Propane?

[Notebook]

Anyone running a propane outboard?

[Fenlander]

I know you have mentioned this in other threads. What is the advantage to you or anyone else? Serious question as I have no experience other than looking after a 1990s converted Mercedes many years ago which was a right pain.

[Notebook]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I know you have mentioned this in other threads. What is the advantage to you or anyone else? Serious question as I have no experience other than looking after a 1990s converted Mercedes many years ago which was a right pain.

Just looking for information, therefore the advantage would be for me. Also possibly for others who are starved on info on them.
Just trying to introduce something other than petrol also.

Thanks

[Notebook]

Shame it doesn’t show what boats and motors people have had over the years to make targeting a question more accurately.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Only my opinion but I don’t see the point of it especially if you do long distances it never took off with cars / vans . I’m still the same with the hybrid vehicles although there’s room for improvement before I buy one. I guess infrastructure with gas was is lacking as is electric hook ups at the moment

[Notebook]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Only my opinion but I don’t see the point of it especially if you do long distances it never took off with cars / vans . I’m still the same with the hybrid vehicles although there’s room for improvement before I buy one. I guess infrastructure with gas was is lacking as is electric hook ups at the moment

Thanks Jeff
I have a hybrid Toyota chr - uses petrol and electric without being plugged in - maybe you were thinking of full electric?
Car gets about 65 to the gallon. My SWB Rav4 gets 30MPG if I am lucky - lol

Maybe a straight petrol 6hp might do the job.

Thanks all

Any info always appreciated

[Mattster]

It's an interesting idea, but I wonder how practical it would be in the UK? Where do you get the propane from, assuming you don't use a swappable patio gas cylinder? The engine I saw had a refillable canister, but I wonder how easy it is to get refilled? I'm not sure I know anywhere around me that would do it. Cost wise it seems to be competitive with petrol (or better), but in my small boat, and for these small propane engines generally, I doubt that is much of a factor for most.

[Notebook]

Originally Posted by Mattster

It's an interesting idea, but I wonder how practical it would be in the UK? Where do you get the propane from, assuming you don't use a swappable patio gas cylinder? The engine I saw had a refillable canister, but I wonder how easy it is to get refilled? I'm not sure I know anywhere around me that would do it. Cost wise it seems to be competitive with petrol (or better), but in my small boat, and for these small propane engines generally, I doubt that is much of a factor for most.

Hi
Yes - Homebase etc do the BBQ ones called gaslight - they are very light and come in 5kg and 10Kilo
From my calcs
a 9.8 uses 3.8 litres an hour - petrol £1.32 - so £5.01 an hour
8hp = £4.22
6HP = £2.64
5HP = £2.24

Propane (Red Bottles)

5Kilo refill = £31 and runs for 5hrs, so £6.20

You can transfer the gas from a large canister to a smaller one as it will equalise pressure (using temperature of each)

I have seen the little canister ones from a company, but the reviews are dreadful for the make of the engine.

LPG (Propane) doesn't go off, doesn't need priming as its pressurised and doesn't require winter storage prep.

Thats what I have learned so far - just would like to hear from some bugger who has one - lol

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Notebook

Thanks Jeff
I have a hybrid Toyota chr - uses petrol and electric without being plugged in - maybe you were thinking of full electric?
Car gets about 65 to the gallon. My SWB Rav4 gets 30MPG if I am lucky - lol

Maybe a straight petrol 6hp might do the job.

Thanks all

Any info always appreciated

To be honest a bloke I know bought a Toyota can’t remember the model very stileish looking he reckoned he got 50 to the gallon with the engine revving it’s tits off,in contrast my mini diesel 68 to the gallon I know the eco difference fuel wise not sure what the battery adds I’m not convinced at this time we’re saving the planet. For me petrol is easy, use the E 10 fuel if your eco friendly and able to carry what you need with no heavy propane bottle to haul around OMO
Edit
I’m sure might be wrong you don’t get the same power out of propane interesting thread though

[Notebook]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

To be honest a bloke I know bought a Toyota can’t remember the model very stileish looking he reckoned he got 50 to the gallon with the engine revving it’s tits off,in contrast my mini diesel 68 to the gallon I know the eco difference fuel wise not sure what the battery adds I’m not convinced at this time we’re saving the planet. For me petrol is easy, use the E 10 fuel if your eco friendly and able to carry what you need with no heavy propane bottle to haul around OMO

It wasnt an eco reason - I just liked the look of it - it regularly does much higher.
No revving its tits off either...

lets get back to the boats - eh

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Mattster

It's an interesting idea, but I wonder how practical it would be in the UK? Where do you get the propane from, assuming you don't use a swappable patio gas cylinder? The engine I saw had a refillable canister, but I wonder how easy it is to get refilled? I'm not sure I know anywhere around me that would do it. Cost wise it seems to be competitive with petrol (or better), but in my small boat, and for these small propane engines generally, I doubt that is much of a factor for most.

I may be out of touch but I thought these were all mostly "tender" sized engines - and one of the attractions was that marinas could sell gas cylinders far easier than selling petrol (many will already supply it for cooking). The fact propane doesn't go off may be more attractive for yachts who's fuel is often sitting doing nothing. Other niche benefits were that it could potentially be used in places like drinking water reservoirs that don't like petrol boats.

I’m sure might be wrong you don’t get the same power out of propane interesting thread though

depends if you are measuring kJ/L or kJ/kg and if you have an engine designed to benefit from the higher octane of propane.

[Notebook]

5hp is the largest I have seen

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Notebook

5hp is the largest I have seen

Lehr do a 15 hp

[Notebook]

Thats the make - reviews shocking - they can use the little canisters and the normal bbq ones.

Mercury do a 5 too - probably the same engine as Tohatsu

[jeffstevens763@g]

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/th...tboard.153709/
Lehr made by parson Chinese engines interesting comments in the link
Yam do one

I would say as a kicker engine it has some benefits with little used engines

[Notebook]

check mate

[jeffstevens763@g]

Power Sea Saver NEW KIT FOR LPG /PROPANE OUTBOARD BOAT COVERSION

Interesting

Lehr doing a 25 just read

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Notebook

Car gets about 65 to the gallon. My SWB Rav4 gets 30MPG if I am lucky - lol

I'd be getting rid of that Rav4! My Navara has averaged 31mpg over 80k of hard driving!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

I'd be getting rid of that Rav4! My Navara has averaged 31mpg over 80k of hard driving!

Just on our way home from Cornwall, VW T6, full camper conversion, 204ps, 4motion, auto, towing Piglet in her trailer. Averaging 36mpg. Who needs propane 🤷*♂️

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by Notebook

You can transfer the gas from a large canister to a smaller one as it will equalise pressure (using temperature of each)

Not so fast.
The pressure will equalize and it was always good getting some free GAS when filling up the empty car tanks, but these systems use a liquid take-off which then goes to an evaporator before injection as gas (single point or sequential). To get the LIQUID to transfer you either need a pump or let gravity do the work which could be a long time depending on the bore of the pipe. Have to carefully weigh the receiving vessel to make sure not over 80% full to allow for temperature expansion. Refilling not recommended!

I have a couple of 10kg Safefill bottles and it can be a real problem finding somewhere, they sooner sell you exchange Calor, more profit.