Installed an oven yourself?

[Gordonmc]

By the look of the galley the boat looks to be quite modern so it may be possible to speak to other owners or the manufacturer to find out where gas bottle stowage is normal. I would go with others in saying it shouldn't be in a battery compartment.
I had to install a gas supply to replace a US propane system - rubber pipe throughout and humungous tanks on the deck.
There was no dedicated gas locker so I mounted a fibreglass box big enough for two 3Kg bottles on the after deck. I used plastic encapsulated copper pipe in one run to the galley with only one bulkhead fitting where the pipe enters the aft cabin. I also installed a supply solenoid in the run so the gas can be turned off at the bottle from the galley.
The OP has done the right thing by asking pertinent questions before starting the project. I would advise that the location of bottle stowage has to be settled before all else.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

dont be silly, who has been asked for one

You would be surprised or perhaps not

 

[rob2]

There are a number of acceptable ways to fit a gas supply in a boat, but the most important thing not yet mentioned is to minimise the number of joints so as to reduce the risk level of leaks. Yes, the bottle should be in a gas-tight locker with overboard drain, but that is not always possible particularly in older boats. Some people compromise on the gas-tight issue, but it is important that should the regulator leak there is no path for the gas to get into the bilges. Remember the gas is heavier than air and will happily seep down through the smallest gaps.

Best practice is to use copper pipe for the main run of the supply, suitably supported at regular intervals and preferrably protected from gear being thrown into lockers, etc. but don't hide it away if you can avoid it - better to be able to inspect it from time to time. In the gas locker, a short flexible hose is used to connect from the regulator to the copper pipe or a bulkhead mounted regulator may be straight onto the end of the solid pipe with flexible, high-pressure "pigtails" to the bottle. Feeding through bulkheads, etc. can either be done by fitting grommets to stop the pipe wearing against the side of the hole or by drilling through a bulkhead fitting and substituting rubber o-rings for the normal olives allowing a continuous run of pipe, supported against vibration. At the gas stove itself, the solid pipe should be terminated with a gas tap (ideally located where you can reach it without leaning over the flames!) and then a flexible pipe, max 1m, to allow for the movement on the gimbles. The flexible hoses need to be regularly inspected for chafe and replaced every few years (both at the cooker and at the regulator end). IIRC the pipe on the Plastimo cooker is 8mm, so match the tap fittings and you can use a flexible hose assembly with swaged compression fitting ends.

The BSS regulations do not apply to sea-going vessels, but they do demonstrate best practice so it's worth getting as close to compliance as you can.

If you're not confident about fitting it, either find an experienced friend to help out or by all means get a professional in. But you can save some money even then by agreeing the layout beforehand and doing some of the donkey work so the pro only has to connect up and test.

Rob.

 

[lw395]

I would look at building a sealed locker for the gas bottle, with drain overboard.
Basically, you want to be convinced that if the regulator or bottle connection fails, none of the gas will get into the enclosed spaces of the yacht. Do not rely on the notion that gas is heavy and will always drain downwards, it will go in all directions.
You might be able to cut a new hatch in the deck and mount a locker below it.
The locker should be big enough for bottle, spare bottle and not much else!
The bottles need to be lashed down to prevent stressing the connections in weather.

You also want a shut off valve close to the cooker.
IMHO this should be visible, not hidden in a locker, that way the skipper will notice when the crew has left it on, and it stands a chance of being turned off whenever the stove is not in use.
The pipe run in the locker etc needs to be safe from damage from all the junk that people will cram into lockers moving about in rough weather. Personally, I like to be able to see it and inspect it more than once a year.

You could always get a gas fitter to make the actual connections if you are not sure, after doing the pipe runs etc yourself.

Please don't be offended if this reply and some of the others sound a bit terse, we want to be helpful but some of us are wary of encouraging people to take on things like gas, we would feel responsible if you get it badly wrong!

 

[Tim Good]

Thanks everyone for the replies! This is a really good thread with some sound advice!

 

[Quandary]

Gas fittings

If you are looking for gas fittings, can I recommend Hamilton Gas Products in Bangor, NI. on line shop at www.gasproducts.co.uk
Their prices including delivery are competive and delivery is prompt, for instance an Alde marine bubble tester is about £15 cheaper than from elsewhere (Southampton!) and comes with both hose and compression connections.
Interestingly, the olives supplied by Alde are BRASS? and appear to be turned with a tapered end at one side and an outward stepped profile at the other.

 

[VicS]

If you are looking for gas fittings, can I recommend Hamilton Gas Products in Bangor, NI. on line shop at www.gasproducts.co.uk
Their prices including delivery are competive and delivery is prompt, for instance an Alde marine bubble tester is about £15 cheaper than from elsewhere (Southampton!) and comes with both hose and compression connections.

Also check http://www.bes.co.uk/ esp for basic fittings and valves etc

 

[Caer Urfa]

So if I only have one locker and that's where the battery is I'm kinda stuff aren't it? What options do I have other than having the bottle in the cabin?

Agree with others a gas bottle inside the cabin is a BIG no no.

I also had a problem in sealing a cockpit locker for the gas bottle installation so to be 100% sure I bought a custom made certified gas locker and built it in.

However the new gas locker itself also has a 19mm declining drain to the outside of the boat, all the system is monitored via a Gas bubble leak detector, the flexible stainless steel braided hose from the 8mm copper pipework (from the cooker to the aft locker) to the gas cooker is 750mm long.

Hope this helps and do not take any risks!!

Mike

Locker before installation

Locker after Installation

Gas bottle locker control and gas Bubble detector

 

[Croak]

No way of dividing the battery locker in two?

 

[PaulJS]

Move the battery?

Might be worthwhile considering moving the battery. Even if this means putting it in the accommodation, any gas it vents off during charging will be hydrogen which, being lighter than air will tend to escape from the cabin.

As other posters have said, I would advise getting a certified professional to make and test the gas connections at the very least. If you aren't confident in doing the installation it's just too big a gamble.

Paul

 

[Tim Good]

Locker before installation

Locker after Installation

Gas bottle locker control and gas Bubble detector

Hey Mike, that's a neat setup! That said, I wouldn't have expected anything less from you consider how well youve done the rest of CU!

I'm going to start taking some measurements to see where a locker can fit. Someone told me that many scandinavians put their bottle in their anchor locker, held tight by an adjustable strap. Makes sense I suppose but oly if I have plenty of space. Will review next time I am down there

 

[Tranona]

There are drawbacks to using the anchor locker. There is unlikely to be space unless the locker was designed to take it (as many Scandinavian boats are) and the bottles get corroded very easily. You may find running the pipe more difficult from that end of the boat, rather than from the rear.

 

[shaunksb]

When I was in North Wales I found it difficult to locate a Marine Gas fitter.

Does anyone know of a register or alternatively one that might cover Canvey Island or Burnham on Crouch?



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[VicS]

When I was in North Wales I found it difficult to locate a Marine Gas fitter.

Does anyone know of a register or alternatively one that might cover Canvey Island or Burnham on Crouch?



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Unless anyone can come up with some recommendations

Look at the Gas Safe Register website http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/ for a Registered Business locator. Go to the advanced options page and specify "lpg" and "boats"

 

[Caer Urfa]

When I was in North Wales I found it difficult to locate a Marine Gas fitter.

Does anyone know of a register or alternatively one that might cover Canvey Island or Burnham on Crouch?
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Hope you checked your bank balance first, they charges about £60 hr, it's not rocket science to fit it yourself , but will take longer, wait till you see the quote !!! it may be cheaper to change the boat!!

Mike