LPG drain fitting

[paulj]

US Coast Guard safety check revelled a problem with LPG drains.
They don't drain so they can't vent.

The drawing in my 310 manual shows they should be 7 1/4" lower.
Anyone else have this condition?

No USCG safety check sticker.


paulj :troll:

 

[sailingdog]

What do you mean that the LPG drains don't drain??? They're not supposed to "vent" as the lockers are supposed to be air-tight other than the drains. Putting them the required 7-1/4" lower would probably leave them submersed regularly and prevent the propane from draining as required.

 

[Scott B]

If they don't drain, any water that gets in the vent will create an air lock and not allow LPG to vent.

Paul, if that is the problem, can you shorten, support or otherwise make the vent go downhill??

 

[Witzend]

PaulJ, I will check mine this weekend.

 

[GKuffner]

The drain on my C309 is similar to yours and while cleaning the propane locker I too noticed that the vent at the bottom of the locker would not drain the water that I used to clean the locker. I used a piece of soft flexible wire and probed both ends of the vent and removed a lot of spider webs and dead insects from the area where the vent exits the hull. While this permitted some of the water in the propane locker to drain, I feel that the vent is still partially obstructed. From inside my port locker I can see the bottom of the moulded propane locker and the vent tube and connections. From what I can see the tube is connected in such a way that it should steadily drain downwards from the locker and overboard through the stern vent. I think that Catalina owners should be warned to regularly clean the vent and the connecting hose. I think that flushing the vent with compressed air or water would be sufficient to allow the vent to do its job.

Gary
C309 #136

 

[paulj]

Gary
Does your manual show the LPG vent exit hole location dimensions?

I took some pictures below.


paulj :troll:

 

[GKuffner]

Paul,

I checked my manual and there is no information (description or dimensions) provided regarding the LPG vent. From looking at your photos it appears that there is a dip in the tube connecting the locker drain to the vent and it would certainly trap water or other crud. The hook up on my boat appears to be a little better with the connecting hose having a continuous downward slope (of less than 3") to the vent.

Gary
C309 #136

 

[Witzend]

Paul, mine is the same way. I bet the problem was not discovered until at least after hull #83. Not sure I'm going to do anything about unless C.G. site me.

 

[paulj]

With the LPG tank housing removed, it looks like a easy fix for a new hose and new lower vent location so water will drain.


paulj :troll:

 

[Witzend]

Ya got gumption!

 

[paulj]

Starboard side done.........:dance:

paulj :troll:

 

[Witzend]

Do you mean STRB Side?

 

[paulj]

Portside done........


paulj :troll: