VicS
Well-Known Member
They are probably also expecting you to turn the gas off at the bottle valve when not in use !
Gas leak bubble tester positioning
- Thread starter Little Dorrit
- Start date
They are probably also expecting you to turn the gas off at the bottle valve when not in use !
GrahamM376
Well-Known Member
Then that would be an unreasonable expectation.
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Nice roomy installation. Tell me again what's the logic behind double jubilee clips.
pvb
Well-Known Member
And what's the logic of not having the bubble tester as the closest thing to the regulator?
Graham_Wright
Well-Known Member
One appears to be a securing clip to the board
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I'm talking about the two to the left of the isolating valve.
fearmhuir
Well-Known Member
+1
Mine is installed between the flexible hose from the bottle and the copper tubing.
pvb
Well-Known Member
Looking at your photo again, it appears that there are some fundamental errors which wouldn't pass a serious examination.
* The gas bottle locker doesn't have a sealed door
* Having a valve in the pipework before the bubble tester introduces potential leaks which the bubble tester wouldn't detect
* Having so many joints, as well as the valve and the bubble tester, in what looks like a cockpit locker open to the bilge would worry me.
doug748
Well-Known Member
As long as you are able to press the knob down, a mirror and a torch (like the old gas man) are all you need to spy the thing now and again. So put it near the bottle but don't get fixated about it - it's just not testing the bit between the bottle and the inlet.
It's a very useful device to have in snagging any changes to your system, new flexi pipes etc.
Yellow Ballad
Well-Known Member
Not that this helps the OP that much but I'm refitting my gas this year and opted not to fit a bubble tester.
First reason, It won't fit into the gas locker, well it might, but it's tight enough in there. I wouldn't be able to see it let alone be able to fit the thing (making the joints at the back of the locker). I probably wouldn't use it where it would fit.
Second, it's two more joints and I want minimal joints after the locker as possible.
Thirdly, the boat's survived nearly 50 years without one.
Lastly, I would rather periodicly check the pipework and test each joint with lead detector spray and a handheld gas detector.
When it comes to the boat I like to K.I.S.S
First reason, It won't fit into the gas locker, well it might, but it's tight enough in there. I wouldn't be able to see it let alone be able to fit the thing (making the joints at the back of the locker). I probably wouldn't use it where it would fit.
Second, it's two more joints and I want minimal joints after the locker as possible.
Thirdly, the boat's survived nearly 50 years without one.
Lastly, I would rather periodicly check the pipework and test each joint with lead detector spray and a handheld gas detector.
When it comes to the boat I like to K.I.S.S
Graham_Wright
Well-Known Member
So was I but I am wrong!
Graham_Wright
Well-Known Member
The door might have a seal - on the door itself.
Is the locker in the coaming facing outboard? Doesn't need a seal if it is.
How is it open to the bilge? There could be a proper drain.
We need more information.
pvb
Well-Known Member
I think you'll find the locker is from Force 4, who describe it as "Ventilation is via a gap under the bottom edge of the door."
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Difficult to see exactly what's there as the resolution is low.
Little Dorrit
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the advice I have decided not to fit the Bubble Tester...so it will be available for sale soon!
Caer Urfa
Well-Known Member
Graham is correct the gas locker does have a seal on the door https://www.force4.co.uk/force-4-gas-bottle-locker.html?sqr=gas locker&
The reason the bubble detector is not mounted in the gas locker is simply A) there's no room, B) why would I want to drill more holes in a sealed gas locker.
Any surveyor will tell you Double jubilee clips is 'good practice' on any criticle pipework not to mention they should be fitted opposite each other so the tension on the pipe is equal.
I am afraid when it comes to gas you cannot be safe enough and what you also cannot see is there is a gas detector in the bilges plus the gas locker is vented in the bottom to outside the hull
James_Calvert
Well-Known Member
Interesting discussion. Anyone know the details of the Lord Trenchard tragic incident? It was this one IIRC which led to current gas installation practice.
As I recall it, the root cause was that in a dual gas installation, a gas tail was incorrectly fitted when replacing a cylinder, which then became the spare. But when the spare was eventually turned on at the cylinder, the gas then leaked out at the union which had been crossthreaded.
So, from what people have said above, if a bubble tester had been installed, it wouldn't have detected the problem.
That was news to me.
As I recall it, the root cause was that in a dual gas installation, a gas tail was incorrectly fitted when replacing a cylinder, which then became the spare. But when the spare was eventually turned on at the cylinder, the gas then leaked out at the union which had been crossthreaded.
So, from what people have said above, if a bubble tester had been installed, it wouldn't have detected the problem.
That was news to me.
pvb
Well-Known Member
So the locker door has a seal, but it vents through a gap in the bottom of the door, thereby making it suspect.
Any surveyor should also tell you not to install components between the regulator and a bubble tester!
If you really believe that "when it comes to gas you cannot be safe enough" you'd be changing your installation.
Yellow Ballad
Well-Known Member
My locker vents into the cockpit which vents via the drains.
I assume this is the same setup?
pvb
Well-Known Member
Presumably your cockpit drains are open to the atmosphere. As for Caer Urfa's set-up, I'm not sure. According to Caer Urfa his locker vents into the cockpit which is "normally 'open' unless I have my cover over it when I leave the boat, but as any cover it's not 100% air tight anyway and on my check list switch the gas off when I am not onboard or even when I am not using it." So I'd say it's a bit suspect.