Gas Fume Detector Installation

compensation said:
I would not own a gasoline boat without one. Get the one with the blower control.
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I notice "boatless" in your sig. Have you had a gasoline fume detector in a previous boat? If so which one and did you install it yourself?

These do not seem to be popular items (or at least not popular items to comment on).

John
 
I am sure these can be a great safety device. My fume detector is running my blowers prior to starting, and then having a sniff of the exhaust side vents. The nose Knows for me and it is very little effort to make sure there are no strong fumes.
 
Uplate said:
I am sure these can be a great safety device. My fume detector is running my blowers prior to starting, and then having a sniff of the exhaust side vents. The nose Knows for me and it is very little effort to make sure there are no strong fumes.
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I have been doing the same for a decade or so. I had thought an electronic nose would help (but I wanted to make sure they did not become a crutch that people would tend to forget their own nose.) It seems that not many people have them or at least have no opinons of them so I think I will forego installation of one.

Thanks
John
 
I don't have one - I do the same as Uplate - start the blower and sniff. At least once a week I'm in the engine compartment checking for any issues - leaks, smells, loose wires, extra water - anything which looks out of place. I replaced my bilge fan with one I can run continuously - it runs anytime the engines run and for a few mins before I start them.
 
The nose "knows"...and sniffing the bilge prior to starting the engines is common sense.
But if you develop a sizeable fuel leak while underway- like a cracked fuel line, or a leak in a fuel tank- you've become a floating bomb; and you won't know it.

I've never owned a gas boat without a "sniffer"- and as far as I'm concerned they're at least as important as a CO detector in the cabin...
 
Loneranger said:
Has anyone installed a gas fume detector? If so what brand and any details of the installation? Or do you think the detector is advantageous or are they a crutch that can make one overreliant on them?

Like these:

http://www.fireboy-xintex.com/gasoline_detectors.html

John
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I installed the Marine Technologies' SA-1 in my previous cruiser and was happy with it's performance. However, shortly after installing it, the indicator (installed at helm) got wet (rain storm) and began false alerting. I called the manufacturer and they stated it was not water-resistant and would require replacement.

In short, I can highly recommend a fume detector in concept, but, unless you can provide a weather-protected install location for the indicator, I can't recommend the SA-1 from Marine Technologies.
 
tobnpr said:
The nose "knows"...and sniffing the bilge prior to starting the engines is common sense.
But if you develop a sizeable fuel leak while underway- like a cracked fuel line, or a leak in a fuel tank- you've become a floating bomb; and you won't know it.

I've never owned a gas boat without a "sniffer"- and as far as I'm concerned they're at least as important as a CO detector in the cabin...
Click to expand...

Any idea what brand were installed in your previous gas boats? It sounds like the Marine Technologies is not a great option. I have used the fireboy-xintix CO detector without any problems. Maybe I will talk to them and try one of theirs.

John
 
Loneranger said:
Any idea what brand were installed in your previous gas boats? It sounds like the Marine Technologies is not a great option. I have used the fireboy-xintix CO detector without any problems. Maybe I will talk to them and try one of theirs.

John
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I have the Fireboy/Xintex on my CC. I forget the model #, but it's the one with the blower relay. When you turn it on, it does a self-test, and runs the blower for a few seconds. Should it sense explosive fumes, it will alarm, and automatically turn on the blower.

It's true that they're not maintenance free. The sensor(s) need to be mounted low in the bilge (but don't let it get wet). Test every few months- with the alarm powered up, take a disposable lighter and release butane at the sensor for about 10 secs (DON'T light it...). The alarm should sound. If not, replace the sensor. I find they only seem to last a year or two.
 
Cool thanks for the info. Did you do the installation on yours? If so I may post for help later in the spring.

John
 
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