Which Excel Model # did you buy?
What size is your LPG line? - my originals read 3/8"…
What is the gas line fitting size? It appears that the Low Pressure Excel has 1/2" gas fitting… if your line is 3/8", where did you find a fitting to step-up the connection?
I am looking to replace my still working original Paloma that has a pilot light to make the water heater compliant/safer. Someone had mentioned an Excel unit that was an ‘drop-in’ replacement for the Paloma (but I can’t find the info in the threads)… Can someone provide this info please?
I already have a flue for the Paloma and want to connect the new unit to this flue… though the Excel is ‘no vent’ is one able to connect it to the vent? I, again, cannot locate where someone said they did this - is it pretty straight forward?
I am not comfortable without venting to the outside…
Thank you,
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30U 430
Jersey City, NJ
Might have been me Peter. I used a household heating boot with minor modifications to connect my Excel to the old Paloma vent. The Excel had to be shimmed off the bulkhead about a half to three quarters of an inch but actually used two out of three of the old mounting holes.
How did you connect the Excel’s 1/2" NPT Male connection to what appears to be the correct LGP hose line that has a 3/8" swivel female flair connection?
I had a look but couldn’t find the fitting. What I did find was a picture of the spacers I used to shim the Excel to match the position of the Paloma vent if that might help you.
Several years ago I dismantled the stove on my NS after discovering severe corrosion in the burner area. I now use a single burner cook top with 1 pound Propane canisters. Easier to find than getting a 20 pound tank refilled when cruising. Has not affected my cooking needs. My 12 inch cast iron fry pan fits better on it too. Four canisters seems to last the whole season. Also have a portable Butane stove should I need an additional burner but, never needed it.
I looked at my Paloma and there appear to be a step-down fitting connecting the 1/2" on the Paloma to the 3/8" LPG hose. I will either try to find those (perhaps Excel has them) or if it comes apart easy enough and looks to be in good shape, maybe I will reuse it.
Right now I am going to hold off on the new water heater until I can be sure of all parts/fittings/connections.
I am going to replace the regulator/gauge/solenoid in the propane locker now.
While undertaking this propane project, I will be certain to check the stove for issues. I have given a cursory review in the past but nothing in-depth. If I find issues similar to what you found, I may go the same route as you.
Mike,
4 pounds for a season! A number of possibilities come to mind: you are eating out too much, you are not eating enough, you are on a liquid diet, your sailing season is too short or some combination of the three.
Peter,
I installed a 5.5 litre per minute Excel and used the vent from the previously installed Wolter heater.
I’m certainly not having a problem getting calories into the system while on board. That’s part of the problem. Number one priority is coffee in the morning of course. Though with 10 kilowatts of battery on board making fresh bread with the 48 volt inverter and a bread maker makes for delicious sandwiches. Of course some rum flavored bbq chicken always hits the spot in the evening. I do usually have a stockpile of frozen homemade sauces and broths that I can pull out of the home refrigerator and bring on board. I also will occasionally go ashore for lunch if I’m in a port that has a restaurant that entices me. Though I prefer dinners on board after enjoying the sunset.
Another reason I’m able to minimize propane use is I took out the Paloma water heater and did not replace it. I have found the solar heated bucket is enough most days along with the occasional marina shower if available. If I do want a hot shower inside the boat (or in the cockpit) I use a portable Coleman Hot Water heater: https://biankablog.blogspot.com/2009/07/in-hot-water.html
Mike,
4 pounds for a season! A number of possibilities come to mind: you are eating out too much, you are not eating enough, you are on a liquid diet, your sailing season is too short or some combination of the three.
Peter,
I installed a 5.5 litre per minute Excel and used the vent from the previously installed Wolter heater.
The single burner idea was going be temporary but, I found it worked out quite well. No more guessing how much propane is left in the tank as long as I have at least 1 pound propane canister in the propane locker I have several weeks of propane use. Also allowed for much more storage in propane locker with the tanks removed. Now a quick trip to just about any hardware or department store and I can restock as needed. The second butane backup unit allows me to have an alternate source of fuel too in the unlikely event a propane canister is not available.
