[C320-list] New Propane tank & now need new supply pig tail, regulator & gauge.

[P.F. Ross]

Thanks, Guy, will talk to CD and order new components.

On Tue, Mar 8, 2022 at 11:32 AM Guy Smith <guyclarksmith at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hey Frank,
>
> The after action analysis was that the regulator failed and sent full
> pressure to the solenoid. The old generation solenoid could not handle the
> pressure and allowed full pressure to the stove (maybe 100 psi at that
> point) go to the stove, even though the solenoid switch was in the off
> position. The stove is designed for something like 3-4 psi, so the burner
> valves seal blew. When I talked with the tech from catalina direct about
> replacement parts, he said they recommend replacing the regulator every 15
> years.
> From the CD website:
> 2) Industry norm for regulator replacement is every 15 years due to
> degradation of internal components including the critical spring and rubber
> diaphragm. Regulator must be replaced immediately if it has been underwater
> or if you smell propane at the vent. Older regulators are potentially
> hazardous, so if your regulator is more than 15 years old, replace it.
>
> On Tue, Mar 8, 2022 at 11:05 AM P.F. Ross <pfrstl at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Guy, thanks for reposting, I don't recall seeing those the first time
> > around.  Really scary.
> >
> > Did you ever determine how the gas got into the cabin?  Do you think the
> > regulator and solenoid failed and allowed high pressure gas to get to the
> > stove where that same high pressure gas overwhelmed the stove valves?
> >
> > I am still running my original setup, although I have had the tank
> > recertified and a current OPD tank valve installed by a qualified propane
> > shop.  Sounds like I should take it to the next step with regulator and
> > solenoid replacement.  In the meantime, I will pay much attention to the
> > pressurizing sound when opening the tank.
> >
> > Frank Ross
> > Beta Wave #206
> > Naples, FL
> >
> > On Tue, Mar 8, 2022 at 10:07 AM Guy Smith <guyclarksmith at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > > Hey Bob,
> > > I had a catastrophic gas failure in 2019 and replaced the bottle,
> > regulator
> > > and solenoid as a result. The new parts are recommended as the original
> > > 1997 gas parts have had failures similar to what my wife and I
> > experienced.
> > > It was a very scary situation that ended without a fireball! I've
> copied
> > > the original emails below.
> > > ~g
> > >
> > > Guy & Liz Smith
> > > sv Pleiades
> > > '97 C320 #452
> > > Worton Creek, MD
> > > ----- Forwarded Message -----
> > > *From:* Guy Smith <smitski2001 at yahoo.com>
> > > *To:* Catalina List <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> > > *Sent:* Thursday, October 3, 2019, 05:51:56 PM EDT
> > > *Subject:* Re: Major LP gas system failure!
> > >
> > > Hey All!
> > >
> > > An update on the gas leak on Pleiades....
> > >
> > > I got the Tank, Regulator, Solenoid and Hose off the boat pretty
> easily.
> > > The Tank, Regulator and Solenoid are available as OEM replacements from
> > > Catalina Direct. Customer Tech Support  was awesome.
> > >
> > > The hose runs through a conduit more or less under the Port cockpit
> > locker,
> > > under the Refer and lower stove shelf and exits beside the Hot Water
> > heater
> > > under the sink.
> > > It slid out pretty easily with a piece of the line tied and taped
> around
> > it
> > > so I can pull the new hose through.
> > >
> > > I took the hose home and connected one end to a stop valve and the
> other
> > to
> > > the gas bottle to pressure check it since there was no obvious blowouts
> > or
> > > damage to it.
> > > Turns out the hose was not the leak... :(  ...I plan on replacing it
> > > anyway...
> > >
> > > So now I need to rig up a temporary connection to the stove with my
> > > portable compressor and pressurize it to see what's leaking in it's
> > > components....
> > > I don't see any obvious rubber parts in it, so I'm baffled as to what
> > might
> > > be the culprit. Might be a threaded fitting that blew out?
> > >
> > > The hose is not directly available via Catalina Direct, but he said he
> > > could get one made for me. It's 17 1/2 foot long. I'm thinking I can
> find
> > > one or get one made local.
> > > I'll call around tomorrow to see what I come up with.
> > >
> > > Anyone have to replace parts in their stove?
> > >
> > > Best Regards,
> > > ~g
> > >
> > > Guy and Liz Smith
> > > sv Pleiades
> > > '97 C320 #452
> > > Worton Creek, MD
> > >
> > >
> > > On Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 07:24:43 PM EDT, Guy Smith <
> > > smitski2001 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Hey All!
> > >
> > > Had some excitement on Sunday morning, on the hook in Still Pond!
