How often do you change lpg/butane piping on your boat?

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srah1953

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I'd like to know how often people change the lpg/butane piping on their boat? Where I'm based marine gas fitters are non-existant. Rather than looking for advice where people might feel obliged to state best practice, I'd just like to know how often boat owners change the piping.
Thank you very much in advance.
 
srah1953 said:
I'd like to know how often people change the lpg/butane piping on their boat? Where I'm based marine gas fitters are non-existant. Rather than looking for advice where people might feel obliged to state best practice, I'd just like to know how often boat owners change the piping.
Thank you very much in advance.
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Hoses I endeavour to change every 5 years , but do tend to exceed that. I was frightened however by the deterioration of a length of unused LP hose after about 20 years.

I do not expect to have to change the rigid , copper, pipework which has been installed well out of reach of salt water. is properly supported to prevent fatigue and not subject to chafe
 
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VicS said:
Hoses I endeavour to change every 10 years , but do tend to exceed that. I was frightened however by the deterioration of a length of unused LP hose after about 20 years.

I do not expect to have to change the rigid , copper, pipework which has been installed well out of reach of salt water. is properly supported to prevent fatigue and not subject to chafe
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Agreed, but check it is properly clipped and supported along its entire length. Copper is soft, and vibration can cause hardening and cracking of unsupported lengths.
 
If you haven't an inline bubble tester then I'd recommend one, simple but effective and gives peace of mind (as long as you use it!)
 
VicS said:
I am afraid you are wrong. It is the date of manufacture, at least in the UK

Are you suggesting it is different in the ROI ?
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Quite right.

I had a barny with a local chandler who was selling hose already two years old. The LP orange hose was clearly marked with its date of manufacture.

I went online, asked a question, and bought some from Northern Ireland, which had a far more recent date.
 
I've just changed my regulator and flexible hose. I took the opportunity to take the old reg to bits as I had an oily residue in the low pressure outlet and wanted to see where it came from, anyone any ideas?
Note: LP outlet is at top of Photo
Gas Reg 1.jpg
 
rotrax said:
Quite right.

I had a barny with a local chandler who was selling hose already two years old. The LP orange hose was clearly marked with its date of manufacture.

I went online, asked a question, and bought some from Northern Ireland, which had a far more recent date.
Click to expand...

I experienced similar buying hose from a local camping suppliers. Best to go somewhere with a bigger stock turn over

BTW I prefer the black LP hose for low pressure connections. It fits onto the Fulham nozzles more easily. There is a different design of nozzle for the HP hose
 
VicS said:
I am afraid you are wrong. It is the date of manufacture, at least in the UK

Are you suggesting it is different in the ROI ?
Click to expand...

I know nothing of the ROI, and will have to look again at the dates on mine which are UK bought hose. I replaced mine last year and bought the hose from a big local gas supplier so as to ensure getting recently made hose.
 
LadyInBed said:
I've just changed my regulator and flexible hose. I took the opportunity to take the old reg to bits as I had an oily residue in the low pressure outlet and wanted to see where it came from, anyone any ideas?
Note: LP outlet is at top of Photo
View attachment 78629
Click to expand...

This is a well-known problem with HP hoses from the bottle to a bulkhead regulator, as fitted in motorhomes and caravans. Some hydrocarbon liquid slops into the hose where it can leach out plasticisers. These waxy deposits then bung up the regulator. I have not come across it in LP systems but suppose it might be possible in a yacht with far greater angles of heel. I bought stainless steel HP hoses for my van to avoid the problem.
 
I have recently queried the same thing with my supplier and with the RYA. I consider the manufacturing date on the flexible pipe to be a bit misleading. There is no age requirement but there is a recommendation of 5yrs of USE. You are expected to inspect the hose and change it when necessary. However your insurer / surveyor / gas engineer may have other ideas that you have to comply with to satisfy your insurer. Some of these may make recommendations that the insurer turns into a requirement. You do write the date of first use of gas hose on the hose don't you.
 
My boat has stainless steel rigid piping, all one length no joins.

I change the flexible orange gas hoses at each end - to regulator and to gymballed cooker - every winter.

It costs buttons from a caravan shop.
 
You do write the date of first use of gas hose on the hose don't you.[/QUOTE]

Write with what? Ink could damage the hose.
And why?
Test the orange hose by bending is over. Any sign of perishing then replace it.
If a hose is not exposed to daylight it could last decades.
 
Brilliant idea to save a quid or so !

The expiry date is printed on hose as previously mentioned, get new hose regularly - if a couple of jubilee clips are beyond you, you shouldn't be allowed out of the attic let alone running a boat with gas aboard :)
 
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