Gas Sensors, especialy Pilot brand

[ean_p]

In the process of fitting a gas sensor and thinking about the Pilot unit with two heads and a remote soleniod valve on the gas supply. Anyone have any experience , are they any good, any problems or is there a better unit elsewhere ? All comments well received.

cheers

Ian p.

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[boatmike]

Just deep sixed one of these buggers. Cost me good money but they are so bloody tempremental that they are more of a nuisance than they are worth.
The solenoid valve has a very small apature (1mm I think) This causes pressure reduction to the point that if you start up your oven while the hob is on the buggers sense a fault and switch everything off. Then you get the false alarms which I proved conclusively were NOT gas leaks but frightened the bejeezus out of me every time they happened and also of course switch everything off. The initialisation sequence when you first get on the boat and switch the power on is unreliable too. Had to switch on ond off two or three times to get it to work sometimes. I can guarantee that if you fit one you will not keep it long and will soon loose trust in its unreliable beeping which renders it useless. It's also annoying to have it shut down the gas in the middle of cooking dinner.
My advice is fit a bubble leak detector and manual cut of valve. Ensure your gas bottle is installed in an outside locker that drains downwards to a point above the WL. Fit the shutoff valve on the inside of the bulkhead where the gas enters and the bubble tester where you can see it. Switch off gas at valve when not in use. If you want to fit a gas alarm as well buy a good one but NOT one that has a solenoid valve.

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[greatspirit]

Try these
http://www.gaslow.co.uk/
http://www.bes.ltd.uk/nav_graf/frames_cat.htm
Good Luck
Tim



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[snowleopard]

i have a plastimo alarm with twin sensors but on automatic valve.

the good news: it worked well, only going off when the sensor in the locker detected the fact that the connector was loose and when glue fumes from fixing the headlining triggered the one in the galley.

the bad news: a few drops of water got on the galley sensor and the whole outfit is now useless.

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[smb]

We have one, though not the solenoid version. I fitted one of those independantly operated by an illuminated rocker switch near the cooker.

Sensor No 1 under the galley, is V sensitive and is particularly prone to batteries gassing and grey water in the sump. Sensor No 2 was in the forward end of the cabin at floor level but succumbed permanently to persistant deodorant abuse (by visiting crew) so I disconnected it.

Due to the above we try and remember to turn it off when charging the batteries, showering or when we leave the boat. If it does go off it does not interfere with the cooking but still wakes you up with a start.


Steve

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[Goldie]

I'm afraid I had no end of problems with a "Pilot Dual". Having replaced the control box direct from the manufacturers (I'd sent my old one for testing and they declared it beyond economic repair) I was still having problems and rarely had both channels working simultaneously. I then sent the heads for checking (and they'd already been replaced once!). Since then, no reply to letters or E.mails - this was a couple of years ago - and no sign of getting my detector heads back either. I went and bought the Plastimo model which under another name came out best in a Sailing Today comparison test. Touch wood, no more problems. PM me if you want to take the Pilot Dual control box off my hands, but you'll have to obtain new detector heads.

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[Howardnp]

Give Geoff Southall a call at Electronic Devices in Malvern, Worcestershire.
They make gas detectors for all sorts of applications including, I believe, the only DTp approved system for fishing boats.

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