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01-06-2021, 10:33 AM
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#1
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Guru
City: Saint Petersburg
Vessel Name: Weebles
Vessel Model: 1970 Willard 36 Trawler
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 7,179
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Recommendation please: Propane Solenoid/Switch?
Due to refit, my propane system is a blank slate. My propane locker has room for two 20# cylinders. I have a Seaward 3-burner stove/oven beneath the propane locker; and a BBQ grill that is right next to the propane locker.
Questions for the collective TF wisdom:
1. Propane Switch/Solenoid -
- with or without fume detector? I'm thinking keeping the detector separate
- recommendation for brand? I see Trident, but also see they get so-so reviews
- Any reason not to use a commercially available 12v solenoid and just run a switch with indicator light?
2. Regulator recommendation - two tank with switchable source (one tank or the other).
Thanks in advance -
Peter
__________________
_______________________________________
Cruising our 1970 Willard 36 trawler from California to Florida
Join our Instagram page @MVWeebles to follow along
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01-06-2021, 11:27 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
City: Solomons MD.
Vessel Name: Sun Runner
Vessel Model: 1985 Mainship 34 Trawler MK III
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 488
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I'd make sure the solenoid was rated for propane. Didn't see that in the link. Something to check.
On our RV I found out the regulator would automatically switch to the other tank when one was empty. Nothing like having 2 empty tanks... Just something else to look at.
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01-06-2021, 11:48 AM
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#3
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Guru
City: Coupeville Wa.
Vessel Name: Pacific Myst
Vessel Model: West Bay 4500
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,415
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I like this one
Fireboy Xintex Propane (LPG) Fume Detector w/Solenoid Valve
Served well as a full time liveaboard for 3 yrs.
__________________
Some things are worth doing simply because they are worth doing.
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01-06-2021, 11:55 AM
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#4
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Valued Technical Contributor
City: Litchfield, Ct
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,786
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I don't like integrated fume detectors that shut off the solenoid when propane fumes are detected. They often fail. If you have to have one, make it separate.
Trident sells a package consisting of a propane solenoid and pressure gauge which is what I would use. Make sure that your tee for the BBQ is inside the locker and all hoses run continuously from the locker to the user, ie no fittings inside your boat.
David
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01-06-2021, 12:01 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: Southport, FL near Panama City
Vessel Name: FROLIC
Vessel Model: Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,984
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Portage_Bay
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I installed this one too. My twin cylinder locker came from West Marine, switchable single regulator. Two gas sensors, one behind the propane/110 VAC refrigerator and one below it in the engine room.
We cooked with electric. In your case, think about a refit to propane refrigeration. It's a liberating experience.
__________________
Rich Gano
FROLIC (2005 MainShip 30 Pilot II)
Panama City area
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01-06-2021, 12:22 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island
Vessel Name: Capricorn
Vessel Model: Mariner 30 - Sedan Cruiser 1969
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 2,019
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Nothing like having 2 empty tanks...
Better a manual switch over. I have a 20 and 11 pound tank. I switch to the 11 when the 20 has run out. I fill the 11 before it runs out of propane. This way there is no surprise discovering I have no propane at all. And if you have room and are cheap, purchase a cheap small convection oven and a single burner induction top and use these two items when cooking using shore power thus saving propane.
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01-06-2021, 01:08 PM
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#7
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Guru
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,037
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Solly
I'd make sure the solenoid was rated for propane. Didn't see that in the link. Something to check.
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The generic valve in the link above should work fine as it has a viton seal which is a good choice for propane according to my chemical compatibility chart (which is the chart we used at the company I worked for that designed and manufactured solenoid valves).
__________________
Jay Leonard
Ex boats: 1983 40 Albin trunk cabin, 1978 Mainship 34 Model 1
New Port Richey, Fl
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01-06-2021, 02:53 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: AZZURRA
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 54
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,309
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https://www.fireboy-xintex.com/s2a/
This is the system I have used for 15 years. If something fails it turns the system off. If it detects fumes it turns the system off. If it looses power, it turns the system off. I can manually turn the solenoid off if desired.
The weak ness is with the fume detectors. They eventually go bad and it turns the solenoid off. Unplug the fume detector and the system goes back to functioning.
I am not sure if this model is still in production but a newer version might have solved the issue of failing fume detectors over time.
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01-06-2021, 05:42 PM
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#9
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tiltrider1
https://www.fireboy-xintex.com/s2a/
This is the system I have used for 15 years. If something fails it turns the system off. If it detects fumes it turns the system off. If it looses power, it turns the system off. I can manually turn the solenoid off if desired.
The weak ness is with the fume detectors. They eventually go bad and it turns the solenoid off. Unplug the fume detector and the system goes back to functioning.
I am not sure if this model is still in production but a newer version might have solved the issue of failing fume detectors over time.
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Me too...flawless for 8 years now.
