Gas installation do's and don'ts?

[VicS]

I turn the gas off whenever I finish cooking ( no fridge ) no way would I have it on all the time I'm onboard - then I've seen a boat - 20' mobo - blow up courtesy of a gas snag, so it's off at the regulator all the time, only on when about to light the cooker - so I placed the gas locker ( yes it does drain overboard in event of spills and is ventilated ) and regulator within easy reach, which of course is not always possible.

I don't know about Propane but for Butane Gaz one should use the Marine ' M ' spec regulator, last I bought was around £30.

For anyone with your level of paranoia, or who cannot locate the gas locker within such easy reach, an electrically operated shut off valve ( located in the gas locker) might be a worthwhile addition, especially as it could be linked to a gas alarm which we are told, above, is essential. It should not, of course, be used as an alternative to closing the bottle valve at night or when leaving the boat

I dont think there is a marine spec 37mb propane regulator but a 30mb dual fuel ( propane and butane ) system has been standard fitting for caravans and boats for quite a few years now

 

[VicS]

An essential to also fit is a gas alarm system which should be active at all times you are aboard presuming you turn off the gas whenever you leave. You want to have an immediate warning of any leakage.

A carbon monoxide alarm is equally essential.

 

[Seajet]

I am no more paranoid than anyone else who takes note of lessons very hard won by others before me, ta very much.

I have gas and carbon monoxide alarms, but a solenoid shut off would seem a bit OTT as I can reach the regulator through the main hatch from the seat by the cooker in the saloon.

 

[VicS]

...........................
a solenoid shut off would seem a bit OTT as I can reach the regulator through the main hatch ...................

I was suggesting it for people who cannot locate the gas locker within such easy reach

 

[colind3782]

The gas is always turned off at the cylinder but when we do turn it for cooking, we put out a sign that says in huge letters:

TURN OFF THE GAS

Impossible to ignore

 

[Tranona]

got round the gas idea and doing it 12v.

Arvor 25 fishing boat. 2 tides at most.
mud mooring with no power
can they be mounted near nav/radar equipment?
more for convenience rather than lots of use.

The best thing to do is look at how the factory fit these items (if they do offer them as an option) and copy them. However, on what is essentially a day boat there is the question about the value of having a fixed fridge. They are expensive and bulky so difficult to find space in a small boat, plus they are heavy on power requirements, You don't say what your battery capacity is nor how you charge it, but it is best to have a separate battery for domestic services and a dedicated engine start battery plus a means of charging both from the engine. You may consider that a good portable cool box is more appropriate for the relatively short periods you will be at sea.

For cooking facilities it would be normal to have a 2 ring hob so that you can heat water and warm other food such as soups. Again you need a dedicated space. The choice of type boils down to two. First of course is gas, but you need a permanent installation with a locker for the bottle draining overboard as per the diagram shown earlier.Not always easy to arrange. The alternative is a spirit cooker such as an Origo which is self contained. Not as fast as gas, but arguably safer and take a bit of getting used to. Like gas it needs a dedicated flat surface and be permanently fastened down.

Hope this helps.

Edit

Sorry, ignore the second paragraph.

 

[pvb]

For cooking facilities it would be normal to have a 2 ring hob so that you can heat water and warm other food such as soups. Again you need a dedicated space. The choice of type boils down to two. First of course is gas, but you need a permanent installation with a locker for the bottle draining overboard as per the diagram shown earlier.Not always easy to arrange.

I think the Arvor 25 comes as standard with a gas hob, so presumably it already has a gas locker.

 

[Tranona]

I think the Arvor 25 comes as standard with a gas hob, so presumably it already has a gas locker.

You are right. I should have reread the original as he says he has a hob. The thread drifted away from the original question!

 

[PaulRainbow]

You are right. I should have reread the original as he says he has a hob. The thread drifted away from the original question!

Surely not

Most unlike PBO

 

[thinwater]

And interestingly, ABYC (US) standards are quite different again. I'm not going to argue which is better if done according to code--that would be a waste of good time. But I think it is funny that they are VERY different.

I've used an RV propane fridge on a catamaran for many years. No problems, but heeling is minimal. that said, I would go electric if it were my install, not because I fear gas, but because I believe the new compressor boxes are much more efficient.

 

[prv]

And interestingly, ABYC (US) standards are quite different again. I'm not going to argue which is better if done according to code--that would be a waste of good time. But I think it is funny that they are VERY different.

The thing about unbroken hose versus limited lengths of hose in favour of copper and compression joints? Personally I tend to lean towards the US view on that one

Pete

 

[William_H]

got round the gas idea and doing it 12v.

Arvor 25 fishing boat. 2 tides at most.
mud mooring with no power
can they be mounted near nav/radar equipment?
more for convenience rather than lots of use.

I presume OP means he will supply 12v Dc to the 3 way fridge. This is not such a good idea as 3 way fridges consume something like 10 amps continually. This will flatten all but the biggest batteries PDQ. I suggest that if it is too late and you already have the 3 way fridge that you try to sell it. I think eventually you will end up with a 12v compressor fridge using about 1 continuous average or 3.5 amps at 1 to 2 cycle ratio.
Likewise with microwave oven. Great for dockside shore power but perhaps only useful with engine running for short periods running on an inverter. Definitely potential for flattening batteries. olewill

 

[mogmog2]

An essential to also fit is a gas alarm system which should be active at all times you are aboard presuming you turn off the gas whenever you leave. You want to have an immediate warning of any leakage.

Essential? It is not essential. Desirable maybe. If it was that good, it would mandatory by law, like seatbelts. Millions of people over the decades haven't blown themselves up by not having a gas alarm and by using common sense.

There is also a tendency for people to abdicate their responsibility/take more risks when various safety things are taken care of externally. Ok (but not great) when the device works but disastrous when it fails.

There are threads on here about gas alarms' unreliability and on the YM crash test boat they had to fudge the alarm (which was linked to the igniter) as it wouldn't go off when it should have done. This was a brand new installation by a gas pro IIRC.