...for turning on and off the propane system? We have been told that unless we will be away for an extended period of time, the tank valve may be safely left open. Others have said that every time you leave the boat if even for just between weekends, you should close the tank valve. Also, we have been told that the way in which you open the tank valve matters. Open it too quickly and a pressure sensor will cut off the gas flow.
What is the accepted method...
- Thread starter Doug/Karen
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Matters up to your comfort level
Every time my neighbor uses his Weber Grill, he turns off the gas at the tank. Me, I leave it on year round and have never once experienced a problem. His thinking is that if a seal or hose were to leak, it would drain the tank. Boat people think much dire consequences - explosion and loss of vessel. I know that if I had propane on my boat, I would be turning it off EVERY time I left it for the week. But that is just me. Hey, my grill is one thing but my boat - totally different. As for the turn on sequence - yes you have to have all the gas lines turned off before you open the main tank valve. If the regulator experiences flow when it is first pressurized, it closes a saftey valve. Same thing on your gas grill at home - have you ever put in a new tank while the burner was still on? NADA. You have to have the burner off before you turn on the main tank valve.
Every time my neighbor uses his Weber Grill, he turns off the gas at the tank. Me, I leave it on year round and have never once experienced a problem. His thinking is that if a seal or hose were to leak, it would drain the tank. Boat people think much dire consequences - explosion and loss of vessel. I know that if I had propane on my boat, I would be turning it off EVERY time I left it for the week. But that is just me. Hey, my grill is one thing but my boat - totally different. As for the turn on sequence - yes you have to have all the gas lines turned off before you open the main tank valve. If the regulator experiences flow when it is first pressurized, it closes a saftey valve. Same thing on your gas grill at home - have you ever put in a new tank while the burner was still on? NADA. You have to have the burner off before you turn on the main tank valve.
Off
If we are gone from the boat a long time we shut the tank off if we don't forget but for the most part it's always on with breaker and selinoid switch off when not using the stove. Don't know about turning on too fast never had a problem. Nick
If we are gone from the boat a long time we shut the tank off if we don't forget but for the most part it's always on with breaker and selinoid switch off when not using the stove. Don't know about turning on too fast never had a problem. Nick
Long list of safety concerns
Personally, I leave it on. I also don't close seacocks. As others have posted, the answer lies in your level of safety. I have a mother-in-law who unplugs the toaster every day. I wouldn't disagree with her. I would point out that opening and closing the propane tank as many times as we use our boat would have to lead to some overuse of the main valve (maybe). My point is that the solenoid is there to shut off the gas at the tank, so it's doing its job. If anything, I would encourage adding a timer (sailorsolutions has one) that sets a time limit to shut off the propane. At least that way you don't accidentally leave the solenoid on. Paul
Personally, I leave it on. I also don't close seacocks. As others have posted, the answer lies in your level of safety. I have a mother-in-law who unplugs the toaster every day. I wouldn't disagree with her. I would point out that opening and closing the propane tank as many times as we use our boat would have to lead to some overuse of the main valve (maybe). My point is that the solenoid is there to shut off the gas at the tank, so it's doing its job. If anything, I would encourage adding a timer (sailorsolutions has one) that sets a time limit to shut off the propane. At least that way you don't accidentally leave the solenoid on. Paul
don't worry about the valve
We've lived aboard for more than a decade, and use the barbeque year 'round four or five times a week. The propane tank gets turned on/off before/after each use, and doesn't seem any worse for the wear. (And yes, the old tanks came with us onto the new boat.) In a corrosive environment, letting a valve sit in one position or the other for extended times is much more difficult for it than regular use. This applies doubly for your seacocks. It's the fellow who suddenly wants to close a seacock that hasn't been exercised in years who discovers that it won't budge.
We've lived aboard for more than a decade, and use the barbeque year 'round four or five times a week. The propane tank gets turned on/off before/after each use, and doesn't seem any worse for the wear. (And yes, the old tanks came with us onto the new boat.) In a corrosive environment, letting a valve sit in one position or the other for extended times is much more difficult for it than regular use. This applies doubly for your seacocks. It's the fellow who suddenly wants to close a seacock that hasn't been exercised in years who discovers that it won't budge.
Weigh up the consequences
... of not closing valves and seacocks. Here is an excerpt from a section on the causes of sinking in an article on the boatus.org site: "Failure to close thru-hulls is a major cause of loss in the BoatU.S. insurance program. In a recent study of 40 winter-related claims, seacocks or gate valves left open caused or contributed to the sinking of seven of the boats in the sample group" Sure it takes a couple of minutes of extra effort to turn them off when you leave (and on again when you come back) and sure you will get people who boldly proclaim that they have left their's on for years and have never had a problem. But given the tiny amount of effort versus the potentially catstrophic consequences, there really shouldn't even be a debate.
... of not closing valves and seacocks. Here is an excerpt from a section on the causes of sinking in an article on the boatus.org site: "Failure to close thru-hulls is a major cause of loss in the BoatU.S. insurance program. In a recent study of 40 winter-related claims, seacocks or gate valves left open caused or contributed to the sinking of seven of the boats in the sample group" Sure it takes a couple of minutes of extra effort to turn them off when you leave (and on again when you come back) and sure you will get people who boldly proclaim that they have left their's on for years and have never had a problem. But given the tiny amount of effort versus the potentially catstrophic consequences, there really shouldn't even be a debate.
Nominally off
I usually turn it off when not actively in use. Turn it on, cook, turn it off. One time I apparently forgot to turn off late in the season, however, and put the boat away that way (more forgetting: didn't check the locker or take the tank off). The valve stayed open all winter, meaning the solenoid valve was the operative valve. Guess what: nothing happened. No propane smell in the locker and no drop in tank pressure. So there are far worse things to forget. But I'd add that since it takes all of 5 seconds to turn off, why not turn it off every time if you're the least bit concerned.
I usually turn it off when not actively in use. Turn it on, cook, turn it off. One time I apparently forgot to turn off late in the season, however, and put the boat away that way (more forgetting: didn't check the locker or take the tank off). The valve stayed open all winter, meaning the solenoid valve was the operative valve. Guess what: nothing happened. No propane smell in the locker and no drop in tank pressure. So there are far worse things to forget. But I'd add that since it takes all of 5 seconds to turn off, why not turn it off every time if you're the least bit concerned.
Your Way
When I asked the dealer weather to keep the sea cocks open or close while away from the boat at slip he said with the new boats of today don't need to close them,When away from my new 2007 36 Hunter I close them all but do forget now and than,if you leave them open all the time and not open and close regularly you might need to close them and find them in the stuck open position. Same with the gas on boat I shut it when not using it,I try to have less things go wrong. So do what you think is best for you don't jump just because the other guy is jumping or his boat is sinking or on fire. Nick
When I asked the dealer weather to keep the sea cocks open or close while away from the boat at slip he said with the new boats of today don't need to close them,When away from my new 2007 36 Hunter I close them all but do forget now and than,if you leave them open all the time and not open and close regularly you might need to close them and find them in the stuck open position. Same with the gas on boat I shut it when not using it,I try to have less things go wrong. So do what you think is best for you don't jump just because the other guy is jumping or his boat is sinking or on fire. Nick
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