1 Pound Propane Cans in Abacos?

[Lynx]

I am still looking at my options for the stove. I could use either the 10 pound tank and refill or get the 1 pounds cans and throw away after each use.  I have not installed either. The cost of installation of the 10 pound tank may out way the 1 pound cans cost at some time. However if I cannot get the 1 pound cans it is of no use.

Does anybody know if the 1 pound propane cans can be bought in Abacos or George Town and how much they cost?

Is there a way to secure the cans inside when in use?
I was planing on stroring the extra cans outside.

[Captain Smollett]

Is there a way to secure the cans inside when in use?

I cannot comment about the other questions, but personally would not store any propane inside.  Call me paranoid, but I'm not a big fan of propane aboard anyway.  If I have to have it (and right now I do), the tank stays outside and the valve stays off unless the stove is actually in use.

My $0.02.

[K3v1n]

From what I've heard you want to stay away from propane stored below.
I keep two one pounders stored in a PVC storage container I made and it is mounted to the stern rail. I believe I added a picture of it in the gallery.

Sorry but I can't comment of the availability in the Abacos. :(

-Kevin

[AdriftAtSea]

I'd also recommend storing the 1 lb. containers in a PVC tube attached to the stern rail.  One magazine, Good Old Boat I think, had an article on making such a magazine a while back.

[Lynx]

I agree with not storing below. That is the broblem. I can store on top of the gas tanks and under the Helmsman seat although not enough for the entire 6 month trip.  So I need to buy enroute or get the 10 pound tank refiled.

[hearsejr]

I'd also recommend storing the 1 lb. containers in a PVC tube attached to the stern rail.  One magazine, Good Old Boat I think, had an article on making such a magazine a while back.

doesn't PVC build up static elctricity? if so it could be bad should you try and slid a small tank out of it on a hot day when the tank is seeping becouse the heat as caused the tank build up too much preasure and is venting. just one little spark. I could be wrong about the static electricity from PVC pipe.
I had an adapter from Habor Freight, it was like $6 and you could fill those small tanks from a big tank and it seems they had a do hicky that you could use to hook your small grill (not saying are useing an out door grill in an unvented cabin or anything of the sorts) to a big tank.
Bill

[AdriftAtSea]

On a boat, sitting on the water, I don't think that static electricity build up is a significant concern... I don't have one on my boat, but have made them and used them on friend's boats....and haven't noticed any significant static electricity problems...

Yes, you could tap in to the boat's primary propane system, but many grills are detachable, and storing them is much simpler if you're using the 1 lb. canisters. The idea of being able to fill the small tanks from a larger one is a good on...and having that capability on a cruising boat is probably a good idea, since in many areas the 1 lb. tanks may be a bit difficult to find or very expensive.

[Lynx]

I saw this thing to refill the 1 pounds cans. The warnings on this I really do not like. As I recall, the best way to do it is to freeze the cans, invert and fill. There is some failure of the 1 pound can valves after time.

I did find that the 1 pound cans can be bought in Abacos. Did not find the price.

[AdriftAtSea]

If you leave the 10 lb. tank in sunlight while doing this, it will help, since the 10 lb. tank will be heated from the sunlight a bit... and that will help force gas into the smaller tanks.

[Lynx]

Actually you want the liquid to transfer. To do that you need the 10 pound tank upside down. I am sure that a little extra sun will not hurt.

However, if I was to put on the 10 pound tank I would go ahead and connect it to the stove inside.

[AdriftAtSea]

Yes, when I said gas, I meant the liquid gas.... not the gaseous gas.

[CapnK]

I'm considering keeping a large tank on the exterior, refilling the small bottles from it for use inside. Doing so would be much simpler, quicker, easier, and cheaper than installing the whole solenoid/regulator/LP locker assembly, at the small price of (in)convenience.

The reason to chill the small tanks is to get more gas into them. That would be essential when you are in a remote location, away from getting more fuel. (What I've heard from people who've used those adapters is that you'll only get perhaps 75% capacity into the small bottles when refilling.) However, with a big 'refiller' tank sitting just outside, it's not like when your little tank runs out that you don't have any more - that only means that you'll need to do the refilling a little more often.

