Houseboat Refrigerators - are dual LP Propane Gas electric fridges approved?

by Frank
(Dale Hollow, KY)

I'm looking into houseboat refrigerators, and are LP propane gas fridges approved for house boat use, or are they being banned or illegal?

I was just at the houseboat show in Louisville and during the marine surveyors seminar, he said that having a dual propane LP gas/110 electric refrigerator is now illegal on houseboats.

I have a Norcold dual gas/electric refrigerator on my 1969 Sylvan boat, and would like to know if I should be concerned?

Thanks, Frank



Reply - Answer
Well Frank, glad that you were at the Houseboat Show, and am pleased that you share this information with us.

I am presently unaware that they are illegal, and would love to know what the marine regulations or requirements are?

I would imagine that older, factory installed Propane Gas LP fridges are still allowed, but I would imagine that any "new" or factory installed refrigerators, may no longer be the dual LP/electric models.

I see that they are being used and installed in RV's and motor-homes, so it would be nice to hear from a Marine Surveyor what the new regulations exactly are. It has always been a grey area in the boating industry.

I also wonder if the new law / regulation affects pontoon style, or full hull houseboats, as a propane gas leak can accumulate in an enclosed full hull, or lower bilge area.


Lastly, hopefully some of our readers and visitors will share and post comments about their dual LP propane gas electric houseboat fridge installations and experiences.

Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found near the bottom of this page.


Thanks again for sharing, IAN - from www.all-about-houseboats.com

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