Gas Leak

[silver-fox]

I thought this recent experience worth sharing and might be of interest.

We have a simple gas system on our boat comprising a couple of gas bottles in a self draining locker and a single 3 metre copper/flexible pipe to the gas cooker. A couple of years ago I fitted a gas bubbler to our gas system next to the bottles. Every time I change a gas bottle or switch the gas on or off in the gas locker I check to see if it is bubbling - if it does we have a leak - and yesterday it did just that

We had been away from the boat and I checked when I switched on the gas on our return. It turned out a copper pipe had corroded. It took maybe an hour to replace it with no harm done.

The interesting thing is that at no point did we smell any gas as the leak was behind a bathroom cabinet and from there it was draining into the bilges as it is heavier than air. It could easily have been a very different outcome without a safety device - makes the blood run cold thinking about it.

Just for the record, I chose a bubbler in preference to a sniffer alarm because it is a simple, mechanical, maintenance-free device and I didn't want the hassle of maintaining more electrical kit.

 

[Andy and Lyn]

Very interesting ! I must admit this "bubbler" system is new to me! It obviously works.

Gas on my boat is my biggest nightmare. I used to sail regularly on the RAF Nich 55 - "Lord Trenchard". She blew up some years ago on Poole Quay (I was not on-board thankfully) with some very serious injuries; one guy lost a leg!

 

[rivonia]

I thought this recent experience worth sharing and might be of interest.

We have a simple gas system on our boat comprising a couple of gas bottles in a self draining locker and a single 3 metre copper/flexible pipe to the gas cooker. A couple of years ago I fitted a gas bubbler to our gas system next to the bottles. Every time I change a gas bottle or switch the gas on or off in the gas locker I check to see if it is bubbling - if it does we have a leak - and yesterday it did just that

We had been away from the boat and I checked when I switched on the gas on our return. It turned out a copper pipe had corroded. It took maybe an hour to replace it with no harm done.

The interesting thing is that at no point did we smell any gas as the leak was behind a bathroom cabinet and from there it was draining into the bilges as it is heavier than air. It could easily have been a very different outcome without a safety device - makes the blood run cold thinking about it.

Just for the record, I chose a bubbler in preference to a sniffer alarm because it is a simple, mechanical, maintenance-free device and I didn't want the hassle of maintaining more electrical kit.

That is very interesting and sounds like a good idea. I have no idea what this bubbler is. Any chance of a photo/description, where to puchase etc.

many thanks

 

[Cloven]

That is very interesting and sounds like a good idea. I have no idea what this bubbler is. Any chance of a photo/description, where to puchase etc.

many thanks

We also have one fitted and quick & easy to do a daily check

See here:

http://www.alde.co.uk/itemdetails.php?itemId=53

Can be got from Socal in Southampton and many other gas retailers.

http://www.socal.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=alde

 

[rivonia]

We also have one fitted and quick & easy to do a daily check

See here:

http://www.alde.co.uk/itemdetails.php?itemId=53

Can be got from Socal in Southampton and many other gas retailers.

http://www.socal.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=alde

Brilliant. Thanks very much Gud on ere init?

 

[VicMallows]

Pleased that you detected the problem in time to avoid any disaster.

However I am slightly puzzled by your description. You say you always check the bubler when turning the gas on OR off; so we can conclude that the fault (corroded pipe) occurred sometime between you switching the gas off, and back on again? ... and during that time the gas was turned off so would not have been leaking anywhere. Why are you then surprised that you did not smell gas and presume that it had leaked into the bilge?

 

[Little Sam]

Pleased that you detected the problem in time to avoid any disaster.

However I am slightly puzzled by your description. You say you always check the bubler when turning the gas on OR off; so we can conclude that the fault (corroded pipe) occurred sometime between you switching the gas off, and back on again? ... and during that time the gas was turned off so would not have been leaking anywhere. Why are you then surprised that you did not smell gas and presume that it had leaked into the bilge?

You either are...or should have been a court room lawyer !
Great questions !

 

[sam_uk]

Smell of gas is scary

I also had a gas system on the boat, it leaked.

