and then there is that smell. How are you going to get sufficient concentrations capably of supporting a flame with out noticing that smell.
Not very likely!
Not very likely!
Is This Safe?
- Thread starter GorillaToast
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The concern is not sudden failure, but a small leak could go undetected after use.
Not being over zealous, just be aware and use caution.
normally they leak after use. check valve doesnt close properly. (BTDT).
brand new never had a problem. - this is why refilling them from a large tank is a BAD idea.
I used to put the bottle in a waterproof watersport bag that you roll the top closed and clip it to the pushpin. It kept the bottle dry so no rust.
I have been having an awful time with disposable cylinders leaking. The cause appears to be a partially used bottle removed from the grill regulator and placed into a vented locker. Rust develops on the bottle stem and subsequent connections to the regulator seem to push rust particles into the valve - it subsequently doesn't seal tight on removal from the regulator and the bottle leaks out. As a result I have taken to storing the partially used bottles with the Alu-mag. regulator attached. Using up the last of the little bottles and will be tethering the grill regulator to the ships propane storage tanks for future use.
Placing a steel propane cylinder in a wet salty environment will mess it up quick. May be different on the sweetwater.
Placing a steel propane cylinder in a wet salty environment will mess it up quick. May be different on the sweetwater.
A little 3:1 oil and placing the caps back on the canisters will go a long way to stop that issue.
I use the green cans for our catalytic heater and store them in our port locker. 13 years with no problems. I check them regularly, like every time I'm on the boat, since I store the three I keep right in front of the locker.
I agree with Ross.
I use the green cans for our catalytic heater and store them in our port locker. 13 years with no problems. I check them regularly, like every time I'm on the boat, since I store the three I keep right in front of the locker.
I agree with Ross.
In my experience storing 1lb propane bottles aboard the boat poses an acceptable risk. Insurance companies are quick to pick up on unacceptable risks and issue warnings or exclusions on the coverage of these risks yet there are no exclusion for boaters to have them aboard nor for retail stores to inventory and display large quantities indoor. We each have to make our own personal assessment of what constitute acceptable or unacceptable risks and act accordingly instead of paying attention to warnings issued based on unsupported personal fears. Sailing entails taking risks but staying at home is not an option.
Myth, fact or Hollywood magic?
There was a CSI program about a year ago where they demonstated the density of propane by floating a straw hat on top of propane gas in an aquarium. If that is the case I would not depend on a breeze in the cabin to disipate the fumes.
Same here Scot. It's happened several times. I now leave the regulator attached. The untapped bottle seem to store fine indefintely.
There was a CSI program about a year ago where they demonstated the density of propane by floating a straw hat on top of propane gas in an aquarium. If that is the case I would not depend on a breeze in the cabin to disipate the fumes.
I like to keep my 1lb tanks in the v-birth with me with the door shut when i bunk down for the night.. that way if it starts to leak, i'll smell it and wake up. during the day when not in use, I'll keep it next to the diesel engine.. that way if it leaks, any propane that does come out will burn off from the heat of the engine. i feel the safest this way..
or course i'm still alive to type this because i would never do that!..
Mine sit in the same box as the main LPG tank on board.. properly ventilated, and dry to prevent rust. i do squirt a tiny bit of WD on the top of the tanks to keep the rust away.. that IS what WD is for anyway right?
or course i'm still alive to type this because i would never do that!..
Mine sit in the same box as the main LPG tank on board.. properly ventilated, and dry to prevent rust. i do squirt a tiny bit of WD on the top of the tanks to keep the rust away.. that IS what WD is for anyway right?
keeping it in a bag is not going to stop the leak, they are what 1500 psi?
it only keeps them clean from rust.
inside a 4" pvc pipe mounted outside the boat is the elegant way small boaters carry propane bottles.
ymmv.
it only keeps them clean from rust.
inside a 4" pvc pipe mounted outside the boat is the elegant way small boaters carry propane bottles.
ymmv.
Check your anchor locker out. Good chance it drains out a thru hull fitting, above the water line.
I keep propane in the cockpit settee shallow storage locker that drains direct into the cockpit, and subsequently to an above water line thru hull fitting. Dinghy gasoline goes in the anchor locker.
I keep propane in the cockpit settee shallow storage locker that drains direct into the cockpit, and subsequently to an above water line thru hull fitting. Dinghy gasoline goes in the anchor locker.
Ka-boom
IMHO the green tanks are 60/40 chance of not leaking.
I use the small green tanks for recreation, my Coleman light and Force 10 BBQ. They never come off the light until its empty or if when I take the one off the BBQ and it keeps leaking then, I put it on the light and hope the one I took off the light doesn't leak! If it does it goes on the BBQ. PITA.
I use the yellow ones for work. They are worse! The torch ends never come off unless empty. (I have returned 2 in 2 days because I took the torch end off at the end of the day!) I think it even says to take it off on the label. Last week the new guy took it off and I told him to put it back on. Twice!
I have to get this book.
IMHO the green tanks are 60/40 chance of not leaking.
I use the small green tanks for recreation, my Coleman light and Force 10 BBQ. They never come off the light until its empty or if when I take the one off the BBQ and it keeps leaking then, I put it on the light and hope the one I took off the light doesn't leak! If it does it goes on the BBQ. PITA.
I use the yellow ones for work. They are worse! The torch ends never come off unless empty. (I have returned 2 in 2 days because I took the torch end off at the end of the day!) I think it even says to take it off on the label. Last week the new guy took it off and I told him to put it back on. Twice!
I have to get this book.
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With these little green canisters, I'm with Ross. Yes, there is a potential for failure and the fumes "sinking" into the boat, but with such a small canister........I've never heard of a failure with these. A larger tank is worthy of more careful planning.
I realize I already posted my 2 cents but I'll throw another penny worth of my thoughts on the heap since what I thought might be common wisdom doesn't appear to be common. Somebody eventually wins the lottery even with the odds of 170 million to one. Just in this list alone we mentioned several valve failures. You might want to risk or bet your own life on something as simple as a small propane bottle but do you want to risk the lives of your children or loved ones? When I was younger my father took me to a local marina and I was enjoying watching all the pleasure boats coming in and out. This one large cabin cruiser with was coming by when I saw a man run out of the cabin and dive into the water. Right afterward the boat exploded. I remember that image after all these years. It was forever etched into my memory. It just serves as a reminder of the power of flammable fumes. I've also had a family member die in a gasoline fume explosion. Everyone makes their own choices and lives with the consequences. A simple rhetorical question. Does the convenience of keeping that simple one pound bottle down below outweigh the risk?
Good night all.
Good night all.
You guys can keep the discussion going, if you like, but tomorrow I'm going to the big box and get a piece of 4" pvc.
Seems like the most prudent thing to do.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Seems like the most prudent thing to do.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Good idea and good solution.
For those with more than two cans in a 4" PVC tube, how do you get the bottom one out?
GT, just don't breathe while you're in the store!
For those with more than two cans in a 4" PVC tube, how do you get the bottom one out?
GT, just don't breathe while you're in the store!
More on the order of 250 psi.
If I were to carry them on the boat I would store them in my propane locker along side my twenty pound tanks. I use a propane torch to light my charcoal grill fires and remove the torch from the tank every time! I also use the touches for plumbing work and carry one in the car. In Thirty-four years in business I have never found an unexpectedly empty tank. I have no idea what you guys are doing but my experience does not support a concern for tank safety.
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