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Proper location for propane tank

Posted: January 8th, 2022, 11:43 am
by B.Henry
Hello,

I have a 1986 Carver 4207. I am wondering where the proper location would be for the 20 pound propane tank. The previous owner has it under the cabinet on the back deck but it doesn't look proper.

Any suggestions and photos would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brad

Re: Proper location for propane tank

Posted: January 8th, 2022, 12:02 pm
by bud37
Here is a link to a good read on the subject.......

https://www.boatus.com/app/views/201812 ... a-boat.asp

Re: Proper location for propane tank

Posted: January 8th, 2022, 12:17 pm
by km1125
Outside the hull of the boat somewhere.

A 20lb tank is pretty big... what do you use it for? I usually carried around a few of the 1lb tanks for the grill, but they were either in the compartment below the grill (on the aft deck) or in the compartment on the bridge. If they leaked in either place, the fumes would end up overboard.

Re: Proper location for propane tank

Posted: January 8th, 2022, 1:49 pm
by B.Henry
I live aboard full time. The tank is connected to the stove/oven.

Re: Proper location for propane tank

Posted: January 8th, 2022, 1:54 pm
by B.Henry
bud37 wrote:Source of the post Here is a link to a good read on the subject.......

https://www.boatus.com/app/views/201812 ... a-boat.asp


Thanks bud37, That is a good read.

Re: Proper location for propane tank

Posted: January 16th, 2022, 10:58 am
by esailor
Hello Brad,
We have the 1990 4207. I have been looking for some time to upgrade the original electric appliances to LPG. I have not found an ideal space to build a locker or install an aftermarket locker and meet the ABYC installation requirements. Especially when you want to keep the standard 20lb tank which makes it easy to use the "tank exchange" vendors who are everywhere. The back deck on the 4207 creates challenges in providing direct access to the outside as most 4207s have a top and full enclosure. The LPG "space" should also open from the top via a gasketed cover. Would love to know if you have found a solution! A locker mounted outside the transom or attached to the deck half wall (outside) is one solution I am leaning towards. That leaves the dilemma of how to get the gas pipe forward through the aft cabin and keep it "accessible", another requirement.
I am also considering a smaller tank, perhaps horizontal that could go under the bridge "dome" over the front windows. The gas supply and locker drain could work down through the top deck and in the back of the galley cabinets to get to the space between the sink backsplash and outside hull, which could supply the gas to the galley equipment and provide a through hull for the locker drain. The bridge "dome" would have to have a hatch added to the top to allow top opening direct to the outside.

Thanks!
Ed

Re: Proper location for propane tank

Posted: January 16th, 2022, 3:46 pm
by Phrancus
gastankbun.jpg


Here's the gas-bun on our 1992 26.

What matters here;
- no connectors inaccesible, hard pipes through walls (with grommets to keep distance and lots of mounting points so it will not ever move, chafe, crack or bend) only the last bit can be a flexible hose to the stove. And in the (ventilated, easily accessible for shutting it off) bun to the gastank of course. And for those there are stainless steel versions too that need less often replacement over the years.

Of course you have your own rules and regulations to adhere to over there in the US or CA. I just want to warn you not to take LPG/propane/butane lightly. Campers, caravans use it all a lot but those are not build as buckets that hold it inside.


you need to have easy access to the tank itself to shut off supply when not cooking or heating. Because gas sinks to the floor and builds up, plenty of explosions happen each season.

There are electric shut off valves and you can use them to make it easy to get cooking: flip a switch, start cooking, finish and flip it to 'off'. In fact, a little bit of imagination and some hardware and you can make it smarter so that it shuts itself off after x time of no demand for gas.

However, always shut it off by hand completely overnight.