On the 'plus side'  ;), that reduced capacity means that if a refilled bottle leaks, only 3/4 lb of gas gets away, instead of a whole pound (yes, I know - still plenty to make a sufficient bang! I am not advocating carelessness!). Still - I'd rather deal with a 3/4 lb leak than the 10-20 lb leak possible from an exterior tank!  :o

The valves on the small bottles will stick open to some degree at times - I've seen it when I've pulled a (non-refilled) partly-full bottle off of a stove or heater. Manually re-seating the valve will usually stop the leak, so I think it might be a problem that could be solved with the application of lubricant for the seal and valve, although I don't know what that particular lubricant would best be.

Perhaps the galley/stove could be designed so that the bottle sits in a recess, so that if it did leak, the gas would not be able to settle into the bilge - a sort of mini-interior bottle locker than could be easily opened and sniffed to check for gas before using the stove.

(As I wrote the above, a Brown Pelican landed on a tall piling that is perhaps a dozen feet off the stern, maybe 20 ft from me here in the boat. It's neat to sit here and watch him/her while they clean themselves inbetween looking for fish below. This sort of thing just *doesn't* happen to landlubbers... :D )

[Godot]

I've used the one pound canisters a lot while camping and boating.  The sticky valve issue happens often enough that I've questioned some conventional wisdom.  Always, I'm told, remove the tank from the stove/lamp/heater when you are done using it or risk the gas leaking past the valve (I'm talking about the stove, not the tank, valve).  In my experience, far fewer leaks happen at the appliance then at the tanks valve itself.  Now-a-days I tend to leave the tank on the appliance until it's time to pack up or I run out of gas.  Most others disagree.

The butane canisters that fit to the Glowmate style stoves don't seem to have this problem for some reason.  I'm not sure why.

[AdriftAtSea]

What kind of larger tank do you use.  I'm looking at getting composite 10 or 20 lb. LPG tanks.  The main tank on my boat right now is a steel 5 lb. tank, and I am looking for something a bit bigger, and safer... The steel tank is only a year old, and already starting to rust.   :o

[Lynx]

This is called a Mac Coupler. There main web sight - http://www.maccoupler.com/coupler.htm

It will give you a link to where to buy.

[CapnK]

Adam - That is when I have noticed the cans leaking, after they've been 'applied' once. (Anyone wanna put on a tin-foil hat and say that the manufacturers *designed* them to leak? ;)) Oiling/lubing the seal seems to stop the leakage.

Also, a CD28 cruiser who was here for a few weeks said that he finds that the propane canisters *for torches* have the same threaded end as the Coleman-type, but are usually cheaper than 'stove fuel', so he generally purchases them instead. I haven't checked yet, but it wouldn't surprise me if this were true...

James - Grog to ya fer that link... :)

BTW - Here's that pelican from the previous post (along with camera-hog/happy CrewDog Buffett)...  ;D

[macdiver]

Warning the following is MY OPINION and not based on any facts or even lies (statistics)

I would think that for a long term solution, permanently installing a large tank with all of the safety bells and whistles (solenoids, gas sniffers, etc) would be cheaper and safer. 

These small canisters are not meant to be refilled.  You might be able to keep the valve from leaking for a while but it will give out.  My experience camping is about one in five will leak when disconnected.  Once leaking it is only about half of the time I can get it to stop. 

Therefore, I think that the risk of leaks from refilling these canisters would be very high and not worth the risk long term.  Also the cost of new canisters would eventually equal the cost of a permanant installation.

For a short term solution, one might consider filling on the dock so any leak does not accumulate in the bilge.

While I am not a boat owner, I've done some research on boats (dreaming of the day).  I'm not fully convinced that propane should be used on boats.  Other safer and relatively more available options do exist.

[Lynx]

I read through some of the web about refilling the 1 pound tanks. I have not found anybody that has been hurt refilling one. Several on the 20 pound tanks with old fittings have hurt people. There was one mention about a refillable 1 pound tank but I have not found one. It appears that there is some of the 1 pound tanks that are more durable than others.

Anybody have any data on this?

If you do refill one, please refill outside and do so at an angle (90 degree looks fine) so as to trap some gas/air. Install right away. Overfilling any tank can be very bad.

[Bill NH]

I've used the 1 lb cannisters on a Sea Swing stove on passages for years.  I've tended to leave them on the stove until arrival and then remove in port...  Never thought of refilling them though, but that adapter looks like it might be a good thing to have aboard when you're not sure about the availability of small cannisters.

[Lynx]

I was looking at the cost of an Aluminum Tank and the cost factor. I can buy quite a few cans for the same cost. If I already had a tank I would go with the refill.