Propane Refrigeration - Page 2

DeepFrz · 31-01-2009, 14:13

Mine was vented to outside as well.

I just emailed a friend who lives in a new 34' diesel Motorhome and he said his frig. is switched to electric (automatically) when he starts his engine.

Talbot · 31-01-2009, 14:40

I had a propane fridge in operation on my cat for 21 years without a problem. It had a 12v dc and a 240v AC capability, - 12v used at least 8 amps, so I never used it with electricity.

Badsanta · 31-01-2009, 14:52

there was one in a boat that I bought. The PO told me to keep the port holes open to get rid of excess heat. I only used it a short time and it stopped working. When I removed it the panel walls were charred from the exhaust heat, From the amount of damage I don't know why it did not burn up.

thinwater · 06-02-2009, 20:02

PDQ Forum • Index page

I have one but have not used it enough to consider myself knowledgeable.

LakeSuperior · 06-02-2009, 16:41

Have read many sad stories through the years about propane refrigerators malfunctioning causing deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning. It's seems to be near the top of the list of hunting camp and cabin hazards.

delmitch · 06-02-2009, 17:47

Propane fridges are standard on all Gemini cats (I have Hull #519, they are approaching #1100).

Level is the key so the ammonia can boil. You take the same precautions as with your propane stove.

We get nearly 3 weeks from a 20lb tank (includes cooking). I absolutly love it!

Talbot · 07-02-2009, 00:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

Have read many sad stories through the years about propane refrigerators malfunctioning causing deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning. It's seems to be near the top of the list of hunting camp and cabin hazards.

Like most things in a boat, if you ignore their maintenance, they will bite you. I had LPG water heating, LPG fridge and LPG cooker. These were maintained, and I checked my gas lines every year and replaced when they needed it. I also had a leak detector.

LPG is particularly dangerous when you forget how dangerous it can be, just like the sea.

Take appropriate precautions, and it can make life a lot easier.

Quote:

Gemini is the only sailboat manufacturer and PDQ (with their 32' cat) that used propane fridges.

Catalac fitted them in over 500 8m and 9m catamarans

Evan · 06-02-2009, 23:23

Gemini is the only sailboat manufacturer and PDQ (with their 32' cat) that used propane fridges. They work ok on cats, but the hassle of trying to refill propane every 3 weeks (and the extra weight of propane) dissuaded me from them.

Debgen · 05-06-2009, 13:25

I've had Dometic propane refrigeration in both our Prout cats as well as a 43 Gulf Star Trawler. Absorption refrigeration doesn't work well with over 5 degrees of heel, but that means continous heel. If the boat is bouncing along a seaway they function correctly as they are never heel in one direction as if in a monohull on a continous tack. The pilot is on at all time but if it goes out there is an auto shut off valve that operates. We never had any issues and we always carried 3 20 Lb jugs. It sure beats either running engine to charge batteies or buy extra solar cell panel.

Just my viewpoint

Cheechako · 05-06-2009, 13:32

I understand they eat propane pretty fast, for a 2 week vacation type of boat maybe they would be good, for cruising... those tanks are heavy!

Debgen · 05-06-2009, 15:29

Average consumption for refer and stove was 24 days per tank. We cruised for 3 years the first time logging over 15000nm. having a Cat means there is plenty of area for storage.

Therapy · 06-06-2009, 09:35

I have read that propane becomes explosive at between 12,000 and 65,000 parts per million (propane-air). It contains mercaptan and that is what you smell. It is "smelled" at low levels and becomes overwhelming at 600 parts per million.

But this only applies if you are there to smell it.

GordMay · 10-06-2009, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therapy

I have read that propane becomes explosive at between 12,000 and 65,000 parts per million (propane-air)...

