Fixing our Propane Hose!

Replacing our Propane Tank Hose.

The broken hose is really just an indicator of the health of our Propane System, so we decided to fix it.

Step one is to remove the Propane Tank Containers. Ours consists of two large GFP tubes to house the tanks and a third PVC tube that houses the Regulator and the Solenoid.

There's several butt joints in the Solenoid wiring inside that third tube and readers will know I detest multiple electrical wiring butt joints.

The 3rd tube is held onto the two larger tubes with 2 large stainless Steel hose clamps, but as I could not remove the regulator and solenoid without cutting the solenoid wires, I elected to remove the entire assembly.

• Remove the 9lb Propane tanks ( one was empty curtesy of the broken hose fitting ) 
• Cut the wires to the Solenoid inside the 3rd tube.
• Unscrew the 4 nuts on the lower mountings where they attach to the lower rail of the sternrail .
• Unscrew the 4 nuts that secure the stainless steel U bolts to the top rail and lift way the entire assembly.

Took a total of about an hour, most of that time was trying to keep a balance while holding the wrench and the fittings not wanting to drop anything in the water.

There's a lot less hardware on the stern now. I'll refinish the tubes and put it all back, cleaning the sternrail first.

Maybe it's me, but it sure seems that it's getting more uncomfortable moving around on the boat.

Not sure if you can see it, but the Swim ladder needs new steps, lower down on the priority list but they will get some TLC in the spring.

Upcoming projects:-

• Remove the broken Radar Reflector ( on the mast ) 
• Replace the Standing Rigging.
• Refit the Propane system ( with new hoses )
• New Dodger/Bimini and Bridge piece

Ok, with the tanks at home, it's time to refinish the containers.

I sanded down the containers with 80 grit and cleaned them with soapy water and then Acetone.

They look awful! But not very different than when they came off of the boat.

I decided to use Petite EZ-Poxy Modern Polyurethane Topside Paint, Med White.

It takes about 16 hours till re-coat time.

They are looking good after just one coat but I'll apply a second coat Saturday afternoon.

Still contemplating whether to paint the 3rd tube that contains the Regulator and the Solenoid.

Gave up trying to clean the PVC small tube, 1st coat of the Polyurethane is done as well as the 2nd coat on the larger tubes.

They are looking good, may not need additional coats.

Ok, now for the bigger issue!

When I removed the Regulator, Solenoid, and Pressure gauge from the smaller tube, I was surprised by the connection route. The Hose from the Propane tank was connected to the pressure gauge then the Regulator and then the Solenoid. The output from the solenoid is the supply line for the propane cooker in the cabin.

I thought that was wrong, so researched it ( yep, googled it ) and their does not appear to be an across the board correct route. However, google AI does suggest the best location is in the high pressure section of the plumbing. ie. closest to the tank connection.

So, I'm replumbing my setup so that route is: Propane Tank - Solenoid - Regulator - Pressure Gauge - Output to System. This would allow me to turn the gas off before the regulator so the gas flow is prevented closest to the tank within the restrictions that exist without exposing unnecessary hoses to possible damage from contact with other rigging on the boat, Lines, Fenders, etc. 

The plan is looking good. West Marine has advised that the new hose ( tank to solenoid ) is awaiting pickup and I have figured out what adapters I need to get from the local hardware store ( ACE ). I have my work set for this morning.

Ok, the propane system refurbishment is done.

Here's a pic of the modified Propane system before fitting into the Propane Housings.

It took 5 trips to the local ACE Hardware before the job was finished. Note the shiny new fittings. The old fittings were not compatible with the new layout ( the old had the gas flow from the top to the bottom. That's a new Regulator and new Solenoid and all new fittings except the lower T.

All ready for install on the boat.

The smaller tube houses the Propane control components. The refinished mounting looks a whole lot better.

I bolted the smaller tube to the large ones and eliminated the huge Stainless steel hose clamps that previously secured them together.

The whole system is temporarily mounted on a couple of pieces of 1" tubbing just to make sure everything fits.

I had a short piece of stainless steel 1" tubing but only one, so I used a piece of PVC tubing for the lower rail.

This worked out really well, enabling transporting the entire setup down to the boat.

At the boat it was pretty easy to remove the tubes and remount the assembly onto the rails over the transom.

Only one hitch - because the outlet of the tank system is now at the top of that lower, 3rd, tube, the hose from the boat to the cannisters is too short. 

I checked the routing of the hose inside of the aft lazarette, but it was originally installed pretty tight, no slack at all. So I'm just going to add an extra hose extension on the outside between the top of the boat and the connection at the tank assembly. EZ solution.

The new hose should arrive on Monday, we'll be down at the boat finishing off the Fuel tank project. So looks like we'll go to the boat both Monday to finish the fuel tank project and Tuesday to finish off the Propane project.   Knocking them out !

Of course, the next project is sitting on my work tables in the garage - new Standing Rigging.

Gotta keep busy, doing my stuff and work that brings in some money to help pay for all of this.

I'll post this on Tuesday, hopefully to report that the Propane system project is complete.

Quick update

Took the new hose to the boat this morning, totally screwed that up, neither end fits but not worth the cost of the return. I'll give it to the club's flea market in January.

Looking at it carefully ( always a good idea ) I realized I only needed to use a 6" nipple to the hose fittings on the exterior connection.  A short drive to ACE hardware and the helpful folks found a solution. Back to the boat and five minutes of boat yoga later, all done. Only thing left to do is put the Propane tanks in their holders and leak check. I'll go back to the boat in a couple of days to install the propane cannisters and complete a leak test before signing off on this project.

Stay tuned - I'll report the completion on this post.

See you on the water.