Propane

[MarkSF]

Like he said! ^^^^^^

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by INMA

In addition you will need a gas detector system that needs to be serviced annually.
"

What do you mean by servicing? If you mean checking that the sensor works it should be done every few weeks.

If you mean something different please explain.

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

..........Treat it properly, follow ABYC standards and you sould be fine.

Originally Posted by INMA

......The original post implies the person is on the way to disaster and all the advise offered is don't worry, no one I know has died from propane explosions.......

That is not the advice the OP received.

[INMA]

Like any instrument they need to be maintained including calibration.

Ask the manufacturer of a gas detector what maintenance is needed to assure its working correctly over its life.

Gas detectors I use in buildings get regular checks.

There is also different calibrations for different gasses eg. Propane, refrigerant and natural gas.

[RobGallagher]

Originally Posted by SlowButSteady

No.

Propane is a dangerous and explosive gas. It may be convenient, but it is inherently unsafe.

One can try to keep it from exploding by installing several hundred dollars worth of tubes, hoses, valves, solenoids, air-tight lockers, sensors, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. You might very well be successful for years, even decades. But, you can never get around the fact that propane is inherently an explosive fuel.

What happens when a non-pressurized alcohol stove leaks? Nothing. In fact, it basically can't leak. Take the canister out of a non-pressurized alcohol stove and leave it upside down; what happens? Nothing. The matrix inside the canister absorbs the alcohol and keeps it there until it vaporizes. Leave a non-pressurized alcohol stove wide open, but unlit; what happens? Nothing.

The only reason propane stoves exist on boats is because people are lazy and want to cook "just like" they do at home. They supposedly spend time on a sailboat to relax, but can't wait an extra minute or two for their coffee; maybe 5 or 10 extra minutes for dinner. The issue is convenience verses safety. Is propane more convenient than ethanol? Slightly. Is propane more dangerous than ethanol? Definitely.

A propane stove/system can NEVER be as safe as a non-pressurized alcohol stove. Spend all the money and time you want -- you'll never be able to get around the fact that propane is explosive. If there were no other options, I might install a propane system (and spend oodles of money trying to make it as safe as possible). However, there are other options. They may be a tad less convenient than bottles of an explosive gas, but they are much safer.

How do you feel about natural gas stoves, heat, hot water in a home?

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by INMA

Like any instrument they need to be maintained including calibration.

Ask the manufacturer of a gas detector what maintenance is needed to assure its working correctly over its life.

Gas detectors I use in buildings get regular checks.

There is also different calibrations for different gasses eg. Propane, refrigerant and natural gas.

Marine detectors are a bit different than those in buildings. They are less expensive and have no adjustments normally. The testing should be done very often because the sensors fail if they get wet. As they are installed in the bilge or close to it this needs checking often. It only takes a few seconds with a cigarette lighter to test.
GS6: Propane Detector with Propane Shut-off

[Captainmeme]

Homes blow up, California had a gas pipeline explosion last year between San Jose and San Francisco as I recall. Maybe we should rid ourselves of explosive material such as gasoline, propane, CNG, butane, sharp objects, hammers and cats. But then again sailing has some danger associated with it but the vast majority of us manage to comeback Sunday evening after a weekend on the water.
To the OP if he is still reading this: I think the answer to the question, "What size regulator?" is to add up the btu rating of the stove's burners, oven and broiler and buy the regulator that can supply that. Thats what I would do and after 60 plus years of stumbling through life I still have all 10 digits and both eyeballs.

[SlowButSteady]

Originally Posted by RobGallagher

How do you feel about natural gas stoves, heat, hot water in a home?

Methane, the primary constituent of natural gas, is much safer than propane; particularly on a boat. Methane, CH4, is lighter than air (MW (molecular weight) = 16 for methane; MW ~ 29 for air), while propane, C3H8, is heavier than air (MW = 44). So, a natural gas leak results in gas rising, and dissipating into the atmosphere, while a propane leak results in a bilge (or basement) full of explosive gas.

I use NG for heating and cooking in my house, and propane for my outdoor grill. Propane would be fine for my house, too, as we have no basement.

[Brent Swain]

ABS rules on propane can be pretty whacko. Heavy walled stainless tubing is a no-no, but you are encouraged to use rubber , which is constantly breaking down, and is in no way fireproof, or thin walled copper flare tubing, which is extremely prone to metal fatigue from engine vibration, and subject to corrosion. Many a fish boat over the last 50 years on the BC coast have been burned that way. Heavy stainless fittings, designed for 600 PSI are a no-no, but yellow brass fittings, extremely prone to corrosion and cracking are encouraged. I can easily reach and turn my tanks off from the companion way , a no-no, but they say I should instead rely on an electric gizmo, all of which are prone to failure.
I wouldn't risk my life and boat on such abysmal judgement.
If I were building my boat again, I would rig a 2 inch vent pipe into my bilge, with a blower, for the odd propane leak. May do that yet.

[mitiempo]

Brent

An electric solenoid is not required. From ABYC A-1