LP Gas sniffer

Archives
1

Posted by ron barr (rwhb@…>)


Posting
again – someone with a Freedom has to have solved this!!!

On
the F32 the boat has a remote control switch on the nearby breaker panel to
turn off the LP gas at the solenoid near the externally mounted LP tank.
However there is no provision for automatic shut down via a sniffer. I would
like to install a sniffer in the circuit that will activate the OFF setting of
the breaker switch via simple wiring. I am not sure of a source for such an
item-- I’ve got to believe this situation is by no means unique…help
anyone???

Thanks

Ron

Hoyt
F32
Newport
RI

_

2

Posted by brigup (sailordude@…>)

Try Defender Marine Outfitter, 2008 catalog Page 116.

Google search also worked with 251,000 results. I did not review them
Though.


On 2/29/08 11:15 AM, “ron barr” <rwhb@…> wrote:

\

Posting again – someone with a Freedom has to have solved this!!!

On the F32 the boat has a remote control switch on the nearby breaker panel to turn off the LP gas at the solenoid near the externally mounted LP tank. However there is no provision for automatic shut down via a sniffer. I would like to install a sniffer in the circuit that will activate the OFF setting of the breaker switch via simple wiring. I am not sure of a source for such an item-- I’ve got to believe this situation is by no means unique…help anyone???

Thanks

Ron
Hoyt F32
Newport RI

_


\

3

Posted by Brien (brienb@…>)

See
http://www.fireboy-xintex.com/S2A.html

I have no experience with this device, but the pdf would suggest that
it does what you need.

Best,

Brien
F38

On 2/29/08 11:15 AM, “ron barr” <rwhb@…> wrote:

Posting again � someone with a Freedom has to have solved this!!!

On the F32 the boat has a remote control switch on the nearby
breaker panel to
turn off the LP gas at the solenoid near the externally mounted LP
tank.
However there is no provision for automatic shut down via a
sniffer. I would
like to install a sniffer in the circuit that will activate the
OFF setting of
the breaker switch via simple wiring. I am not sure of a source
for such an
item-- I’ve got to believe this situation is by no means
unique…help
anyone???

Thanks

Ron
Hoyt F32
Newport RI

_

4

Posted by katorpus (jrb@…>)

Not to try to talk you out of a safety device that you think you
need, but consider this…

If the propane system is properly installed, there are NO joints in
the continuous copper line between the tank-mounted solenoid and the
flex hose which connects to your stove.

This leaves two places for a leak to occur within the boat…the
stove itself, or the joint between the (on my boat) rubber hose and
the copper line.

My activation switch for the solenoid is located (factory install) on
the bulkhead adjacent to the stove.

If the stove isn’t lit, the solenoid switch should be “off”, which
leaves the only place for a leak to occur being between the tank and
the solenoid. This is the high pressure side of the LP system, and if
it’s leaking, you’ll know it. It’s also “outdoors”, in that the
propane locker, by design will “drain” the heavier-than-air propane
overboard.

By the time you accumulate enough propane in the bilge to activate
the sniffer, it will have been leaking for a LONG time (low
pressure). Chances are, no leak in the low pressure side is going to
actually leak while the stove is actually lit, as the path of least
resistance is the open end of the line at the burner tip.

Having the sniffer (which may or may not function properly when
needed…consider “harsh marine environment”) may only lull you into
a false sense of security which might lead you to leaving the
solenoid open when the stove is unlit.

A periodic check of your joints leading to the stove (with soapy
water) and a “personal sniff test” of the stove itself really OUGHT
to keep you safe…without an added layer of complexity and another
system to “go wrong”.



— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com, “Brien” <brienb@…> wrote:

See
http://www.fireboy-xintex.com/S2A.html

I have no experience with this device, but the pdf would suggest
that
it does what you need.

Best,

Brien
F38

On 2/29/08 11:15 AM, “ron barr” <rwhb@> wrote:

Posting again � someone with a Freedom has to have solved
this!!!

On the F32 the boat has a remote control switch on the nearby
breaker panel to
turn off the LP gas at the solenoid near the externally mounted
LP
tank.
However there is no provision for automatic shut down via a
sniffer. I would
like to install a sniffer in the circuit that will activate the
OFF setting of
the breaker switch via simple wiring. I am not sure of a source
for such an
item-- I’ve got to believe this situation is by no means
unique…help
anyone???

Thanks

Ron
Hoyt F32
Newport RI

_

5

Posted by Bill Williams (escbill@…>)

    Not entirely true...the Xintex sniffers, properly positioned beneath the stove and may a second one in the bilge will react very quickly and shut down the flow of propane into the cabin. Burners can and have blown out, and so has the oven burner. It may not be immediately noticed and a significant amount of propane can accumulate, possibly not smelled by occupants.
    Our rule is that if the stove or oven is in operation, someone will be in the cabin monitoring the cooking. I would not be without this safety device installed and working.

Bill Williams
Aurora

6

Posted by ron barr (rwhb@…>)


Those are some good points to stew on— katorpus! Thanks

Ron Barr
82 Bridge Street
Newport RI 02840



From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of katorpus
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 5:26 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: LP Gas sniffer

\




Not to try to talk you out of a safety device
that you think you
need, but consider this…

If the propane system is properly installed, there are NO joints in
the continuous copper line between the tank-mounted solenoid and the
flex hose which connects to your stove.

This leaves two places for a leak to occur within the boat…the
stove itself, or the joint between the (on my boat) rubber hose and
the copper line.

My activation switch for the solenoid is located (factory install) on
the bulkhead adjacent to the stove.

If the stove isn’t lit, the solenoid switch should be “off”, which
leaves the only place for a leak to occur being between the tank and
the solenoid. This is the high pressure side of the LP system, and if
it’s leaking, you’ll know it. It’s also “outdoors”, in that the
propane locker, by design will “drain” the heavier-than-air propane
overboard.

By the time you accumulate enough propane in the bilge to activate
the sniffer, it will have been leaking for a LONG time (low
pressure). Chances are, no leak in the low pressure side is going to
actually leak while the stove is actually lit, as the path of least
resistance is the open end of the line at the burner tip.

Having the sniffer (which may or may not function properly when
needed…consider “harsh marine environment”) may only lull you into
a false sense of security which might lead you to leaving the
solenoid open when the stove is unlit.

A periodic check of your joints leading to the stove (with soapy
water) and a “personal sniff test” of the stove itself really OUGHT
to keep you safe…without an added layer of complexity and another
system to “go wrong”.






\

7

Posted by ron barr (rwhb@…>)


I notice on our purchase survey that an LP gas sniffer
should be installed in the bilge and under the stove. And the stove burners should
be replaced with “flame out” shut down ABYS approved burners. Has
anyone done this? And where can I get a 12V LP sniffer at a reasonable price –
ie: not $200+!? I think I posted on this before if so excuse my failing memory –
too many projects coming up!

Ron
Hoyt F32
Newport RI

8

Posted by lance_ryley (lance_ryley@…>)

I have a Xintex Fireboy S2A, which is definitely more than $200, but
less than the cost of replacing a fire-damaged Freedom of any size…
I like it so much I installed one on my folks’ boat as well.


Lance
— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com, “ron barr” <rwhb@…>
wrote:

I notice on our purchase survey that an LP gas sniffer should be
installed
in the bilge and under the stove. And the stove burners should be
replaced
with “flame out” shut down ABYS approved burners. Has anyone done
this? And
where can I get a 12V LP sniffer at a reasonable price - ie: not
$200+!? I
think I posted on this before if so excuse my failing memory - too
many
projects coming up!

Ron

Hoyt F32

Newport RI