Using BBQ Propane gas with Bullfinch 404 Propane Torch?

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Santa bought me a very nice Bullfinch 404 Autotorch Brazing Kit for Christmas (despite me being on the naughty list too Neil !). This seems the best way to 'hobby' braze without the cost and hassle of Oxy-Acetylene, which I found very useful when I learned to use it on a welding course a few years back.

The torch comes with a 4 bar regulator (type 4041) that has a screw-type connector (5/8 BSP – LH Male POL). Currently, the only propane cylinder I have is a large 'green' one that was purchased to power our gas BBQ. It has a form of quick connector.

Is there a safe way to use the existing 'green' propane cylinder with the Bullfinch torch & regulator? Some form of adaptor or perhaps by simply fitting a new 'quick' 4-bar regulator to the Bullfinch?

I know the simple answer is to buy another Propane cylinder (a red one?) but that's another heavy cylinder to store, move around and keep topped up. I'm assuming here that the 'green' propane is just that – "Propane" (and not some watered down propane/butane mix?)

Any advice most appreciated.

Regards,

IanT

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Want to avoid buying another gas cylinder if posible…

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Ian,

Probably woth a look around this Calor site.

MichaelG.

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Ian,
As far as I know it is not possible to get high pressure regulators to fit the patio gas cylinders. Both high (Up to 4 bar.) and low (37 mbar ) pressure regulators are available to fit the orange screw connection cylinders. As far as I know the gas is the same in both types of cylinders. It may be possible to do an exchange of the green one for an orange one. (I suggest asking your propane supplier.) If you can do this then you would need to buy a 37 mbar screw type regulator to fit the orange cylinder.

Les.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Clip on to threaded pigtail adapter taps can be got. Perhaps item no 6 down here :- **LINK**

I believe there is amore sophisticated version with automatic shut off device inside to stop gas flow if you have a leak or attempt to unscrew things without turning off the tape (Yikes! but its been done).

Clive

[Keith HaleParticipant @keithhale68713]

Ian,

I do not believe that there is an adaptor to suit your needs. If such an animal existed it would have to be fitted upstream of the low pressure fixed regulator. That would involve dis-assembling your current cylinder!

Another cylinder is required.

Equate the gas consumption (kg/hour) of the burners. you intend to use, to the available cylinder sizes. You may find that you do not need a heavy cylinder to suit your needs. A smaller, more compact, lighter one may suffice.

Burning 80gms/hr will produce  approx 1 kw of heat

Keith

Edited By CuP Alloys 1 on 29/12/2014 08:40:25

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Further to Keith's wise advice:

I have found the Primus 2012 very useful

… Also the 2000.

MichaelG.

.

P.S. … it looks like the 404 consumes rather a lot of gas.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/12/2014 09:12:35

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/12/2014 09:14:12

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Keith I don't think the patio gas has a fitted regulator so not sure what you are saying. They have an indicator that shows how much gas is left but that is all. If you read Clives link it says the adaptor will supply gas at bottle pressure so needs a regulator after it.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

It might be worth checking if your local place refills by weight of gas or by type and charges extra for a patio cylinder figuring that anyone who uses one has more money than sense and deserves to be fleeced for flagrantly contributing to global warming.

[Anonymous]

Patio gas cylinders are nothing special, they're just a standard propane cylinder with a quick connector. Calor do them as a "special" type and don't push them for other uses. BP on the other hand sell BP Lite -a lightweight propane container with the same 27mm quick connector as Calor ones and advertise them for for patio heaters, caravans, boats etc. I've got a pair in our touring caravan, just needed a readily available pigtail to fit the bottle to the van's regulator. You can get a regulator/quick connector unit for them.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Our Barbeque gas container is green plastic and Fibreglass, you can SEE the liquid gas sloshing about inside!

Don't know what gas it is though.

[Anonymous]

That's a BP light propane cylinder, same as I was on about.

Edited By Mick Berrisford on 29/12/2014 12:50:34

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.

My cylinder is a fairly large green steel one (and weighs a ton!) that came as part of the deal with the BBQ. Although the BBQ stays outside under its cover – I always detach the cylinder and store it on the garden shed (upright on a small sack trolley).

I've been on domestic duties so far today (post Christmas clean up – trips to Tip etc.) but will go and look at it again later. I'm pretty certain the regulator is on the BBQ hose end (rather than the cylinder) and assuming it's a straight through connection – a £10 "clip-on" adaptor sounds like the best solution as opposed to another £50 odd for a new propane cylinder (deposit & gas).

If I understand Clive's posting correctly, I can just "nut" the adaptor up to the existing Bullfinch 4-bar regulator & hose and leave it on there permanently. No one will be using the torch except myself and I'm not going to be unscrewing anything whilst it's still attached to the cylinder that's for sure!

If I was starting from scratch, I would probably get a "proper" (red) propane cylinder and use screw-on type regulators (as I understand the propane gas might be cheaper that way) but I'm not and I don't use that much gas either. I do have other gas appliances but they are either butane based or use disposable bottles. So the Bullfinch and BBQ are going to be the only appliances that will need the propane cylinder in the foreseeable future and the adaptor does seem the easiest/cheapest route…

Thanks again for your thoughts on this – I will report back when I finally get this sorted out and have tried the Bullfinch out.

Regards,

IanT

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Ian,
The device on the link that Clive gave does not have the correct output to screw the screw fitting regulator into but I think it should be possible to get a short hose with fittings to adapt it. I did consider making an adapter similar to the one in Clive's link by modifying one of the clip on low pressure regulators  but finished up getting another orange propane cylinder.

Les.

Edited By Les Jones 1 on 29/12/2014 16:06:35

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Thanks Les – I'll check before I buy anything.

Regards,

IanT

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