CNG conversion

[Chris Cram]

Hello one and all,

I am thinking of putting a two burner drop in CNG stove into my CD 30 cutter (proffesionaly installed). The idea is to use what was the old alcohol stove space, of course, with the two burner up top then a carpenter finishing the lower space with some sort of storage option.

The questions are this:
1. Has anyone done something like this?
2. Where should the CNG tank (somewhat large) be placed? When this tank is full it can be heavy so I wonder would it be a problem to be in the same locker as the diesel tank?
3. Does CNG require a dedicated vented locker or can they just be put in the boat then vented overboard with apropriate thru hull hardware?

and now for the moron question:
I show up at my marina and go to plug in my shore power cable and discover that the power at the slip is the standard 3 blade grounded outlet (not the circular 30 or 50 amp connector). What are my options? It seems there is a adaptor for this situation (looking in the Boat US catalog) but what am I looking at electrically. I don't dare and won't plug into anything until I speak to someone. In other slips there are the 30 amp connectors. Does this mean there is something more akin to 20 amps at my slip? I am looking to power my battery charger, hot water tank and some lighting.

Thanks Chris



cccobx@prodigy.net

[John R.]

Hello one and all,

I am thinking of putting a two burner drop in CNG stove into my CD 30 cutter (proffesionaly installed). The idea is to use what was the old alcohol stove space, of course, with the two burner up top then a carpenter finishing the lower space with some sort of storage option.

The questions are this:
1. Has anyone done something like this?
2. Where should the CNG tank (somewhat large) be placed? When this tank is full it can be heavy so I wonder would it be a problem to be in the same locker as the diesel tank?
3. Does CNG require a dedicated vented locker or can they just be put in the boat then vented overboard with apropriate thru hull hardware?

and now for the moron question:
I show up at my marina and go to plug in my shore power cable and discover that the power at the slip is the standard 3 blade grounded outlet (not the circular 30 or 50 amp connector). What are my options? It seems there is a adaptor for this situation (looking in the Boat US catalog) but what am I looking at electrically. I don't dare and won't plug into anything until I speak to someone. In other slips there are the 30 amp connectors. Does this mean there is something more akin to 20 amps at my slip? I am looking to power my battery charger, hot water tank and some lighting.

Thanks Chris

Chris,
Our '83 CD30 has a factory installed CNG system. It incorporates a two burner stove with oven combo. It is served by two CNG gas cylinders that are secured in chocks that are glassed to the hull in the aft port cockpit locker. The regulator is safety vented overboard via a thru-hull vent similar to a fuel tank vent. The diesel tank is on the port side as well. The boat is fine, the weight does not make her list.

For safety reasons I advise you to install a Xintex CNG monitoring device and solenoid safety shut-off control unit. CNG is lighter than air but I still advise the sniffer just in case there is a leak. You can do a test by opening the tank valve and read the pressure gauge, make a note of the PSI indicated and close the tank valve. Wait awhile and go back and read the gauge, if the reading is lower you've got a leak. To locate it use the soapy water test method. I use that bubble stuff kids use, it works better. Besides after you're done fixing things you can celebrate and blow a few bubbles.

That adapter for the AC is a 15 amp adapter just like a standard wall outlet. It's fine to use, just don't over draw the current rating or you will trip a breaker. Do a polarity test with a tester if your AC panel doesn't have an indicator lamp. The water heater is going to draw the big load and in combo with your other loads may trip the breaker, but your other loads will be fine by themselves.

[Tad McDonald]

Be sure to run your fresh water pump to fill the hot water tank before you turn on the water heater. I've used one of those adapter thingies (120vac-30amp) without any problems.



tadmcd@worldnet.att.net