Using an electric blanket to keep gas cylinder warm.

[fredrussell]

Big no no? I realise putting something electric in the gas locker might not be the wisest move, but I am trying to think of a better way to keep my gas working through the winter. It’s a small gas locker that will only hold campinggaz butane cylinders, so propane not an option, unless it’s kept outside of locker - attached to pushpit, say.

Electric blankets are very low wattage (as low as 20 watts or so) so would be fine via an inverter. I’m in a marina but do not have hookup so plug in kettle not an option. The other day I had to go through the horrific ordeal of not being able to make my morning cup of tea. I’ve recovered now but might not be able to stand it a second time.

 

[sarabande]

Butane has a boiling point around 0C; propane around -40C. Some butane has a bit of propane mixed in with it.

A small propane bottle on deck for when it's really chilly ?

The burners on the stove and regulator will normally cope with both two gases.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Why not try re-usable hand warmers? https://eartheasy.com/redo-reusable-hand-warmer/
Drop a couple of them in the gas locker, and once done regenerate them. No chance of ignition.

 

[johnalison]

I think that the Darwin Award for 2018 has already been given but candidates for 2019 will surely be welcome.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

I think that the Darwin Award for 2018 has already been given but candidates for 2019 will surely be welcome.

I've used electric blankets on complex gas mixtures used to calibrate gas chromatographs. Similarly, electric trace heating on gas sample lines. Admittedly Ex rated equipment.

 

[Stemar]

A propane adapter plus propane bottle is the solution unless you're in Siberia or northern Canada.

Probably not a lot dearer to buy than the leccy blanket solution and next to no additional running costs thereafter. I think you'd have to be very unlucky to have a problem with the blanket, but...

 

[Caer Urfa]

Hi Fred
Had the same problem with Camping gaz bottle and locker but wrapped mine with a camping bed ground sheet material bought from Aldi and it worked all winter
wrapping it in any sort of electrical cover to me is a 100% no no

View attachment 75558 View attachment 75557

 

[langstonelayabout]

I'd suggest you change to propane.

My last boat had one of the 'marine' regulators and used one of the 2-burner and a grill cookers from Marine Superstore. The marine regulator copes with pressure of either gas.

Changing from one gas to the other is simply the changing of the bottle and the flexible adaptor hose tail that screwed between the regulator and bottle.

Obviously you'll need a suitable Gas Safe survey to confirm all is OK. They will give you a Gas Safe certificate that your insurance co will be pleased to see. (but you should be doing this anyway: it's for your confidence & safety, not anyone else's)

Cooker: https://www.marinesuperstore.com/cookers-hobs/hobs/neptune-hob-and-grill-4500

Regulator: https://www.socal.co.uk/p/4009/mari...e-bulkhead-regulator-30mb-bs-en-16129-annex-m

Hose tail: https://www.socal.co.uk/p/709510/cy...ose-w20-x-quick-fit-pol-bs-en-16436-1-class-3

 

[elton]

Hi Fred
Had the same problem with Camping gaz bottle and locker but wrapped mine with a camping bed ground sheet material bought from Aldi and it worked all winter
wrapping it in any sort of electrical cover to me is a 100% no no

View attachment 75558 View attachment 75557

I can imagine that will work just fine. A lot more energy has to be lost to freeze a liquid to a solid, than simply lowering the temperature of a liquid. Google "latent heat of fusion" to learn more.

 

[sailorman]

Big no no? I realise putting something electric in the gas locker might not be the wisest move, but I am trying to think of a better way to keep my gas working through the winter. It’s a small gas locker that will only hold campinggaz butane cylinders, so propane not an option, unless it’s kept outside of locker - attached to pushpit, say.

Electric blankets are very low wattage (as low as 20 watts or so) so would be fine via an inverter. I’m in a marina but do not have hookup so plug in kettle not an option. The other day I had to go through the horrific ordeal of not being able to make my morning cup of tea. I’ve recovered now but might not be able to stand it a second time.

Go 4 a Propane affixed / lashed to the stern rail & 1/3rd of the price too

 

[VicS]

Hi Fred
Had the same problem with Camping gaz bottle and locker but wrapped mine with a camping bed ground sheet material bought from Aldi and it worked all winter
wrapping it in any sort of electrical cover to me is a 100% no no

View attachment 75558 View attachment 75557

But the liquid butane requires heat to vaporize ( 386000 J/kg ) normally this comes from the air and the surroundings. If you insulate the cylinder where does the heat come from?

I can imagine that will work just fine. A lot more energy has to be lost to freeze a liquid to a solid, than simply lowering the temperature of a liquid. Google "latent heat of fusion" to learn more.

Freezing doesn't come into this. Butane freezes at -138C.

 

[Cardinal]

When I lived in a caravan at some altitude in Yorkshire in the mid seventies, I used to boil a kettle last thing and pour the boiling water into my thermos so that I could thaw the regulator in order to boil the kettle for morning tea. That seemed to work.

 

[vyv_cox]

On the rare occasions that the temperature afloat is low enogh for butane not to gas off, boil a kettle the night before and fill a vacuum flask. In the morning pour the hot water over the regulator and bottle. This worked for me in -10C in central France.

 

[vyv_cox]

When I lived in a caravan at some altitude in Yorkshire in the mid seventies, I used to boil a kettle last thing and pour the boiling water into my thermos so that I could thaw the regulator in order to boil the kettle for morning tea. That seemed to work.

Posted at exactly the same time. Snap!!

 

[Caer Urfa]

But the liquid butane requires heat to vaporize ( 386000 J/kg ) normally this comes from the air and the surroundings. If you insulate the cylinder where does the heat come from?



Freezing doesn't come into this. Butane freezes at -138C.

It worked for 15 years

 

[fredrussell]

Cheers all, I’ll try insulating bottle and if that doesn’t work I’ll get a propane bottle and lash it to the pushpit.

 

[JumbleDuck]

On the rare occasions that the temperature afloat is low enogh for butane not to gas off ...

It's generally not the ambient temperature which prevents evaporation, but the further drop in temperature resulting from the initial evaporation.

 

[vyv_cox]

It's generally not the ambient temperature which prevents evaporation, but the further drop in temperature resulting from the initial evaporation.

Yes. We had big problems with this in the motorhome last winter. Unlike UK, Spanish autogas is about 50/50 butane/propane. After the propane had gassed off the butane remained. We could start our heating first thing after cold nights but it would only run for a few minutes. Bottle temperature noticeably lower than ambient.

 

[Kwik Decision]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the easiest solution to this, and incidentally the reason gas lockers must have a good drain over the side. Simply pee on the gas bottle as you get up, and it will be plenty warm enough to boil your morning kettle. ����

 

[Kwik Decision]

Being a little more serious, pouring a bucket of sea water over the bottle may we'll help, as the sea water temperature is generally above the air temp on a frosty morning.