Replace the CNG stove with Propane

[christod]

I'm about to purchase a 1980 S29.2C. Would like to replace the stove with propane as the closest CNG filling station is over 150 miles away. As CNG is lighter than air, I don't suppose there is a closed vented locker on deck to place a propane tank. Does anyone have a suggestion?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yes, either build one or support the propane tanks above deck with the hose and electrical in watertight fittings where they enter the hull/cabin.

This is a perfect example of how to use Google, even for boat related issues. There was a post earlier this week about a skipper making his own propane box for his boat, and many boating forums, this and others, have discussed how to do so.

The West Marine Advisor also discusses the basics, although if you're gonna do it, you should also get more details, available when you look online.

Good luck, it's doable. You also need to change the burners on your stove. Seaward, who used to do this easily, was recently bought out by Whale, give them a try. Or, Google "converting burners from CNG to propane."

PS - You posted this generic question on the S2 part of the site. You'd most likely get more answers if you posted it on the Ask All Sailors portion. I found it, since I always use: Show posts from all forums, all sites to peruse the site.

 

[Mark Maulden]

The 9.2C was my first boat. I put a horizontal tank back by the traveler and put a sunbrella cover over it

 

[woodster]

The 9.2C was my first boat. I put a horizontal tank back by the traveler and put a sunbrella cover over it

was that a fork lift tank and if it was how long did it last between changes...

 

[Mark Maulden]

It was some 30 yrs ago... I think I bought it at an RV wholesaler in Seattle who is no longer there. It wasn't any bigger than 5 gal. I painted it up real good and a yr later traded it for an 11.0A. Not the one I have now. So, I really don't know how long it lasted. I imagine u could find an aluminum horizontal tank. But it was outside and out of the way

 

[centerline]

you more than likely do NOT have a propane locker already onboard... you can buy them, but kind of expensive.

first you need to decide on what size of tank you will want to use... then decide if you want to hang it on the rail like some people do, or if you want a hidden tank locker...
i think a hidden tank locker would be everyones first choice, but due to room, time and trouble of installing, a railing mounted tank sometimes is the easiest option.

if you have never had experience with lockers, do a search for propane locker installation guidelines or procedures... the vent tube in the bottom of the locker is all important to create a proper installation.

the one shown in this link uses a one gallon tank that can be purchased at bi mart or almost any sporting goods store or propane jobber/store... they also make one for a 2.5 gallon cylinder...

I have a one gallon size locker that i removed from my boat, so if you decide that size may work for you, let me know....

 

[woodster]

It was some 30 yrs ago... I think I bought it at an RV wholesaler in Seattle who is no longer there. It wasn't any bigger than 5 gal. I painted it up real good and a yr later traded it for an 11.0A. Not the one I have now. So, I really don't know how long it lasted. I imagine u could find an aluminum horizontal tank. But it was outside and out of the way

to me that sounds like the way to go and cut the crap out about the locker thing ....these fork lift tanks are about 30 lbs i think but i might look for on a little smaller....i do like your idea about mounting it out side saves a lot of expense...only have to have a electric shut valve and regulator that way along with a nice sunbrella cover that is way to cool

 

[centerline]

was that a fork lift tank and if it was how long did it last between changes...

Woodster,

we have been happily using a 5 gallon propane tank as we have propane heat.

we spend almost every weekend on the boat, and usually away from the dock. during that time the heater runs almost full time at about half setting.... in the evenings we will turn it up, although this is only because we are setting around in shorts and t-shirts(or less) even in this winter like weather....
and we use the range for cooking and baking, (gotta have my daily ration of cookies).... sometimes if it chills down a bit too much in the evening, we may turn a stove burner on for supplemental heat, but generally the cookie baking is done about that time anyway, so it all works out great...

when at the dock, we also have a small west marine space heater. its a quality built unit, but it definitely doesnt put out the 1500watts of heat that its rated for, but during the cold we still need to run the bulkhead heater.

to bring it into perspective, the temps here are ranging from 38-50 degrees, low 40's being the average.... with wind.
when it gets much colder than that we usually dont leave the dock very often, so we use electric heat more, but the propane heat is still being used as i dont like to run two electric space heaters from one 30A cord....

5 gallons of propane last us at least 3 months....

 

[Mark Maulden]

I didn't have electric valves etc with it. It was so easy to step outside and spin the tank valve..centerline, what propane heater do u use?

 

[woodster]

thanks for the reply centerline

 

[centerline]

I didn't have electric valves etc with it. It was so easy to step outside and spin the tank valve..centerline, what propane heater do u use?

we have a force 10... the new model is the dickinson cozy cabin heater...

there are some that say its a useless unit and that it causes moisture, and whatever else they have had issues with on theirs.... but ours has never been a problem with any of that.
(using gas appliances for heating in campers, trailers and boats for years, i know what moisture caused from using an open propane flame is)

the heater doesnt cause moisture in the cabin, as the gases vent out (moisture goes with them)... if there is any moisture being created that is NOT leaving thru the flue, it would mean there are gases backing up in the boat, and it DOES need to be remedied.

I will agree that there is only as much fresh air coming in to the cabin as there is gases being vented out thru the flue.... so in this case, 2 or 3 people, in their normal activities of eating and drinking, could very well emit more moisture into the cabin space than is being removed from it by the flue, but that is not the heaters fault, so it may be a bit of unfair blaming of the heater in their personal reporting...

with just the two of us, the force 10 going on high, has kept us warm and dry for days at a time, but when it gets cold enough that we have to light a burner on the stove to keep up, then we get a little condensate on the roof hatch (no dripping) but only if we turn the stove burner on high. if we keep it low, there seems to be enough air exchange thru the flue to keep it dried out...
using just the stove or oven for heating, we will get dripping from the roof hatches and windows.

the heater we have radiates fairly well but is limited to 5500-6000 btu's, so it isnt a lot, but with a camframo fan to keep the heat circulated off the roof, it works well in temps down to 30 degrees.... on our boat.

im not saying its a better heater than any other, or that it would be my choice if i could afford whatever I wanted, and no matter what i personally think of it, it is a decent unit for the price and it deserves a fair evaluation....

dickinson also has a trade in program, so when upgrading to a larger or different heat source, they will help you out with a better deal if you decide to purchase one of their units..