Propane Locker build

[jagizzi]

I am thinking about building a propane locker for the swim step on our R-23. This would simply be a place to store a propane tank, and possibly a gas can, outside of the cockpit, it would not be plumbed in to anything but would have a hose for connecting to the grill when needed.

I love the look of the Cutwater double tank propane locker but spending more than $600 seems overkill for my intended needs so my thought was to buy HDPE Marine plastic and basically fashion a lidded box sized to fit my needs.

Aside from including vents in the bottom and using the plastic bilge dry tiles to keep them off the wet bottom, are there any things that you folks can think of that should be taken into consideration here?

This seems to be a straightforward project but are there any issues that can arise that I might not be thinking about? I'd love to hear comments or ideas so please throw them my way.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Cutwater28GG]

if I was building this from scratch i would spec it to take an aluminum tank and not the steel ones. so much less hassle with rust stains.

 

[jagizzi]

That is a great consideration. I will have to look around for an aluminum tank.

Thanks

 

[Cutwater28GG]

what I found when I looked at Ali tanks is you cant really get one as compact as the manchester 5lb steel ones as wall strength means they are larger and different shaped.

I investigated whether a larger one laying down was a better way to go and just watch propane usage rather than have a spare.
also as they are more expensive than steel its more cost effective to buy one larger one 😀

some options
https://www.fisheriessupply.com/sitesearch.aspx?keyword=aluminum propane&sitesearch=true

 

[Cutwater28GG]

also dont forget you will need to install the correct approved gas solenoid switch if you don't have one for gas coming into the boat. if just for an external BBQ then you dont need to worry (to my knowledge) also make sure box has a drain for heavy propane gas to leak overboard if you have a leak.

if routing pipework into the boat you will need to follow the regs for pipework as well.

 

[jagizzi]

No piping into the boat so I am not planning on a solenoid. This is simply to allow for easy hookup to the rail mounted grill. I will connect and disconnect with every use.

 

[knotflying]

I think you will still need to vent it. propane is heavy, so if any should escape from the tank, for whatever reason, there is a possibility of explosion if the gas has no way to escape.

 

[jagizzi]

I will definitely vent it. I was thinking a couple of screened holes in the back of it on the bottom.

 

[Pourhouse]

I don't think the factory built unit on the rangers are vented that way.

 

[Dale777]

On my 2014 R31S, any venting in the propane locker must be very minor. The reason I say that is because when I remove the two propane tanks and gas container then wash down the interior of the locker with a full locker of fresh water, it takes a really long time for all the water to drain out.

 

[NorthernFocus]

To avoid the rust issue you might check out the fiberglass tanks, Not sure if they are same dimensions as steel or not. They look like they take a bit more space but I haven't actually looked at dimensions on them.

Regarding venting the box, you'll want a hole in the bottom as a water drain anyway. It can do double service as the vent.

 

[jagizzi]

I've heard that the fiberglass tanks can be hard to get filled in places due to the recall on some of them. I like them a lot but given the chance that filling might be a problem I will probably skip them for now. It is a shame as they are a great concept since you can see the level in the tank.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

yes id avoid the fibreglass. so many have failed testing. Go Aluminum

 

[rpmerrill]

Maybe install one (or more) of those flapper-valve scupper drain fittings ?

Laying the tank down: Don't use the tank when it is laying down. If you do it can feed liquid, to the BBQ burner. Not a good idea.

 

[Romakeme IV]

I use a cooler on my swim platform. It holds 2 - 5pd. tanks as well as several butane canisters. The water drain in the bottom provides a vent and the cooler offers the tanks some protection from the heat of the sun. I leave the mesh netting on the propane tanks - the one that comes on them when they are new. I also wrap each butane canister separately. Don't want metal cans banging into each other maybe causing sparks? The 2 5pd tanks with the butane canisters between them make a nice tight fit so they don't move around.

The one thing to consider is that it is getting difficult to find places that refill propane tanks. Because of insurance regulations a lot of places are going to the "leave an empty, take a full" type of service. This becomes a problem if you have an expensive special purpose tank(aluminum, composite, etc.). When we did the Trent Severn the only place we found that refilled tanks was in Coboconk. And that is a side trip on the Trent - also required a long walk with the tank to the local IGA.

Regards, Rob

 

[rehurst]

Ranger parts sells both a double and a double plus propane locker. The plus will also hold a small gas can with the two propane bottles. They charge about $375 for the large one. I do like the idea of using a cooler if you can find the right sized one. If it is mounted on the swim step, just a low drain hole would suffice. Do not place within the confines of the boat without proper over board venting. Be careful about the setup for the BBQ. The new valves in propane bottles now-a-days will sense that there is low pressure in the hose going to the BBQ and will shut down the flow!

 

[rehurst]

Re: Propane Locker build

Post by rehurst on Sat Feb 24, 2018 4:07 pm
Ranger parts sells both a double and a double plus propane locker. The plus will also hold a small gas can with the two propane bottles. They charge about $375 for the large one. I do like the idea of using a cooler if you can find the right sized one. If it is mounted on the swim step, just a low drain hole would suffice. Do not place within the confines of the boat without proper over board venting. Be careful about the setup for the BBQ. The new valves in propane bottles now-a-days will sense that there is low pressure in the hose going to the BBQ and will shut down the flow!

 

[jagizzi]

When I got a quote from Richard in parts it was $650, and the only one available was the plus, which won't fit on the 23.

I will go back again and see if things have changed.

 

[Smcavana]

We'd like to increase the propane capacity on our 2011 R27 Classic, as well as move the propane system out of the cockpit (under the seat in the stern) and onto the swimstep. Right now, we have a single 4.25 lb canister in a Seaward box which can't be secured in the locker without making it impossible to get the lid off. Is the Ranger/Cutwater swimstep double box available through the Factory for retrofit? Or has anyone looked at the Sure Marine (Seaward) box for a single 10 lb tank for mounting on the swimstep? That would double the capacity, but with only one propane container. We assume that means we'd have to carefully monitor consumption to avoid running out, but are there any other advantages/disadvantages we should consider? Also, does anyone use a propane crab cooker on the swimstep? We're leary of using one in the cockpit, but can't see how we're going to be able to cook all the crab we're going to catch on the small propane stove in the salon!

 

[knotflying]

A little off topic from the locker, but I carry an adapter that can be screwed onto the propane tank attachment qand youy can then screw on one of the small tanks used for the barbecue. In a pinch it works out just fine if you run out of gas. And one of those tanks will last a while depending on how much cooking you do.