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Post by SandLapper on Apr 9, 2020 20:19:08 GMT -5
I decided to do some sheltering in place at the boat and get a few projects done. One I've been meaning to do for a while is to install gas fume detectors. I love our boat but I've always been super paranoid and OCD about gas fumes, gas leaks and the potential of something going BOOM! I always check the engine compartment for any leaks or smells every time I start it up. But there's always the potential for something to happen (fuel leak etc) while we are underway so I figured the Fume detectors would be a good addition. Actually I don't know why that aren't required for all gas engine boats. My 3560 is 2005 vintage, so maybe the fume detectors are more common on newer boats...not sure. At any rate, got them installed, and like most projects on a boat, it was pretty much a pain it the @ss, but not too horrible and I only had to sacrifice a little bit of my head, blood and flesh to the boat gods. I don't know about you guys, but it seems impossible for me to do any project without cutting, scrapping or pealing off some skin and bleeding on something. Most of the work was in mounting the actual detectors in the engine compartment (lots of room in there to work...NOT!, and the electrical work. I tied the the power into the starboard engine switch (just like the existing Fireboy fire suppression system was). I mounted the detectors on the front wall of the engine compartment about 8-10 inches up. I wanted them to be as low as possible but out of any danger getting wet. The model I installed also comes with a little relay that ties into the blower switch. So in the event it detects something, it will automatically turn on the blowers. A few pics attached. |
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Post by Rich on Apr 10, 2020 8:35:58 GMT -5
I did the same thing on my 2005 3560.
But I used the non-relay version, I'm not sure why at the time I did it as it seems smarter to have the relay version to turn on the blowers for you automatically.
I mounted my sensor on the stringer between the Starboard engine and the generator, about 5 inches from the bottom of the bilge so it wouldn't get wet, just under spot where the cockpit table top storage is located. This way it's low, but there's not much chance it will get in the way if someone is doing some service. It also allows easy access to test it periodically.
Be sure to test it at least at the start of each season, using a gas source as described in the documentation (using the gas from an unlit cigarette lighter) to be sure all is working well. I wouldn't depend only on the test button as I believe that this only tests that the beeper/relay is working. I don't think the test button checks that the sensor can actually still detect gas fumes.
This fume detector also gives me peace of mind, and the hardest part of the install was drilling the mounting hole in the dashboard as it seemed to be about 2 inches thick!
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Post by tc33obx on Apr 10, 2020 8:46:37 GMT -5
I think this is so important on a Gas boat, as important as Carbon Monoxide detectors on generator boats. Nice work and thanks for sharing the picture. One thing that may help for others is how many detectors did you install and how did you come to that number and also what did the overall upgrade cost?
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Post by gofast24 on Apr 10, 2020 10:59:52 GMT -5
Again old school me = We have two engine room ventilators (fans) , manually controlled by one switch at helm. Prior to starting engines turn on both blowers for 2 minutes then start engines. All you have to do is remember to do it? Also, when starting gen set the Westerbeke controls will automatically turn on both blowers and they will stay on continuously until gen shut off that is a good safety feature on this old 4160. Unfortunately, with all the product liability stuff in this day and age the boat manufacturers have to out smart new boat owners vs. the old school know "what your doing" philosophy.
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Post by tc33obx on Apr 10, 2020 11:44:47 GMT -5
One problem using the exhaust fans won't find is if you have a fuel leak. You blow out the fumes start the boat and the engine with the leak continues to leak awhile your running increasing a chance of trouble. Fume detectors are just added insurance to running an exhaust fan on a gas boat. Good practice if you can afford them and get them installed. In my book its better to be safe then sorry.
Also on my new boat, which is outboards, a fuel leak could occurs in the bilge and I would not know about it. The Fume detector helps me identify an issue like that. Clearly, I would know and smell the gas when opening the bilge but you may not frequently do that.
