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Subject: TWL: Small Freezers
From: Bob Austin (thataway4@XXX.XXX)
Date: Sun Sep 01 2002 - 23:23:27 EDT
Kevin asks about the disclaimer in use of propane freezers in vehicles. I
are sure that there are a variety of reasons for this disdclaimer. Legal,
certainly is predominant. If you operate an amonia refigerator or freezer
it must be within a few degrees of level--certainly within the amount on
trawler normally rests at either under way or at anchor. I have actually
seen them used on sailboats--apparently the motion is enough to keep the gas
flowing and preventing a liqud lock situation. However I have heard of RV's
where the unit had locked up when operated off level by as much as 5
degrees. Sometimes rotating the unit can "cure this". I used a Bernzamatic
unit on the deck of a boat for a couple of years and had no problems.
I have commented previously that I personally would not have an RV propane
type of refigerator down below on a boat--because of safety issues.
There are members of this list and many others that I know who have
successfully and safely used RV refigerators/freezers on boats. In my
opinion they would be much safer in the open deck, where there was little or
no chance of propane (heavier than air) going below decks. There are a
number of other units designed for outside use. To clarify, many of my boats
have had propane cooking systems, but I turned the gas on every time I used
it, and off after use. I also had two sniffer sensors--one behind the
stove, the other in the bilge.
Although RV's have the propane plumbing running through the floors, they do
ventillate the refers burner area via a pannel to the outside. I have a
propane detector in my RV--never had a leak inside in over 40 years of
RVing, but if you did, it could be catastrophic. I shut the propane off
when fueling the RV and always make sure it is within three degrees of level
when I park for any lenght of time.
I believe that a short time ago someone posted that they had never seen or
heard of a boat propane explosion--and that gas explosions were rare. I
have personally seen half a dozen of each, with fatalities. I also have
seen dangerous fires from pressurized alcohol stoves....
Regards,
Bob Austin
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