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hello Tech Talkers,

 

One of the things that came up during the survey of my boat, was the use of a flexible LPG line for my pivoting 2 burner stove: "Gas regulations state that all lines ahould be solid from the gas bottle area to the termination. Flexible lines either end, and all hose terminations crimped and not hose clamped."

 

I was looking on line & found some conflicting advice about solid lines from Don Casey:

"Solid copper fuel lines are used extensively in many parts of the world, but flexible, high-pressure hose is probably safer for boat use, and it is certainly easier to install."

 

It seems to me that the weak link in the system would be the connection points. If I used solid LPG lines that would increase the number of connections. Any thoughts/experience on this subject?

 

Thanks!

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I reckon this is one more case of the regs not catching up with technology. The correct spec flexible line is far superior to copper tube which work hardens, crimps, chafes and is basically dangerous. The inspectors know this, even if the book doesn't. I'm surprised that yours didn't.

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Ummm no actually, the real reason is quite an eye opener. Plastic leaks LPG. Slowly of course, but Plastic is not a totaly sealed material. It is porous to gas and the gas slowly migrates through it. Even the proper Orange or Brown dedicated Gas hose leaks. The proper gas hose is "proper" because it is two layers. But the problem with two layers is that the gas migrates through them at different speeds. And often it gets trapped between the two and then forms a bubble in the outer layer and can eventually pop. So some gas hose comes with minute holes pricked into the outer jacket so that does not happen. If you use ordinary hose, which that clear hose with the string reinforcing was often used, it will leak through it and the hose does not have a double jacket. So slowly gas is leaked away into your bilge. Before I knew that, I had installed Gas hose because I didn't trust Copper. I could never work out why we needed to purge the line for so long when ever we came to the boat. It turns out that over several weeks, the LPG migrates right out of the line. So we have to purge fresh gas through till everything runs cleanly, or we can never get the Gas fridge started. So sometime I need to run copper back through.

I was told you could have flexible hose at the regulator/tank end for something like .5m. But I don't know if that is correct. it would certainly be a pain if I have to have solid copper all the way.

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Is rigid LPG line a DIY project? I'm still tempted to use flexible as I don't see me leaving the valves on the LPG tanks open very often. I've probably got around 2 meters of line from the locker to the stove.

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Guest Dry Reach
Is rigid LPG line a DIY project? I'm still tempted to use flexible as I don't see me leaving the valves on the LPG tanks open very often. I've probably got around 2 meters of line from the locker to the stove.

 

 

Everthing is a DIY project if...

 

you got the time

 

you got the tools

 

You know what you are doing.

 

But for the expense of equipment (flaring tools, ...)which you will probably only use once, you better of gettin a pro to do it.

 

By the way FYI,

 

LPG differs between North island supply and South island Supply.

 

NI is typically 60/40 Propane / Butane (for warm Climates)

 

SI is typically between 60/40 (nova) and up to 80/20 (for Rockgas, BOC, Elgas) for colder climates.

 

so if you are going "deep" south fill up in the SI and Vice versa if going "warm" North

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To be legal, you now need a Gas fitter. The issue will be if your Gas sytem blows up or burns down your boat and the insurance company asks who did the Gas work. Otherwise, if you are sure you can do a good job and check all joints under pressure with with a detector or soapy water, then you will probably be as safe as houses. Or if it does blow up or burn down, hope there is no evidence left.

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