Where is it safe to store 1lb propane cylinders for a Magma grill?

Lord Farringdon said:
Henry, the transom locker has drains to allow water to flow out which is a good thing. I have never tried it, but I sssume if I sprayed water in there, it wouldn't leak in to the engine room? That is to say, if a cylinder leaked, it would flow outside the boat and not inside the engine room? What's your thoughts?

Terry
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That was exactly my rationale. But I overlooked the access points for the electricity lines to the shore power plug and water lines to the water inlet, wash down tap and transom shower because they are behind partitions. These are even less air tight than the one under the wet bar, so unless the access holes are sealed, gas could settle back into the engine area.

Henry
 
Henry Boyd said:
That was exactly my rationale. But I overlooked the access points for the electricity lines to the shore power plug and water lines to the water inlet, wash down tap and transom shower because they are behind partitions. These are even less air tight than the one under the wet bar, so unless the access holes are sealed, gas could settle back into the engine area.

Henry
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Oh yes, of course. Good point!

Terry
 
Four Suns said:
Instead of moving them under the sink, why don't you productize your PVC idea and create a real "cylinder propane locker" to mount in the transom... with a vent that goes overboard. I'll buy one.
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I built an open crate that holds both my grill & 3 cylinders, and I just keep it on deck when we go out, and in the garage when I go home.

But now I'm thinking how simple it would be to mount a 4" piece of pvc, perforated, with 1 fixed and 1 removable end cap somewhere in the cockpit, or maybe the swim platform.... great idea!:smt038
 
For those with a livewell like on the 480, and don't fish, what about there? It is sealed from the bilge, with drains on the bottom that go directly overboard.

I was thinking of making a PVC pipe holder. I forget which size, 3" or 4", but I slipped a tank into a piece of pipe and it fit perfectly. I was thinking of capping one end with a small vinyl vent line. This line could be routed to vent somewhere safe. Then make some sort of easily removeable endcap for the other end.

The brass caps do seem like a great solution though, I have similar caps for garden hose fittings.
 
Greg said:
For those with a livewell like on the 480, and don't fish, what about there? It is sealed from the bilge, with drains on the bottom that go directly overboard.

I was thinking of making a PVC pipe holder. I forget which size, 3" or 4", but I slipped a tank into a piece of pipe and it fit perfectly. I was thinking of capping one end with a small vinyl vent line. This line could be routed to vent somewhere safe. Then make some sort of easily removeable endcap for the other end.

The brass caps do seem like a great solution though, I have similar caps for garden hose fittings.
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I use my livewell... but...

I did store them in there and that's when I had one leak on me. The back canvas was up and when I got on the boat, it smelled really bad. So I don't think when they leak, it all goes "downhill." I don't know if it could ever get to the LEL in the cockpit but it probably could in the livewell...
 
In a ziplock baggie and I put it in the sink. :thumbsup:

If the baggie expands I know that its a leakier then it will vent out the sink's drain if the baggie pops. .:smt001
 
Bucit said:
+1:huh:
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Maybe I didn't explain it as well as I should have. On the 280 behind the piece of carpet covered plywood under the wet bar on the aft end is a six (6) inch diameter hole in the deck directly over the the engine compartment. It is right above the holding tank. The plywood divider does not go all the way to the back of the wet bar, nor does it go all the way to the top. The draft you are getting is from air in the engine compartment. It is almost the same as storing the propane tanks in the engine compartment.

Henry
 
I did understand your post but I only keep it there for a short period of time. When we're home and the boat is on the lift I take them out along with the grill. I guess I can store them under the aft bench seat while I'm on the boat and remove when I get home.
 
This is a great topic that I never really considered! I used to leave a few under the bench seat in my old 260, sometimes for multiple seasons!!!:wow:

I currently have been leaving them in a cabinet under my hanging locker in the fwd bunk area. I guess I'll be changing that set-up this week when I get to the boat!!
 
Turtlesboat said:
I bought a few brass caps with rubber gaskets to put on the tanks. If the valve does leak, it won't leak out. I bought them at a camping supply store and they are made specifically for the 1lb tanks.
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This is what I have done. Cap them and put them under the sink and wet bar. I keep a dozen at home as I have a Magma Kettle on the back porch for torching steaks quickly for me and the Admiral. I have never had a problem and yes, I have unscrewed several that had pressure on them so they were leakers! Seems like they leaked once the regulator has been installed and removed. I have like 20 of them..lol Here it is at Camping World.... http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/propane-tank-brass-cap-2-pack/55148

Amazon.... http://www.amazon.com/Mac-Coupler-P..._1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1308068438&sr=8-1
 
I think it might be easier to list bad places to store your tanks vs. trying to come up with a good location. A "good location" will vary from boat to boat so it probably make more sense to post good locations in the individual official threads.

Sounds like we can sum it up by saying that any place that where the gas can creep into the engine room or cabin is a bad idea.
 
How about trying 4" PVC pipe capped on one end with a 4" cleanout cap on the other. No vent - if it leaks it will be contained by the PVC - even if you open it and the gas has escaped the cylinder(s) the PVC threads are sparkproof (unless you are smoking while doing it). You can make it hold one or multiple cylinders as needed.
 
jpk33 said:
How about trying 4" PVC pipe capped on one end with a 4" cleanout cap on the other. No vent - if it leaks it will be contained by the PVC - even if you open it and the gas has escaped the cylinder(s) the PVC threads are sparkproof (unless you are smoking while doing it). You can make it hold one or multiple cylinders as needed.
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That is basically what I was thinking, except I don't think the cleanout would seal that well if only hand tight, plus those PVC threads tend to be hard to remove by hand. I was thinking more of a rubber test cap. I would feel safer with the vent, so the pressure wouldn't cause a leak wherever one chooses to store this contraption. I think those bottles are close to 200 PSI, but I guess if the pipe is big enough, there won't be quite so much pressure inside. I guess it will be the half empty bottle that tends to leak anyway.

I do recall seeing a bag designed to hang on the bow rail for storing those cylinders. Might look nice hanging next to the fender racks.
 
I found this link when I googled Propane Storage Marine: http://www.boatingabc.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/483246/Marine_Grills.html

A10-210_LG.jpg


or
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http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...chanintel_google&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=41564
 
I keep two tanks in a section of 4" PVC pipe. A 1" section of 3" pipe sits between the two bottles and keeps them from banging into each other. At the bottom is a 4" to 3" reducer (leaving the bottom open to vent) and at the top is a cap (not glued). I ran a rope through the cap and down to a hole drilled in the reducer. This lets me hang the whole thing in the transom locker, with the bottom pointed towards the hole that the power cord runs out. If anything leaks, most if not all the gas should vent with no problem.

I do think I'm going to look for the brass caps Mike mentioned, seems like a good addition.

-CJ
 
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