Gas Regulator - not turning off (a warning)

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VicMallows

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I am a very conscientious 'turn off at the bottle' person..... so imagine my horror today when I realised that the gas was on whatever the position of the tap on the regulator!
It's a standard Butane clip-on type (actually a CLESSE Type 1590, about 3 years old).

The problem was in fact the plastic handle not engaging with butterfly actuator of the valve itself. I have no idea how long it has been inoperative.

I guess just one more thing to add to the regular checklist.

Vic
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have you thought about fitting a remote switch ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I don't actually have a problem popping out to the cockpit to turn on/off manually. Of course another cock (remote controlled or manual) would be an additional line of defence ..............you could go on for ever. I suspect the failure rate for solenoid valves is probably even greater...and not necessarily in the off position. Obviously 'unclip the regulator' is the ultimate, always hoping that the valve on the cylinder itself isn't stuck on /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I am starting to go off the concept of clip-on regulators, not least because of the multitude of differing sizes, presumably designed to try to maintain brand loyalty. There's something reassuring about the simple needle valve on Calor Mk10 (4.5Kg) and Propane bottles.

Vic



Vic
 
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Not quite sure it was the same problem on mine (little plastic handle turned, shaft didn't) but a blob of epoxy glue sorted the b*gger out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not quite the same, but freeing the release mechanism and a spot of epoxy will keep me from blowing up 'till I get a replacement /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Vic
 
What is the normal set up for gas isolation?

I have the regulator with tap in the gas locker (cock pit gas locker with external vent etc) then there is an additional gas isolation valve near to the cooker.

Not used the gas yet, need to get the bottle filled.

I would expect that when on board, ensuring that the cooker was turned off as well as the isolator adjacent would suffice.

Turning off the main bottle when leaving the boat.

But happy to be corrected on this, after all, as said above it is not exactly a long trip to the gas locker.
 
"Well, I don't actually have a problem popping out to the cockpit" [ QUOTE ]


You young striplings don't know what fate awaits you! Anno Domini will sabotage that mobility my son!
Seriously, I put my faith in a master tap near the cooker but am currently rethinking location of gas sensors after the recent posting about the explosion on Lord Trenchard - frightening.

And how about "regular" testing? Is there an aerosol to squirt at a sensor to see if it works? Please advise.
 
The really safety concious approach is to turn the gas off at the bottle whilst the cooker is still alight, thus ensuring that there is no gas in the pipes either......... Great in theory, less attractive when p*****g down with rain outside.
 
Indigo has a solenoid valve about 12 inches downstream of the bottle. When turning the stove off first we turn off the solenoid, then the gas valve near the cooker, then the cooker itself.

The bottle tends to get turned on when gas is first required, and then off after the last cuppa of the trip.
 
I once had a propane bottle, where the valve could not be fully turned off. All it takes is a bit of swarf or something similar to cause problems.

I remember a power station turbine blowing itself to pieces, including, unfortunately, the operators. Upon investigation, a piece of swarf was found in the valve, preventing the valve from closing.

Philip
 
[ QUOTE ]
What is the normal set up for gas isolation

[/ QUOTE ] As neil 1967 says the ideal is to turn off the bottle isolating valve every time you finish with the gas. Anything else is down hill from there.

An electrically operated valve adjacent to the bottle is the next best thing perhaps but AFAIK they are only ever on the LP side of the regulator. It may be convenient bearing in mind that mostly you'll be using the gas again shortly except at night or when leaving the boat but it is no substitute for closing the bottle valve.

Next best thing is to shut the valve local to the cooker but its along way down the hill from shutting the bottle valve.

Definitely shut the bottle valve when leaving the boat and at night (But thats a pain because whoever makes the morning tea has to go outside to turn it on again in their jimjams or less)

I imagine people with an electric valve make very good use of it, probably not shutting the bottle off when they should.
 
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