DE 32 Propane Locker, Tank Size? General Forum Forums

I can't comment directly on the 32 propane tank locker but if it's the same size as the 38, then four 5# tanks fit nicely. The DE38 locker is 18"Lx18"Wx15"H. The 18" width and length taper up to 19.5" at the top (so the walls are slightly tapered when the volume is viewed from the side). If the DE32 has the same dimensions then the four 5# will work. Manchester tanks makes these and they are still available:

"http://www.mantank.com/products/dotproducts/5-420steel.htm"

If you google search the part number, 10054, you should be able to find several vendors.

If I may offer a suggestion... my DE32 has a 20# tank in the lazarett. A previous owner build wooden frame and re-plumbed the hosing. This was kind of a good thing in that by doing so, I found the built in propane locker is a great fit for several small generators.

However, I do want to get the propane out of my lazarett and being safety conscious, I wouldn't consider mounting propane anywhere except off the stern rail, aft of the cockpit.. preferably in it's own little case (note: I read your other thread on not having a preference for stern rail mounting). When combining the installation with a nice davit arrangement, it can be made non-intrusive looking.

My reasoning for wanting to mount aft and outboard of the hull is that if/when there is a leak, propane will expel out of the boat. While my lazarett drains above the waterline, as does the built in propane locker, the drains are capable of blocking. Tanks mounted aft of the cockpit over water can't be blocked. If there is a fire at or near the tanks, they can be jettisoned, and might even jettison themselves. 

There is still an issue with leaky propane drifting back into the boat on downwind, but I believe that condition is much more manageable than having any amount of propane in a locker. 

Some people have mounted propane on deck above their cabins. That'd make me way too nervous.

All that said, I haven't found a suitable tank mount as yet... The most likely tank I'll go for is the slim aluminum tank at West Marine ($194) as it's low profile for this type of installation... but the fiberglass tanks are intriguing.

Also, I suggest only having the propane tank valve opened when in use.

My opinions are formulated by a booklet of pictures a well regarded surveyor let me browse of boats damaged by propane explosions.

My 2 cents... Hope this helps.

Does escaped propane really have any chance to drift back into the boat?  I thought propane is much much heavier than air so it acts more akin to water and falls rapidly. Definitely a tank above the cabin would seem not so good.

For the tank-in-the-large-lazarette idea, Oasis does have the large lazarette plumbed to a thru-hull with a length of hose.    I think USCG specifies the length can only be so long and the angle also has to be so steep. I'd rather have less risk of blowing up so best to look up those dimensions.  That lazarette also has an opening (not air tight) to the bilge for the bilge pump hose so it's not air tight to the bilge.   Usually I put the dinghy gas can in there where it can also exhaust to the outside.

If you mount the tank off the stern rail, then it does add some unfavorable weight balancing (or maybe does not matter much), also may lengthen the "measured" length of the boat if you're concerned with that (for moorage measurements, etc), and would it be completely safe in really really bad wind/seas?   Right now Oasis has a third tiny tank (matches the others) on the rail, connected directly to the BBQ only.  The tank is lashed to the davit post.   It would be a stretch to put a 20# tank there I think.  A 20# tank weighs 20# plus the weight of the tank itself, whatever that is (15 lb or so, depending on type), so presume 40# total, worst case.

The drain from the existing locker does plug up but that's only because they don't have a good screen arrangement.   Oasis doesn't have a screen on the locker lid (just an open hole) and there is no screen on the thru-hull.   Sometimes I find it is plugged up with bird feathers and leaves.  Also the way the thru-hull exits the hull is with a 90 degree elbow which easily causes blockage, I think a 45 degree would be better.   All this could be fixed relatively easily to eliminate the problem.  So moving the tank just because of this problem is kind of overkill if there is a simpler way to fix it.

It would be better to locate the tank with easier topside access, then the propane tank will get closed off more frequently (rather than left open because it's a hassle).  In the current place, it's okay, not great.  If I have the cockpit cushions out, then it's a pain, because the cushions have to be rearranged to lift the locker lid.   Having the tank right outside the companionway would be easiest to allow easy access but there are other drawbacks to putting it there.

About the type of tank, aluminum or fiberglass?   If fiberglass, then I think it also needs a cover to keep out UV for best lifetime.

Looks like Down East really struggled with the propane tank storage issue.

I have yet another arrangement.  My Locker is Port side, adjacent to the pedestal, but it's dimensions are very different than those I've seen so far....   The compartment is 21" x 21" x 12" deep ( inside ), currently, I have one 10 lb alum. horizontal marine tank ( Manchester Tank) that was bought new in 2000 ( it was $ 192.74).  I have no clue as to what the original tank looked like, although my owners manual reports it to be a 3 gallon tank.  

The Manchester tank is 10 3/8 in diameter, 16 11/16 long.  The numbers say a second 10 lb tank would go in the locker, but looking at it in person, I have my doubts. 

I'm sure there is something I can do to improve this situation, I just haven't decided on what yet.  [Image Can Not Be Found]