Mystery propane sensor alarm

[steve77]

My Trident propane alarm has been going off recently. Today was 18 minutes after starting cooking. The sensor is mounted just below the oven, at the level of the sole.

I have an analog pressure gauge mounted near the tank. I regularly check for leakage by opening the propane solenoid, closing the manual valve on the propane tank, and checking to see if the pressure in the line drops. I have NO pressure drop, even after two hours. This tells me the propane line to the stove burner valves is leak tight. Also, the alarm does not go off during this two hour period.

It is a Tasco stove, about seven years old.

Any thoughts on what may be causing the alarm to go off? We are in a marina with the AC on, so hatches are closed and we don’t have the ventilation we do when at anchor. Could it be combustion products from the stove? Seems unlikely, since the sensor is located beneath the oven.

Cheers!

Steve

[coopec43]

These alarms are very trigger happy apparently.

https://www.practical-sailor.com/saf...d-false-alarms

[michaeld]

Our Trident propane alarm goes off when making breakfast Bloody Marys or just about anytime we spill liquor in the galley area. It's super sensitive. Same is true if someone sprays bug repellent nearby.

[steve77]

Originally Posted by michaeld

Our Trident propane alarm goes off when making breakfast Bloody Marys or just about anytime we spill liquor in the galley area. It's super sensitive. Same is true if someone sprays bug repellent nearby.

I agree, the unit is sensitive. My wife and I are very careful not to spill any rum, so we can’t speak to the sensitivity of the sensor to alcohol.

Thanks!

Steve

[coopec43]

QUOTE"We are in a marina with the AC on, so hatches are closed and we don’t have the ventilation we do when at anchor"UNQUOTE

Obviously that is the cause.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f16...rm-223586.html

[BobFord]

I comment for what it may be worth- you say sensor is below stove , I would consider that a further sensor should be in each lower bilge. Even a mouse hole can allow gas to flow. Permanent ventilation , regular bilge pumping and blowers especially when engine is using a lot of air , are highly recommended.

[michaeld]

Just to mention that our Trident system and sensor is energized around the clock. We are rarely at marinas. Not just rum but vodka as well.

[steve77]

Originally Posted by coopec43

QUOTE"We are in a marina with the AC on, so hatches are closed and we don’t have the ventilation we do when at anchor"UNQUOTE

Obviously that is the cause.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f16...rm-223586.html

Australian humor! Cheers!

Steve

[floydmiami1]

I was told the sensor couldn't smell vodka

[silvercreek]

Carbon monoxide can be generated from the propane burning in some cases. Your alarm may be detecting that. This page has a good explanation: https://www.elgas.com.au/blog/2107-d...o-natural-gas/

[GILow]

Originally Posted by steve77

My Trident propane alarm has been going off recently. Today was 18 minutes after starting cooking. The sensor is mounted just below the oven, at the level of the sole.



I have an analog pressure gauge mounted near the tank. I regularly check for leakage by opening the propane solenoid, closing the manual valve on the propane tank, and checking to see if the pressure in the line drops. I have NO pressure drop, even after two hours. This tells me the propane line to the stove burner valves is leak tight. Also, the alarm does not go off during this two hour period.



It is a Tasco stove, about seven years old.



Any thoughts on what may be causing the alarm to go off? We are in a marina with the AC on, so hatches are closed and we don’t have the ventilation we do when at anchor. Could it be combustion products from the stove? Seems unlikely, since the sensor is located beneath the oven.



Cheers!



Steve

Almost certainly your stove is not burning all of the gas it is consuming.

Very common with ovens that use a pilot light. There is a significant delay between the gas starting to flow again and the pilot light igniting the gas.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by steve77

My Trident propane alarm has been going off recently. Today was 18 minutes after starting cooking. The sensor is mounted just below the oven, at the level of the sole.

I have an analog pressure gauge mounted near the tank. I regularly check for leakage by opening the propane solenoid, closing the manual valve on the propane tank, and checking to see if the pressure in the line drops. I have NO pressure drop, even after two hours. This tells me the propane line to the stove burner valves is leak tight. Also, the alarm does not go off during this two hour period.

It is a Tasco stove, about seven years old.

Any thoughts on what may be causing the alarm to go off? We are in a marina with the AC on, so hatches are closed and we don’t have the ventilation we do when at anchor. Could it be combustion products from the stove? Seems unlikely, since the sensor is located beneath the oven.

Cheers!

Steve

your "test" only covers you from the tank to the solenoid (which is normally within the fist 12 inches from the tank). What about the rest of the line?

I would soap test the joint at the stove and any other joints in the system in the vicinity of the stove.

Their sensors are normally pretty good. I've been using them on different boats for 20+ years, never an issue. Their Solenoids... are almost annual disposables!

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by pcmm

your "test" only covers you from the tank to the solenoid (which is normally within the fist 12 inches from the tank). What about the rest of the line?

I would soap test the joint at the stove and any other joints in the system in the vicinity of the stove.

Their sensors are normally pretty good. I've been using them on different boats for 20+ years, never an issue. Their Solenoids... are almost annual disposables!

l"eakage by opening the propane solenoid, closing the manual valve on the propane tank,"

He's doing it right. After pressurizing the entire system, he closes the tank valve, leaving the solenoid on. Now everything from the tank valve to the stove valves are pressurized.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by cal40john

l"eakage by opening the propane solenoid, closing the manual valve on the propane tank,"

He's doing it right. After pressurizing the entire system, he closes the tank valve, leaving the solenoid on. Now everything from the tank valve to the stove valves are pressurized.

Good point I guess I didn't see the "opening the propane solenoid" comment

[steve77]

Originally Posted by cal40john

l"eakage by opening the propane solenoid, closing the manual valve on the propane tank,"

He's doing it right. After pressurizing the entire system, he closes the tank valve, leaving the solenoid on. Now everything from the tank valve to the stove valves are pressurized.

Thanks for clarifying for me.

I’ve about decided that there must be a leak between one of the valves on the stove and one of the burners. I’m checking to see if I get the alarm when I use any of the three burners, or only one of them. It’s just a time consuming troubleshooting job.

Appreciate the input, gentlemen.

Steve