Gas alarm

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Spuddy

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I picked up on a link to a gas alarm kit. Easy enough to solder up but the problem remains of calibrating it. Could use fag lighter or similar squirted into sensor, then tweek the preset until light comes on. Trouble is, this is pretty crude as far as concentration of gas goes - might be more diluted down in the bilge. Is it a throwaway or has anybody a suggestion?
Thanks in advance to those who say : are you stupid enough to risk your life and the kiddies next door to save on a few hundred pounds for the proper gadget.
 
[ QUOTE ]
As i have have said many a time on threads on here DONT SQUIRT GAS FROM A LIGHTER DIRECTLY INTO THE SNIFFER you will f@#k it up!!

[/ QUOTE ] Can you expand that a bit? What happens to the sensor? Do you have another way of testing? So happens that I've just reconnected an existing alarm, and was wondering how it could be tested.

Thanks, Tony S
 
If this is the kit from CPC, I have that one and I set the sensitivity so that it just goes quiet in clean air. At this setting, the alarm sounds for a few seconds when it is first switched on when the temperature is low (generally November to about March) but it stays mute during the summer except when painting or varnishing is in progress nearby.
I have checked that it works by waving a gas lighter near it and it responds without suffering damage.

Derek
 
The sensor should only be damaged if it gets wet, kicked etc... the alarms we supply to the caravan industry are tested yearly by waving a gas torch or similar in front of the sensor by the punters.
Calibration is always fun, I would suggest having a word with the manufacturer to see if they could advise.

Yes, you should have spent more money on safety!!!
 
Thanks Derek

I was starting to think too technical - boxes with a particular concentration of gas in it. Thanks for the sensible suggestion
 
Quite correct and exactly what we do. Contrary to other 'experts', we have had no problem tesing our sensor using a gas lighter, for the last ten years or so, so will continiue!!
 
Don't know if anyone is still listening or if post has dropped off......................

Local LIDL today still had lots of the £12.99 gas alarms. Work on 12vDC though supplied with 230v wall cube.

Sensor is 'hot wire' type and can't see how this could be 'poisoned'. In fact instructions tell you to test with a lighter!. Abandoned my tests and opened hatches as soon as gas spilled over the hob edge and alarm made me deaf! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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