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07-03-2017, 03:23 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,400
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Installing a propane leak detector in the propane bay
As an added safety precaution, I want to add a Propane leak detector in the Propane tank bay so when we are parked at a CG for an extended period of time and have the propane tank turned ON, if a leak ever occurred down in that area we would be alerted. I have looked everywhere for stand alone battery power unit that I could just stick on the Propane tank bay wall and they don't exist. All of them require either plugging into a 110V AC or direct wire into 12V DC power. While driving, the tank will be turned OFF so we won't have to worry about a leak downstream from the shutoff valve. But when we arrive at our destinations, we will always be parked in a CG 95% of time with shore power. (Very little boon docking)
I also have installed an extended stay valve with a quick disconnect for our 12' hose before the propane regulator to hook up our BBQ. Our Weber BBQ has it's own regulator.
As I see it, I have 2 options:
Option# 1
The storage bay next door to our propane tank bay already has a 110V, 2 way electrical outlet mounted on the ceiling wall to plug stuff in like extension cords etc. It's only about 4" from the wall that separates from the propane bay. So what I was thinking of doing was, coming off that existing electrical outlet with a pigtail, drilling a hole through the metal wall, insert a rubber grommet into that hole to prevent wire chaffing and then mounting another electrical 2 way outlet down low (because propane is heavy) in the propane tank bay to be able to plug in one of these 110V Propane leak detectors.
Option# 2
Right next to this existing 110V, 2 way electrical outlet in the bay next door is also a 12V ceiling light. I could tie into the lights 12V supply as well with the same procedure above.
Do you see any issues doing this and what option would you choose and why?
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07-03-2017, 04:04 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
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You will need to place the detector on the ground under the tank. Propane is heavier than air and will sink and disperse from a leak. If there is any kind of breeze, it probably won't detect a leak anyway.
As far as propane leaks, I only turn off the propane valve while refilling or long term storage.
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07-03-2017, 08:43 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 4,040
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I wouldn't bother with a propane detector in the propane bay. By law, this bay is completely exposed to outside air and open on the bottom. You want propane detectors inside the coach to protect you, not the ground under the coach.
__________________
Roger & Mary
2017 Winnebago Navion 24V (Sold)
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 36GH (Sold)
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07-03-2017, 09:32 AM
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#4
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,622
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luvlabs
I wouldn't bother with a propane detector in the propane bay. By law, this bay is completely exposed to outside air and open on the bottom. You want propane detectors inside the coach to protect you, not the ground under the coach.
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X2!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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07-03-2017, 01:57 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: San Jacinto, CA
Posts: 411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luvlabs
I wouldn't bother with a propane detector in the propane bay. By law, this bay is completely exposed to outside air and open on the bottom. You want propane detectors inside the coach to protect you, not the ground under the coach.
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X2! It does seem like a very dangerous serious situation though if there were incident after incident I think more of us would be searching for a solution accident. I leave mine on when I am rolling as I don't really subscribe to keeping the doors closed for 4 or 5 hours is going to keep my groceries cool. On a lighter note being an electrician, for nomenclatures sake, the voltage is 120 volts plus or minus 5 percent so if your coach is supplying anything less than 114 or more than 126 volts as with any shore power you plug into....I would worry.
WDK
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07-03-2017, 03:21 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: San Jacinto, CA
Posts: 411
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Installing a propane leak detector in the propane bay
......sorry, I meant to put a period after solution.....though my thought was on accidents.....I would certainly concede that having the valve closed in an accident would be the safest way to be should a hose to your water heater or stove become dislodged in a collision though anything more major where the tank has been ruptured or valve separated, then obviously, all bets are off.
WDK
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07-03-2017, 07:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,400
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So you think while parked in a CG with all the openness under the bay is enough to NOT cause a problem even if there is a leak?
To me—just thinking logically—that sounds like an accident could be just be waiting to happen.
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07-03-2017, 08:13 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marjoa
So you think while parked in a CG with all the openness under the bay is enough to NOT cause a problem even if there is a leak?
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Yes !
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