Jump to content

Propane gas detector

Tractor

By Tractor
in Boat Equipment

 Share

Featured Posts

Alan de Enfield Veteran II

Alan de Enfield

Posted
Posted
20 minutes ago, Tractor said:

I am looking for a Propane gas detector, devices which look to be thin on the ground. Can anyone recommend a device please? 

Not sure where you are looking but Google give 100's of hits for "Boat gas detector"

 

Just one company with several variations :

 

https://www.asap-supplies.com/fuel-systems/gas-alarms

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jen-in-Wellies Veteran II

Jen-in-WelliesDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted
20 minutes ago, Tractor said:

I am looking for a Propane gas detector, devices which look to be thin on the ground. Can anyone recommend a device please? 

Why are you looking for a propane gas detector? Is it for a boat? Very few boats have ones that detect propane in the air. The effort is put in to preventing a leak in the first place, since the consequences in a confined space, with no where for it to go are potentially so bad (kaboom!). Bubble testers are the most common propane leak detectors on boats, looking for flow of gas when no flow should be happening.

 

Jen

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rusty69 Veteran II

rusty69

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 minute ago, MartynG said:

Some people have no sense of smell.

Plus sometimes its easier to get a gas sniffer onto a compression joint than your nose.I bought one a few months back cos I'm getting too old too climb in cupboards with a glass of soapy water and a paintbrush.

Edited by rusty69
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Alan de Enfield Veteran II

Alan de Enfield

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

Why are you looking for a propane gas detector? Is it for a boat? Very few boats have ones that detect propane in the air.

Actually many, many boats have them, they can be found at most coastal chandlers.

It just seems to be the Inland Waterways boats that seldom have them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jen-in-Wellies Veteran II

Jen-in-WelliesDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted
Just now, Alan de Enfield said:

Actually many, many boats have them, they can be found at most coastal chandlers.

It just seems to be the Inland Waterways boats that seldom have them.

Live and learn. I've not done any lumpy water boating as I get sea sick very easily. ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Alan de Enfield Veteran II

Alan de Enfield

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

Why are you looking for a propane gas detector? Is it for a boat? Very few boats have ones that detect propane in the air. The effort is put in to preventing a leak in the first place, since the consequences in a confined space, with no where for it to go are potentially so bad (kaboom!). Bubble testers are the most common propane leak detectors on boats, looking for flow of gas when no flow should be happening.

 

Jen

 

A bubble detector will only tell you that you have a leak if you remember to check it daily / several times a day.

(I don't check my bubble tester between BSS checks.)

 

An alarm will detect and give you an audible warning with no effort from the boater.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tractor Contributor

Tractor

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I have a 'dualwatch, combined gas and co alarm for boats', which is no longer supported. This device seems to be 'flaky', so will try to replace the propane gas detection element. This is for a narrowboat.

I would prefer a detector which is on all the time we are on the boat, so could run from the 12 Volt supply if necessary.

Edited by Tractor
more detail
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Slim Influencer

Slim

Posted
Posted

I've got a Pilot gas detector fitted. I bought it years ago. 12v it's wired into the same circuit as the 12 v ignition for my hob / oven. Every time I turn that circuit on it bleeps. I don't know if the sensor head (which I've placed below the oven ,just above the bilges) has a limited life. I'll read the fitting instructions next time I'm on the boat. Will also try to give it a test by dangling  above an unlit burner.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ditchcrawler Veteran II

ditchcrawlerDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted

I hope your other half doesn't use aerosol polish around the boat as some of them can poison the detector head.   Having worked with them for 20 years I wouldn't have one because I don't believe they are reliable enough unless things have changed a lot since I retired. The level of maintenance required was quite high

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RAB Contributor

RABDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted

Agree with Ditchcrawler. Things may have changed but in the past we looked at propane gas detection for a Gas Turbine start system. In the end we didn’t fit any detectors but had to increase ventilation times to ensure we met the hazardous area requirements, because the detectors were prone to poisoning. We also looked at IR detectors (We used them for Natural Gas detection), but can’t remember why they wouldn’t  work for us, sorry!  As previously said, things may have changed. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MtB Veteran II

MtBDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted (edited)
40 minutes ago, Tractor said:

Thanks for the response, it appears that reliable Propane detection is more difficult to provide than carbon dioxide; detectors necessarily close to the floor are subject to contamination.

Thanks again

 

No, carbon dioxide is VERY difficult to measure accurately or detect in dangerous concentrations.

 

Carbon monoxide on the other hand, can be monitored with detectors costing about £15. 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Mike the Boilerman
Change a detail
  • Greenie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tractor Contributor

Tractor

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yep, must get up to speed with the difference between Carbon dioxide and Carbon monoxide.........

 

From some reading, propane gas being twice as heavy as air goes to the floor; sensors then on the floor are subject to some contamination, working life then may be limited. Devices like Figaro semiconductor sensors need some time to stabilize, and also require a good heater supply.

 

https://www.bes.co.uk/amos-lpg-alarm-12-v-remote-sensor-13066, this link then looks useful, just what I need, thanks again for this.

 

Thanks again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.