

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It is a familiar situation for every motorhomer: it’s cold, it’s raining, or you just parked comfortably, and suddenly the heating turns off. You immediately wonder: “Is the tank empty?” Normally, you have to go outside to check. But did you know that nowadays you can easily read your gas bottle level without leaving your motorhome?

Whether you have a fixed LPG tank, an Alugas bottle, a Campko bottle, an RV bottle, or a plastic composite bottle: there is always a smart solution. In this article, we explain exactly how reading the gas bottle level works for each type of installation and what you need.

Situation 1: Reading the gas bottle level of a 4-hole bottle or LPG tank

The classic red vapor gas tanks and the 4-hole bottles from GZWM have a specific meter plate. There are two options to read the level remotely for these:

LPG tank en gasfles inhoud aflezen met meter binnen.

Option A: Wired (With LED display)

This is a robust solution where you mount a sender on the tank and run a cable to an LED display on your dashboard or in the living area.

What do you need?

  1. The Sender: You mount this on the tank/bottle (0-90 Ohm).
  2. The Cable: To route the signal inside.
  3. The LED Display: Choose a model with or without a switch:

Option B: Wireless (Via Smartphone)

Don’t want to run cables? Then you can replace the meter on the tank with a Bluetooth sender.

Situation 2: Measuring the level of an Alugas or Gaslow bottle

LPG tank en gasfles inhoud aflezen op smartphone.

Please note: Do you have an aluminum bottle from Alugas or a Gaslow system? Then you need different parts. The dial (the multivalve) on these tanks has a different size.

Option A: Wired (With LED display)

There is a special sender set for these bottles.

  • The Sender: This set contains the sender that fits Alugas/Gaslow, and the wiring is already included.
  • The LED Display: You will still need a display for the inside. For this, you use the same displays as in Situation 1 (see the links to the 5 or 9 LEDs above).

Option B: Wireless (Via Smartphone)

A Bluetooth solution is also possible here, but you need the specific model that fits the Alugas/Gaslow multivalve.

Situation 3: Reading the gas bottle level of Campko, RV, or steel bottles

With these bottles, it is not possible to mount an internal sender.

gasfles inhoud aflezen met weegschaal
  • The RV bottle: This metal bottle often has a dial on the bottle for direct reading, but it is unfortunately technically impossible to mount a sender on it for reading inside the motorhome.
  • The Campko bottle: This sometimes has a small meter, but this is only an indication for the 80% fill stop. As soon as you consume gas, this meter drops almost immediately to ’empty’, which makes it unreliable.
  • The standard steel exchange bottle: This usually has no meter at all.

However, you can still perfectly read the gas bottle level of these steel and aluminum bottles using external tools:

Option A: Ultrasonic measurement (Mopeka)

This is a sensor that you magnetically place at the bottom of the bottle. Using sound waves, it measures exactly where the liquid level is in the steel bottle. You can easily read this via an app on your phone.

Option B: Digital Scales

You place the bottle on a special scale. The scale communicates the weight wirelessly to your phone.

Situation 4: Reading a composite gas bottle level (Plastic)

With lightweight plastic bottles, ultrasonic measurement (Mopeka) does not work through the material. If you want to digitally read the gas bottle level here, there is only one reliable method: Weighing.

The Solution: Digital Scales

Just like with the steel bottles, you place the composite bottle on a digital scale.

Samenvatting

There is a solution for every situation. Are you looking for other parts? Check out our full range of LPG parts and accessories..

Are you still unsure about exactly which bottle or tank you have? Feel free to contact us, and we will help you put together the right set!

IMPCO LPG-Kit Quick Guide – LPG Mixer Adjustment

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Quick guide for the adjustment of the IMPCO CA300 Mixer (part of our IMPCO Kits).

Preparation

  • Run the engine on LPG.
  • The engine must be at operating temperature.
  • Use a 4-gas analyzer for correct adjustment (mandatory for proper tuning).

1. Idle Adjustment (Screw 1 – Top Screw)

  • Loosen nut 1 with a 13 mm wrench.
  • Under the nut, there is a hole with an internal flat adjustment screw.
  • Use a flat screwdriver:
    • Turn in = less gas
    • Turn out = more gas
  • This only adjusts the idle mixture.

⚠ Important:
Do not turn this screw too far. Excessive force or adjustment can damage the mixer.

2. High RPM Adjustment (Screw 2)

  • This screw controls the mixture at higher engine speeds (RPM).
  • Normally, this does not need much adjustment.
  • Standard setting is “R” = Rich.

Final Check

  • After every adjustment:
    • Let the engine idle.
    • Blip the throttle.
    • Verify values with the 4-gas analyzer.

Warning

Incorrect adjustment without measurement equipment can cause:

  • Poor combustion
  • Engine overheating
  • Long-term engine damage

Which thread sealant to use when installing LPG valves?

