Bulkhead Fitting for Propane Line

[clausont]

Thanks all - I truly appreciate all of the information and suggestions. The McMaster fitting won't go through the cabin top or cabin sides on our Ingrid - neither will the Trident I don't think. Our cabin top is 3/4" thick and the cabin sides are 1 1/2" thick! The fitting that Boracay shows is probably what I would have ended up using.
I think that David M has what I was hoping to find:

Originally Posted by David M

Here are some examples of bulkhead fittings. There are a whole slew of different types and sizes.

David - the two brass fittings that you show are what I was hoping to find. I think that if nothing else, it is nicer to be able to remove a line from the bulkhead fitting rather than having the line run all the way through.
Where can I find these two fittings? I have looked at local supply houses but they look at me like I am from a different planet so far.

Thanks again all for the ideas and suggestions!

[David M]

Your welcome clausont. Where I found these images was by looking through Google Images. The search word was "bulkhead fitting". You can right click on the image and then select Properties to get the URL that the image comes from.

[Celestialsailor]

I agree with David M...That's the right way to do propane.

[Marksman]

I was under the impresion that propane installations required an unbroken line from the locker to the appliance for each appliance. That was according to the surveyor who inspected my boat before I bought it anyway. Was he in error or is it just not seriously enforced?

[Boracay]

I believe the unbroken line (in NSW, Australia this would be plastic coated copper tube) to be essential.

My understanding is that joints inside the boat should only be at the cock just before the appliance and at the appliance.

I would expect the joints to be the weakest point.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by clausont

Thanks all - I truly appreciate all of the information and suggestions. The McMaster fitting won't go through the cabin top or cabin sides on our Ingrid - neither will the Trident I don't think. Our cabin top is 3/4" thick and the cabin sides are 1 1/2" thick! The fitting that Boracay shows is probably what I would have ended up using.
I think that David M has what I was hoping to find:


David - the two brass fittings that you show are what I was hoping to find. I think that if nothing else, it is nicer to be able to remove a line from the bulkhead fitting rather than having the line run all the way through.
Where can I find these two fittings? I have looked at local supply houses but they look at me like I am from a different planet so far.

Thanks again all for the ideas and suggestions!

too short, glue it in. Even if it gets stuck and needs replaced, it will come out easily with a hole saw. The hole saw is guided in the space between the FRP and the fitting. I have done this before without difficulty.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Marksman

I was under the impresion that propane installations required an unbroken line from the locker to the appliance for each appliance. That was according to the surveyor who inspected my boat before I bought it anyway. Was he in error or is it just not seriously enforced?

The surveyor is correct. ABYC requires a continuous line.

Jack

[s/v Beth]

Our surveyor required a continuous line once inside the cabin. I think it can have a connection in the cockpit locker (if separated from the cabin by a bulkhead). Correct me if I am wrong Jack.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Our surveyor required a continuous line once inside the cabin. I think it can have a connection in the cockpit locker (if separated from the cabin by a bulkhead). Correct me if I am wrong Jack.

Yes, you will likely have a fitting or two in the propane locker. One from the tank to the pressure gauge and one to the solenoid. That is OK. If you have a solid propane line, there will be a fitting to the flex hose that permits the stove to gimbal. That is also OK.

[kjdavie01]

Originally Posted by David M

Piping or tubing that has fluids fluids running through them are not really supposed to have the pipe or tube run through the bulkhead. The pipe or tube is supposed to connect to a bulkhead fitting which is tightened down making it securely attached to the bulkhead. On the other side of the bulkhead, you are supposed to connect another pipe or tube to the bulkhead fitting.

Its pretty much a BS way of doing it by running a pipe or tubing through the bulkhead then putting sealant around it where it touches the bulkhead. First of all, you may negate the purpose of a watertight bulkhead and second, pipes expand and contract in relation to the bulkhead, causing a wearing effect on the sealant which might eventually wear through the pipe or tubing.

Here are some examples of bulkhead fittings. There are a whole slew of different types and sizes.

David, I agree with you that bulkhead fittings are the "right" way to go, but the two you have pictured are hydraulic fittings, so wouldn't meet the ABYC standards (if that is one's intention.)