Propane will release more moisture into the air than a solid fuel; * C3H8 + (5)O2 --> (3)CO2 + (4)H2O *is the formula to show that for every propane molecue (*C3H8*)* *five oxygen molecues are needed for combustion.* *The byproduct is heat (yay!) but also 3 carbon dioxide molecues and 4 water molecues for every propane molecue burned. That's if you obtain a perfect gas/air mixture, which you will not do; throw in some CO (carbon monoxide) for the unburned gas that results without the perfect gas/air mixture. Propane has another poor property that makes it dangerous inside; it is heavier than air, and will sink to the bottom of your boat. You may not know its there, because the odorant used in propane stays with the propane. Ventilation will not prevent the propane from settling in the bottom of the boat; it drops out of all but the most vigorous air stream and falls, lurking silently until an ignition source and then .... BOOM. I think most wood fuels will give off more CO than properly adjusted propane stove. Alcohol stoves are better in this regard, but I've heard several sailors say they won't use alcohol because its very hard to see an alcohol flame, and if you spill it, and it can quickly ignite and start a fire in the cabin. On Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 9:56 AM, David C. Patterson <davidcpatterson@msn.com

wrote:

Brian and others, thanks for the conscientious safety tips. I have the CO monitor necessity clear already, and actually some if not all of the propane cabin heaters by SIG and others have oxygen depletion cut-offs and air source arrangements not unlike modern building furnaces on land. Even the (non-marine) Little Buddy from Northern Tools has the oxygen depletion cut-off. And of course ventilation is a necessity. My curiosity (and hope) is that someone has installed a heater, and can give me a sense of placement, venting, any considerations toward or away from solid fuel vs. propane in terms of use and/or convenience, problems to avoid on the cabin top, and so on. Anyway, I hope someone has. If not, I'll post something when I make my choices. Enjoy the sailing season, David M17 #393

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