Propane regulations

[fred1diver]

Hello everyone
This question is for a good friend of mine.
I don’t know anything about propane on board boats, except it needs to be able to drain overboard.
So my friend’s boat has 2 13pound propane tanks mounted side by side on the port side of the pushpit.
His Bbq is on the starboard side.
With both those in place he does not have much room to use the swim ladder, so we were wondering if just like a home style Bbq he could mount the tanks under the Bbq? Almost 12 inches below, will see if more is possible.

next question is propane hookup, he has only one tank blocked up and changes the regulator when the first tank is empty. We are trying to find a way to get the tanks a little closer together to save space. But he is concerned about rotating the tanks because the regulator and everything else on the line would stick out too much. So is it mandatory to have the regulator mounted directly on the tank or can it be about a feet down the line?
Is there a way to hook both tanks at the same time?
Again I have no knowledge of any of this.
Thank you in advance

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

A couple of important principles:
The propane MUST be directed to only vent overboard in event of a leak. That rule is critical.
Everything between the tank and the regulator is high pressure and more likely to leak. Therefore the regulator is safer mounted directly to the tank or should be on a short hose with regulator and tanks together in an enclosed locker that can only vent overboard lower than the deck level. You can buy connection rigs designed to manage a pair of tanks. You can also buy an external propane locker made of fiberglass. Expensive but maybe best.
A longer hose is generally safe between the regulator and burner control valve. You should also install a pressure gauge so you can detect leaks in that connection. (With tank valves closed and burner valves closed the pressure should stay at a normal level for a long time.)
PS— two 13 pound tanks is a lot of propane. Maybe he cooks out in the wind with an open cover? (My frame of reference - We use 10 pound tanks, and each lasts 4-6 weeks of live-aboard indoor cooking 2-3 meals per day aboard.)
Edit: I carry 2 tanks but don’t have a switchover valve - it only takes a few minutes to manually move the regulator connection from one to the other. They are both in a dedicated locker.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Propane is a liquid inside of the tanks. There's a little float switch inside of it that cuts off the flow when the tank is full so they aren't overfilled. I'm not sure if there's a one way valve or if theres a siphon tube. Either way, this might make it so the tank can only be used upright. For a smaller tank, you might be able to use a fender cage to mount it.

I dont see a need to use a valve or a second regulator as you could use a couple of tee's to put both tanks on the same line. When one tank runs out, turn it off and turn on the other one

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

I dont see a need to use a valve or a second regulator as you could use a couple of tee's to put both tanks on the same line. When one tank runs out, turn it off and turn on the other one

So when you take one tank off the boat for any reason, how do you close that line so you can still use the other? Valve(s).
Edit - I prefer to keep it simple and connect one tank at a time, then move the regulator connection from one tank to the other. Only takes a few minutes.

 

[Tally Ho]

I have 2 propane tanks…about 5 gallons each. I replaced the pigtail that goes to the regulator with a new one that is just tightened by hand (like on a newer propane grill). The old one required wrenches and was a pain in the @ss to change. Now, it is a few minute job to turn off the empty tank, unscrew the pig tail, pull the tank out of the locker, get the spare tank from the other locker, screw on the pig tail and open the valve.

Greg

 

[MFD]

Some pictures would be useful.
Sounds like all of this is outside the boat, so any leaks would be to the atmosphere/water, not to inside the boat.

From there, physical concerns like tanks/hoses getting bashed/tornoff in a bump with obstacle consideration:

Separately, I would be concerned about ability to shutoff at the source in a drippy grease fire situation if hoses & tanks are sort of below the BBQ itself.

 

[dLj]

Here's a properly set up dual propane tank. Each tank has a high pressure line running through a pressure gauge then into a regulated manifold. That's a special manifold I believe that will not allow back streaming - not real sure how it works. Then you have the solenoid shut off valve where the line connects to the supply line to the boat. All of this is in a sealed locker with a vent in the bottom that would direct any leak of propane to go directly overboard.

You can turn on either tank or run both if you want. You can also take one tank out to go fill while running on the other tank - no problem...

I personally would not want tanks just hanging out outside as one could get airflow pushing propane inside the boat. YMMV

dj

 

[MikeHoncho]

Propane is a liquid inside of the tanks. There's a little float switch inside of it that cuts off the flow when the tank is full so they aren't overfilled. I'm not sure if there's a one way valve or if theres a siphon tube. Either way, this might make it so the tank can only be used upright. For a smaller tank, you might be able to use a fender cage to mount it.

I dont see a need to use a valve or a second regulator as you could use a couple of tee's to put both tanks on the same line. When one tank runs out, turn it off and turn on the other one

Propane tanks are designed to operate either upright OR on their side (horizontal). Most are portable are designed for upright operations. Typical portable horizontal tanks utilized with forklifts and other like equipment. The OPD mechanism (float) is a secondary mechanism and should not be utilized when filling. The bleeder or weighing should be used. The OPD mechanism have a tendency to fail causing a over fill situation that can lead to tank rupture in elevated temperatures. This is you shouldn't fill the 1 lb, green tanks unless you know what you are doing.

 

[UpperPintle]

If you use a hose between the tank and the regulator, make sure that hose and its fittings are rated for the high pressure of the tank (100-200 psi???). Off-the-shelf hoses, used between regulator and appliance are often rated for a small fraction of that psi because that downstream pressure is much lower.

 

[MikeHoncho]

If you use a hose between the tank and the regulator, make sure that hose and its fittings are rated for the high pressure of the tank (100-200 psi???). Off-the-shelf hoses, used between regulator and appliance are often rated for a small fraction of that psi because that downstream pressure is much lower.

Great point....typical DOT LPg tank pressure relief devices open at around 312 PSI. I had a fatality fire from a individual making his own LPG hoses post regulator from brass barb fittings and hose clamps inside of his RV.

 

[patbratton]

My Hunter 240 looks like she was built for propane tanks.

 

[kappykaplan]

Is it really a good idea to store gasoline and propane next to each other?

 

[BigEasy]

Is it really a good idea to store gasoline and propane next to each other?

Probably not the safest configuration; however, main criteria is that there are no flame or spark emitting devices in the locker or near by. I haven’t a clue what coast guard or ABYC regs are for storing two dissimilar fuels in same dedicated space.

 

[kappykaplan]

Probably not the safest configuration; however, main criteria is that there are no flame or spark emitting devices in the locker or near by. I haven’t a clue what coast guard or ABYC regs are for storing two dissimilar fuels in same dedicated space.

And what about the overboard drain for the propane "locker"?

 

[BigEasy]

Appears that the aft end of the locker is open, so I guess that could meet the vented / overboard drain space requirement??? The manufacturer has a ”gasoline” label on the locker, so they must have designed the space for flammable storage??? Don’t know, just guessing.