Gas fridge

[rgriffiths]

On my narrow boat I have a fridge that uses the gas. It is working fine but sitting close to it I can smell a smell that is a little disturbing. It is not the propane gas that I smell, or any kind of burnt material smell but I imagine the fumes from the burnt gas. Am I right in thinking the by-products are CO2 and water? Would I be able to smell the CO2 in any way?

 

The vent pipe at the top of the fridge goes is fitted and takes the fumes to the outside. The vent pipe is shown below. The left side of this pipe however is open - should it be? Any other thoughts?

 

 

[Tony Brooks]

Yes, it should be open and is in effect a draft diverter to stop wind blowing the flame out.

 

No, you can not smell CO2 or CO and the later can kill but probably not easily from a fridge as long as you have the BSS ventilation. If you let the flame burn really badly you will eventually smell a horrible acrid smell but by then the flue will be full of carbon.

 

You monitor the combustion by very regular inspections for flame colour. It should be blue with no yellow. If you see yellow in the flame the burner needs cleaning.

Edited April 11, 2015 by Tony Brooks

[Stormbringer]

If the smell is ammonia then it could be a cooling unit leak..

[sueb]

Have you a carbon monoxide alarm? If not get one asap

[ditchcrawler]

Or even spiders roasting

[rgriffiths]

Thanks for all the replies. CO alarm is right next to it and reads zero, the smell is definitely not ammonia (it is much more subtle - more dry ice), flame is blue without any yellow. As for the spiders ..... maybe but I imagine they would have been long gone by now.

[ditchcrawler]

Thanks for all the replies. CO alarm is right next to it and reads zero, the smell is definitely not ammonia (it is much more subtle - more dry ice), flame is blue without any yellow. As for the spiders ..... maybe but I imagine they would have been long gone by now.

They may be, but have their webs?