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27-01-2014, 11:07
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Hawaii
Boat: 1978 Cal 39 MKII Tall Mast
Posts: 68
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Propane solenoid won't stay on
I have a solenoid shut-off installed just after the pressure gauge at the propane tank. The switch is located in the cockpit and has been working great since I bought the boat a year ago. However, I just recently had the issue of it popping off after switching it to 'on'.
Sometimes the switch stays on long enough for me to get the stove's pilot light to go and while I'm waiting for the full burner to light I will hear the switch pop off and the gas will stop. And sometimes the switch will just pop off right after I move the switch to 'on'.
So what keeps the switch in the 'on' position? What would cause it to pop off? I'm guessing if the system somehow senses a leak it would automatically activate the shut-off valve which is the whole point of having it, right? But perhaps if I knew how it worked exactly I could troubleshoot it better.
Thanks all!
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27-01-2014, 11:15
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern California
Boat: Cal 48 Wainui
Posts: 282
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
If you have a Trident solidnoid they do go bad. They had a batch made that had problems. You can remove the plunger for a quick fix but this is not recomended. The solidnoid will get hot when operating but that is normal. You may need a new unit.
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27-01-2014, 11:22
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: On the hard due to wife's medical condition.
Boat: Sold, alas, because life happens.
Posts: 1,829
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
Quote:
Originally Posted by beebopbogo
I have a solenoid shut-off installed just after the pressure gauge at the propane tank. The switch is located in the cockpit and has been working great since I bought the boat a year ago. However, I just recently had the issue of it popping off after switching it to 'on'.
Sometimes the switch stays on long enough for me to get the stove's pilot light to go and while I'm waiting for the full burner to light I will hear the switch pop off and the gas will stop. And sometimes the switch will just pop off right after I move the switch to 'on'.
So what keeps the switch in the 'on' position? What would cause it to pop off? I'm guessing if the system somehow senses a leak it would automatically activate the shut-off valve which is the whole point of having it, right? But perhaps if I knew how it worked exactly I could troubleshoot it better.
Thanks all!
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By "switch" do you mean circuit breaker?
Two thoughts...
Switch "pops" because it detects a short somewhere - something is pulling too many amps. Check connections for corrosion, tightness. The solenoid itself may have defects due to corrosion.
If you have a propane detector wired into the circuit then, yes, that could be causing the "switch" to shut off due to a propane leak. Some just make noise when a leak is detected, others may be wired into the power circuit. How is yours wired?
Propane. Be very careful...
__________________
"Being offended is not the same thing as being right." Dave Barry.
Laughter is the salve that keeps reality from scaring.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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27-01-2014, 11:22
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bumping around the Caribbean
Boat: Valiant 40
Posts: 4,625
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
**edit**
Yeah, what sv said!
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27-01-2014, 11:55
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: virginia
Boat: islandpacket
Posts: 1,967
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
It is normally closed. The electric magnet opens it when power is applied. Corrosion bad wiring bad switch bad solenoid not enough power intermittent power. Check power to solenoid if ok probably solenoid. Could be circuit or switch
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
__________________
That derelict boat was another dream for somebody else, don't let it be your nightmare and a waste of your life.
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27-01-2014, 21:25
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Hawaii
Boat: 1978 Cal 39 MKII Tall Mast
Posts: 68
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
I confirmed it's an electric CB issue by disconnecting the propane, flipping the solenoid CB on, then waiting about 17 seconds. "Click:" off it goes. Guess I'll trace the wiring for a short somewhere.
Thanks for the input. I didn't realize the switch was a circuit breaker! Learning every day.
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27-01-2014, 23:04
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philippines in the winters
Boat: It’s in French Polynesia now
Posts: 11,368
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
Also, if they are used for long periods of time the solenoid coil over heats and goes bad over time. Switch to a better brand name. The expensive one.
And make sure your wiring is clean and sealed from moisture. May even want to goto a larger wire size.
__________________
Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
The measure of a man is how he navigates to a proper shore in the midst of a storm!
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17-02-2014, 15:23
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Boat: Alubat, OVNI 47
Posts: 379
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
What is the better/best brand name/model number?
__________________
Chip
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17-02-2014, 16:38
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
Quote:
Originally Posted by beebopbogo
I confirmed it's an electric CB issue by disconnecting the propane, flipping the solenoid CB on, then waiting about 17 seconds. "Click:" off it goes. Guess I'll trace the wiring for a short somewhere.
Thanks for the input. I didn't realize the switch was a circuit breaker! Learning every day.
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Still bet it's the solenoid. To ensure you wiring is good disconnect the solenoid, turn the switch on and the breaker/switch shouldn't pop. if it does the wiring is shorted to ground, but I'd bet lunch its the solenoid
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17-02-2014, 16:39
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philippines in the winters
Boat: It’s in French Polynesia now
Posts: 11,368
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
I went with Trident. They have a reputation to keep.
Propane Tanks & System Components | Fisheries Supply
__________________
Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
The measure of a man is how he navigates to a proper shore in the midst of a storm!
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19-02-2014, 10:58
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Vessel in Transit
Boat: Coast 34
Posts: 199
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
We installed a Trident solenoid that we purchased from West Marine two weeks ago. My husband noticed that when it was operating it was almost too hot to touch. Since we were concerned about the heat in a propane locker as well as wasting energy (excess heat = wasted energy), we used our IR temperature reader on the solenoid and got a reading of 170 degrees! I did some web surfing and found out that hot Trident solenoids are common.
We removed the Trident, returned it to West Marine, and ordered an AFC (Advanced Fuel Components) Model 151 for about $22 from a company called Scrubber City Inc. and installed it. The operating temperature that we read is now 103 degrees and it uses 1 amp of power, which we consider acceptable. So, we saved about $100 and it works better and uses less power.
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19-02-2014, 12:09
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, cruising in Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 28,400
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
Interesting story, Annie.
Ann
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Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
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19-02-2014, 12:54
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Boat: Alubat, OVNI 47
Posts: 379
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
I just bought an AFC 151 from Helmarparts.com for US$17.44 w/free shipping! For that price I decided to purchase two.
__________________
Chip
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05-11-2019, 09:41
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 2
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Re: Propane solenoid won't stay on
It has been a couple years...how did the AFC solenoids hold up?
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