Gas alarm - at what price?

[johnwest]

The worst problems are identifying the cause. In one case on a hot summers day, after a lot of searching, I was convinced that the alarm was caused by fumes ? form comparativly new upholstery and foam. This wasn't on my boat.

j

 

[Momac]

Oddly enough its not the "live" gas supply that worries me - there is gas locker with overboard venting, the bottle valve, an electric shut off solenoid, the cooker control and the 'flameout' automatic cut off. 5 lines of defence. However we have a spare bottle kept in a lazarette

My boat is small but it has a gas locker which takes two gas cylinders. It's a Sealine. I suggest you buy one of those

 

[Tradewinds]

I think it was last year that PBO had an article on making a gas alarm - the catalytic sensor elements are a couple of pounds from China on eBay.

This eBay seller despatches from UK stock (I've used him for other stuff - quick delivery).

http://goo.gl/cyPUCx

Wouldn't know how to wire it up though

 

[blackbeard]

You probably already own a gas detector which is very reliable, very sensitive and is not damaged by (moderate quantities of) damp. Just remember to use it, though I admit that crouching on all fours with your nose near the floor is not dignified. Spend some of the money you save on a CO detector.
And remember to make sure that all gas bottles are somewhere where any leakage goes overboard, check the gas system for leakage, check the flame failure, check the OFF tap works, replace hoses and regulator as appropriate. Ref gas bottles: I doubt if the welds are checked all that carefully, and seals can be distinctly dodgy.

Word of warning - my crew is anosmic ie has lost his sense of smell. Not uncommon. Extra care needed.