H-34 Propane Conversion

[YVRguy]

I know there has been a lot of discussion on here about the merits of propane vs. Origo alcohol stoves. I am aware of the pros and cons and would like to look further into what it would take to make the conversion on my Hunter 34. Have any of you 34 owners out there gone through it? I'm about a "4" on the handyman scale so I may end up enlisting a pro to do the install but I still want to know as much as possible on the process.

Specifically I'm interested in:

- Where did you locate the tank?
- I've heard you need to store the tank in an airtight container as a precaution against leaks. Are these readily available to purchase or must it be fabricated?
- How hard is it to run the gas line to the stove? Is it a flexible line or rigid?

Lastly, if you are aware of someone who has done this on a similar boat to the 34, that experience is welcome too. Thanks!

 

[kloudie1]

LPG in 34

My "conversion" was done by the previous owner. Biggest problem was modifying the cabinet/draws to accommodate the Princess three burner with oven and still have it gimbal. The draws have been narrowed a bit. If you used a stove the same width is the original, it might be a lot more simple. My tank is lashed to the steering pedestal and is connected to the stove with a single length of rubber LP gas line. No need for air tight box in my case since the cockpit drain outlets are above water. A solenoid switch would complete this installation, but I just reach out the door and close the valve when I am done with cooking. A couple of guys have put in something like this in the lazarette, but ya give up a lot of lazarette storage space to do that. http://www.go2marine.com/product/86255F/seaward-propane-lpg-locker-kits-w-solenoid.html
Love the stove.

 

[YVRguy]

My "conversion" was done by the previous owner. Biggest problem was modifying the cabinet/draws to accommodate the Princess three burner with oven and still have it gimbal. The draws have been narrowed a bit. If you used a stove the same width is the original, it might be a lot more simple. My tank is lashed to the steering pedestal and is connected to the stove with a single length of rubber LP gas line. No need for air tight box in my case since the cockpit drain outlets are above water. A solenoid switch would complete this installation, but I just reach out the door and close the valve when I am done with cooking. A couple of guys have put in something like this in the lazarette, but ya give up a lot of lazarette storage space to do that. http://www.go2marine.com/product/86255F/seaward-propane-lpg-locker-kits-w-solenoid.html
Love the stove.

Thanks for that. Seems a bit unconventional to lash the tank to the steering column but I guess it's working for you. I have a cockpit table that folds down against the column so that wouldn't work for me. Love to see a pic if you have one though...

 

[Charlie98117]

My conversion was also done by the PO. They ran flex hose from the solenoid valve into the cabin. The tank is mounted behind the guard rail over the cowl vents. You can see the tank in the photo I use for my avatar. I think that is a great place for the tank, no need to worry about venting a confined space. The hoses were run down through the cowling and are exposed as they exit the beam over the vanity where they drop down in the corner below the sink and disappear into the bowels of the boat.

 

[YVRguy]

My conversion was also done by the PO. They ran flex hose from the solenoid valve into the cabin. The tank is mounted behind the guard rail over the cowl vents. You can see the tank in the photo I use for my avatar. I think that is a great place for the tank, no need to worry about venting a confined space. The hoses were run down through the cowling and are exposed as they exit the beam over the vanity where they drop down in the corner below the sink and disappear into the bowels of the boat.

Thanks Charlie. Is there a larger version of your picture somewhere? I can't really make out the tank

 

[Charlie98117]

Sorry they were taking a picture of me not the tank so it's not too prominent and the forum isn't letting me post photos this morning. I could take some photos around the tank mount and hose routing this weekend if you'd like. Send me a PM with your email and I'll send some off to you.

 

[kloudie1]

The 10# tank kinda hides behind my cockpit table next to the pedestal post. Lots of guys have hung tanks off the stern rail too. I have in mind a container made from large diameter PVC pipe that would enclose the tank and make it look less.... uuhhhh Industrial.

 

[Stu Jackson]

http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Safe-Propane-Installations

 

[Stu Jackson]

The 10# tank kinda hides behind my cockpit table next to the pedestal post. Lots of guys have hung tanks off the stern rail too. I have in mind a container made from large diameter PVC pipe that would enclose the tank and make it look less.... uuhhhh Industrial.

Another idea is to use starboard to build a small rack/enclosure (open air) to mount the tank outside the stanchions/pushpit.

 

[markwbird]

propane conversion

I too, am looking into doing this. You can buy a ready made tank locker for a only about $800.00 or two of your children. I believe I will go with mounting the propane tank on the rail at the back of the boat. This allows me to also use it for a gas grill. You will need a gas detector, solenoid, etc for safety. My wife is the chef and she has decided that we will go with a stove top with no oven and use the space below for storage. I like this idea as we really do not expect to need the oven much anyway.

 

[centerline]

you are probably aware, but just to clarify, the storage locker is not "air tight" as it must be vented from the bottom, overboard. it DOES have to be airtight from the cockpit/cabin areas, so any gas that may escape from the valve/tank connections can not settle in the boat, but will pass thru the vent to the exterior of the hull below the coaming.

this storage locker, as its called, can be purchased, depending on the size of tank you desire.
after searching for quite some time, I could not find a below deck propane locker for a 20lb cylinder, so I built a mold and fabricated one out of fiberglass. building the mold was the toughest part of the process, other than installing it as I did.

although your brand of boat may be different, in mine I mounted the locker IN the cockpit settee directly starboard of the binnacle and fabricated a flush mounted lid from the cutout section of the settee. this keeps the tank easy to access, yet it is strored in an area of the hull that is otherwise non usable due to lack of access without removing panels or crawling around to it from the laz area..

I would use soft lines... there are some brands that are manufactured with two layers of reinforcement braiding. I would recommend that type of line, but I have seen other systems that have regular el-cheapo propane line used in them.

I researched the different lines used and could find NO requirements by the Coast Guard or ABYC concerning the use of soft lines or hard lines other than the number of connections that can be found within the interior atmosphere of the hull.
maybe someone else has found something more than I could find, but even after asking questions of the authorities, we have nothing to go by other than our common sense.

also, there are currently NO manufacture of propane hose, that certifies their product as suitable for use in a boat.... but boat manufactures are installing the stuff every day in new boats rolling off the assembly line...

 

[YVRguy]

Great information folks. This has been very helpful - thanks!

 

[Charlie98117]

Thanks Charlie. Is there a larger version of your picture somewhere? I can't really make out the tank

I took some better pictures of the installation on my boat today and put them in an album on my profile page. The receipts that came with the boat says the system was installed in '92. I also traced the piping layout, it's interesting how they found ways to route through the boat.

 

[YVRguy]

I took some better pictures of the installation on my boat today and put them in an album on my profile page. The receipts that came with the boat says the system was installed in '92. I also traced the piping layout, it's interesting how they found ways to route through the boat.

Thank you!