I’m certainly not having a problem getting calories into the system while on board. That’s part of the problem. Number one priority is coffee in the morning of course. Though with 10 kilowatts of battery on board making fresh bread with the 48 volt inverter and a bread maker makes for delicious sandwiches. Of course some rum flavored bbq chicken always hits the spot in the evening. I do usually have a stockpile of frozen homemade sauces and broths that I can pull out of the home refrigerator and bring on board. I also will occasionally go ashore for lunch if I’m in a port that has a restaurant that entices me. Though I prefer dinners on board after enjoying the sunset.
Another reason I’m able to minimize propane use is I took out the Paloma water heater and did not replace it. I have found the solar heated bucket is enough most days along with the occasional marina shower if available. If I do want a hot shower inside the boat (or in the cockpit) I use a portable Coleman Hot Water heater: https://biankablog.blogspot.com/2009/07/in-hot-water.html
Mike,
4 pounds for a season! A number of possibilities come to mind: you are eating out too much, you are not eating enough, you are on a liquid diet, your sailing season is too short or some combination of the three.
Peter,
I installed a 5.5 litre per minute Excel and used the vent from the previously installed Wolter heater.
I couldn’t locate a Origo non pressure alcohol gimballed stove top as either new or used, so I purchased a Eno propane model. I decided against the idea of a single tank for the reasons stated above, plus the only tank I could find to fit my locker was only 5 or 6 lbs. I can get that many 1 lb bottles in the locker. I used a single hose connection from the locker to the stove with 3/8 fitting on the stove end and standard propane bottle connector on the locker end. I used a short hose with adaptor and shut off valve to connect the 1 lb bottle. As a safety precaution I do not leave the bottle attached when not in use, and have special brass caps with a seal to replace the original plastic caps.
I have used the Origo non-pressure stoves for years and have always been happy with them, but it seems that some EU regulations have made them impractical to manufacture in Europe and no one else builds a similar product. Too bad.
Apologies for my delayed response. Was busy getting the boat ready for the earliest sail ever - April 4th!!!
I appreciate the additional input. Your Bianka Blog has always been a source of great information - many thanks for sharing!!
I purchased the low-pressure propane water heater from Excel. Thank you, the others, for the recommendation.
The new Excel unit came with the fitting to connect to the 3/8" gas line, so that is taken care of.
What material did you use to make the spacers shown in your photo?
Did you use HVAC Duct Tape to secure the hood to the heater and the original chimney? Most HVAC duct tapes have a mx temp of around 265 degrees F, but I found one that has a temp rating of 325 degrees F… any idea how hot the exhaust from the heater gets?
Thanks!
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30 Ultra 430
Jersey City, NJ
I used some Baltic Birch plywood I had around by the looks of it. Any plywood would be fine. I just have the boot fitted snug above the heater, no tape. It took a little alteration but it fits fairly well. The exhaust is hot and really wants to go up. I have a CO/CO2 sensor right near it and have never had an alarm.
Thanks for the quick response!
Do you think that I would be taking an undue risk if I used the old Paloma vent hood, which is slightly wider front to back but slightly shorter from side to side than the Excel unit, and sealed all around with the HVAC high tempurature tape? I am not one for mickey-mousing with something that could be potentially dangerous…
Do you recall what the dimensions on the hood you used are?
I know the vent-tube hole has a 4"ID, and the exterior of the Excel measures 4 3/4" front to back and 11 3/8" side to side - but I am having difficulty finding a vent hood/register that is maybe 12" x 5" but with a 4" round connection -
Number one priority is coffee in the morning of course. Though with 10 kilowatts of battery on board making fresh bread with the 48 volt inverter and a bread maker makes for delicious sandwiches. Of course some rum flavored bbq chicken always hits the spot in the evening. I do usually have a stockpile of frozen homemade sauces and broths that I can pull out of the home refrigerator and bring on board. I also will occasionally go ashore for lunch if I’m in a port that has a restaurant that entices me. Though I prefer dinners on board after enjoying the sunset.