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When installing LPG valves on a gas tank, a reliable thread sealant is essential.
We are often asked: Is Loctite 55 suitable? Or: What do you use at LPG Techniek Van Meenen?

Let us clarify.

What do we use?

For sealing threads on LPG tanks, we use a professional anaerobic liquid sealant from Berner.
👉 It cures in contact with metal and in the absence of oxygen, creating a gas-tight and vibration-resistant connection.

🔗 View the product here:

https://shop.vanmeenen.com/en/mounting-67/fixation-34/berner-thread-sealant-50-ml-4270

Loctite alternative?

A comparable product from Loctite is Loctite 577.
👉 This is also an anaerobic liquid sealant, specially designed for metal threads in gas and fluid systems.

And Loctite 55?

Loctite 55, a Teflon sealing cord, is also approved for LPG applications.
It is wrapped mechanically around the thread and provides a solid seal.
👉 However, for permanent installation of LPG valves, we prefer a liquid sealant like Berner 4270 or Loctite 577, because it cures and offers better resistance to vibrations and temperature changes.

Summary:

ProductType of sealantSuitable for LPG?Remark
Berner 4270Anaerobic liquid✅ YesOur standard choice
Loctite 577Anaerobic liquid✅ YesFully equivalent alternative
Loctite 55Teflon sealing cord✅ YesUsable, but does not cure

FAQ about LPG Installations

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Will I lose my warranty if I install an LPG system?

No, you will retain the legal 2-year warranty. The warranty cannot be denied solely because you installed an LPG system. Only if there is a direct link between a defect and the LPG installation could the warranty be affected.

Is an LPG system compatible with engine tuning?

We recommend exercising caution when combining engine tuning with an LPG system. The reaction of the LPG system to a tuned engine is unpredictable. It may be necessary to revert the tuning to the original settings after installing LPG.

Is there any power loss when driving on LPG?

No, there is no noticeable power loss when driving on LPG. You will experience the same performance as when driving on gasoline.

New List of Zavoli Bora Advance LPG and CNG Kits

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We are excited to inform you about the publication of our latest list of Zavoli Bora Advance LPG and CNG kits, as of 30 November 2023. This list is now available for download in PDF format.

The Zavoli Bora Advance systems are designed for a wide range of vehicles, suitable for engines of all power levels as well as for the latest generation (DI & DI-MPI) vehicles. These systems comply with Euro 6D NEDC or WLTP standards, offering smoother, more powerful performance with lower emissions and greater savings.

Installing a Zavoli Bora Advance LPG system not only saves on fuel costs but also contributes to a cleaner and healthier environment. We offer an extensive list of available kits for various types of vehicles, ensuring you always find a suitable solution for your vehicle.

Download here the new list of Zavoli Bora Advance LPG and CNG kits.

The Versatile Bigas RI27J CNG Pressure Reducer: A Replacement for OEM Regulators

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Looking for a replacement for your vehicle’s OEM pressure regulator? Allow us to introduce the Bigas RI27J CNG pressure reducer. This innovative pressure reducer is designed to provide an efficient and cost-effective alternative to OEM pressure regulators that are no longer produced or often cost an exaggerated amount of money.

Broad Compatibility

The Bigas RI27J pressure reducer is compatible with various vehicle models and replaces the original pressure reducer in the following models:

  • Fiat Doblo, Panda, Qubo, Punto, Fiorino, Multipla, and Twin Air engines
  • Opel Zafira, Combo, Zafira Turbo II
  • Citroën C3
  • Renault Kangoo
  • Volkswagen Touran, Caddy
  • Mercedes B200, E200 Kompressor
  • Iveco IV260, Daily 2800 cc, and Daily 3000 cc

Moreover, this pressure reducer is suitable as a replacement for brands such as Teleflex GFi, Metatron Meta M, Meta Mon 5, Metatron ND1, Falcon, Landi Renzo.

The Benefits of the Bigas Pressure Reducer

The Bigas pressure reducer offers numerous benefits. Firstly, the original pressure reducer can be replaced with the compatible Bigas model. Furthermore, the Bigas pressure reducer costs only a fraction of an OEM pressure reducer. Lastly, no adjustment is needed in your vehicle’s software, making installation simple and convenient.

Available in 4 Variants

The Bigas pressure reducer is available in four variants, making it easy to find the right choice for your specific needs.

You can order these pressure reducers in our webshop. Through this table, you can check which pressure reducer is suitable as a replacement for your current pressure reducer.

Discover the benefits of the Bigas RI27J CNG pressure reducer today and experience the difference!