Actually, Propane is explosive between 21,000 & 101,000 PPM.
Propane is an extremely flammable gas, but not itself is an explosive. Only with the right mixture* of Propane and air will it explode.
Concentrations lower than the LEL are too lean to burn, and concentrations higher than UEL are too rich to burn
Propane’s Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) is 2.1% by volume of air (21,000 PPM)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) is 10.1% (101,000 PPM)

31-01-2009, 14:40	#2
Talbot Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stavanger, Norway Boat: Last boat was a Catalac 9m Hi-Jude Posts: 2,905	I had a propane fridge in operation on my cat for 21 years without a problem. It had a 12v dc and a 240v AC capability, - 12v used at least 8 amps, so I never used it with electricity. __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss." Robert A Heinlein

31-01-2009, 14:52	#3
Badsanta Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: virginia Boat: islandpacket Posts: 372	there was one in a boat that I bought. The PO told me to keep the port holes open to get rid of excess heat. I only used it a short time and it stopped working. When I removed it the panel walls were charred from the exhaust heat, From the amount of damage I don't know why it did not burn up. __________________ That derelict boat was another dream for somebody else, don't let it be your nightmare and a waste of your life.

06-02-2009, 20:02	#4
thinwater Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Deale, MD Boat: PDQ Altair, 32 ft, "Shoal Survivor" Posts: 313	Go to the PDQ site and ask. Many are equiped with propane friges PDQ Forum • Index page I have one but have not used it enough to consider myself knowledgeable.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
12 v refrigeration	Lady Hawk	Plumbing Systems and Fixtures	11	21-10-2007 11:01
Tundra Refrigeration?	ssullivan	Provisioning: Food & Drink	7	08-10-2006 05:45
Refrigeration	GordMay	Construction, Maintenance & Refit	8	20-09-2004 19:42
Refrigeration help ...	GordMay	The Library	5	21-07-2004 13:07
Refrigeration	CaptJason	Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar	0	26-05-2003 12:41

31-01-2009, 14:13	#1
DeepFrz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Winnipeg Boat: None at this time Posts: 1,182	Mine was vented to outside as well. I just emailed a friend who lives in a new 34' diesel Motorhome and he said his frig. is switched to electric (automatically) when he starts his engine.

06-02-2009, 16:41	#5
LakeSuperior Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Boat: Siskawit - Mason 44 Posts: 80	Have read many sad stories through the years about propane refrigerators malfunctioning causing deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning. It's seems to be near the top of the list of hunting camp and cabin hazards.

06-02-2009, 17:47	#6
delmitch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Port Colborne, ON. Boat: Gemini105M Posts: 13	Propane fridges are standard on all Gemini cats (I have Hull #519, they are approaching #1100). Level is the key so the ammonia can boil. You take the same precautions as with your propane stove. We get nearly 3 weeks from a 20lb tank (includes cooking). I absolutly love it!

06-02-2009, 23:23	#8
Evan Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vancouver, Can. Boat: Woods 40' catamaran Posts: 273	Gemini is the only sailboat manufacturer and PDQ (with their 32' cat) that used propane fridges. They work ok on cats, but the hassle of trying to refill propane every 3 weeks (and the extra weight of propane) dissuaded me from them.

05-06-2009, 13:25	#9
Debgen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	I've had Dometic propane refrigeration in both our Prout cats as well as a 43 Gulf Star Trawler. Absorption refrigeration doesn't work well with over 5 degrees of heel, but that means continous heel. If the boat is bouncing along a seaway they function correctly as they are never heel in one direction as if in a monohull on a continous tack. The pilot is on at all time but if it goes out there is an auto shut off valve that operates. We never had any issues and we always carried 3 20 Lb jugs. It sure beats either running engine to charge batteies or buy extra solar cell panel. Just my viewpoint

05-06-2009, 13:32	#10
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,205	I understand they eat propane pretty fast, for a 2 week vacation type of boat maybe they would be good, for cruising... those tanks are heavy!

05-06-2009, 15:29	#11
Debgen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	Average consumption for refer and stove was 24 days per tank. We cruised for 3 years the first time logging over 15000nm. having a Cat means there is plenty of area for storage.

06-06-2009, 09:35	#12
Therapy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: W Florida Boat: 16ft Jon, 15hp Honda - Gemini 105Mc #1044 Posts: 2,319	I have read that propane becomes explosive at between 12,000 and 65,000 parts per million (propane-air). It contains mercaptan and that is what you smell. It is "smelled" at low levels and becomes overwhelming at 600 parts per million. But this only applies if you are there to smell it.