> > > I got up first to start the tea pot on the stove in the galley.
> > > (My wife was still snoozing a bit...)
> > > As I usually do, I ventured out
> > > into the cockpit and turned the LP tank on... instead of the normal 1/4
> > > second "psst" of the
> > > gas bottle charging the gauge up to pressure, I (we actually) heard a
> > POP!
> > > and the gas bottle
> > > continued to "pssssssssssss..."! I immediately turned the valve off and
> > > headed into the cabin.
> > > There was a heavy oder of gas in the galley area. Needless to say, no
> > stove
> > > valves were left on.
> > > The I realized that I hadn't switched the gas solenoid switch on, so I
> > was
> > > amazed that gas made it into the cabin!
> > >
> > > Some friends that I've been talking with think that the pressure
> > regulator
> > > failed and the gas valve solenoid
> > > (down stream of the regulator) was a low pressure solenoid and couldn't
> > > take the pressure (which was
> > > about 30 psi at the time, if you could believe the gauge).
> > >
> > > I can't help thinking that if I would have got a burner started and
> > *then*
> > > the system failed with the burner lit,
> > > it coulda been really BAD! Especially since my wife was in the aft
> cabin
> > > and couldn't egress very quickly!
> > > I think my first reaction would've been to go to the control panel to
> > turn
> > > the solenoid switch off,
> > > loosing precious time getting to the bottle valve.
> > >
> > > So I was wondering:
> > >
> > > -Anyone else have this happen to them?
> > > -Could the Stove be damaged after getting a jolt of hi-pressure gas?
> > > (obviously *something* leaked in the cabin)
> > > -Since I'm gonna replace the tank (it's  a '97 original), regulator and
> > > solenoid,
> > > should I also pull a new gas line or just pressure check it? It seems
> > > pretty involved to fish a new one
> > > but probably a good thing to do?
> > > -How would I pressure check the stove components? Is there recommended
> > > pressure to set and monitor for leaks in the stove's components?
> > > -Am I technically allowed to do this work myself without certification?
> > >
> > > I'm a pretty capable mechanic and have run and repaired gas lines in my
> > > home, so I'm not against doing the work myself.
> > > I can imagine the yard would charge me an arm and a leg to diagnose and
> > > repair the system before they were done.
> > >
> > > Thoughts?
> > > ~g
> > >
> > > Guy and Liz Smith
> > > sv Pleiades
> > > '97 C320 #452
> > > Worton Creek, MD
> > >
> > >
> > > On Mon, Mar 7, 2022 at 8:57 PM Bob Borelli <cassattc22 at hotmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Holy Smokes!  I did it!  Thank you!
> > > >
> > > > You know my wife rides horses & I sail boats.
> > > >
> > > > We are getting there, computer wise.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ________________________________
> > > > From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf
> of
> > > > Jeff Smith <svsailmates512 at gmail.com>
> > > > Sent: Monday, March 7, 2022 8:44 PM
> > > > To: C320-List at catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> > > > Cc: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> >
> > > > Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Propane tank & now need new supply pig
> > tail,
> > > > regulator & gauge.
> > > >
> > > > Bob,
> > > >
> > > > The photos are available where you uploaded them.
> > > >
> > > > Cheers,
> > > > Jeff
> > > > Fledgling Webmaster
> > > >
> > > > > On Mar 7, 2022, at 4:27 PM, Bob Borelli <cassattC22 at hotmail.com>
> > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > I replaced the original 1994 10lb Aluminum propane tank with a new
> > > > Worthington Aluminum LPG Cylinder 10lb (2.4 gal) Vertical from West
> > > > Marine.  The new tank is about 3/4" shorter than the old tank so I
> used
> > > > 3/4" Starboard to raise it up in order to connect the Supply
> Assembly.
> > > > >
> > > > > I would like to replace this assembly, the regulator, gauge,
> pigtail
> > > and
> > > > assorted threaded fittings.
> > > > > It is a very tight space inside the propane locker.
> > > > > No room for an inline Acme threaded connection and valve.
> > > > >
> > > > > Has anyone replaced this assembly with new parts?
> > > > > One email on the list states a local propane shop used this
> existing
> > > > assembly as a template to put together a new one.
> > > > > I like that idea!!!
> > > > >
> > > > > Any suggestions, experience most appreciated.  Please help!
> > > > > I have attempted to upload a picture of the top of the tank in the
> > > > locker with the supply assembly.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you!
> > > > >
> > > > > Bob Borelli  C320 no. 209 'Elusive'  SAI on the Sassafras River, MD
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>