I need to get a new propane tank for my 1998 MK II C 36. Is the standard the 9.7 inch diameter tank? Is there a standard? I checked the propane compartment, and it seemed to be 11" diameter.
I have not seen it myself or really researched it, but I've been told there is some sort of composit tank out there that actually allows you to see the level of propane in the tank. Might be worth checking out. I believe my friend told me he got it from Defender.
Another way to tell if a tank is full is to weigh it. From what I'm seeing, an empty tank weighs about 10 lbs. According to wikipidia, propane weighs about 4.2 lbs. per gallon. So a full 2 gallon tank should weigh about 18.4 lbs., except... Isn't the propane compressed? In that case, how many gallons would be in the tank? How to figure what it's full weight should be? Suggestions?
Weight is the key, John. They don't identify them by gallons at all, but as 10lb or 20lb cylinders, for example.
As most of us know, the propane is a liquid in the bottom of the tank with a pressurized layer of gas above the liquid. The pressure gauge will read the same pressure when the cylinder is full as when nearly empty and that is why gauge pressure cannot tell you how much propane you have.
—
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
When you think about it, when you get a propane tank filled, they do it by weight, filling the tank until it gets to the appropriate weight for the size tank.
The tanks on our boats usually weigh in at 20# when full and 10# when empty. I bought a cheap handheld fish scale that weighs fish up to about 35# and use that to check to see how much I have left in the tank.
Some people have told me that the pressure gauge on the tank will tell you how much gas is left in it. Others have told me that it doesn't. Which is true?
I just explained why the gauge pressure will not tell you how much you have until you are just about to run out.
By way of analogy, think of a pressure cooker. A cooker fairly full of water and set to boil will create steam at a low pressure over the water. That pressure will stay the same until the liquid water is almost all gone. Only after the last of the liquid water is boiled will the pressure above the water start to drop.
—
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Has anyone retrofitted a proper propane locker installation into a Mark I boat? I am going to build one this week and wondered if there were any pictures anywhere.
Current plan is a box 12" by 15" by about 17" deep, this should accomodate either a 10# aluminum tank or one of the new plastic 10# tanks. I will drop this into the lazarett on the port side, and bolt it to the front face of the lazarette/helm seat. Then the drain will exit the transom somewhere amongst the cockpit drains and bilge pump exit. The extra three inches of width should give me room to mount the regulator and solenoid to the side of the locker. I have to put a lid on the box so that it meets ABYC standard.
The boat just had a propane tank sititng in place of the original CNG tank when I bought it - not a safe installation but I would bet not too uncommon either?
John, I purchased an aluminum 10# tank from Defender several years ago and it fit my locker fine. Attached are some specs on tanks.
[URL]http://www.worthingtoncylinders.com/Libraries/pdfs/Alum_Portables.sflb.a...
[URL]http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|406|301237|322407&id=59095[/URL]
Allan Rex
# 2216
John...
I have not seen it myself or really researched it, but I've been told there is some sort of composit tank out there that actually allows you to see the level of propane in the tank. Might be worth checking out. I believe my friend told me he got it from Defender.
Defender does carry a composit tank, however the dimension shows it to be 12" in diameter. You may want to check before you commit.
[URL]http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|406|301237|322407&id=1065959[/URL]
sailboatowners.com also carries them and shows one that is only 9.7" in diameter, might be a better option.
[URL]http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?group=1082[/URL]
Allan Rex
# 2216
Another way to tell if a tank is full is to weigh it. From what I'm seeing, an empty tank weighs about 10 lbs. According to wikipidia, propane weighs about 4.2 lbs. per gallon. So a full 2 gallon tank should weigh about 18.4 lbs., except... Isn't the propane compressed? In that case, how many gallons would be in the tank? How to figure what it's full weight should be? Suggestions?
SF Bay
1998 C36
Weight is the key, John. They don't identify them by gallons at all, but as 10lb or 20lb cylinders, for example.
As most of us know, the propane is a liquid in the bottom of the tank with a pressurized layer of gas above the liquid. The pressure gauge will read the same pressure when the cylinder is full as when nearly empty and that is why gauge pressure cannot tell you how much propane you have.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
When you think about it, when you get a propane tank filled, they do it by weight, filling the tank until it gets to the appropriate weight for the size tank.
The tanks on our boats usually weigh in at 20# when full and 10# when empty. I bought a cheap handheld fish scale that weighs fish up to about 35# and use that to check to see how much I have left in the tank.
Some people have told me that the pressure gauge on the tank will tell you how much gas is left in it. Others have told me that it doesn't. Which is true?
SF Bay
1998 C36
I just explained why the gauge pressure will not tell you how much you have until you are just about to run out.
By way of analogy, think of a pressure cooker. A cooker fairly full of water and set to boil will create steam at a low pressure over the water. That pressure will stay the same until the liquid water is almost all gone. Only after the last of the liquid water is boiled will the pressure above the water start to drop.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Only when the tank is empty is the pressure guage a true indicator of what is usable in the tank.
Allan Rex
# 2216
Has anyone retrofitted a proper propane locker installation into a Mark I boat? I am going to build one this week and wondered if there were any pictures anywhere.
Current plan is a box 12" by 15" by about 17" deep, this should accomodate either a 10# aluminum tank or one of the new plastic 10# tanks. I will drop this into the lazarett on the port side, and bolt it to the front face of the lazarette/helm seat. Then the drain will exit the transom somewhere amongst the cockpit drains and bilge pump exit. The extra three inches of width should give me room to mount the regulator and solenoid to the side of the locker. I have to put a lid on the box so that it meets ABYC standard.
The boat just had a propane tank sititng in place of the original CNG tank when I bought it - not a safe installation but I would bet not too uncommon either?
Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada