Worrying LPG readings in my gas locker

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geegrrl

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electricsirena.co.uk
My ALDE gas detector bubbler was showing bubbles. I was unable to find the leak so bought this handheld gas detector which is said to be very accurate. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Honeywell-Sense-Hand-Held-Detector/dp/B008ASXV8W

The detector gave a medium signal in the grill area of the oven. So I shut off and unhooked the lpg bottle. Then I tested the area in the locker where the lpg bottles reside and got intermittant high readings. There are 2x 15kg butane bottles in there. Neither are hooked up or turned on. The readings are intermittent and I can only assume some gas leaked out from turning the bottles on and off a few times for testing.

I'm guessing the grill is leaking . But why am I getting readings in the locker once the gas bottles are closed and unhooked?

Should I be worried? The BSS inspecter passed my gas setup a few months ago.
 
geegrrl said:
My ALDE gas detector bubbler was showing bubbles. I was unable to find the leak so bought this handheld gas detector which is said to be very accurate. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Honeywell-Sense-Hand-Held-Detector/dp/B008ASXV8W

The detector gave a medium signal in the grill area of the oven. So I shut off and unhooked the lpg bottle. Then I tested the area in the locker where the lpg bottles reside and got intermittant high readings. There are 2x 15kg butane bottles in there. Neither are hooked up or turned on. The readings are intermittent and I can only assume some gas leaked out from turning the bottles on and off a few times for testing.

I'm guessing the grill is leaking . But why am I getting readings in the locker once the gas bottles are closed and unhooked?

Should I be worried? The BSS inspecter passed my gas setup a few months ago.
Click to expand...

I dont know about "very accurate" but it is certainly sensitive !

The low alarm comes on at 500 ppm and the high level alarm at 2000ppm. Well below the LEL of butane which ITYWF is 1.6%.


If your Alde shows bubbles you should be concerned about that, Use your EZ Sense to help locate the leak and pinpoint it if necessary with leak detecting spray.
 
VicS said:
I dont know about "very accurate" but it is certainly sensitive !

The low alarm comes on at 500 ppm and the high level alarm at 2000ppm. Well below the LEL of butane which ITYWF is 1.6%.


If your Alde shows bubbles you should be concerned about that, Use your EZ Sense to help locate the leak and pinpoint it if necessary with leak detecting spray.
Click to expand...

Good info Vic but for the uninitiated LEL stands for Lower Explosive Limits or the point where gas/air mixture will go bang. :encouragement:

Tom.
 
I was chatting toa retired gas fitter and he told me electronic gas detectors will find leaks leak detection fluid miss. For me as I have little sense of smell it is a godsend. I have found it will detect gas residues in plpes that have been diconected from the gas system for many hours.
 
geegrrl said:
But why am I getting readings in the locker once the gas bottles are closed and unhooked?

Should I be worried? The BSS inspecter passed my gas setup a few months ago.
Click to expand...
You should be worried.

Some gas can leak when you connect or disconnect the regulator.
Remove the bottles from the locker.
went the locker.
measure - when gass free put bottles back in
Measur again before connecting regulator, ok proceed
measur after connecting regulator, ok proceed else went proceed when ok
open regulator and measure any leak in locker should be located now.

Now do similar procedure in the other end.
note that the bubble tester only detect leaks after the tester in the line.
 
knuterikt said:
No it won't work - as in not create bubles.
To verify that it's working light one burner and do the test routine.
If bubbles OK else refill with more fluid.
Click to expand...

I think you will find that the testing correct operation of the Alde must be done with a much lower gas flow than a gas burner or you are likely to blow all the fluid out of the tester into the gas piping. A refrigerator is recommended.
 
LittleShip said:
Good info Vic but for the uninitiated LEL stands for Lower Explosive Limits or the point where gas/air mixture will go bang. :encouragement:

Tom.
Click to expand...

The ppm figures quoted roughly equate to 2% and 12% LEL are calibrated against methane and reading will be different for other hydrocarbons. Typically the alarms are set to 10 and 50% LEL. Methane. Although LEL is the absolute limit gases can be very difficult to ignite at this limit!
 
VicS said:
I think you will find that the testing correct operation of the Alde must be done with a much lower gas flow than a gas burner or you are likely to blow all the fluid out of the tester into the gas piping. A refrigerator is recommended.
Click to expand...

I wonder how many boats have a gas fridge?
 
pvb said:
I wonder how many boats have a gas fridge?
Click to expand...

very few I would think, more common in caravans at one time perhaps.

I guess it means its difficult to test an Alde on a boat without the risk of blowing the fluid out of the thing. How do people test them or don't they bother?
 
VicS said:
very few I would think, more common in caravans at one time perhaps.

I guess it means its difficult to test an Alde on a boat without the risk of blowing the fluid out of the thing. How do people test them or don't they bother?
Click to expand...

Maybe they don't bother. I don't have a bubble tester - so have two less joints to leak!
 
knuterikt said:
No it won't work - as in not create bubles.
To verify that it's working light one burner and do the test routine.
If bubbles OK else refill with more fluid.
Click to expand...

If you do that it will blow all the liquid straight into the gas pipe, you need a very small test leak which is difficult to organise.
 
VicS said:
asleep at the back again? :)
Click to expand...

always, luckily the class swat lets me have his notes for revision purposes, he got a first, I got a Desmond.

while you're there, any clues what the fluid is, glycol covers a multitude of sins, and those little sachets cost an arm and a leg.
 
Vara said:
always, luckily the class swat lets me have his notes for revision purposes, he got a first, I got a Desmond.

while you're there, any clues what the fluid is, glycol covers a multitude of sins, and those little sachets cost an arm and a leg.
Click to expand...

Usually glycol means ethylene glycol ... as in antifreeze
 
geegrrl said:
My ALDE gas detector bubbler was showing bubbles..
Click to expand...


Was this immediately after you turned the bottle on? Or does the thing consistently record a leak?

I find mine shows a leak at first, and then cheers up. I guess the gas pressure dissipates (I always have the bottle tap off unless using the cooker) and the Alde records the gas filling up the line.
 
doug748 said:
Was this immediately after you turned the bottle on? Or does the thing consistently record a leak? I find mine shows a leak at first, and then cheers up. I guess the gas pressure dissipates (I always have the bottle tap off unless using the cooker) and the Alde records the gas filling up the line.
Click to expand...

Yes the bubbles from Alde happened immediately after turning gas on. Each time I tried I immediately closed and unlatched the bottle out of fear. So I don't know if the bubbles would subside after a time. But I did leave it on for at least 2 minutes and it did bubble steadily the whole time.

However I did get a reading from the Honeywell EZ sensor when I placed it near the grill in the oven. The calor gas bottle was hooked up and turned on. The grill, oven and all burners were off. The alarm triggered when I pointed the wand at the grill.

I will try the test on the gas bottle locker as suggested by knuterikt.

I do not have a gas fridge so am unable to properly perform the Alde test.
 
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