Gas bottle connections

HissyFit

HissyFit

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I've come to think about running out of gas whilst mid-passage, and would like peoples' opinions on this.

If anyone is sailing short-handed or solo they might have more important things to deal with than changing gas bottles over when the gas runs out. So would it be legitimate to have two bottles, each with its own regulator and isolation valve T-pieced into the supply to the galley? I envisage a three position switch in the galley, with the positions of 'bottle 1, off and bottle 2'. I can't see any safety/practical reason why not, but someone with gas installation knowledge might know otherwise.
 
HissyFit said:
I've come to think about running out of gas whilst mid-passage, and would like peoples' opinions on this.

If anyone is sailing short-handed or solo they might have more important things to deal with than changing gas bottles over when the gas runs out. So would it be legitimate to have two bottles, each with its own regulator and isolation valve T-pieced into the supply to the galley? I envisage a three position switch in the galley, with the positions of 'bottle 1, off and bottle 2'. I can't see any safety/practical reason why not, but someone with gas installation knowledge might know otherwise.
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a bit like this...https://appliances.calor.co.uk/essentials-propane-37mbar-2-cylinder-auto-changeover-valve-with-opso.html?currency=GBP&gclid=CjwKCAjwos-HBhB3EiwAe4xM9_sKa8OQ23Q-eaD21TXYnN2zUHSqR4_dAr4i49ZClWQC9qcPAl4FdBoCRSgQAvD_BwE

many others both cheaper and more expensive on the market
 
HissyFit said:
I've come to think about running out of gas whilst mid-passage, and would like peoples' opinions on this.

If anyone is sailing short-handed or solo they might have more important things to deal with than changing gas bottles over when the gas runs out. So would it be legitimate to have two bottles, each with its own regulator and isolation valve T-pieced into the supply to the galley? I envisage a three position switch in the galley, with the positions of 'bottle 1, off and bottle 2'. I can't see any safety/practical reason why not, but someone with gas installation knowledge might know otherwise.
Click to expand...
Its more usual to have one regulator and swap bottles on the hp side
Automatic change over systems exist, but pricey and really more suited to large domestic installations

See https://www.bes.co.uk/two-pack-automatic-changeover-kit-with-opso-16237/
and
Low Pressure LPG Automatic Changeover Kits | Gas Regulators | gasproducts.co.uk

The downside of an automatic or remotely operated change over system would be that the bottle isolation valve would have to be opened in advance of the changeover

I would opt for a simple manual change over.... ( the reserve bottle isolating valve could then be kept closed until its needed .

4104 Manual Changeover Valve | Whayward
 
Of course you generally run out of gas when cooking...if you've got a spare hand to do this, maybe changing a bottle won't be a great problem.

Regarding the idea of a bottle change over system, there was a gas explosion on a services yacht some years ago where the spare bottle had been incorrectly fitted. The bottle was turned on some time later, no one had realised there was a problem. Doubtful if this could have occurred with a single gas bottle system.
 
James_Calvert said:
Regarding the idea of a bottle change over system, there was a gas explosion on a services yacht some years ago where the spare bottle had been incorrectly fitted. The bottle was turned on some time later, no one had realised there was a problem. Doubtful if this could have occurred with a single gas bottle system.
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It could easily happen with a single bottle system if the same incompetent person failed to tighten up the connection, and if the "sealed" gas locker leaked like a sieve.
 
James_Calvert said:
Of course you generally run out of gas when cooking...if you've got a spare hand to do this, maybe changing a bottle won't be a great problem.

Regarding the idea of a bottle change over system, there was a gas explosion on a services yacht some years ago where the spare bottle had been incorrectly fitted. The bottle was turned on some time later, no one had realised there was a problem. Doubtful if this could have occurred with a single gas bottle system.
Click to expand...

I get the point that the problem would have been spotted if the bottle was only installed at the time of need, which is a good point. However, if the gas locker was made to standard, i.e. sealed from the rest of the boat but vented overboard, then the worst that should have happened would have been a failure of supply at change-over time.
 
pvb said:
It could easily happen with a single bottle system if the same incompetent person failed to tighten up the connection, and if the "sealed" gas locker leaked like a sieve.
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Think they might have noticed the gas leaking as soon as they turned the bottle on,which would have been immediately given that you only run out of gas in the middle of cooking.
 
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