Complete LPG Installation Kit for Motorhomes with Fixed Toroidal Tank | Easy Installation

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In this article, we present an LPG installation kit for motorhomes, equipped with a fixed LPG tank in the shape of a wheel. This kit is designed for easy installation in an existing motorhome and utilizes the existing pressure regulator in your gas bottle compartment to connect to your appliances.

Order this kit online – fits under almost any motorhome:
https://shop.vanmeenen.com/en/camping_outdoor-12/kit-lpg-bottles-59/lpg-installation-kit-for-campers-with-fixed-ring-tank-4475

Contents of this kit:

✅ LPG toroidal tank with vapor withdrawal (58 liters, diameter 630 mm, height 225 mm)
✅ Pre-mounted valves on the tank, filling hose, and external filler
✅ Mounting bolts, large washers, and clamps
✅ Manual shut-off valve for the gas bottle compartment, including fittings
✅ LED fuel gauge (for reading inside the motorhome)
✅ High-pressure hose (2 meters), fittings, and pre-reducer (pressure regulator)
✅ LPG external filler with French connection and filling adapters

This kit includes all the necessary components to install a fixed LPG tank in place of the spare wheel.

Deze kit bevat alle onderdelen die je nodig hebt om een vaste tank te monteren op de plaats van het reservewiel.

Pre-mounted valves on the tank:

✔ 80% fill stop valve with elbow for connecting the fill hose
✔ Manual withdrawal valve with 1/4″ female thread connection – for direct mounting of the 1.5 bar pre-reducer/pressure regulator
✔ Overpressure relief valve
✔ Tank level gauge

Tank mounting

The tank can be mounted underneath the vehicle using the four welded mounting brackets on the tank:

The tank can be mounted underneath the vehicle using the four welded mounting brackets on the tank:

🔹 Bolts and nuts are included to secure the tank to the floor of your motorhome. If the floor is not flat, a spacer can be used, or a support frame can be made using steel profiles.

🔹 If a frame is needed, check whether it can be attached to the existing mounting points of the vehicle using bolts.

🔹 Alternatively, the four holes in the center of the tank can be used for mounting. The necessary rods are not included but can be purchased separately as threaded rods.

🔹 The LPG toroidal tank must be mounted with at least four attachment points.

Connection inside the gas bottle compartment

  1. Existing pressure regulator in the motorhome (not included in the kit)
  2. LPG filter fits on the LPG pressure regulator (not included – available separately)
  3. Manual shut-off valve with fittings (included in the kit)
  4. PVC high-pressure hose (67R class 1) with fittings (included in the kit)

External filler installation

We supply an external filler with a direct French connection:

  1. Recessed filler housing (for mounting in the wall or bumper)
  2. Metal mounting bracket (for under-bumper installation)
  3. LPG external filler with French connection

Manual withdrawal valve with pressure regulator

  1. Manual withdrawal valve on the tank (included)
  2. 1.5 bar pre-reducer (reduces pressure for safety), including fittings (included)
  3. 67R class 1 homologated PVC pressure hose, including fittings (included in the kit)

LPG filling adapters included for all of Europe

This kit includes all necessary LPG filling adapters for travel across Europe:

  1. ACME adapter – Belgium, Germany, UK, Luxembourg
  2. Bayonet adapter – Netherlands, UK, Norway
  3. Euro adapter – Spain, Portugal

Inbegrepen in de kit zijn alle LPG-vulnippels voor heel Europa.

For the following countries, no adapter is needed as the LPG external filler already has the correct filling connection:
France, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, Czech Republic.

Tank level indication for inside the motorhome

The tank level can be read both directly on the tank and inside the motorhome using the included level indicator.

  1. 5-LED indicator:
    A red LED lights up when the tank is almost empty
    All 5 LEDs light up when the tank is full
  2. Analog gauge directly on the tank
    Electrical cable included

Complete with mounting materials and fittings

This kit is delivered fully equipped with:

  1. Cable ties for securing the electrical wiring and high-pressure LPG hose
  2. Clamps for mounting the high-pressure PVC hose
  3. 1/4″ x 1/4″ fitting for mounting the pre-reducer (4) directly onto the withdrawal valve
  4. Pre-reducer (to be mounted directly onto the manual withdrawal valve using (3))
  5. 1/4″ male fitting for connecting the PVC hose to the pre-reducer (4) and the manual shut-off valve in the gas compartment (2 pieces included)
  6. Fitting for the LPG tank on the 80% fill valve to the PVC hose (8)
  7. Fitting for the LPG filler connection to the PVC hose (8) with nut and clamp
  8. 8mm PVC hose, cut to length, 67R homologated
  9. 20/150 fitting (nut, nozzle, and seal) – connects the manual shut-off valve to the pressure regulator
  10. Self-drilling screws

Why the use of approved LPG filling hoses is essential

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Recently, concerns have arisen about the sale of non-approved LPG filling hoses on the market. In this article, we explain why it is important to pay close attention when purchasing hoses suitable for high-pressure LPG and why using approved hoses is essential for the safety and reliability of LPG installations.

