Gas locker options

[Jonny A]

Hi everyone,

I've finally reached the end of my tether with my **** gas locker. It's inset into the deck, takes 2 Camping Gaz 904 bottles, and leaks like a sieve every time it rains. I've tried a new seal, I've tried greasing the new seal, nothing works. After a quick look online I'm not sure if anyone makes an alternative model? I don't have space for a bigger bottle/locker combo, can anyone suggest any options please?

 

[awol]

Doesn't it have a drain?

 

[Jonny A]

Yes but the drain still leaves a couple of mm of water in the bottom. And any amount of water in there rusts the bottles.

 

[awol]

So a plastic grating thicker than "a couple of mm" would solve your problem. Assuming you have made a reasonable job of sealing the lid, though the empty screw holes around the rim perplex me, then could the ingress water path be the drain?

 

[Aeolus]

I made a plastic insert that fits into the bottom of my calor 3.9kg bottle which raises it off the bottom of the gas locker, thus avoiding the rust problem.

 

[Jonny A]

I have something that the bottles sit on but the general damp still rusts them.

 

[KevinV]

Could the rim be distorted by being screwed to a curved deck - causing the lid to not seal?
You could remove it, heat it on a flat surface to flatten it, reseat on a thickish bed of sealant - don't screw it down till the sealant is set.

 

[Dellquay13]

Looking at the lid just on the edge of the picture, is it some kind of rotating lug and cam locking system, is the lever leaving a hole in the lid?
I would consider changing to the screwdown hatch cover style?

https://d3gpbqyz2aphnw.cloudfront.n...eal-rwo-inspection-hatch-with-seal-28160.webp

 

[Jonny A]

As far as I can tell the deck is flat, but I'll double-check.

The lever does leak a bit, which is one reason why I'd like to fit a completely different design, if I can find one.

 

[Rum Run]

From the pic, it seems like there is a large O ring type seal. This may have hardened and no longer compress to make the seal. If so a new O ring could be sourced or made from a soft rubber. Bearing sellers frequently have the equipment to do this.

 

[Jonny A]

I already made a new seal but it still leaks, I think the fundamental design is poor :/

 

[Rum Run]

I already made a new seal but it still leaks, I think the fundamental design is poor :/

Is there supposed to be a seal where the lever go through the cover? Maybe a small O ring or similar, which could have failed. Alternatively use thick silicone grease in that area to seal the gap.

 

[Jonny A]

I can't find a way to remove the lever and it doesn't appear to be missing a seal.

I appreciate all the 'have you tried...' comments but frankly I want to rip it out and fit something better. I'm an engineer, and it isn't a good design. Does anyone know of any alternative deck-set lockers?

 

[Dellquay13]

I can't find a way to remove the lever and it doesn't appear to be missing a seal.

I appreciate all the 'have you tried...' comments but frankly I want to rip it out and fit something better. I'm an engineer, and it isn't a good design. Does anyone know of any alternative deck-set lockers?

Barton Marine Deluxe Inspection Cover

I’ve had a few of this style and none leaked if I kept the seal clean and a bit of Vaseline on the threads

 

[andsarkit]

I didn't want to make a big hole in the aft deck of my Co26 so I made up an oval locker that fits in the lazarette. It will take one Calor and one 907 cylinder. No need for the lid to be a perfect seal as the lazarette lid covers it.
As you already have the hole it is probably best to fix the seals. You can get soft neoprene seals from here:
Seals

 

[Jonny A]

I didn't want to make a big hole in the aft deck of my Co26 so I made up an oval locker that fits in the lazarette. It will take one Calor and one 907 cylinder. No need for the lid to be a perfect seal as the lazarette lid covers it.
As you already have the hole it is probably best to fix the seals. You can get soft neoprene seals from here:
Seals

Please can you send me some photos of your installation?

 

[pioneer]

My gas locker gets water into it via the drain hose if i forget to fit the bung into the drain pipe when I'm motoring. Might be worth a quick check before trying other fixes.

 

[doug748]

Looking at the lid just on the edge of the picture, is it some kind of rotating lug and cam locking system, is the lever leaving a hole in the lid?
I would consider changing to the screwdown hatch cover style?

https://d3gpbqyz2aphnw.cloudfront.n...eal-rwo-inspection-hatch-with-seal-28160.webp

Excellent, very good idea , as long as the re-engineering can be managed ok....
I have just inherited one of these dodgy bottle lockers

.

 

[NormanS]

The bottom rims of my Calor bottles sometimes develop traces of rust. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. Should it?

 

[Jonny A]

The bottom rims of my Calor bottles sometimes develop traces of rust. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. Should it?

If it's just the bottom rims, no. If it's the main part of the bottle itself and you're going to be using the same bottle for a long time, yes.