pioneer
Well-Known Member
I'm keen to fit an LPG detector into my newly formed gas locker but I can only find 230VAC or 12VDC types. Does anyone know of an internal battery operated version, that isn't into the hundreds of sailing/beer vouchers?
LPG detectors
- Thread starter pioneer
- Start date
Gargleblaster
Well-Known Member
I have an LPG detector/alarm that is linked to a solenoid in my gas locker. Unfortunately the LPG detector is a floor level on the port side just below my cooker. When I have a cold moist wind blowing across my stbd quarter. The gas alarm goes off and reports a fault - it does not say it detects gas. I need the solenoid as the gas bottles locker are in the lazerette and in a big sea, I don't like going that far back to turn my bottle off. I have tried to take the gas detector out of the system but the solenoid won't work without it. As far as I am concerned gas detectors are the work of the devil, particularly when they like going off at three in the morning in 10 metres seas and storm force winds.
PeterWright
Well-Known Member
Sorry, can't help with your question, but I was interested n the thoughts behind installing a detector in the gas locker. Usually they are installed in the bilge to pick up any leakage in the accommodation. A properly designed gas locker should drain any gas leakage overboard and be free of ignition sources, whereas a bilge cannot drain and may contain a hot engine. Often, a gas detector in the bilge is connected to a solenoid isolating valve in the gas locker so that the gas supply is shut off on detecting gas in the bilge.
Davegriff
Well-Known Member
^^^^^^^^
Wot 'e says. +1
Why do you want a self-powered detector? Connected to your boat's battery, it would be less likely to stop working due to a flat battery I'd have thought, without the chance of going un-noticed.
Wot 'e says. +1
Why do you want a self-powered detector? Connected to your boat's battery, it would be less likely to stop working due to a flat battery I'd have thought, without the chance of going un-noticed.
pioneer
Well-Known Member
As my own preference I like to keep a number of items on their own dedicated power source, CO alarm, HH VHF, HH GPS, Tablet Chartplotter, Domestic radio, Music system, etc. It's a small boat with limited battery power connecting to the lights, fixed GPS, Fixed VHF, Autohelm, instruments, as well as a separate battery for engine start and anchor windlass.
Most LPG detectors I've seen are 230V which is useless unless I connect via an inverter which is all getting a bit too complex. I'm very much in the KISS school of thinking.
Most LPG detectors I've seen are 230V which is useless unless I connect via an inverter which is all getting a bit too complex. I'm very much in the KISS school of thinking.
michael_w
Well-Known Member
Here you go. Nerus stuff is very good but not cheap http://www.nereusalarms.co.uk/html/gas_detector_alarms_for_boats.html
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
As above, the gas locker is the wrong place to fit a gas detector. LPG is heavier than air so the locker should have a drain at the lowest point, allowing any leaked LPG to go overboard. Any leaked LPG inside the boat will make it's way to the lowest point in the boat, the bilges, so that's where you need the detector. It is pointless fitting one anywhere else. Under the cooker is no good, the leaked LPG could make it's way to the bilge undetected and build up there. First spark and your boat is matchwood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxm3uMy6MPI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxm3uMy6MPI
rgarside
Well-Known Member
The detectors generally rely on a heated detector element that draws too much current to rely on internal batteries, so you'll generally find they need a supply from the boat's 12v system.