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Post by SandLapper on Apr 10, 2020 16:41:40 GMT -5
I think this is so important on a Gas boat, as important as Carbon Monoxide detectors on generator boats. Nice work and thanks for sharing the picture. One thing that may help for others is how many detectors did you install and how did you come to that number and also what did the overall upgrade cost? I installed two detectors. Kits come in standards of 1 or 2. My thinking was one detector per engine, i.e., one detector per potential source of leak. Cost was about $260 for the kit. Well worth it if you ask me. Gofast, Again, these are an addition to the old school safety visual checks and blowers before starting. When it come to safety measures, the more the better. |
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Post by Rich on Apr 11, 2020 8:23:48 GMT -5
Again old school me = We have two engine room ventilators (fans) , manually controlled by one switch at helm. Prior to starting engines turn on both blowers for 2 minutes then start engines. All you have to do is remember to do it? Also, when starting gen set the Westerbeke controls will automatically turn on both blowers and they will stay on continuously until gen shut off that is a good safety feature on this old 4160. Unfortunately, with all the product liability stuff in this day and age the boat manufacturers have to out smart new boat owners vs. the old school know "what your doing" philosophy. Fans help, of course, but consider if you are out on your boat hanging on the hook, and a leak happens while your blowers are not running (perhaps due to a loose fitting, deteriorating hose, corrosion in a tank) that you don't know about yet. Of course this can happen also while your boat is on the dock and you were not planning on running the engines but you are on board. Or you use a small marine grill so you have some small bottles of propane somewhere on your boat and a leak develops (propane sinks to the bilge the same as gasoline fumes do). You may not be planning on running an engine for a while so you don't start your blowers. Yes, everything in the engine room is supposed to be ignition protected, but what if static electricity or something failing causes a spark? *bang* Fumes in boats are contained, they have no place to go but be contained in the bilge as they are heavier than air. It's not like in a car, RV, airplane, etc. where the fumes can just dissipate into the open air. I'd rather have the fume detector, not to replace or diminish the practice of the running of blowers, but to help keep a nose sniffing in the bilge at all times. However, these don't replace good safety practices. Even the fume detector can fail, so you must always run the blowers before starting an engine. If you are comfortable without the fume detector, that's fine. But I feel better knowing it's there. I'd feel differently if I had a diesel boat. |
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Post by gofast24 on Apr 12, 2020 11:00:48 GMT -5
I think this is so important on a Gas boat, as important as Carbon Monoxide detectors on generator boats. Nice work and thanks for sharing the picture. One thing that may help for others is how many detectors did you install and how did you come to that number and also what did the overall upgrade cost? I installed two detectors. Kits come in standards of 1 or 2. My thinking was one detector per engine, i.e., one detector per potential source of leak. Cost was about $260 for the kit. Well worth it if you ask me. Gofast, Again, these are an addition to the old school safety visual checks and blowers before starting. When it come to safety measures, the more the better. Agree! WE atill open engine hatch and check lube oil levels in both propulsion engines and gen set prior to sailing, just a old good habit but like the idea of engine room fuel vapor alarms as well. |
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Post by gofast24 on Apr 12, 2020 11:05:02 GMT -5
Again old school me = We have two engine room ventilators (fans) , manually controlled by one switch at helm. Prior to starting engines turn on both blowers for 2 minutes then start engines. All you have to do is remember to do it? Also, when starting gen set the Westerbeke controls will automatically turn on both blowers and they will stay on continuously until gen shut off that is a good safety feature on this old 4160. Unfortunately, with all the product liability stuff in this day and age the boat manufacturers have to out smart new boat owners vs. the old school know "what your doing" philosophy. Fans help, of course, but consider if you are out on your boat hanging on the hook, and a leak happens while your blowers are not running (perhaps due to a loose fitting, deteriorating hose, corrosion in a tank) that you don't know about yet. Of course this can happen also while your boat is on the dock and you were not planning on running the engines but you are on board. Or you use a small marine grill so you have some small bottles of propane somewhere on your boat and a leak develops (propane sinks to the bilge the same as gasoline fumes do). You may not be planning on running an engine for a while so you don't start your blowers. Yes, everything in the engine room is supposed to be ignition protected, but what if static electricity or something failing causes a spark? *bang* Fumes in boats are contained, they have no place to go but be contained in the bilge as they are heavier than air. It's not like in a car, RV, airplane, etc. where the fumes can just dissipate into the open air. I'd rather have the fume detector, not to replace or diminish the practice of the running of blowers, but to help keep a nose sniffing in the bilge at all times. However, these don't replace good safety practices. Even the fume detector can fail, so you must always run the blowers before starting an engine. If you are comfortable without the fume detector, that's fine. But I feel better knowing it's there. I'd feel differently if I had a diesel boat. In general, all engine rooms have passive vents to the outside so the engine room isnt fully closed in? They also help vent heat from engine room while under way. Also, gasoline fumes will rise and not sink to the bilge? |
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Post by SandLapper on Apr 12, 2020 11:08:21 GMT -5
No. Gasoline fume are heavier than air and will sink and build up at the lowest point. That's why the fume detecors are placed as low as possoble.
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Post by gofast24 on Apr 13, 2020 10:30:05 GMT -5
Sorry, you are correct. I should have done more research before posting my comment! Thinking back the inlet of engine room ventilators hoses are positioned in the lowest part of the engine room (where gas fumes settle into). My bad!
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