Where to put propane detector?

[zboss]

I bought a trident combined propane switch and alarm. It comes with a detector.... where is a good location to put the sensor? Where should I NOT put the sensor?

[Rex Delay]

As low as you can and keep it dry.

[TurninTurtle]

Yep... if your bilge is always dry put it down there. Propane is heavier than air and will fill the boat from the bottom up.

Good idea to have a bilge blower system and run it for 15 min or more before doing anything that might cause a spark even with the detector.

[rwidman]

Nope, not in the bilge. Next to the stove is where my factory installed detector is mounted. A foot or two off the floor. High enough that it won't get kicked.


I'm assuming, of course, that your propane tank is an ABYC approved tank, outside the boat and not in the bilge.

[lamadriver]

Where it will not get WET! Or too hot.

We took some water in rough seas and it fried the sensor,and it kept failing ( and beeping - which about drove us to sucuide) . I didn't have a spare. We had to unplug it.

It was so rough it was impossible for us to get to the propane locker on the transome to undue the solieoniod and hook the tank straight up ,so we went with out being able to cook for two days.

There were some unhappy people.


Ld

[boatpoker]

Directly under the appliance (stove ?) You want he alarm to go off before fumes get as far down as the bilge.

[George DuBose]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Directly under the appliance (stove ?).

Yep, I second that opinion. I have two Trident gas detectors, one under the oven and one below the Force Ten propane heater.

I test them regularly by putting a butane lighter with no flame next to the sensor and set off the alarm.

Lysol spray also sets of the alarms, even when I don't spray the Lysol anywhere near the sensors. That's a pain, but at least I know the system is working.

The propane alarm system is wired so that the circuit can not be turned off.

The EU rules about bilge pumps state that the circuit must be switchable and must be turned off when one is not on board. Hahaha...my engine has no oil leaks, I would never leave my boat in a slip with the bilge pump turned off, so I hid the switch, so only I can turn it off.

[senormechanico]

Acetone and even a nearby fart can set off a properly operating propane sensor.

[deblen]

Source of replacement sensor Japan Figaro TGS813 TGS 813 High Quality Combustion Gas Sensor Methane Butane | eBay

[S/V Alchemy]

This one isn't cheap, but I had a boat with an Atomic 4 and propane, and it worked perfectly: GS6: Propane Detector with Propane Shut-off

[zboss]

My propane device has inputs for three detectors and I have two. I'll put one under the propane oven. I have an area in the deep bilge that is always dry. Maybe put the second one there? It would be under-ish the propane storage locker.

I was watching drake paragon. He always checks his propane connections using soapy water... that's not a practice I have done but will moving forward.

I'm planning on updating the propane lines, solenoid, regulator in the near future and am thinking about using rubber hose propane line and wrapping it with metal chafe shielding during install. Any reason this would be a bad idea? My current tubing is copper.

[Maka]

I have two propane sensor / alarms on my boat.
The 1st one ( came w the boat ) is mounted under the stove.
I added the 2nd one in the bilge as a precaution, since there is about 20' 0f hose between the tank and stove, in case there is a leak in the hose before the appliance.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by zboss

My propane device has inputs for three detectors and I have two. I'll put one under the propane oven. I have an area in the deep bilge that is always dry. Maybe put the second one there? It would be under-ish the propane storage locker.

I was watching drake paragon. He always checks his propane connections using soapy water... that's not a practice I have done but will moving forward.

I'm planning on updating the propane lines, solenoid, regulator in the near future and am thinking about using rubber hose propane line and wrapping it with metal chafe shielding during install. Any reason this would be a bad idea? My current tubing is copper.

I believe hose is safer than copper tube as copper work hardens (over tempers) with vibration and can fracture. Take a look at Safe Boat Propane Installations.

[sailjumanji]

Our stock boat came with a sensor at the stove, and one at the hot water heater.