location for propane control switch & bilge switch

[MAC915]

1.installing both a propane control switch and an auto bilge switch. Any recommendations for cabin locations that seem to work better than others. Thanks

2. installing water tank vent & looking for location reccomendations as well. Water tank is located in bilge.

 

[Ron20324]

I like having the water tank vent come out the hull close to the fill. I can fill the tank until I see when water comes out the vent.

 

[Joseph Shirley]

I like putting the propane and bilge switches inside near the companionway so I can check that the propane is off as I leave the boat or be able to secure it on the way out or from the cockpit should a fire break out. Similarly should the float switch on the auto bilge pump fail, you can turn the bilge pump on in manual from the cockpit.

I have a wheel and my water tank vent is up in the steering pedestal. The salt water never gets in it, you can see it from the dock, and any overflow drains through the cockpit drains.

Good luck

Joe S

 

[larryw]

Most builders put the propane switch, the "gas on" switch for the valve at the tank, in the DC panel. Why would you move it? Most tank vents are located high on the topsides with a formed cover that makes saltwater instrusion very unlikely. Why vent onto the cockpit sole?

 

[Bill Roosa]

Switch and vent locations

I'd put the tank vent near and below the fill so you can tell when the tank is full.
The auto bilge switch should go on the DC panel where you can (if you have a correctly set up panel) get 12 volts even with the bat 3-way in the OFF position. Since it is controlled by a float switch you should not need to access it from the cockpit in an emergency.
The propane switch (not the valve which MUST be in the locker) should be near the stove for convenience. The first person to know that there is a fire will be the cook so make it easy to get to and position it so they don't have to reach over the flames to turn it off. I don't think you need it accessible from the cockpit as propane systems don't just start burning. They do cause explosions if you don't watch what you are doing but I have never heard of one starting a fire from an unlit state.

BTW you will not need to access the switch if the boat explodes. There will be no propane tank to turn off most likely

 

[Benny]

The propane control switch should be located at arms length from the galley. It's purpose is to remotely being able to shut of gas in case of a stove flare up or fire. The breaker switch which backs it up should remain in the panel. As far as the bilge pump switch any location convenient to you should be fine.

 

[Seattle Scott]

My propane switch is within reach and view ( idiot light) of stove. I don't leave it on when stove is off for safty and also when on it is sucking electricity to keep the spring open on the solinoid on the tank.

 

[Don12364]

Gas Valve Switch Position

As others have said the best place for the switch is within arms length of the stove. This way you turn it off EVERY time you have finished cooking so everything is safe. Much better than having to go to the gas bottle to turn that valve off.
The solenoid draws about 1 amp so it is best off anyway.
I presume you have an illuminated switch so you can see if it has been left on.

BTW always turn the gas off at the bottle on leaving the boat.

 

[sailaway78]

Switches

I am in total agreement with placing the bilge pump switch very near the companionway, where it can be reached from the cockpit. While a float switch, at least in theory, makes this unnecessary, it is still very handy if readily available from the cockpit, and to be able to see it when exiting the cabin. As to the propane solenoid switch, I would think that fairly close to the stove, but not so as to have to reach into the flames, should a fire erupt on the stove would be preferrable. This is a matter of opinion for me, as I am still stuck with alcohol.

 

[sailingdog]

Both switches should be near the companionway. The propane switch should be also close enough to the galley to reach from there if possible. IMHO, if a fire in the galley forces you to exit the boat, you want to be able to turn off the propane from the outside if possible.

The idea of having the water tank vent in the cockpit makes a lot of sense. Easy to see when the water tank is full, and it is probably better protected than if it were mounted outboard.

 

[Joseph Shirley]

Thought that I would add a little bit more.
Some have suggested installing the propane switch near the stove, or in the galley; and I have no problem with that, except that most (but not all) boats have the galley near the companionway. Thus you can solve both suggestions by mounting near the companionway. Some have suggested securing the propane if you are not cooking, or assume that fires start on the stove. Neither is the norm. You might like to expand your use of propane some day to include your barbecue or an instant water heater, which I have and use sailing and anchored, or if you have a big enough boat you might add a propane clothes dryer. In these cases your propane is going to be on a lot longer than just cooking. Also most fires start electrically when you are all in the cockpit.

Bill said "Since it is controlled by a float switch you should not need to access it from the cockpit in an emergency" and that is pure inexperience. Some day you might get a call from a friend that your boat in sitting very deep in the water and arrive to find a stuck switch and a foot of water in your boat. I hope it never happens to you but it could happen to anybody.

Here is a picture from the cockpit on the Irwin Competition 30 I used to own. If you look closely you will see a small electrical panel just inside the companionway that contains switches for all exterior lights, propane, and bilge pump.

I think it was a very smart arrangement and you can note that all switches were also accessible from below.

Good luck

Joe S