Propane tank question....

georgepet · Post by **georgepet** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:55 am

For those who have a propane stove - on an F32, where do you mount your propane tank, and where do you vent it if in a box?
I guess a corollary question would be where do you route the gas line?

G

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:11 am

I'm not at all a fan of compressed gas onboard. I think its very dangerous. Thats not what you asked though.

There is a lot of room in the storage area to the left of the stove. (under the sink) Perhaps you can use that area to help run a line. I'm not going to comment on where I think a safe place for an LP tank is. Parking lot of the marina maybe......

jimbo36 · Post by **jimbo36** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:26 am

Commissionpoint wrote:I'm not at all a fan of compressed gas onboard. I think its very dangerous. Thats not what you asked though.

There is a lot of room in the storage area to the left of the stove. (under the sink) Perhaps you can use that area to help run a line. I'm not going to comment on where I think a safe place for an LP tank is. Parking lot of the marina maybe......

+1 on this

cmcmjk · Post by **cmcmjk** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:48 am

The first thing I'd like to add is that proane is not usually COMPRESSED.

The propane we would be using on a boat is LIQUIFIED PROPANE generally refered to a L.P. gas.

It works because the liquid evaporates in the cylinder creating a head space filled with gas which then comes out of the valve.

There are rules for safe installation and use onboard a vessel and if followed it's a safe fuel. I really don't think it's any worse than having 200+ gallons of gasoline on board.

The only boat we looked at prior to buying our 10 Meter Mid cabin that had propane installed was a Bayliner 3288. The cylinder was in a locker on the bridge with venting that allowed it to "spill over" if it leaked because the propane gas is heavier than air.

This might help with your questions:

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/pr ... ystems.asp

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:08 pm

I believe the propane for the stove, was the small bottles, which would attach directly to stove. I don't think the set-up was intended for 20lb tanks...

georgepet · Post by **georgepet** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 2:07 pm

Thanks guys....a couple of points for clarity as I many not have expressed myself well.

I'm aware of the potential dangers, which is partially why I asked the question. Thanks mike for the link - I'd already looked at that and the ABYC standards etc.

My question really was from a practical application in understanding where folks who use it have installed tanks. (BTW- it would be as small a tank as possible likely 5lb) If on the flybridge where and how vented. If in the cockpit, where and how vented and finally even if on the swim platform. I wouldn't have it in the cabin precisely for the safety concerns mentions.

Each of those locations presents different gas line routing options and venting and that was what I was trying to understand.

If at the end of the day it doesn't feel right to me, then I'll forego the propane option. But it does have some great advantages in other areas and I'm just trying to balance the pros/cons with others experience

G

sluggo · Post by **sluggo** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 3:58 pm

Commissionpoint wrote:I'm not at all a fan of compressed gas onboard. I think its very dangerous. Thats not what you asked though.

There is a lot of room in the storage area to the left of the stove. (under the sink) Perhaps you can use that area to help run a line. I'm not going to comment on where I think a safe place for an LP tank is. Parking lot of the marina maybe......

where do you put your scuba tanks? Nitrox? just asking.

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 4:18 pm

sluggo wrote: where do you put your scuba tanks? Nitrox? just asking.

I don't mind answering. Sorry for the thread pollution though......

I personally don't dive, but if I did I would only worry about the tanks if I had filled them with explosive gas. I am also not on the F-32 superperformance racing team nor do I perform marine dentistry, so similarly I don't have any N2O on board.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:11 pm

I keep a 5lb tank on the fly bridge. It is only used for my bbq though - it's not plumbed to the boat at all. My spare hose, when coiled up just the right way, makes a nice little 'collar' that the tank sits inside of. All of that is on top of a bit piece fo nonslip so things don't move around. Otherwise the tank is fully exposed to atmosphere for any venting that may occur (I don't think the bridge cover is air tight enough to cause any issues.

cmcmjk · Post by **cmcmjk** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:01 pm

George,

If you can find one of those Bayliner 3270 or 3288 flybridge boats you might get some hands on ideas.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:07 pm

I don't see an issue with using propane on board as long as it is a properly installed system. I don't see it as being any worse than having a source of spark (distributor) just inches away from a carb with a vented bowl of fuel. I think the wiring I see on some boats is more dangerous!

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 12:06 am

Big D wrote:I don't see an issue with using propane on board as long as it is a properly installed system. I don't see it as being any worse than having a source of spark (distributor) just inches away from a carb with a vented bowl of fuel. I think the wiring I see on some boats is more dangerous!

+1 and no one seems to have issues with smoking or candles, i plan on propane or at least a bigger butane cook top

Larrys78 · Post by **Larrys78** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 12:07 am

George
This was a stock option that Trojan used in 1978. It is on the fly bridge. As you can see the fiberglass box is located just to the right of the starboard seat. As far as venting there is none as a matter of fact Trojan made the box as air tight as possible. The tank is a horizonal tank about three gallons, The gas lines are copper and are ran in the wire chase between the side windows. There is a electronic valve that shuts the gas off at the tank that is controlled by a 12 volt switch located next to the stove. This prevents the possibility of gas leaking into the cabin when not in use. The systems seem to work very well.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l55 ... 0_1366.jpg

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 12:07 am

Big D wrote:I don't see an issue with using propane on board as long as it is a properly installed system. I don't see it as being any worse than having a source of spark (distributor) just inches away from a carb with a vented bowl of fuel. I think the wiring I see on some boats is more dangerous!

+1 and no one seems to have issues with smoking or candles, i plan on propane or at least a bigger butane cook top

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 6:53 am

Propane is common on sailboats . All the sailboats I have seen that use propane have a locker for the tanks . the locker is set up so if the tank leaks the propane will vent out side the hull ( vents at the bottom of the locker) . Propane is heavier then air and can settle in the bottom of the hull .

There have been boats blown up due to propane , so you need to be careful and do it right. And yes you can say the same for gasoline .
Myself ? I would not have it or candles for that matter

smoking ? back deck at 20+ knots only