Electric gas shut off valves

simon501

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7 Jan 2005
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Hi,

I am thinking of installing one.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Are there any pitfalls/potential dangers that I should consider?

Normal butane small cylinders on a sailing yacht.

Many thanks,

Simon
 
The ones I have bought in the uk have been useless. They are not marine friendly with the electrical connections not sealed well enough.
The only one I have come across that has been any good is the one made by Trespa on the Hallberg Rassey parts web site. The solenoid with cable going in is completely water tight.
 
G'day Simon,

Fitted on a few years ago, it's good to lift the last item off the stove, turn off the gas at the isolation valve then flick the on/off gas supply switch.

Wired so that power is required to turn the gas on, power off as the main switch will also close the solenoid.

We have 2 of the larger type gas bottles in a large locker, being a cat drainage is no problem as it's in the front of the bridge deck.

Has not been touched since it was installed and has never failed. It's corret operation is listed on the log 3 monthly check list and has always got a tick.

Avagoodweekend......
 
The "danger" is that it will be used as a substitute for closing the bottle isolating valve.
 
I have just fitted out a new boat.

We have a Clesse valve at the gas bottle. This detects pressure drops in the system (i.e. a leak in the boat or a catastrophic failure in the boat e.g. impact breaking a pipe) and closes the valve. This to me is a basic requirement and much better than relying on remembering to turn off at the bottle.

The RCD requires a manual shut-off next to the appliance.

I have also fitted a Technisol solenoid. This is switched at the stove and allows me to shut down the gas at the bottle remotely. This means you do not have to go on deck in your pj's to turn on the gas for morning tea!

Requirements are automatic shut off valve in gas locker (Clesse) and manual shut off valve next to cooker. Automatic shut off valve is incase there is a drop in pressure in the gas line. Solenoid type not necessary under RCD. We do fit occasionally when customers go for the Technisol gas monitoring system.
 
Many thanks everyone - food for thought.

Just for the record, this post was intended to elicit information about these devices. I'm sure that I and everyone else know how and when to turn off the gas at the bottle. (Ironic smiley)

Simon
 
I have a Pilot gas alarm linked to their solenoid. Personally, I wouldn't bother with a solenoid on its own but when it is linked to an alarm system, it provides an extra level of safety.

Advantages

Allows me to switch the gas off as a temporary measure eg between cooking courses. I always switch off at the bottle after finishing cooking.

Even if I forget to turn the gas off, when the electricity is off the solenoid closes.

Disadvantages

One year I had contaminated sensors and the gas kept switching off at inconvenient moments. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
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