Initial Inspection - LPG System

 

Two 14.3 liter (3.8 gallons) aluminum LPG tanks were stowed securely on the boomkin with stainless steel straps and base mount supports.  The LPG tank strap/mount installation is designed to only support a tank with a 256 mm or 10 inch diameter.  A Force 10 barbecue grill is mounted to the aft port stainless steel rails.

The two aluminum LPG tanks aboard were made by the company Aluminiumarugyar in August 2002, imported to New Zealand by Hunz Export, Auckland, NZ, and most likely purchased there.  Both LPG tanks were made to specification MK 231/85 that WorkSafe New Zealand had listed on its Withdrawn Cylinder Standards in March 2004.  New Zealand requires LPG tanks to be re-certified for use at 10 years from date of manufacture;  the US requirement is 12 years.  As both these tanks were manufactured in August 2002, they were long overdue re-certification and technically not legal to be refilled or used.  Re-certification to US LPG tank standards while in the Philippines was not a viable possibility.  Internet research on tank re-certification costs revealed in most opinions it is cheaper to replace the tanks than re-certify.  Attempted rotation of one LPG tank handle resulted in part of the triangular handle breaking off due to corrosion.
Added to the To Do List:

  • A0138 – Obtain replacement LPG tanks.

 

Discovered the Force 10 Marine Barbecue model 3550 aboard is discontinued and no longer made or available.  The Force 10 manufacture's website  no longer provides spare parts or documentation for this item, however was still able to obtain a manual from the internet.  The BBQ grill was mounted to the stainless steel rails using a Kuuma Inboard/Outboard grill rail mount P/N 735-58182.  We removed the Force 10 BBQ and LPG tanks from Indra and as one tank had some gas left, we set up the BBQ on the ground.  On the third use of the Force 10 BBQ its internal regulator rubber diaphragm failed resulting in a gas flare up (very large fire ball) and was no longer usable.
Added to the To Do List:

  • A0139 – Obtain new marine BBQ grill.

 

A Serada Gas Quip Hob, Grill, and Oven Model OH1506 Serial Number 2003025535 was installed along the ship's center-line in a fixed, non-gimbal position.  A user and installation instructions manual was obtained from the internet.  This model is discontinued and no longer available; however it is almost identical to the Thetford Marine Cooker Model Nelson OH1500Z.  A functional check of the stove was not performed due to lack of LPG and would need to be performed later.
Added to the To Do List:

  • A0140 – Inspect and perform LPG functional check of the Serada stove.

 

A BEP Marine model 600-LPG gas shutoff panel was installed in the galley cabinet, just to the right of the galley stove.  It controlled a BEP Marine model VR2 12 volt gas solenoid to shutoff gas at the LPG tank.  There was no LPG tank pressure gauge installed as required per ABYC A-1 paragraph 1.5.2. Per BEP Marine website the VR2 series gas solenoids do not comply with USCG requirements.  The gas solenoid current draw is 800mA or less at 12.5 volts and 2 amp fuse protection is specified by manufacture.  Inspection of the 12 volt circuit breaker panel revealed the BEP shutoff panel and gas solenoid was improperly connected to a 10 amp circuit breaker.  The LPG tank pressure was lowered by a Campmaster model 700B gas regulator.  A hose was connected to the regulator with two clamps.  The flexible orange hose was routed forward to the galley stove and connected to the stove's 1/4 inch BSP female fitting with a hose adapter secured with two clamps.  ABYC A-1 paragraph 1.9.3 installation requirements for flexible LPG supply lines do not allow use of clamps to secure gas hose connections - the LPG flexible hose must have permanently attached fittings.
Added to the To Do List:

  • A0141 - Obtain 1/4 inch BSP male to 3/8 inch SAE male union adapter.
  • A0142 - Obtain LPG hose with preinstalled fittings.
  • A0143 - Obtain new USCG approved LPG regulator, shutoff solenoid, and control panel.
  • A0144 - Rewire LPG control circuit and include proper rated fuse protection.

 

Drafted a diagram of the revised LPG system to clarify the needed parts to order.