"Leoma" Hooking up force 10 stove

[JD-MDR]

I threw out the old fuel lines because I didn't like the looks of them. there was too many fittings and flared copper tubing. I'm not sure how to test this stove I have that came with the boat, other than hooking it up and testing for leaks. I'm wondering what is the best type of fuel lines to have. The PO had soft copper tubing running up high on the liner along the side and out the dorade vent in the head I plan to get a new aluminum or maybe a fiberglass tank and mount it on top a little aft of the mast so the inflated dinghy will still fit over it. Any suggestions are appreciated. I will be getting a new co2 detector or is it Carbon monoxide.

[John Stone]

John,
I don’t remember off the top of my head what the ABYC recommendations are for hose. But my recommendation is you have one continuous hose from the solenoid in the locker all the way to the stove. I use Trident Marine System components.

https://tridentmarine.com/product/lpg-s ... -tysxpOmf0

There are specific steps to check the stove and LP system for leaks. I have too many balls in the air right now to research it but there is a lot of info out there. Read the refs and do it right. LP gas is safe if the system is properly installed and maintained. If not, it is deadly.

Basically, after you hook everything up, you are going to make sure the stove is off. Then, turn the LP bottle on and note the pressure on the gauge. I can’t remeber if it’s two minutes or five minutes, but the pressure should remain unchanged.

As I recall there is a little more to it but that is the basic idea.

[JD-MDR]

Thanks John. A approved rubber gas line is what I thought I should use like the Trident. Not sure how I will route it out to the tanks. It has a really big diameter compared to the 1/4" tubing than ran out the dorade box. I'll check it out this weekend.

[John Stone]

Check their website. They have vapor proof glands, etc. Also, don’t hesitate to call their technical department. They might have some good advice.

[JD-MDR]

I priced the system at WM : Tank $155, hose 20' $120, regulator and gauge $85, solenoid $135 and gas detection kit $230, , It's gonna be $800. It will have to wait. I'll continue using my Coleman camp stove. I might ,just to test the stove, take my tank and regulator from my home BBQ down and try it out.

[John Stone]

John
Never go to west marine. They often cost 20 to 300 percent more than Jamestown Distributors or Defebder Marine. Case in point— A 20’ trident marine LPg hose at defender sells for $75.

I don’t use an electric solenoid. I have a manual valve. See link below. Scroll down about 2/3 of the way. I use a UL approved gas valve made in an ISO 9000 plant designed for fire places. It works perfectly and meets ABYC standards.

http://www.farreachvoyages.com/projects ... ocker.html

I also don’t use, nor do I think you need, a gas detection system. There is no requirement for one. Install it correctly. Maintaining.

Where are your bottles stored?

[JD-MDR]

OK, I just priced the tank, regulator /gauge and hose at defender about $250 plus tax and shipping. That's more like it. I could probably swing that. Sometimes I like to support WM because they are so convenient and they provide jobs for people, even seniors and I think they do price matching. I'm re motivated. Thanks. Oh, I want to stow horizonital bottles on top between the mast and the main cabin hatch or vent

[John Stone]

They just started price matching again because they were losing customers. But I think they are a rip off. They know what their competitor’s prices are. They want you to do the work. If they will price match why not just lower the price and save the customers the hassle? Jamestown Distributors is a brick and mortar store too. And they almost always beat WM, as does Defender. I don’t like WM philosophy. They are taking advantage of people that are working hard, like you and me, and trying to enjoy the water. I am glad they employ people. They would employ more if they had a better business model. OK. I am ranting. Arrrrggghhhh.

[John Stone]

One more thing John. You probably know this. But you have to have special bottle to stow them horizontally. You have a good plan. Just want to make sure you have the right bottles.

[JD-MDR]

Bench tested the stove today. It seems to work good so I ordered a new regulator and supply hose. There is a aluminum tank ,horizontal type, at the consignment store. I will probably get that .They want alot for a used tank about the half price of new one. I think 30% is more fair I will offer him, $100. The problem with the stove is the battery holder is gone. I tried connecting a battery up and tried the spark igniters. Nothing. I'll deal with that later. I think that means the safety that shuts off the gas when the flame goes out will not be working either. So I'm not gonna have a leak detector and I will dream up some kinda manual shut off. something like" Far Reach's". My tank will be on top of the cabin close to the dorade box so I will have some type of shaft going thru the cabin top.I think it has to make a right angle to turn the tank valve.

[John Stone]

John
Don’t hesitate to call Force 10 tech rep. They may have some suggestions on how to get the piezo igniters working. Also, the Pardys wrote about the manual gas valve system idea. I’ll see if I can find that for you. It’s just a general guide as I recall...but it might help inform your thinking.

[JD-MDR]

Thanks, I found Pardy's " Boat Galley" and some articles on Propane stoves. not on the shut off valve yet. I did get an explanation of the thermocoupler ,how it shuts off the valve when the flame goes out.. I'm not sure if that will still work without the battery. That would be nice since I'm not gonna be able to work on the sparker things for a while. I guess I could afford a new battery holder and put that in . I tried holding the wires on a battery and pushing the button but nothing happened. Maybe I'll get lucky again. I've been very lucky with this boat. All the repairs etc. have gone well.

[John Stone]

John, thanks for mentioning galley. I bet it’s in their book Care and Feeding of the Sailing Crew. I’ll check when I get home.

[John Stone]

John, here ya go. From Care and Feeding. There are several editions out there. The latest one has a lot of info not in the first edition...but I think the gas valve in all of them.

[JD-MDR]

Thanks John, Im really glad you gave me the idea for a manual shut off. I dont want any more electrical gadgets than necessary especially ones that could fail or drain the battery