Perforated gas hoses versus hydraulic hoses: The main difference between an LPG gas hose and a conventional hydraulic hose is that a gas hose is ‘perforated.’ This means that small holes have been made in the outer sheath layer of the hose. These holes act as a kind of membrane, allowing gas to escape and evaporate in a controlled manner between the inner and outer layers. In a non-perforated hose, this is not possible, which can lead to blistering in the hose due to the pressure of the gas. This causes gas-filled deformations in the outer sheath. For this reason, ordinary hydraulic hoses should not be used for gas.

European regulation – Regulation 67 (R67): The safety and reliability of LPG installations are regulated by European rules, namely the so-called Regulation 67, or simply R67. This regulation describes in detail the requirements and specifications that must be met. National inspections throughout Europe adhere to these rules. Moreover, these legal requirements for installations are also a prerequisite for insurers to provide coverage for a vehicle.

Categories of gas hoses according to R67: R67 divides gas hoses into two categories based on their maximum working pressure:

  1. Hoses with a maximum working pressure up to 4.5 BAR (class 2). Class 2 hoses are in no case suitable for filling and can only be used in the low-pressure section.
  2. Hoses with a maximum working pressure up to 30 BAR (class 1). This type applies to LPG filling hoses, as well as hoses that form the connection between the fuel tank and the high-pressure side of the pressure regulator).

The specific application of a gas hose in an installation thus depends on the pressure. For comparison: the pressure in an inner tube of a racing bike is usually between 6 and 8 BAR.

Supervision of R67: The government strictly enforces compliance with R67. Homologation according to these standards is an extensive and costly process, and manufacturers are regularly checked through audits to ensure R67 compliance. For cars, this coincides with the periodic (annual) inspection. Although R67 is easy to download, one should be aware that the document consists of approximately 150 pages.

Conclusion: It is of great importance to use only approved LPG filling hoses that comply with European R67 regulations. With us, you can confidently purchase flexible filling hoses that meet the requirements of R67 class 1. We distribute hoses from the renowned brand Parker, a reliable choice for your LPG installation. This way, you know for sure that you are investing in quality and safety, and you are guaranteed a reliable and durable product.

How can you check if the hose is R67 Class 1 approved?

To verify whether an LPG hose complies with R67 regulations, you should check the following markings on the hose:

  • LPG
  • “EХ 67R-01 XXXX”
  • Class 1

If the hose contains these markings, you can be sure that it is an approved R67 class 1 hose.

Valve Protection for Valvecare-Di Additive – New Packaging

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The color of the additive used in Valve Protection and Valvecare-Di systems has been changed from “White” to “Red” to make it more visible inside the pipes and thus facilitate check and diagnostics operations. The well-known composition, with proven protection against valves, seats, and petrol injectors damages, remains unchanged. The “Red” additive is compatible with the “White” one, so that they can also be mixed in whatever quantity. The bottle changes too, for an easier identification of the new product: from metal to black plastic.

This additive is specifically designed for use in Valve Protection and ValveCare-Di systems. It is available in a 1 liter package and is recommended for use with Zavoli, BRC and OMVL systems. Some benefits of this additive include:

  • Reduces wear on valves, seats, and fuel injectors
  • Protects against corrosion and oxidation
  • Improves engine performance
  • Extends the life of the engine
  • Reduces emissions of harmful substances

You can order the additive on our webshop via this link.

Go green and save money with the Zavoli BORADVANCE LPG installation

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Do you want to make your gasoline vehicle more environmentally friendly and efficient while saving money? LPG Techniek Van Meenen has the perfect solution for you: the Zavoli BORADVANCE LPG installation.

Our BORA DIRECT systems are suitable for the latest gasoline engines with direct injection and are among the most advanced technologies on the market. With these systems, you can enjoy various benefits, such as improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions of harmful substances.

The Zavoli Boradvance LPG installation works by injecting gas into the engine of your vehicle instead of gasoline. This results in cleaner combustion and reduces the emission of harmful substances. The installation is designed to work with modern gasoline engines with direct injection and is easy to install without major modifications to your vehicle. The gas is injected via the intake manifold and improves fuel efficiency, allowing you to save money on fuel costs. The Zavoli Boradvance LPG installation offers advanced technology that makes your vehicle more efficient and environmentally friendly without sacrificing performance.

With the Zavoli Bora Advance LPG installations, you can not only save money on fuel costs but also contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment. We offer a comprehensive list of available kits for different types of vehicles, so you can always find a suitable solution for your vehicle.

Don’t hesitate any longer and upgrade your gasoline vehicle today with Zavoli Bora Advance LPG installations. Request a quote online here.