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This page describes C34 owners Updates to the
propane tanks Storage Box.
Please contribute yours!
See Ron Hill's Home made box farther down this
page!
[C34] Update Propane Box...NEW TANK DOES NOT FIT!
We bought our 34 "Gray Hawk" this past August and have
enjoyed it tremendously. However, when I attempted to have the
propane tank refilled I discovered that this was not possible. It
seems that regulations governing propane tanks were changed. Now
tanks are required to have a float valve to keep them from being
overfilled. The valves can be added to older tanks but not the small
tanks used in the older 34's. Older tanks have a grace period of a
few years, unless they are 12 years old or older -- mine is 12 years
old. The only new tanks I have found so far are about an inch taller
than the old one and will not fit in the storage box. New boxes in
the discount catalogs are around $300. I'm hoping for a less
expensive solution. Has anyone found a new tank that fits in the
existing box, or discovered a SAFE modification to the box to
accommodate a new tank, etc?
Mike Baker, "Gray Hawk", #815
Re: [C34] Update Propane Box
Seaward, who makes the propane system which Catalina uses, has a
fix for this. They have a new molded cover, which accommodates them
higher tank with the OPD valve. They offer this at their cost to
upgrade earlier systems. They also have some shorter 1/2 inch long
stem adapters which go between the POL fitting and the "T"
to the gage and regulator so you can use the newer tank valves with
the inside and outside threaded POL fittings. You can use these if
your propane supplier will change the valve on a 12-year-old tank
and keep on filling them. Our suppliers here will do that for the
next couple of years. Believe the short stem adapters are only about
$5 each but Seawards minimum order is $20.
New lid and adapter kit for the higher OPD tank is Seaward PN 80233.
The OPD tank is Seaward PN 93270. Contact Tom Shultz who is the
owner. He gets results and others there often don't. Phone is 562
699-7997 and Tom's extension is 204. Another contact there who knows
the equipment is Lonnie at extension 213 but it's usually a lot more
difficult to find him available.
Jim Moe, Windseeker, #976, jmoe@worldnet.att.net
[C34] Update Propane Box
Mike, Read the C34 Nov 1998 Mainsheet Tech notes (in the
magazine or on the C34 Website). In the article "Propane
Changes," I warned everybody of the forthcoming overfill
protection device (OPD) and the new regulations making your old
tanks non-fillable. As I mentioned in the article, you might want to
contact Manchester Tank Company 1-800-877-8265.
Below is the an article I wrote back in the Feb 1991 Mainsheet on
upgrading your propane capacity from 1 gal to a 10 LB tank where I
reused all of the original internal plumbing fixtures, lid and built
my own box. Pictures are also shown below. I also updated it in the
last paragraph.
Like other Catalina 34 and 36 owners, I wasn't too pleased with the
one gallon tank (4.5 lbs. supplied with the boat. My fix was to more
than double that capacity with an 11-LB tank, use all of the
fittings from the old locker, including the lid, and mounted it in
the same location as the old installation!
The 11-LB propane bottle is made by the Manchester Tank Company of
Elkhart, Indiana, and is approximately 12" diameter and
12" high. I took 1/4" plywood and constructed a
"box" with the inside dimensions of 12-1/2 " x
12-1/2" x 12-1/2". I matted the outside edges and
fiberglassed them for strength. To ensure a good fit for the lid, I
added 1/4" quarter round molding to the inside of the top edge.
The bottle must be tipped on its side going into the box, but once
inside can be set upright. I also cut a 1/4" plywood disc the
inside size of the tank base and glued it to the bottom of the box
to keep the tank centered and in place. I removed both of the old
vent fittings from the old box and placed them in the same location
on the new box. These elbows are held in place by threading through
the wood and secured by bronze flare nuts (Boat U.S. item #126092 @
$1.95 ea.). I did change the entry points of the outlet hose and
solenoid wiring to fit the tight geometry. To ensure a tight air
seal, I used clear caulk on all inside seams and around the threaded
vents, wire, and gas line ports. I removed a small strip of
fiberglass off the lip above the emergency tiller bulkhead to allow
the most forward mounting of the new locker.
The new locker is secured (from the inside) to the wooden platform
over the steering quadrant by the lag bolts from the old box. Note
there is also room in the locker for an "emergency" 16-oz.
propane bottle inside. In fact, if "Seaward" were to read
this, they would only have to change the mold for their box bottom
to accommodate the 11-LB tank.
To get the best leak free propane connection at the bottle, I went
to a "soft nose" POL fitting. The photo shows the hard
nose "POL" that came with the boat on the right and the
"soft nose" with a rubber O ring on the left. I purchased
the soft nose for $3.59 from Trident Rubber, Inc., Cannonsburg, PA
telephone number 1-800-233-9748.
On 15 Jan 2001 I called Manchester Tank
(1-800-877-8265) and confirmed that their old 11-LB tank had the
same exterior dimensions as their new 11-LB tank with the Overfill
Protection Device (OPD). So the modified locker I made in the spring
of 1990 will fit the new EPA approved tank.
Ron, Apache #788, ronphylhill@juno.com
Important: The opinions expressed here are those of the
individual contributors to this page, and not those of the Catalina
34 National Association or Catalina Yachts, Inc. Additionally, this
material has not been reviewed by Catalina Yachts, Inc. for
technical accuracy. This page's maintainer cannot guarantee the
accuracy of this information or the desirability of suggested
modifications or upgrades. Please obtain assistance from a competent
marine mechanic or boatyard prior to making any significant
modifications to your vessel. |
