Propane

[davidpm]

A friend of mine has a new used boat that has a propane cook stove.
I recommended that he put extra effort into checking the propane setup.
This is the email he sent me:
"The propane works perfectly. I left the main valve open for 6 months and (with a good deal of cooking) there’s still propane in the tank."

This is a very smart guy who is planning on sailing with his family. The above comment may have been a joke, a bad one, but assuming it is not, would you guys make some recommendations as to how to setup the propane and what to do and not do. I'm pretty sure I can get him to get an account here.

[sailingdog]

Generally, the tank's valve should be shut off unless you are using the propane.

[JomsViking]

He should probably install an electric solenoid shutoff valve. Then the only effort required would be to flip a switch

[sailingdog]

Even with a solenoid, I'd prefer to manually shut off the tank when not in use.

[Omatako]

Originally Posted by JomsViking

He should probably install an electric solenoid shutoff valve. Then the only effort required would be to flip a switch

Agree. I have one in the gas locker switched from the main panel and another near the stove with a switch in the galley (I have a jaundiced opinion of the reliability/durability of electrical stuff at sea).

We switch the outdoors one on when we come aboard and then manage the gas from the other one. We generally switch the solenoid off to douse the last flame on the stove, burning off the last of the gas in the line.

[JomsViking]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Even with a solenoid, I'd prefer to manually shut off the tank when not in use.

Totally agree, and I think Omatako's way is great. They should probably also install a gas detector.. With that laid back approach, it seems like he might need all the extra safety stuff he can get?

[FarCry]

Tell him to continue with the practice of leaving the propane on if he is satisfied with it. However, he should install blowers that turn over the air every few minutes 24/7, including the bilge, and have a large automatic fire suppression system installed in case the blower fails. The fire suppression system won't prevent the impending explosion but may be able to douse any still smoldering bits that are still floating. If he is a real safety "nut" a gas monitor might be good too.

Propane should be off when not in use, period.

I think I read the sentence correctly were your friend was described as "smart". Perhaps you meant to say "educated", there is a vast difference between the two terms.

[BarryL]

Hi,

My 'new' boat has propane. There are two bottles in a sealed container (inside a lazarette) that is vented outside. The lines run through an electronic solenoid and into the cabin, where it is connected to the stove and oven.

During the off season I close the valves on the bottles. When the boat is in the water, I open one of the valves, but I leave the solenoid off unless I am cooking.

It would be safer to open and close the tank valve each time, but it is not easy to reach, and it is not easy to close the seal on the container.

I do test the solenoid periodically, and it does work (no gas flows when the switch is off).

BTW, I had to update both tanks to the Overflow Protection Device (OPD) valves when I had the tanks filled.

Barry

[Rockter]

Just turn it off at the tank each time. You don't always remember, but most of the time you will.
I used to have an electrical solenoid, but seawater got into it, so manual it is.

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by davidpm

"The propane works perfectly. I left the main valve open for 6 months and (with a good deal of cooking) there’s still propane in the tank."[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE]

Your friend is lucky. Clearly there are no leaks in his system.

But the obvious reply to this attitude is that a leak can DEVELOP.

None of us operates our propane system with a known leak. But we turn the gas off after each use (via the solenoid) because a leak could develop before we have a chance to detect it.

Turning the propane off at the source is a precaution against, not a remedy for, leaks.