Hello Folks,
During the off season I installed a Propane locker in my lazerette. I followed the ABYA rules and installed a thru-hull vent and a Trident gas solenoid switch which I wired to a the trident control panel in the nav station. After testing the new setup I noted one area of concern that has bothered me from the get go. The solenoid is inside the airtight sealed locker, where I am leading the 12 volt power supply. I noticed that the coil in the solenoid generly heats up when the switch is in the on position (gas open), it does get very hot.
With this I feel like I am building the perfect bomb and wonder if the solenoid poses more dager than safety. I always shut of the valve manually when not in use, so considering my concert I want to remove the solenoid switch. Even the slightes arc from the 12 volts can ignite a potential gas leak. Perhaps I am over thinking this.
Any thoughts.
Ed Dewsnap
Ed Dewsnap
Marion, MA
1984 Catalina
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore
I don't think the locker should be air tight, The thru hull needs to be lower than the locker, and attached to the bottom of the locker so gravity does the work. An air tight locker would not let the heavier-than-air propane exit the locker.
The solenoid needs to be in place so you can turn off the supply from in the boat should there be a run away fire - not just for leaks in a standby system.
I have also noticed the heat from the solenoid, but the ignition point of propane is somewhere around 950F. My concern was more of wasted energy in the form of heat - there must be a better option...
Thank you for your reply, unfortunately I am plagued with the notion of murphy's law. I think I was thown off by this I found on the web... "...The Locker must be above the waterline, top loading with a tight fitting gasketed lid that opens to the atmosphere, be vapor tight to the interior of the vessel (all apertures to be sealed) and must be used for no other purpose.."
Yes I do have a pressure gauge which actually gives me some comfort knowing the line pressure is maintained. I will leave the set up as is.
Again thanks, Meanwhile if you hear of my boat blowing up will you please forward this thread to the insurance investigator. :)
Ed Dewsnap
Marion, MA
1984 Catalina
looks correct. Wonder how the manufacturers make the lockers the way they do?