Why don’t I need a gas filter or excess flow valve with the Caramatic SafeDrive?
Isn’t it the case that people who want to use the gas system in their motor caravan, caravan or motor home while driving, or who would prefer to leave the gas cylinder open all the time, need a crash sensor, an excess flow device and a gas filter? For most systems, yes – but not entirely with the Caramatic SafeDrive.
First of all: The crash sensor is certainly required, even with the Caramatic SafeDrive. This safety device is an integral part of the SafeDrive system. But that’s where the similarities with the standard systems on the market – such as the Caramatic DriveOne and DriveTwo from GOK – come to an end.
If you use the Caramatic SafeDrive (for single-cylinder systems) or SafeDrive PLUS (two-cylinder systems), you don’t need an excess flow valve or a gas filter.
What is the purpose of the excess flow valve?
An excess flow device is a piece of equipment which monitors a gas hose. In “standard” systems, the safety device is combined with the high pressure hose assembly as a single unit. The camper connects both of these directly to the gas cylinder and connects the end to the gas filter and/or the pressure regulation system.
The crash sensor, which is integrated in the pressure regulation system, monitors the downstream piping system up to the connected gas equipment. This has been the system configuration for most standard systems until 2024.
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New system concept
The modified system configuration is also the reason why the excess flow valve is now no longer necessary. With the Caramatic SafeDrive, the crash sensor is always located directly on the gas cylinder, and therefore monitors the entire downstream pipe system – including the hose and piping.
The image above shows the Caramatic SafeDrive system configuration: The pressure reducer together with crash sensor (in the blue housing) is located directly on the gas cylinder. The image below shows the configuration with a wall-mounted pressure regulation system, gas filters and the excess flow valve directly on the gas cylinder.
Why the gas filter?
With the DriveOne and DriveTwo systems (and the predecessor models for other manufacturers), we discovered oily residues and soiling inside the pressure regulation systems. This resulted in malfunctions and occasionally, system failure.
We developed the gas filters to keep these residues and contaminants away from the systems. They have significantly improved this situation.
Why no gas filter with the SafeDrive?
As noted above for the excess flow valve, it is largely due to the new system design that the gas filter is no longer necessary.
Connecting the pressure regulator directly to the gas cylinder is pretty much standard practice with LPG systems. We are able to draw on several decades of experience for this system design.
And this system configuration eliminates the pattern of errors which used to occur with the systems for gas supply while driving that are available on the market.
Summary
Those who buy or have already installed the Caramatic SafeDrive can completely omit the use of an excess flow valve and gas filter. This is due to the new but familiar system design. Having the crash sensor and low pressure regulator fitted directly to the gas cylinder(s) offers campers this – and other – advantages.
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