Propane Tanks on R29S 2020

R

R29Sunshine

Active member
Joined
Apr 8, 2020
Messages
25
Fluid Motion Model
C-30 S
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2915K920
Vessel Name
Sunshine
MMSI Number
368134630
I'm curious if anyone has had to replace their small propane tanks. If you have, where did you get them from? Is there a sku code to search for online? Which site did you use? I'm unable to locate them or they are not in stock everywhere I'm looking.....

Thanks,

Tim K
Sunshine
 
Hi Tim,

These tanks are Manchester Tank units, part number 10054TCTH.4

I suppose they may be available from other sources, but here is one to give you an idea of cost, etc.: Link

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ralf
 
I didn't replace, but I did purchase an extra from Ranger Tugs when I bought the boat. I wanted to have a dedicated tank for my Honda genset that I converted to propane- and a full spare for which ever tank empties first... I don't remember the price so I can't compare it to the price in the link provided by Ralf...
 
I bought two from AMZ last fall. they were $60 each. Brand was Flame King. Search 5 lb propane tank and just make sure it has the tapered base. I made a slight improvement to reduce rust on the base of the tank. Taped off the top 3/4 of the tank and sprayed several coats of white Flex seal on the bottom 1/4 of the tank.
 
I did the same, purchasing these tanks online. Manchester 5 lb, 1.2 gallon tank. The narrow base version. But I want to emphasize that I had to replace them because they had rusted so badly that the swimstep turned red. So for sure, coat them with a rubber latex coating on the base and I advise even adding additional gorilla tape or something else. They do not hold up well to having their feet in salt water.
 
I bought mine from Walmart online 5 lb tank. I just bought my 2nd replacement in about 5 years so I get 2 years life. The red swim step is my indicator lol and not particularly hard to clean up. This tank I’m going to rinse the locker and pat dry after an outing to see if I get a bit more life out of then.
 
Just ordered a 5 pound steel propane tank today for our RT 25 Classic. Got tired of the environmentally bad disposable 1 pound tanks for use on our Magma Chefsmate grill. Paid $52 including shipping from Overstock.com. Not branded but I don’t care about that.The tank should go almost a full season for us before needing a refill. Keeping it on the swimstep mounted on a rubber mat and only there during our cruises. Should pay for itself in two seasons.

PS: The 5 pound propane tanks from Overstock.com are Flame King branded. They are purged and ready to fill. I’ve looked for months and at $61.49, with a 15% off sale right now and free shipping I think these are a great deal!

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/5 ... n=60385231
 
Here in Florida, rust on the bottom of the propane tanks is a constant source of stain on our platform. Now I only take the tanks if we are overnighting and plan to use the stove. I have researched converting them to aluminum takes but have not located a suitable alternative. How well does the Flexseal hold up? Do you leave the tanks on the vessel? Have you eliminated rust stains that originate from the propane tank bottoms and drains onto the platform?
 
Two years out I have no rust on the bottom of the tanks and my swimstep remains white. I am planning to pull the tanks this fall and redcoat/retape them. When I remember to at wash down I open the propane locker and give it a good freshwater rinse.

BTW, the rust stains on the swimstep are easy to remove with On&Off, just wear gloves, clothes you don’t care about, and wash it down.
 
Florida_Cruiser":3g50mhl6 said:
Here in Florida, rust on the bottom of the propane tanks is a constant source of stain on our platform. Now I only take the tanks if we are overnighting and plan to use the stove. I have researched converting them to aluminum takes but have not located a suitable alternative. How well does the Flexseal hold up? Do you leave the tanks on the vessel? Have you eliminated rust stains that originate from the propane tank bottoms and drains onto the platform?
Click to expand...

I painted the bottom third of mine with Flexseal. Unfortunately, the circle mount in the bottom of the tank box is a tight fit and the Flexseal is not durable enough to withstand the rubbing. It cuts and peels easily. This winter I plan to buy new tanks and coat the bottom ring with truck bed liner paint. I’m hoping it is more durable.

On another note. Whatever paint you use do not paint over any tank labels or numbers. Many propane suppliers will not fill tanks if they can’t read the tank test/expiration dates etc.

Curt
 
My boat lives on its trailer in our driveway when out of the water... I don't have bottom paint and don't plan changing my m.o. with our pending R29S.

My question to those who keep their boats in the water and have bottom paint... is it durable enough to spray the bottom half of the propane tanks to withstand movement/fibration inside the propane locker to protect the cannister? If so, prep and paint the next time you bottom paint.

Bob
The Doghouse 2
 
Has anyone tried putting a hard rubber edge around the bottom tank ring? Wouldn’t help with rusting but would help eliminate the scratching into the bottom of the locker.
Something like this:

https://www.mcmaster.com/edge-liners/he ... stic-trim/

I used a hard rubber edge like the above in the cockpit of my airplane to keep from getting cut on sharp aluminum edges and it worked great.
 
Yes, Al... I did that plus enamel spray paint... still rusts in spots, just not as bad overall.

I also used plastic snap floor panels cut to fit bottom of locker... it all helps, just doesn't eliminate.

Nothing like periodic preventative maintenance or those spendy spun fiber resin tanks.

Bob
 
Is there a fiberglass tank available in the size we need? To avoid constantly cleaning up rust, and replacing tanks, I could justify the higher cost.
 
So far, I have had no luck finding one with a narrow base that would fit. Also, most have a diameter of 12” which also doesn’t fit in our lockers. If anyone finds them, let us know. I even looked for a small aluminum forklift tank, since they can rest on their side. Nothing. I think we are stuck with our rusting propane tanks.
 
As an alternative, I bought an adapter to fit a one pound propane can instead of the rusted 5 gallon tanks and a lot less weight. We live on our Ranger for over five years and use our stove every day for breakfast and dinner and the Coleman tank lasts over one month. When it runs out, it takes less than two minutes to replace. One trick I learned was to put a little marine grease on the threads so it doesn't rust I highly recommend this approach.

Ron and Libby
Tug O Heart
 
Florida_Cruiser":mxbku5rx said:
Is there a fiberglass tank available in the size we need? To avoid constantly cleaning up rust, and replacing tanks, I could justify the higher cost.
Click to expand...

I had this question too. I wonder if the tank sizes are the same across many different models of our boats. If they are, there would be an opportunity to a group buy of a custom tank size; this might become economical in the 100+ tank order size range and could be worth a reach-out to Viking Cylinders.
 
I went a different route and purchased a horizontal LPG tank from West Marine. Its a 10lbs Worthington and fits perfect. However, I needed to redo the regulator, pressure gauge configuration. No more rust.
 
Well, I missed that pricey little item ($429) on the Westmarine site. Curious about how you configured the pressure gage on this and if you had to order all new hardware there as well. This gets into the cost trade-off question that folks with batteries (AGM v wet cell) debate all the time. Cheaper just to replace the tanks periodically or take the expensive convenience?

And frankly, this isn’t even one boat buck ($1k), so it is not crazy expensive.

Thanks! To be considered when the current tanks start painting the swimstep red.

Jeff
 
Does the horizontal tank mount inside the propane locker and still leave room for the one gallon fuel can?
 
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