propane locker venting

[bostonhatteras]

well I took the plunge and replaced the 110v princess three burner range with a LPG princess three burner range. all has gone well with the retrofit, but i am deliberating one issue with the LPG locker. the locker is internally mounted, in the forward stateroom closet. the bottom of the locker is vented, as per abyc, to overboard. i have used 3/4 exhaust hose and bronze through hulls for this. the length of hose is about 2.5' and the LPG locker is about 18" above the waterline. the abyc also states that if mounted internally it should be as close to a portlight or open air as possible (paraphrased). since there is no portlight or open air in the closet i have contemplated installing another hose/throughhull set up that would have one of the through hulls just under the rub rail, the hose leading down to another through hull through the top-side portion of the LPG locker. this i believe would provide complete ventilation throught the LPG locker and thus completely meet all abyc regulations. conversely with air able to freely flow through, sea water could just as easily as air be swept into the locker under adverse conditions, whereas if there was no top vent the water would not be able to make it in as it would have to literally compress air to get in. so i put it debate, which method seems best? or perhaps i should say, safest!
thanks
russ

 

[mobilemn1]

well I took the plunge and replaced the 110v princess three burner range with a LPG princess three burner range. all has gone well with the retrofit, but i am deliberating one issue with the LPG locker. the locker is internally mounted, in the forward stateroom closet. the bottom of the locker is vented, as per abyc, to overboard. i have used 3/4 exhaust hose and bronze through hulls for this. the length of hose is about 2.5' and the LPG locker is about 18" above the waterline. the abyc also states that if mounted internally it should be as close to a portlight or open air as possible (paraphrased). since there is no portlight or open air in the closet i have contemplated installing another hose/throughhull set up that would have one of the through hulls just under the rub rail, the hose leading down to another through hull through the top-side portion of the LPG locker. this i believe would provide complete ventilation throught the LPG locker and thus completely meet all abyc regulations. conversely with air able to freely flow through, sea water could just as easily as air be swept into the locker under adverse conditions, whereas if there was no top vent the water would not be able to make it in as it would have to literally compress air to get in. so i put it debate, which method seems best? or perhaps i should say, safest!
thanks
russ

Is your electric princess in working order and servicable,,,if so I would be interested in it,,,,PM me if you would,,,,thanks, Daryl

 

[bostonhatteras]

yes it was installed as N.O.S. about 12 years ago. no rust, dents or other defects. it has been lightly used though. everything works with all manuals, pot holders and an extra rheostate switch and best of all no burns or scratchs on the wood top. better to call me tomorrow, Russ @ 781 334 6464.

 

[Beckytek]

Russ, I think a better solution to your problem would be to install a nice looking vent at the top of the locker door. They have nice looking teak ones. The air in the cabin would replace any leaving the locker. You could even leave a port open if you like. Much simpler than putting another hole in the hull. Ron

 

[stormchaser]

Ansd make sure that the vent hose at the bottom has a downward angle as it goes out. If there is a leak, the gas will gravity feed to the loest point. The loest point in the locker needs to be the opening/hose, then ti needs to continue further downward to the through hull.

If you want outside air, which is definitelythe safest..what about installing a solar vent to outside rather than a full portlight? Something like this:

 

[bostonhatteras]

thanks for the replies. i believe the abyc regs are intending to keep the cabin air from ever mixing with the air in the LPG locker becouse LPG is heavier than air, hence any escaping would fall to the bilge, potentially being explosive. i have no intention of installing another portlight or door louvers, but am considering a higher, secondary vent to allow convection to purge the, otherwise, airtight LPG locker. maybe the bottom vent is enough.
thanks again
Russ

 

[Daybreak]

Hey Russ,

I installed a new propane locker under the seat forward of the flybridge station. It is completely sealed with just one vent line out, abiet at a much higher location than yours. The point is that it only has one vent, no need to circulate air, just turn off the tank after each use. If you are anything like me, you may be putting a bit more brain power behind this than necessary.
Then again I am World Famous for solving a two dollar problem with a ninty dollar solution.

Ben

 

[bostonhatteras]

ben thanks for that answer. i also have been contemplating whether i was over thinking the problem. so your statement is quite appropriate. how long is your LPG supply hose? weren't you concerned with long runs and the possibility of chafing? the shortest hose run possible was my rational for for mounting the LPG locker where i did.
thanks again
Russ

 

[Daybreak]

Russ,

My supply line is about 8 feet long. It has no joints in it other than the tank and appliance ends and I reduced the possibility of chaffing by using proper protection to near zero. I really don't think about it that much. I've had a 2.5 gallon tank in for three years that hasn't emptied yet. When I'm finished cooking I turn off the tank and burn out the last bit of gas from the line so there is no pressure.

Ben

 

[bostonhatteras]

i assume you have a 'galley up' design, hence the tank on the flying bridge. i have a galley down and would have had to route the hose through the engine room among other areas to have the tank on the bridge. believe me i did think about it.
thanks again
russ