Another CGA/warranty question

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Rikkitic

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#205169 1-Nov-2016 17:37

Here is an interesting situation: I bought a new 9kg gas bottle from a discount place called the Clearance Shed. Added a POL valve to fit my heater and took it to a petrol station to get it filled. Came home, hooked it up, tried it out, worked fine, turned it off.

A couple of days later I wanted to take the chill off a room. Opened the main valve on the bottle, fired up the heater, nothing. Tried again. Nothing. Again. Nothing. Eventually I determined that regardless of what I did, no gas was coming from the bottle. I even removed the POL valve (took it outside first). The problem is clearly the main valve into the bottle that turns with a handle. It feels normal when turning, but nothing I can think of gets the gas flowing.

The bottle is clearly not fit for purpose so I have no doubt I can return it and demand my purchase money back. The problem is that it is full of $30 worth of gas, with no way to get it out. I see two issues here: first, is it safe and responsible to return a faulty gas bottle filled with gas? Can they refuse to accept it in that condition? Second, how do I get compensation for the gas? I just filled the bottle, none of this is my fault, and I don't see why I should have to take a loss on it.

So what do all of you think? What is the proper procedure in a situation like this? Has it even ever happened before? I really am not sure how to approach it with the shop.

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gregmcc

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#1662170 1-Nov-2016 17:57

I think a good start would be to weigh the bottle and photograph the scale to document the bottle is full, if you have another empty bottle, weigh and photograph that to document the difference between empty and full.

Return it to the retailer advising it is full of gas, advise them they can do what every it takes to replace/repair the bottle, but as there is $30 worth of gas in it you expect to receive the repaired/replaced bottle filled with $30 worth of gas, how the retailer achieves that is their problem, or they can provide a voucher for $30 worth of gas fill or just plain old cash.

The CGA states you must be left in the same position you would have been in should the problem have not happened.

mattwnz

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#1662175 1-Nov-2016 18:01

IANAL, but I would think that the gas is a consequential loss that the retailer would cover. But I would be surprised if it was a problem with the bottle unless the gas has leaked out. Normally the problem is the regulator. Are you sure there isn't a valve that is stopping the air from flowing? I think these things use safety valves. Taking it back to the store to see what they can do is the best idea. They may swap it out and fill it for you if faulty.

mdf

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#1662177 1-Nov-2016 18:04

CGA, s 18(4):

In addition to the remedies set out in subsection (2) [repair] and subsection (3) [replacement], the consumer may obtain from the supplier damages for any loss or damage to the consumer resulting from the failure (other than loss or damage through reduction in value of the goods) which was reasonably foreseeable as liable to result from the failure.

Not being able to get gas out of a faulty gas bottle would probably fit squarely in this one.

"Consumer Protection" (the old MCA, I think) has the following example:

Compensation for extra loss: If Jack’s washing machine is faulty and floods downstairs, he is entitled to compensation for any damage to his wallpaper and carpet, but not the cost of his ticket to the music concert that he missed due to cleaning up the mess.

SepticSceptic

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#1662673 2-Nov-2016 13:22

There's an overfill protector or similar inside the bottle, and sometimes they get stuck.

I had a new bottle that wouldn't accept any gas.

Apparently quite a common issue - reliable enough when you get one that works.

Tried dropping it a foot or so ? Might be enough to free it up.

Rikkitic

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#1662683 2-Nov-2016 13:39

Good idea. I will try it. Thanks.

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trig42

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#1662697 2-Nov-2016 13:54

Regulators can be faulty too.

We bought a second hand gas grill (American style DCS) and I thought it wasn't really all that hot - looked into replacing burners etc.

I thought I'd try the regulator (though the one on the grill looked pretty new). Swapped the regulator from the house (feeding our Gas cooktop) to the grill, and it took off - super hot and awesome to cook on. Bought a new regulator and all is good now.

While I was researching regulators (to see if the old one I had could be fixed) there were a lot of articles/YT videos on how to 'reset' them if their protection had kicked in (they turn off flow if you turn on the gas tank, and there is no back pressure - like if your BBQ burners are turned on).

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Rikkitic

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#1662701 2-Nov-2016 14:05

I wish it were that simple but I already eliminated the regulator as a culprit. I took it step by step back to the main valve coming out of the bottle. For whatever reason, it simply doesn't work.

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Bung

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#1662720 2-Nov-2016 14:19

Don't some valves need a regulator fitted before they'll flow? If that was the case you'd have to prove that the regulator worked on another bottle before blaming the valve.

Rikkitic

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#1662774 2-Nov-2016 15:25

I did that. I have a heater with regulator that works and another bottle that works. I swapped them all around to eliminate variables. The bottle that doesn't work really doesn't work, and everything except the main valve on it has been eliminated.

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mattwnz

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#1662780 2-Nov-2016 15:33

See what the retailer says. It is likely to be a case of 'you get what you pay for'. With that sort of thing, I wouldn't cut costs.

Jeeves

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#1663233 3-Nov-2016 11:49

Wait, you removed the POL valve? This thing? I don't think you did otherwise you would have had 9kg of LPG in yo face.

POL valves are not approved for indoor use by the way.

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Rikkitic

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#1663736 4-Nov-2016 13:02

The POL valve screws into the thing you are showing, which is what is not allowing any gas flow on my bottle, though it should. It is what the regulator clips onto. There are other, more modern attachments for this, but this is the one on my gas appliances. I get gas flow when I turn the bleeder screw, but nothing from the main handle.

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muppet

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#1663740 4-Nov-2016 13:07

You can borrow me when I'm next in your neighbourhood Rikkitic.

I am full of gases and my values have no problems letting them out on a regular basis.

(I'm helping)