Propane lockers

[Honeyman]

I've seen some interesting and inventive projects regarding propane "lockers", some in the archives here (when they will open!), and I'm shoping for ideas. Converting from CNG to propane on a '94 35.5 Legend and would like to keep gas out of the boat. Seen some set ups made from 8" pvc pipe and I've found some prefab lockers. Also looking on advice on "sniffers" (brand, location) and how to tie the electrics together for solenoid and sniffer operation. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gord May]

Safe Propane Installation

See the West Marine Advisor: “Safe Propane Installations”:http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/propaneinstal.htmTrident for Control / Detector Panels #22a & 22b:http://www.tridentmarine.com/stage/lpg_detect.htmand Diagrams at: http://www.tridentmarine.com/stage/lpg_diagram6.htmand Fireboy-Xintex#S-2A Propane Monitor & Controlhttp://www.fireboy-xintex.com/propane_detectors.htmland Instructions at: http://www.fireboy-xintex.com/manuals/PropaneManual.pdfHTH, Gord May

 

[Rich]

use flexible pipe

I'm not sure where you're intending to use the pvc pipe, but it's my understanding that the gas lines and drain lines should all be a flexible type of piping so they will not be broken by shocks from sailing or normal flexing of the hull...

 

[Rick A]

Other options...?

Somewhere along the line, I saw some photo's of an install where a 20 lb lpg tank was mounted on the transom of a sailboat. This eliminates the need of a separate comparment in the boat and would free some space. I am not sure how common of a practise this would be or how legal it is. I expect that over the long term, there would be concerns related to corrosion of the tank and possibly fittings. Anyone out there have any comments or experiences?Rick

 

[Gord May]

Propane Cylinder Installations

The ABYC is non-prescriptive, merely specifying that (A-1.7.6.1):“LPG cylinders ... shall be readilly accessible, secured for sea conditions, and PROTECTED from the weather and against mechanical damage ...”Don Casey thinks “... The best place for propane tanks is on deck ...”.Propane Systems by Don Casey: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/18.htm I disagree /w Casey, and would never permanently mount a propane cylinder on the transom or pushpit. Aside from the tanks exposure to weather & mech. damage, you face the difficulty of running the fuel lines through the coamings to the stove. I wouldn’t object to a (portable) Bar-B-Q tank on the rail.I suppose there are no cheap & easy answers ... FWIW,Gord

 

[Honeyman]

Rich in Groton...

the pvc was 8" in diameter X 12-14" tall and actually was used to house I believe a 6 or 8 lb. tank. It used 8" end caps to close off the pipe. There is a picture in archives of a setup someone on the HOW site built that held 2 tanks on a bracket he had built and mounted to an arch that was custom as well. Thanks Gord, I actually picked up the West Marine brochure today and I'm all over the Trident and Xintex sites.