Propane System Design

[NorthernFocus]

We are retrofitting our 2008 R25 with a propane stove. Where is the propane tank typically located? And where do you put the propane alarm sensor?

 

[pleeson]

Propane is heavier than air. Best spot for the tank(s) is in a vented enclosure on the swim deck and the sensor should go in the lowest spot in the cabin - likely your lower berth.

 

[tugnnaweigh]

I use propane on my 2008 R25 to occasionally run a barbecue and heater in the cockpit and I keep a 2 gallon bottle just below the cockpit light switch. In a plumed in situation such as yours a "sealed to the inside, vented to the outside" cabinet is what's needed for the propane bottle with top notch plumbing between bottle and appliance.

For example, on RVs you'll often see an exterior cabinet door with louvers in it and a buncha no smoking stickers, that's the bottle in there and on boats you often see a propane bottle just outside, up on top or towards the stern. I think some R29s and R31s have the propane stored in a cabinet I've seen pictures of on the swim step.

The goal is to never have even the possibility of propane leaking into any portion of the interior, can't emphasis that enough...

Hope this helps!

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Dan:

In addition to all this good advice you might call Andrew or Kenny at the factory in Kent and get there input, as they've probably done this before.

Jim

 

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the replies so far. One thing that would be nice to hear from a boat equipped w/propane is where the tank is and having used the boat would you put it there or elsewhere given your druthers. It's amazing how quickly you run out of space on a 25ft boat...

The other thing is where the penetration is made from exterior to interior and what sort of fitting is used. I'd prefer not to use a typical bulkhead fitting because that's a threaded connection w/direct access to the bilge(aka machinery space) if it works loose or fails.

And also if anyone can tell me where the alarm sensor is located. Presumably it's in the bilge somewhere?

No need reinventing the wheel unless there's a good reason. Plus for resale I've found that the more it's laid out like a factory boat, the better.

 

[pleeson]

You want an alarm sensor in the cabin in case the line to, or the fittings of the stove cop a leak, or the burner continues leaking gas when the control is off. This would be the one to put in the lower berth. Whether you put one in the bilge will depend where you run the lines, and whether the tank is placed inside the cockpit or outside, on the swim deck.

 

[NorthernFocus]

You want an alarm sensor in the cabin in case the line to, or the fittings of the stove cop a leak, or the burner continues leaking gas when the control is off. This would be the one to put in the lower berth. Whether you put one in the bilge will depend where you run the lines, and whether the tank is placed inside the cockpit or outside, on the swim deck.

Thanks for the input. Sounds like an ex rag boater. I'm not concerned about in the cabin. That risk is simply managed with the valve at the tank. And the nose. The bilge is low probability but high risk and difficult to detect other than with a remote sensor. Locating the sensor where it is effective but stays dry is my biggest concern. No experience with the boat yet so don't know where all the drips show up.

 

[knotflying]

On my R-27 the sensor is installed near the floor below the stove. The sensor control and switch are just to the left of the sink on the side of the cabinet that juts out. The propane tank is in a sealed locker below the stern seat In the locker and vented through the stern just above the water line. The later models have a locker on the swim platform.

 

[NorthernFocus]

OK thanks. I assume the sensor is in the same location on the newer boats?