And another gas thread... Marine regulator, smell of gas

webcraft

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I recently replaced my old dodgy looking regulator with a 'proper' marine one. One of the reasons for this was that there was always a smell of gas in the gas locker.

Now the smell is worse! There is a momentary hiss every time I turn the regulator on, is this gas escaping? Regulator is Camping Gaz screw on type.

Have tried soapy water all over the regulator and on the connection of the flexible hose to the locker fitting, no sign of leaks.

Any thoughts?

- W
 

neil_s

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You're not alone! Also have smelly gas locker with Camping Gaz cylinders. I didn't have the trouble on the previous two boats - both had Calor. I think it's the sealing washer that fits between the regulator and the bottle. I tried replacing this and found an improvement - not a cure - that reverted back to smelly over a few weeks. I console myself with the thought that a tiny amount of gas will give the smell - indeed, I had the gas installation safety inspected for survey a year or two ago.
 

JumbleDuck

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Now the smell is worse! There is a momentary hiss every time I turn the regulator on, is this gas escaping? Regulator is Camping Gaz screw on type.

I get that hiss, which I think is just the pipework pressurising. However, I also get gassy smells in the locker from time to time. I think there may be some sort of relief valve in the regulator.
 

VicS

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I get that hiss, which I think is just the pipework pressurising. However, I also get gassy smells in the locker from time to time. I think there may be some sort of relief valve in the regulator.

A marine ( Annex M) regulator has an overpressure relief valve ........ 75mb ITYWF
 

adri_cubs

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I have the same problem, I bought new hose and bought a regulator with a simple press sensor on it (on the cylinder side of the regulator, built-in), My plan is to install it, open gas, close gas and see if the pressure drops
 

SAMYL

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I'm not sure about modern regulators, marine or otherwise, but the older Calor ones had a small hole in the top cover so that the pressures inside could be equalized. The hiss was the atmospheric air escaping through the hole as the diaphragm expanded when the gas was turned on.
Check if there is a small hole anywhere for that purpose.
 

VicS

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I'm not sure about modern regulators, marine or otherwise, but the older Calor ones had a small hole in the top cover so that the pressures inside could be equalized. The hiss was the atmospheric air escaping through the hole as the diaphragm expanded when the gas was turned on.
Check if there is a small hole anywhere for that purpose.

I guess they all must have some means of equalizing the pressure above the diaphragm with the "outside" . ITYWF that a feature of the annex M regulators is that the vent is located on the edge of the diaphragm with a downward facing outlet so that water cannot accumulate above the diaphragm.
 

webcraft

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I think it may be the connection between the regulator and the hose - 4 bits, see the red arrow. There is some corrosion between the threads by the looks of things. I checked every other joint with soapy water, but not that one! Have now got the regulator and cylinder off the boat for further investigation. May try going back to a n on-marine one with a connection for flexi-hose on the actual regulator.
regulator.jpg


- W
 

VicS

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I think it may be the connection between the regulator and the hose - 4 bits, see the red arrow. There is some corrosion between the threads by the looks of things. I checked every other joint with soapy water, but not that one! Have now got the regulator and cylinder off the boat for further investigation. May try going back to a n on-marine one with a connection for flexi-hose on the actual regulator.

- W

The red washer should make a gas tight seal between the hose nozzle and the regulator . Inspect and clean the joint faces (and the threads ) and refit the nozzle using a new washer

but also inspect the joint washer between the regulator and the bottle......... that always has the full bottle pressure to seal and look at the joint face on the top of the bottle too . They can become damaged.

The red washer only has the low pressure to seal and only when the gas is turned on


BTW if you use washing up liquid in water for leak detection clean / rinse it away afterwards .... they say it is corrosive, which is why there are special sprays
 
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JumbleDuck

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Tbut also inspect the joint washer between the regulator and the bottle......... that always has the full bottle pressure to seal and look at the joint face on the top of the bottle too . They can become damaged.

I always unscrew the regulator when I leave the boat, and I have found that unless I then screw in the carrying handle/seal Camping Gaz bottles leak slowly but steadily. Enough to have quite an effect over a month or two.

BTW if you use washing up liquid in water for leak detection clean / rinse it away afterwards .... they say it is corrosive, which is why there are special sprays

I believe that it's thickened with salt, which is why it's not recommended for cleaning cars or as screenwash.
 

VicS

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I always unscrew the regulator when I leave the boat, and I have found that unless I then screw in the carrying handle/seal Camping Gaz bottles leak slowly but steadily. Enough to have quite an effect over a month or two.

I've not had any trouble with camping Gaz Cylinders but I do unscrew the regulator and refit the cap during the winter

I believe that it's thickened with salt, which is why it's not recommended for cleaning cars or as screenwash.

My understanding too but I wish I had analysed some to confirm it when I was able to.
 
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