I replaced it with a Origo.

The extra £3-4 quid a week fuel cost is more than compensated for by the excellent nights sleep I now get.

2p

Sam

 

[cimo]

Here's what wikipedia has to say re: lpg and boats....

Propane is denser than air. If a leak in a propane fuel system occurs, the gas will have a tendency to sink into any enclosed area and thus poses a risk of explosion and fire. The typical scenario is a leaking cylinder stored in a basement; the propane leak drifts across the floor to the pilot light on the furnace or water heater, and results in an explosion or fire. This property makes propane generally unsuitable as a fuel for boats.

 

[mhph]

I also had a gas system on the boat, it leaked.

I replaced it with a Origo.

The extra £3-4 quid a week fuel cost is more than compensated for by the excellent nights sleep I now get.

2p

Sam

What is a Origo please?

 

[Artic Warrior]

Origo is a spirit alchohol type cooker, i have on a my power boat,
An ok cooker, nice smell, tiny bit fiddly,

 

[Cloven]

What is a Origo please?

See here:

http://www.force4.co.uk/670/Origo-3000-Cooker.html

View attachment 31097

 

[prv]

Here's what wikipedia has to say re: lpg and boats....

Wikipedia in general knows buggerall about sailing

Pete

 

[jimbaerselman]

First line of defence against leaks is to store gas externally in a place which drains overboard, and have a top cock by the bottle - which is always turned off when cooking is finished.

The bubble detector seems like a good second line of defence - for those times when you've had a memory lapse.

 

[[2574]]

we've a bubble tester but last year had a solenoid valve fitted so we can switch on/off from the comfort of the saloon. So the gas valve is only ever on for the duration of the cooking. And as the solenoid consumes about 300ma there is a constant nagging need to turn it off!

 

[charles_reed]

Here's what wikipedia has to say re: lpg and boats....

Propane is denser than air. If a leak in a propane fuel system occurs, the gas will have a tendency to sink into any enclosed area and thus poses a risk of explosion and fire. The typical scenario is a leaking cylinder stored in a basement; the propane leak drifts across the floor to the pilot light on the furnace or water heater, and results in an explosion or fire. This property makes propane generally unsuitable as a fuel for boats.

Which may be why most people don't use propane on their boats!!!

 

[VicMallows]

So the gas valve is only ever on for the duration of the cooking.

Next step is to fit a timer circuit to the valve so that it switches off automatically if you forget Choosing the time delay though might e difficult ... you don't want to get salmonella poisoning because the chicken is undercooked

 

[charles_reed]

Origo alcohol cooker

A device that is guaranteed to drive mad anyone trying to cook anything more than a kettle - frys an egg with difficulty and will keep all amused by the pyrotechnics the uninitiated produce on trying to light it.

It's also very good for testing the steadiness of stomachs of newbies on the boat.

 

[multihullsailor6]

Origo alcohol cooker

A device that is guaranteed to drive mad anyone trying to cook anything more than a kettle - frys an egg with difficulty and will keep all amused by the pyrotechnics the uninitiated produce on trying to light it.

It's also very good for testing the steadiness of stomachs of newbies on the boat.

Please explain?!

 

[silver-fox]

Pleased that you detected the problem in time to avoid any disaster.

However I am slightly puzzled by your description. You say you always check the bubler when turning the gas on OR off; so we can conclude that the fault (corroded pipe) occurred sometime between you switching the gas off, and back on again? ... and during that time the gas was turned off so would not have been leaking anywhere. Why are you then surprised that you did not smell gas and presume that it had leaked into the bilge?

The answer m'lud is that once having discovered we had a leak we then had to locate and fix it. To do this we had to switch the gas on and search, something we did initially with a two nostril huming sniffer and fairy liquid and later still with a battery powered sniffer which we could stick in through an inspection hatch and wiggle about. Even though the sniffer could detect the gas, we couldn't smell it, so I confess I made the presumption that as the only exit from the cavity was into the bilge, that this was where the gas was going. I didn't actually check!

And that M'lud, concludes the case for the defence.