Smoke alarm - bilge warning

[Guest]

Some years back PBO published an article on how to nobble a smoke alarm to become a bilge water warning (really) Does anyone have a copy please or remember the details.

 

[J_Priedkalns]

Not very complicated; just solder a pair of wires to the smoke detector sensor and run the wires to the bilge at the height you wish the alarm to sound and space the ends of the wire about 1/4 inches apart. (you may want to experiment with the spacing using the local sailing water)

 

[Guest]

I seem to remember that the wires from the bilge were soldered to the test-circuit of the alarm, the circuit that is shortcut while pressing the test-button of the alarm unit. Access to this circuit is easy on most alarm units.
Don't know if it will work if the bilge water contains oil spill as this would stick to the leads and act as insulation. I believe a floatball activated switch, connected to the same smoke alarm, would be more reliable.
Olav

 

[Gazza]

The article was in PBO January 1993 (issue 313).

I've fitted one to my W33 and it has worked on the only occasion (failed rudder seal) that the bilge got very wet. The only slight problems are the usual one of enthusiastic over-toasting of bread sets the smoke alarm off, and the battery seems to have a fairly short life.

The smoke alarm recommended in the original article was the Dicon 300 available from Argos, although I suspect that models and specs. have changed over the years. The set-up is to solder one wire to the test arm and the other to the detector case, so you need to make sure that the smoke alarm that you use has a metal detector case - my recollection is that not all have.

I've still got the article, so if you would like a copy, give me a ring on 01752 837116.

Best wishes

Gary Miller