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01-06-2021, 06:12 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Grand Rapids, MI
Vessel Name: Escape
Vessel Model: 1973 Concorde 41 DC
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 782
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Portage_Bay
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A little more expensive than the Trident but it's what I use. Local company here in Grand Rapids so I'm a little biased. I don't see any point in having a separate detector and control. The combined version shuts off the gas when a leak is detected so it even works unattended. Separate them and you might come home to a hole in the water where your boat used to be.
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01-06-2021, 06:17 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Grand Rapids, MI
Vessel Name: Escape
Vessel Model: 1973 Concorde 41 DC
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 782
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rsn48
Nothing like having 2 empty tanks...
Better a manual switch over. I have a 20 and 11 pound tank. I switch to the 11 when the 20 has run out. I fill the 11 before it runs out of propane. This way there is no surprise discovering I have no propane at all. And if you have room and are cheap, purchase a cheap small convection oven and a single burner induction top and use these two items when cooking using shore power thus saving propane.
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I have one of those auto switch units too. After running out of gas in both tanks I now keep the backup tank turned off with the manual tank valve. The extra cost of the auto switch is wasted, I have to open the locker to open the second tank, I might as well have to switch over a single regulator instead. Next time I'll do two tanks with a single regulator that I swap when needed.
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01-06-2021, 06:27 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Quebec
Vessel Name: Bleuvet
Vessel Model: Custom Built
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,375
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I have 2 tanks, 1 regulator and I replace the tank by the other one when empty. Anyway I will have to take it out to refill it so this has to be done. No solenoid either, I planned to install one in the first place but get use to open/close the tank when I do not use it. Manual is more reliable for me, I open it when start cooking and close it when done, not a big deal as tanks are easily accessible, simple.
L
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01-06-2021, 06:44 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
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No recommendation on the valve, but when considering a propane stove for my boat, I thought about using a spring wound timer switch. They're offered in a number of different time values, but I thought the 60 minute value was a good choice. While it goes to 60 minutes, you could choose a lesser value. Situations change on a boat. Having an auto time off seemed like a good safety feature.
https://www.intermatic.com/en/in-wal...timers/fd60mac
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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01-06-2021, 07:12 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Saint Petersburg
Vessel Name: Weebles
Vessel Model: 1970 Willard 36 Trawler
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 7,179
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Quote:
Originally Posted by O C Diver
No recommendation on the valve, but when considering a propane stove for my boat, I thought about using a spring wound timer switch. They're offered in a number of different time values, but I thought the 60 minute value was a good choice. While it goes to 60 minutes, you could choose a lesser value. Situations change on a boat. Having an auto time off seemed like a good safety feature.
https://www.intermatic.com/en/in-wal...timers/fd60mac
Ted
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Thanks Ted. I like this suggestion. After years of digital timer switches at home, I've reverted to plain mechanical switches like these.
__________________
_______________________________________
Cruising our 1970 Willard 36 trawler from California to Florida
Join our Instagram page @MVWeebles to follow along
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01-07-2021, 07:37 AM
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#15
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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The mechanical switch should be pared with a good quality off/on switch , and a red light that is easy to see should be on when the gas is on.
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01-07-2021, 08:16 AM
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#16
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Enigma
City: Slicker?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 16,566
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Greetings,
We also have a Xintex unit (Mr. t's post #8). I check the sensor on a regular basis with a BIC lighter in the gas locker. Works as advertised. Going on 8 years, as well.
__________________
RTF
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01-11-2021, 11:00 AM
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#17
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Guru
City: San Francisco
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,094
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Propane solenoid valves are available from industrial suppliers at about 1/3 the cost of a marine supplier. In most cases it is the same product, manufactured by the same factory. The marine channel is expensive. Same is true of gages and regulators.
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01-11-2021, 12:00 PM
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#18
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,151
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I use this valve still have the spare I bought at same time 9 years ago and am a liveaboard using stove nearly every day, mostly 2X/day.
Thought it was recommended by "Marine How To" years ago..... $38.00
https://shop.buyafcvalves.com/product.sc?productId=6
AFC 151 Solenoid Shut Off Valve
The AFC 151 (12v) is compact multi-purpose 2 way normally closed solenoid shut off valve that will provide On/Off control of air, gas and other media. The valve has one inlet and one outlet and does not pass fluid or air until the coil is energized. Pipe Size: 1/4" NPT Orifice: 0.110 Cv: 0.35 Pressure rated up to 312PSI Also available in 24v; please call for ordering information
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01-11-2021, 01:15 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
City: Lynden
Vessel Name: Joint Venture
Vessel Model: 1978 GlasPly 2800 mid cabin
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 191
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I installed two of these: https://www.suremarineservice.com/Ga...P-1BS-R_3.html 10 years ago, one for the stove oven and the other for the furnace. I like the automatic feature of shutting off the propane solenoids in event of a leak. I use two sensors, both mounted slightly below the hose attachment locations at each stove/furnace. I also installed: https://www.defender.com/product3.js...6254&id=730278 at each solenoid in my propane locker which is mounted on my swim step.
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"Joint Venture" 1978 midcabin 2800, twin 2017 Vortec roller cam "bullet proof" 383/6.3L full roller 350hp engines
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