Plastimo Dual Sensor LP Gas Alarm False Positive?

[CaptainBob]

While in the process of changing out a gas cylinder (which is in a locker which vents over the side above waterline (anchor chain locker in fact)) I thought I smelled gas in the wheelhouse. Just a mild hint of a whiff. So for the first time (new boat to us) I turned on the gas sensor thing (as per thread title).

Sensor 1 and 2 LEDs on the box showed red initially then after a few seconds sensor 1 went green. Sensor 2 remained red and after maybe 5 minutes, the alarm went off.

So I turned off the cylinders and all electric completely and vented the boat right through, and left it for a couple of hours.

I then re-tried the alarm and although it took S2 longer than S1, S2 did eventually go green.

But then after a little time, the alarm went off on S2 again.

So I don't know if I have a leak or not.

Solar panels are belting in a good amount of current into the open lead acids, and there's a sensor near the batts, but I don't actually know which is S1 and which S2 (the other is behind the cooker).

Does hydrogen from the batts trigger these sensors?

How sensitive are they?

Do they go wrong in this way. Intermittently?

TY!

 

[VicS]

Not sure what alarm system you have Plastimo only seem to list an Evrsafe system

However as far as I am aware all the lpg alarms are sensitive to any flammable gas or vapour from flammable liquids.

 

[clyst]

Whether the sensor activates with a whiff of hydrogen or not you did smell gas . presume you only have a gas cooker (new one) ? you sure you haven't got a dodgy conn ?

 

[dt4134]

Does hydrogen from the batts trigger these sensors?

Certainly did with mine. When I bought the boat the batteries were on their last legs and even on float charge would take about 1 Amp and regularly had to be topped up. The vent for the batteries was quite close to the gas sensor and I regular got false alarms until I replaced the batteries.

Other things will set them off. Tested so far: 1) spray on contact adhesive even if quite a distance away, 2) Mr Sheen if polishing something near the detector. I suspect 2) above would be an easy means of testing.

 

[CaptainBob]

Ta for replies.

I had been on the foredeck changing a cylinder just before. And I had also filled a lighter in the galley. Didn't realise they were so sensitive.

Last night we turned off the gas at the cyl and left it for 8 hours. In the morning I attempted to light the hob on our cooker and it lit fine for 3 seconds, then died. Exactly the same as when I've _just_ turned off the cyl, so I think the system is holding pressure OK.

Will try the alarm from time to time and keep a close eye on things but I'm pretty sure we're OK.

BOOOOM!!

 

[ibeeby]

Bump...

We have a Plastimo SF213-Y-5200 dual sensor gas alarm in our boat. The wire has 'fallen off'. When we plug it back in the two LEDs go green and after a few second they both go red. At that point I disconnected it again. I don't know whether it has ever worked since we have had the boat now that I look at it. Obviously I'd prefer a working model.

Does anyone have a copy of the manual or instructions for these devices so that I might determine whether ours is dead or alive?

Best regards,

Ian