12v gas solenoid

[Shuggy]

I have a 12v solenoid on the gas system (fitted by a previous owner) which makes switching on and off the gas very easy, and also spares neighbouring boots from those awful early morning boxer short-clad dash across the cockpit to get the coffee on! Trouble is, it's started to overheat and, I think, as a result of that - has started to shut down after about 15 minutes of cooking. I can't find a replacement for it anywhere. Does anyone know where I might get one similar? Picture below:

Many thanks.

 

[pvb]

There are lots of cheap solenoid valves around - see here for example. You don't need to pay the £80-£90 charged by marine suppliers.

 

[Talulah]

I have a 12v solenoid on the gas system (fitted by a previous owner) which makes switching on and off the gas very easy, and also spares neighbouring boots from those awful early morning boxer short-clad dash across the cockpit to get the coffee on! Trouble is, it's started to overheat and, I think, as a result of that - has started to shut down after about 15 minutes of cooking. I can't find a replacement for it anywhere. Does anyone know where I might get one similar? Picture below:

Many thanks.

I bought a 12V gas solenoid and you could feel it warm up which couldn't be right. They're not meant to take much power.
A few weeks later it had stopped working. Presumably burnt out.
The solenoid came with a separate on off switch that had some electrics inside it. I assumed the contents was just to reduce the voltage for use of the led on the switch but I think I must have been wrong. It must of reduced the current to the solenoid as well.
When I originally fitted it I didn't like the switch it came with so I fitted my own. I now presume that was a mistake and I should have used the supplied switch unit..

 

[VicMallows]

My question is 'why are you using expensive CampingGaz when your locker appears quite able to take a 4.5kg Calor?' .......but then maybe you are filling the Camping cylinders from bulk like most others on here.

 

[jon]

I would use a latching solenoid valve that requires no 12v supply once operated,so no heat, preferably linked to an alarm system and include a bubble tester for leak checking.
Available here:http://www.seath-haztec.com/

 

[Shuggy]

There are lots of cheap solenoid valves around - see here for example. You don't need to pay the £80-£90 charged by marine suppliers.

Many thanks - that is just the ticket. I have no idea how I managed to miss those in my googling. I've got one on order.

 

[Shuggy]

I bought a 12V gas solenoid and you could feel it warm up which couldn't be right. They're not meant to take much power.
A few weeks later it had stopped working. Presumably burnt out.
The solenoid came with a separate on off switch that had some electrics inside it. I assumed the contents was just to reduce the voltage for use of the led on the switch but I think I must have been wrong. It must of reduced the current to the solenoid as well.
When I originally fitted it I didn't like the switch it came with so I fitted my own. I now presume that was a mistake and I should have used the supplied switch unit..

Mine is still connected to the original switch and has lasted for at least 6 years so I think that's not the problem - but the overheating sounds similar.

 

[Shuggy]

My question is 'why are you using expensive CampingGaz when your locker appears quite able to take a 4.5kg Calor?' .......but then maybe you are filling the Camping cylinders from bulk like most others on here.

If your 'to do' list was as long as mine (maybe it is!) then you would understand that investigating whether I can get a 4.5kg cylinder in is pretty low down! FWIW, I think the locker's too shallow - but I'm happy to stand corrected. I've never put the two different types of cylinder next to each other. Thanks for the tip tho'...

 

[Shuggy]

I would use a latching solenoid valve that requires no 12v supply once operated,so no heat, preferably linked to an alarm system and include a bubble tester for leak checking.
Available here:http://www.seath-haztec.com/

Thanks - interesting but a bit too pricey for my budget. These could be words I regret when we're blown sky-high at 3am!

 

[mitiempo]

A standard solenoid does get quite warm during use. It is normal.

 

[mawm]

A solenoid will heat up with use as it after all is just an electromagnetic coil with current running through it.

They also use a fair amount of juice and if you run your battery down it will not be able to create a strong enough magnetic field to operate the valve. Maybe you should start with checking your battery if it is shutting down after 15min.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Commercial_Solenoid_Dawes_1920.png

 

[Shuggy]

Thanks - but voltage is over 13 with fully charged batteries (which are allowing everything else to work ok).

 

[mawm]

Then i can't help.

I've just fitted one to my boat and got it from a local gas and plumbing supplier (in NZ). It's the same as that sold in the swindleries but a bit (only just) cheaper. The difference was I could get the right size fittings for my small gas bottles.

 

[Sy-Revolution]

The one you've got there looks like a Truma unit. I'll second the latching Haztec solenoid and alarm though rather than replace.

C.