MacGregorSailors.com

Cockpit propane tank storage unit for 2 1lb tanks

Influenced by board member mods I made a Container that will permit me to securely keep 2 small propane bottles for my force 10 BBQ on my 26M. Made with 4 inch standard white pvc sewer pipe, a sewer pipe adapter with a screw on top,plastic screws and zinc plated adjustable collars to hook it on to the boat stanchion. Check the mods section for all the photos.
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Note also that this handy gizmo can be nicely mounted horizontally,under stern rail seats if you have them. I attached mine using stainless steel hose clamps. Sorry,no pics of it.

KayakDan wrote:Note also that this handy gizmo can be nicely mounted horizontally,under stern rail seats if you have them. I attached mine using stainless steel hose clamps. Sorry,no pics of it.

Great ideal...I will try that first. Thks Dan.
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On the propane cylinders tuck really nicely into the fuel locker, in front of the fuel tank. I wrap them in plastic bags from the newspaper.

On Our M on the port side under the seat is a six gallon gas tank and a square Plastic milk crate wannabee. ( a very minor modification enables the seat lip to hold it securely in place)It fits perfect in that space and has 2 sections of 4" PVC each holds 2 of those tanks and the rest of the crate holds lots of other stuff...

I made a simple rack out of aluminum bar that is screwed to the stbd transom. Easy access, right by our BBQ, great drainage of any gas leaks or water.

Hey guys.....I'm all for going green.....but those damn tanks don't last, and generate trash....check out my mod from a while back....one time effort and lifetime savings....and, no trash...my preferred way to go green. http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=784 Tahoe Jack

Tahoe Jack wrote:Hey guys.....I'm all for going green.....but those damn tanks don't last, and generate trash....check out my mod from a while back....one time effort and lifetime savings....and, no trash...my preferred way to go green. http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=784 Tahoe Jack

I hear what you're saying. I only use the small cylinders because I remove the BBQ for trailering,and it' too awkward to keep detaching a propane line. I have a 6lb aluminum slim line tank mounted on the rear port stanchion,hardwired to the propane stove on the galley. When we take the boat to Exuma,I will tee off the line for a permanent line to the BBQ. I will also mount another 6lb to starboard for backup.

What really stinks,is you can't even recycle the empty cans.

ATTENTION; for those of you using the 1Lb Coleman bottles, here is a re-fill valve from Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=45989 Now you can re-use those bottles and not have to add them to the growing garbage heaps on poor old Mother Earth. Save some $$$$ in the process too. Rob

SkiDeep2001 wrote:ATTENTION; for those of you using the 1Lb Coleman bottles, here is a re-fill valve from Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=45989 Now you can re-use those bottles and not have to add them to the growing garbage heaps on poor old Mother Earth. Save some $$$$ in the process too. Rob

Read the warning on the bottle and refill at your own risk.

~Rich

Hamin' X wrote:

SkiDeep2001 wrote:ATTENTION; for those of you using the 1Lb Coleman bottles, here is a re-fill valve from Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=45989 Now you can re-use those bottles and not have to add them to the growing garbage heaps on poor old Mother Earth. Save some $$$$ in the process too. Rob

Read the warning on the bottle and refill at your own risk.

~Rich

I didn't have a bottle on hand when I posted so I will repeat Rich's warning. Read the warning on the bottle and refill at your own risk. Don't go blowing yourself up Rob - PS: My girlfriend is a lawyer so I will check to see if that warning is enough to protect me from liability for stupid posting

For that matter dont store them with the Blue Valve on.... If something should push the button down and its easy to do BELIVE ME at best you empty the tank.

This is from the Harbor Freight ad Safe and legal, you no longer have to dispose of, or pay for, those small propane bottles. so if you do blow yourself up, tell your attorney to sue them and not me, OK Thanks Rob

This has been rehashed, but it is actually a Federal crime to transport these after refilling.

It has to do with the fact that the propane used in these bottles is extremely dry, to prevent them from rusting out, and the propane you get in 25 # cylinders contains moisture.

Most of us dont use enough propane to justify the hassle of refilling. We use 1 1/2 bottles with 5 people on the boat for a week...thats 6 USD of propane.

Kelly Hanson East wrote:This has been rehashed, but it is actually a Federal crime to transport these after refilling.

It is sort of like the "Do not remove this label under penalty of law" tags, it is poorly explained. It is not illegal to transport them yourself, only commercial carriers. It is foolish, IMHO. The valves have only so many cycles before failure. The disposable tanks are not heat treated and lack the elasticity to be filled time and again without rupturing and there is the rust problem, as these tanks are not lined.

Unfortunately, it is one of those improper behaviors, that are self reinforcing. Like crossing the street without looking both ways, sometimes you are better off taking your parents word for it.

~Rich