Looking for ideas

[fred1diver]

Hey everyone
I am redoing my galley / stairs….
I want to have easy access to open and close the water and gas valves, they will be located in front of my motor, how would you design a panel to hold said valves?

 

[shemandr]

The problem at least for the blue valve handle is that it is right where the step will be. So from one of the step risers it will be a reach to grab the valve and you won't be able to see it..
It might be better to relocate the valve to somewhere where you can make an easily used access panel. I can't think of a reason that valve can't be relocated.
The other valve my early morning eyes don't see. But on my Ranger 29 with the A4 engine, the gas shut off was right at the tank, not near the carb.
I would look for a place on the side of the engine where there could be access from the 1/4 berth. A hinged panel which would fold down and uses a latch on the top to keep it closed when not in use could work. You might even get access to the oil dipstick in there. The hatch could be decorated with a nice wood panel finished bright, or creatively with a port, or whatever else.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Have you considered an electronic valve?
12V Low-Pressure Brass 1/4" Solenoid Valve | West Marine

Put the button anywhere you want.

-Will

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I would put some thought into the step itself being hinged . Lift the step , turn valve and close . I also don't see the second valve .

 

[fred1diver]

I was thinking about having them behind the stairs, having a small door/flap so they won’t accidentally be turned on/off.

the second valve is smaller, it is just beside the water valve, if you follow the black hose, it is just below the second ty-wrap to the right of the water hose one.

 

[BigEasy]

Seems that for safety reasons the gas valve should be located on or near the tank. Use a manual shutoff valve with a push/pull cable remotely located to a convenient & readily accessible location, but not in the engine compartment. I would also install a plastic fire port / plug into the engine compartment door that allows a fire extinguisher to be inserted & discharged into the compartment without removing the engine cover. The port is an A.B.Y.C. requirement on newer boats. $14 on Amazon (Marine east, Vetus, Osculati, etc.)

 

[fred1diver]

The gas tank is under the cockpit, only accessible when emptying the lazarette and crawling in and doing some boat yoga

 

[fred1diver]

Those fire ports are 45$ on Amazon.ca
Maybe in the future

 

[BigEasy]

Those fire ports are 45$ on Amazon.ca
Maybe in the future

 

[Joe]

Gas?

 

[fred1diver]

Yes it is gas, Atomic 4 engine
Will look into fire port, can easily make one at home, very simple design

 

[Leeward Rail]

push/pull cable remotely located to a convenient & readily accessible location, but not in the engine compartment

This is, more or less my setup.
But it is in the lazarette, which is the whole stern which contains the engine, fuel tank, storage etc. open the lid to access the fuel tank shutoff cable, and the wooden rod attached to the cooling water thru hull ball valve. The fuel shutoff cable handle would best be in my engine control panel, for convience and safety.

install a plastic fire port / plug into the engine compartment door

Yup. Don't want to open the stairs to get at a fire. A big rush of fresh air isn't good.

A better solution IMO is an automatic clean agent fire extinguisher, sized for the engine/equipment space.

Automatic/manual, no mess, no damage to equipment from suppression chemicals. And relatively inexpensive.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Those fire ports are 45$ on Amazon.ca
Maybe in the future

It doesn't need to be that fancy. A disc on a pivot would work

I know a boat with a metal jesus medallion that pivots on a pin like wood stove vent.

Pivot jesus up, insert nozzle, and pray ?

 

[BigEasy]

A better solution IMO is an automatic clean agent fire extinguisher, sized for the engine/equipment space., no mess, no damage to equipment And relatively inexpensive

Not going to install an automatic system; however, since participating in this thread, I am seriously considering purchasing a small Amerex Halotron extinguisher specifically for use if an engine fire occurs. They are not inexpensive, but much less than a potential engine rebuild if using a dry chemical extinguisher.

 

[BigEasy]

I know a boat with a metal jesus medallion that pivots on a pin like wood stove vent.
Pivot jesus up, insert nozzle, and pray ?

Economical, effective, + help from above!

 

[sailme88]

using a search engine, type in " fiberglass steps". see if any of those hollow stairs would work for you..

 

[Leeward Rail]

I am seriously considering purchasing a small Amerex Halotron extinguisher specifically for use if an engine fire occurs.

I had written off the idea of having an automatic system because I expected them all to be expensive and requiring a big install.

When I went looking into clean agent extinguishers, I was surprised they make automatic+manual ones that are essentially the normal extinguisher with a wall bracket and different head. I was quoted $360 USD. They ballparked the size, but I need to accurately calculate the volume of the engine space to make sure.

much less than a potential engine rebuild if using a dry chemical extinguisher.

Yup. Electronic damage/shorting also possible.Dry chemical cleanup isn't fun either.
Clean agent is used in server rooms.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I was quoted $360 USD.

WTF. That's cheaper than my 5 lb. CO2 extinguisher.

I always carry the two CG required ABC chemical extinguishers but would never consider using them in a fire except as a last resort to physically beat out the fire. It's always, always, always CO2 first in the event of a fire. Actually, that was the rule up until last year when I installed a fire blanket. Then it's :

1. Blanket first
2. CO2 extinguisher second
3. Chemical extinguiser last

I've seen the chemical ones discharged in a safety display and would only use one to physically beat out a fire. Until you see the mess these things make .................. then you'll then understand why I would never use one in a boat except as a last resort.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Clean agent is used in server rooms.

You do not want to find yourself locked in a server room with it's fire suppression system. That will suffocate you before the fire does.

-Will

 

[sailme88]

Before you install an automatic system, check with your insurance carrier to see if THEY require annual inspection and certification of the system. CG inspected vessels are required to have their suppression systems inspected on an annual basis. IF your insurance carrier says yes, then you need to figure out who is certified to inspect the type of system that you plan to install and what the anticipated costs associated with the inspection will be. About the only DYI approved installs are hanging extinguishers....