propane refrigeration

lloyds · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject: propane refrigeration

Has there been any discussion on this site, or others you have visited, that discussed having propane refrigeration. I know there are some obvious problems, like heel, but I also know there are quite a few world cruising sailboats out there that do use it successfully. C-Dorys have limited heel in cruising mode, unlike sailboats.

El and Bill · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:00 pm Post subject:

We (like many cruisers) always been nervous about propane on a boat -- heavier than air, if there is a leak in a line, propane sinks to the bilge or low point of the cabin/cockpit where any spark (like a bilge pump) can create an impressive explosion. We saw one once, it wasn't pretty, and that made a believer of us.
I think the tank could be properly vented, but any lines into the cabin would be vulnerable. Not to say it couldn't be properly installed, but be careful!

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:41 pm Post subject:

I've not seen a unit like this installed on a small cruiser, but if they're similar to the ones used on RVs and houseboats, fitting them inside the boat might be quite difficult.

The propane refrigerators seem to take quite a bit of room up with their top units where heat is vented well above the body of the refrigerator. This structure must extend through the cabin roof as well. Then too, the flame unit has to be near the bottom of the cold box, which could make servicing a bit difficult, whereas in an RV or houseboat, it can be serviced from outside the outer wall.

To fit such a unit to a small cruiser, it would be best to place it at the end of the cabin just in front of the cabin bulkhead with the lower flame access door at the bottom of the bulkhead and through the cockpit.

On a boat the size of a C-Dory, one could set it up as a stand alone unit outside in the cockpit and attached to the cabin bulkhead. This would simplify the placement engineering and move the propane leak hazard out of the cabin and into the open cockpit.

The C-Dory Do It Yourself Custom Pocket Yacht: So many wonderful gizmos and so little space! Think Twice before you slice!

Joe.

El and Bill · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 2:19 pm Post subject:

Our cooler holds a block of ice for five days, which is longer than we can usually go without fuel (and an ice refill). A dometic refrig. (best price I could find for a little one that might fit on a boat) costs $440. A block of ice costs about $1.50. For us, the cost/benefit ratio is clear.