Propane, the kiss of death

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

Even if you need a generator for electric cooking, that's not the end of the world. You add some complexity for the generator, but reduce some by removing the propane system. And you also gain the benefit of 1 less fuel type to obtain, store, etc. The generator means that your cooking fuel is now the same as propulsion fuel.

There is no perfect answer, just make sure you select the best system for you.

Generators have reliability and maintenance issues. Propane systems are simple, reliable and almost maintenance free, as well as generating no noise or vibration.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by David Ess

Very few boats without a genset.

Modern cruising yachts are tending to fit more solar and no generator, but It very much depends on your requirements and preferences.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Modern cruising yachts are tending to fit more solar and no generator, but It very much depends on your requirements and preferences.

And your pocket..

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by David Ess

Yes, and many boats have really, really low standards. Im surprised more of them dont blow up.

Do you own a boat ?

[boatpoker]

How many here have room to install a generator ?
I see only about 1% sailing vessels with fixed generators and those are all over 45'

[David Ess]

Originally Posted by boatman61

And your pocket..

Yes, like if you're in rainy,cold areas, not much sun...good to have a genset.

[RaymondR]

Do any of those gas explosion in boars statistics show the statistics for incidents involving installations with and without solenoid shut-off valves at the bottle?

[David Ess]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Do you own a boat ?

I was agreeing with what another guy stated. Im not sure if he has a boat, but I do, and one with high standards.. In any case its irrelevant to the matter of what low standards so many boats have.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by double u

…..

electric pantry: very expensive & complex for 40' (generator!), & would you want to crank up the generator if you want to make scrambled eggs while on nightwatch?

….

For a 40’ boat is not that big a stretch to run off of LA batteries
You would need an extra 300Ahr of batteries over normal.
You would need a 600-900Ahr battery bank in order to deal with instantaneous loads.
You would need an extra 375W of solar thru MPPT controllers.
4000-5000W pure sine inverter.
That would run an 1800W 2-burner hob and an 1800W convection oven simultaneously at full power.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

….

"Induction cooking is often considered one of the most efficient cooking technologies. With this technology,*up to 90% of the energy consumed is transferred to the food, compared to about 74% for traditional electric systems and 40% for gas."

I have personally measured the efficiency of microwave(45%), butane (50%) and induction (76%) cooking.

Butane is similar to propane but have not measured.
I did not measure resistive.

[David Ess]

Originally Posted by Adelie

I have personally measured the efficiency of microwave(45%), butane (50%) and induction (76%) cooking.

Butane is similar to propane but have not measured.
I did not measure resistive.

Thanks for providing EVEN more evidence how elec induction is better for cooking on boats, RVs, houses, condos, aeroplanes, submarines and treehouses.

[Don C L]

If I had a genset, if I had room for it, I'd need more gasoline. I fear gasoline more than propane.

[David Ess]

Originally Posted by Don C L

If I had a genset, if I had room for it, I'd need more gasoline. I fear gasoline more than propane.

Don, you can get diesel gensets nowadays, the same fuel your engine probably runs on. Or do you have a gas motor?

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by David Ess

Don, you can get diesel gensets nowadays, the same fuel your engine probably runs on. Or do you have a gas motor?

In my case, gas, but the diesels are not just a matter of space but ones that I have seen weigh about 200lbs or more. So again for a smaller boat, and sailors who may pull a muscle or two lifting the thing, it's hard to see that working well. But if you already have a diesel engine is it really considerably more efficient and cost effective to get a diesel genset too?

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by David Ess

Very few boats without a genset.

You have that backwards. As solar and wind get better fewer and fewer boats HAVE a generator!! Which ultimately doesn't solve the problem of induction cooking. You're trading a know relatively simple to install safe system for a lot of cost and complexity for a "safer" system.