vent for the propane locker

  • July 03, 2011 5:51 PM
    Message # 641733
    Deleted user

    Hi all - I know I've read some threads for propane locker venting - perhaps Aaron and his cockpit solution? My horizontal tank is no long fillable - needs some overhaul before the dealers will fill it again. In looking into getting a small upright tank I was researching venting - my port side cockpit locker is vented to the cockpit scupper - not good as propane sinks right? What is the consensus out there about where the vent should be? I have an old vent from a port side diesel tank that is now relocated to the stbd side I could use but it is higher than the locker vent...same issue right?

  • July 03, 2011 11:15 PM
    Reply # 641869 on 641733
    Anonymous
    Rosemary, 

    The vent needs to be at the lowest point of the locker or container that holds the tanks and should vent directly out of the boat.  Ideally that would mean out of the side of the boat so that propane wouldn't gather in the bottom of the cockpit well.  I'm not sure if the cockpit well is actually a problem or not.  I've seen the other guys that just put the tanks there.  I guess the wind blows enough to spill the gases out.  

    Ideally though you'd vent over the side where there would be zero chance of the gas gathering in any area that someone might light a match or cause a spark. 

    Tate
  • July 04, 2011 9:30 AM
    Reply # 643621 on 641733
    Anonymous
    The boats that have the propane tank in the cockpit have cockpit drains that exit the boat above the waterline. ie they have been moved. The original Westsail plans called for cockpit drains below the waterline, these have to be moved to just above the waterline if you put the propane tank in the cockpit...... hope this helps
  • July 04, 2011 12:59 PM
    Reply # 643722 on 641733
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Hi Rosemary: Pygmalion W32 has her tanks mounted by the owner as shown below.  Possible weak points are that the doors should be sealed "gas" tight as the drain is just out board of the hull - not seen in this photo.   Also the boxes are some what exposed to stern seas.

    Hope this helps -- Aaron solution is very good also - and keeping leaking gas out of the boat is very important. 

    In the members area there is an FAQ entry from Jim Focha about his tanks.

    Jay

     

     

  • July 04, 2011 1:02 PM
    Reply # 643723 on 641733
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Rosemary Wilson wrote:

    Hi all - I know I've read some threads for propane locker venting - perhaps Aaron and his cockpit solution? My horizontal tank is no long fillable - needs some overhaul before the dealers will fill it again. In looking into getting a small upright tank I was researching venting - my port side cockpit locker is vented to the cockpit scupper - not good as propane sinks right? What is the consensus out there about where the vent should be? I have an old vent from a port side diesel tank that is now relocated to the stbd side I could use but it is higher than the locker vent...same issue right?

    PS just checked out your photo album and Kibitka is looking very good. 

    Jay

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