Gas Solenoids

[Guest]

In the last year I have had 2 failures of two different types of electrically operated gas solenoid, both of USA manufacture. Very annoying to be left without cooking gas on a long passage, repair (bye passing) being impossible until fairer weather allowed access to the under-side deck gas locker.
Does anyone know of a reliable replacement brand, preferably obtainable in UK? Does anyone know of a brand that has an in-built manual bye-pass control, alowing manual opening when the power or solenoid fails?

 

[pvb]

Ask Technisol...

Technisol Ltd, based in Melton Mowbray, make the Pilot range of gas alarms, including a remotely-operated solenoid valve. I fitted one of these a few years ago, and found Technisol were very helpful - you can ring them on 01664 480681. Don't know whether the solenoid is UK sourced, but I'd imagine that replacements would be easy to obtain. Pilot products are widely available in chandlers.

Perhaps the easiest way to arrange a by-pass would be to have a T-joint each side of the solenoid valve (in the gas locker) and to link them with pipework and an on-off valve.

 

[Guest]

Calor Gas supply a 12V remote gas switch, Calor Code MD0100, list price £50 incl VAT. I bought one six years ago (and still going strong - but can't remember makers name) for £40 at Southampton Boat Show from Southampton Calor Gas Centre Ltd Stand. They specialise in marine gas equipment and installations - very knowledgeable/helpful. Address is Third Avenue, Millbrook Trading Estate, S'ampton SO15 0JX, Tel 01703 788155 or email lpgmarine@spready.tcp.co.uk. Contact is Peter Spreadborough. Calor gas also produce two excellant free booklets "LPG (Bottled Gas) for Marine Use" and "LPG (Bottled Gas) for 'Blue Water' Yachtsmen". I recommend both.

I think you've just had bad luck with the two solenoid valves. Were they designed for marine use or RV only, as is much US gear of this type? If you insist on a standing by-pass, the T's and separate valve as in previous posting is probably the only way, but this adds to complexity and cost of installation, with reduced safety factor. An alternative would be to have an accessible removeable fexible hose section after the solenoid, which you can detach and put on to a spare gas bottle with a standard regulator and valve. This keeps things simpler at the expense of a little more complicated changeover if needed.

 

[jollyjacktar]

Throw them overboard!

Just another pesky thing to go wrong. Never trusted them myself. Is it such a bother to go and turn the valve on/off at the cylinder. Doesn't require wiring, switches, electriciity and another gadget to tell you if it is open or closed and is as reliable and foolproof as you are.

 

[jollyjacktar]

Throw them overboard!

Just another pesky thing to go wrong. Never trusted them myself. Is it such a bother to go and turn the valve on/off at the cylinder. Doesn't require wiring, switches, electricity and another gadget to tell you if it is open or closed. This method is as reliable and foolproof as you are.

 

[Guest]

Re: Throw them overboard!

Not a very helpful suggestion if the bottles are kept under a well secured deckplate, as mine are - impossible to get at in heavy weather and takes about 5 mins even in harbour. My case is not unique. Last year I was on a Swan 65 whose bottles were in a locker up forward, forward even of the windlass and chain locker. Try getting to those each time you wanted to turn the gas off!

 

[jollyjacktar]

Scuttle the boat.

Sounds too fancy to me. Obviously the boat was built by someone with little practical idea of what seamanship is all about. However I daresay that she likely be a pretty vessel with lots of shiny stuff and flashing lights and so on. A pleasure to own and your pride and joy. But sea sound??? I wonder. Not for me though.

Happy sailing.