Propane locker install

[thataway]

[tomherrick]

Recreational Boaters Can Join ABYC

I found out about this a coupla years ago and joined.

https://abycinc.org/BlankCustom.asp?page=becomeamember

[thataway]

Thanks for the link!

[tomherrick]

You betcha, Bob.

[SEA3PO]

I have Propane...both stove and heater (fireplace)....it was a task to get it into compliance with the Coast Guard.....I was lucky and have a friend who is a marine surveyor and he showed me how it had to be installed...

I had to make the locker deeper as Propane tanks are large...my extension goes down to about 3/4" above the fuel tank...
The tank had to be sealed tight with an overboard discharge vent...
From the tank it has to go to a remote solenoid valve.
From the valve it goes into a Y fitting with each line having a separate propane valve......each line has to have it's own regulator...and the line from the regulator cannot not have any fittings...it must be one continuous line to the fixture... Check out my pictures....

[clayhubler]

I am finally getting caught up on posting pics of some of the projects that I have completed on Hammerhead.

The propane locker is done and I am very pleased with it and also the Dickinson marine two burner cooktop that has replaced the wallas 95d.

I bought most of the parts online from defender. I did my best to follow all the advice on safety and best practices, and I am pleased with the install and feel safe using it.

I modified the port lazarette to hold two manchester 5lb propane tanks. Since I only have the two burner cooktop and the magma grill, this gives me a lot of run time.

I ran the 3/8 low pressure propane hoses under the gunwhale on the port side and then down beside the water tank,under the step by the bilgepump, and then up into the bottom of the stove and out through the bulkhead to the bbq on the starboard side just behind the bulkhead.

The drain is a 1/2" hole with a clamshell over it that leads to the splashwell. I realize it should be at the bottom of each of the tank inserts, but as they are only 2 inches deep, I made an executive decision that the bottom of the lazarette was close enough.

I have a solenoid controlled from the galley, and a lpg sensor underneath the galley.

So far I am really pleased with the install, and, though it was pricey and time consuming, happy to have made the effort. The admiral really likes the new cooktop. Instant on and off (unlike the wallas) and many more btus.

The tanks dont really have the ability to tip over because everything is pretty tight in there, but I am making a block that goes between the tanks and then will use some kind of elastic to secure the tanks together.

Lots of picture of the install here:
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Propane-Locker&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[T.R. Bauer]

You can cook most meals with gas and being doing the dishes by the time the wallas even gets warm.....lol....It looks like a nice clean install to me.

[tomherrick]

Very nicely done. Thanks for all the details.

[zuunami]

This is a little off post, but I don't see anything elsewhere...We recently purchased a 16' cruiser with a 9.9 propane kicker. We're still deciding whether to replace it, but if we stay with propane it seems we need to build a locker for the tank? We would probably only use a small 10# tank, the larger one it came with just sat in the bilge area under the splashwell. That's the perfect place for it, but a locker has to be top loading, as I understand. And, has to be vented to the outside. Meaning we have to go through the side of the boat? I'm not too fond of that I guess it could sit up by the motors and then wouldn't need to be in a locker, but that's kind of awkward. Any advice?

[clayhubler]

Unless you want propane on the boat for other reasons I would sell it. I can't imagine that a ten pound tank is going to run that motor very long anyway. Having it sit down in the bilge is not safe.