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12-03-2013, 14:11
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#2
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Maine
Boat: CS-36T - Cupecoy
Posts: 3,197
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
Quote:
Originally Posted by typhoon
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I only use & install solenoids made by Advanced Fuel Components (AFC), specifically the model 151, and have never had or seen one fail.
In my experience they are far more reliable than the Trident & other low pressure LPG lock off/solenoid valves.
I also prefer that these are high pressure capable and can be inserted before the regulator. I have seen a regulator fail & leak so my prefernce is for the solenoid to be on the tank/high pressure side.
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12-03-2013, 14:48
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Toronto Canada
Boat: Bristol 45.5
Posts: 848
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
Thanks Maine Sail . I did a little research and found that the AFC solenoids were specific for propane applications, non of the others stated that . Do you find they get warm at all ?
What do you think of the Fischer regulators?
Regards
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14-03-2013, 08:24
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Toronto Canada
Boat: Bristol 45.5
Posts: 848
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
Just ordered a couple of 151, always good to have a spare.
Regards
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14-03-2013, 09:24
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Toronto Canada
Boat: Bristol 45.5
Posts: 848
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
Just to add, the specs are , .110 orifice , looks like that works out to be drill size #35 and that works out to something around 85000 Btu when used on the high pressure side of the regulator.
That should be plenty for all my propane needs and then some.
Regards
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14-03-2013, 09:39
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,483
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
Sounds like a mix of marine incompatible alloys.....(steel, alum, brass) although I dont know if the real "marine" valves are a better mix or not.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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14-03-2013, 09:50
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Punta De Mita
Boat: Vagabond 39 Hull # 1
Posts: 1,842
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
How much do they cost?
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14-03-2013, 10:01
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Toronto Canada
Boat: Bristol 45.5
Posts: 848
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
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14-03-2013, 10:04
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#9
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,764
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
I've had gas solenoids fail twice. I don't know the make, but they were both fairly expensive and both professionally installed here. Very irritating. I also had my gas system updated at considerable expense, only to have the hoses become sclerotic within weeks of installation. Not imaging that such a thing is even possible, I cooked for a couple of years on a stove I was thinking all the time just didn't put out any heat . All that hassle plus the inherent danger of gas is enough to make you want to go all-electric in the galley
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14-03-2013, 10:17
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: White Stone, VA
Boat: Cabo Rico 38 / Bayfield 32
Posts: 624
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
Here's the best price I've seen: AFC valve
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14-03-2013, 10:24
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,483
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dockhead
I've had gas solenoids fail twice. I don't know the make, but they were both fairly expensive and both professionally installed here. Very irritating. I also had my gas system updated at considerable expense, only to have the hoses become sclerotic within weeks of installation. Not imaging that such a thing is even possible, I cooked for a couple of years on a stove I was thinking all the time just didn't put out any heat . All that hassle plus the inherent danger of gas is enough to make you want to go all-electric in the galley
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Your luck is bad! I've had inherited systems with very little problem... although I've had two regulators on my land based BBQ go bad... generally had trouble free use on the boats. Alot less trouble than my old Kerosene unit years ago!
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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14-03-2013, 10:53
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Toronto Canada
Boat: Bristol 45.5
Posts: 848
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dockhead
I've had gas solenoids fail twice. I don't know the make, but they were both fairly expensive and both professionally installed here. Very irritating. I also had my gas system updated at considerable expense, only to have the hoses become sclerotic within weeks of installation. Not imaging that such a thing is even possible, I cooked for a couple of years on a stove I was thinking all the time just didn't put out any heat . All that hassle plus the inherent danger of gas is enough to make you want to go all-electric in the galley
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Electric would be so nice. no !!boom!! , no humidity, no looking for places to fill your tanks,.
Time to start a new thread.
Regards
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14-03-2013, 10:54
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Elsewhere on the Water
Posts: 579
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
I've had 15 years with no failures. Maybe it is time to carry a spare.
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14-03-2013, 11:42
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#14
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Long Range Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England.
Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life"
Posts: 12,822
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
Why have a solenoid at all?
Is it a legal requirement in some countries? Why?
I don't have one nor would I ever install one.
Just think, there you are at sea when the electricity goes off and Zappo... You starve!
I can navigate with my computers on AA size battery power... But not the stove.
It just seems crazy to combine two elements that could increase the chance of failure.
Mark
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14-03-2013, 12:27
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Elsewhere on the Water
Posts: 579
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Re: Propane Solenoid experiences , good/bad/best
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkJ
Why have a solenoid at all?
Is it a legal requirement in some countries? Why?
I don't have one nor would I ever install one.
Just think, there you are at sea when the electricity goes off and Zappo... You starve!
I can navigate with my computers on AA size battery power... But not the stove.
It just seems crazy to combine two elements that could increase the chance of failure.
Mark
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Mark,
In my case it is part of a required system. There are leakage sensors and a control device that emits an aural alarm if there is a leak. It also closes the solenoid valve. They may not be required if the propane is burnt outside the cabin.
Here is the system: http://www.fireboy-xintex.com/propane_detectors.html
I just noticed that there is a British and US flag on their web site. Maybe the are not required in OZ.
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