DIYbanter

DIYbanter (https://www.diybanter.com/)
-   UK diy (https://www.diybanter.com/uk-diy/)
-   -   Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)? (https://www.diybanter.com/uk-diy/328228-alde-bubble-gas-leak-detector-how-does-work-where-buy-cheaply.html)

[email protected] September 7th 11 09:56 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
I'm aiming to get one of these for the gas supply on our boat, can
anyone explain to me how they work? I just want to know out of
interest really.

Here's a link to one:-
http://chandlery.biz/product_info.php?products_id=253

If anyone can suggest a cheaper supplier I'd be very pleased too, best
price I can find is £38.38 plus delivery.

--
Chris Green

John Rumm September 7th 11 10:31 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where tobuy cheaply)?
 
On 07/09/2011 20:56, wrote:
I'm aiming to get one of these for the gas supply on our boat, can
anyone explain to me how they work? I just want to know out of
interest really.


It looks similar to the fermentation trap used on the top of a
brewing/wine making vessel / jar in concept.

Basically as gas passes through it, its forced to bubble through a
liquid, hence making any gas flow "visible". So if installed near the
supply after the regulator, any bubbles indicate gas being passed into
the system. If all the taps are off, then you know something is leaking
or letting by.


Here's a link to one:-
http://chandlery.biz/product_info.php?products_id=253

If anyone can suggest a cheaper supplier I'd be very pleased too, best
price I can find is £38.38 plus delivery.


Its 44.91 at BES, so that seems like a decent price.



--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Harry Bloomfield[_3_] September 7th 11 11:37 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
John Rumm submitted this idea :
It looks similar to the fermentation trap used on the top of a brewing/wine
making vessel / jar in concept.

Basically as gas passes through it, its forced to bubble through a liquid,
hence making any gas flow "visible". So if installed near the supply after
the regulator, any bubbles indicate gas being passed into the system. If all
the taps are off, then you know something is leaking or letting by.


I would agree with that description, though I have never seen one.

They are probably not much more useful than checking for leaks by
turning everything off, then the regulator off - leaving it off for a
while, then back on. If the regulator hisses, then you have leaked some
pressure. You do though have a constant check with the bubbler, for
potential leaks.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk



[email protected] September 8th 11 10:14 AM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
Harry Bloomfield wrote:
John Rumm submitted this idea :
It looks similar to the fermentation trap used on the top of a brewing/wine
making vessel / jar in concept.

Basically as gas passes through it, its forced to bubble through a liquid,
hence making any gas flow "visible". So if installed near the supply after
the regulator, any bubbles indicate gas being passed into the system. If all
the taps are off, then you know something is leaking or letting by.


I would agree with that description, though I have never seen one.

They are probably not much more useful than checking for leaks by
turning everything off, then the regulator off - leaving it off for a
while, then back on. If the regulator hisses, then you have leaked some
pressure. You do though have a constant check with the bubbler, for
potential leaks.

If it's that simple why is it so expensive?

Though looking at a close up of the device:-
http://www.alde.co.uk/itemdetails.php?itemId=53

it seems as if you could well be right. You have to "Press the red
cap" for the leak detection to operate so presumably normally the gas
bypasses the leak detector chamber.

It still seems a bit of a rip-off price, typical boat equipment! :-)

--
Chris Green

fred[_8_] September 8th 11 10:29 AM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
On 8 Sep, 09:14, wrote:
Harry Bloomfield wrote:
John Rumm submitted this idea :
It looks similar to the fermentation trap used on the top of a brewing/wine
making vessel / jar in concept.


Basically as gas passes through it, its forced to bubble through a liquid,
hence making any gas flow "visible". So if installed near the supply after
the regulator, any bubbles indicate gas *being passed into the system. If all
the taps are off, then you know something is leaking or letting by.


I would agree with that description, though I have never seen one.


They are probably not much more useful than checking for leaks by
turning everything off, then the regulator off - leaving it off for a
while, then back on. If the regulator hisses, then you have leaked some
pressure. You do though have a constant check with the bubbler, for
potential leaks.


If it's that simple why is it so expensive?

Though looking at a close up of the device:-
* *http://www.alde.co.uk/itemdetails.php?itemId=53

it seems as if you could well be right. *You have to "Press the red
cap" for the leak detection to operate so presumably normally the gas
bypasses the leak detector chamber.

It still seems a bit of a rip-off price, typical boat equipment! *:-)

--
Chris Green


Wouldn't dream of using one on a boat as it would give no audible
warning. By the time you've noticed it showing a leak the bilges could
be filled with gas or you could be accelerating skywards

Paul Mc Cann

Tim Downie[_3_] September 8th 11 11:49 AM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
fred wrote:
On 8 Sep, 09:14, wrote:
Harry Bloomfield wrote:
John Rumm submitted this idea :
It looks similar to the fermentation trap used on the top of a
brewing/wine making vessel / jar in concept.


Basically as gas passes through it, its forced to bubble through a
liquid, hence making any gas flow "visible". So if installed near
the supply after the regulator, any bubbles indicate gas being
passed into the system. If all the taps are off, then you know
something is leaking or letting by.


I would agree with that description, though I have never seen one.


They are probably not much more useful than checking for leaks by
turning everything off, then the regulator off - leaving it off for
a while, then back on. If the regulator hisses, then you have
leaked some pressure. You do though have a constant check with the
bubbler, for potential leaks.


If it's that simple why is it so expensive?

Though looking at a close up of the device:-
http://www.alde.co.uk/itemdetails.php?itemId=53

it seems as if you could well be right. You have to "Press the red
cap" for the leak detection to operate so presumably normally the gas
bypasses the leak detector chamber.

It still seems a bit of a rip-off price, typical boat equipment! :-)

--
Chris Green


Wouldn't dream of using one on a boat as it would give no audible
warning. By the time you've noticed it showing a leak the bilges could
be filled with gas or you could be accelerating skywards

Paul Mc Cann


Hmm, I think I'd rather have a good visible indicator of a leak rather than
wait for a possibly fallible detector system to tell me that the leak had
already happened.

I don't think it's meant to replace a gas detector, more as an additional
safeguard.

Tim


[email protected] September 8th 11 01:36 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
fred wrote:
On 8 Sep, 09:14, wrote:
Harry Bloomfield wrote:
John Rumm submitted this idea :
It looks similar to the fermentation trap used on the top of a brewing/wine
making vessel / jar in concept.


Basically as gas passes through it, its forced to bubble through a liquid,
hence making any gas flow "visible". So if installed near the supply after
the regulator, any bubbles indicate gas Â*being passed into the system. If all
the taps are off, then you know something is leaking or letting by.


I would agree with that description, though I have never seen one.


They are probably not much more useful than checking for leaks by
turning everything off, then the regulator off - leaving it off for a
while, then back on. If the regulator hisses, then you have leaked some
pressure. You do though have a constant check with the bubbler, for
potential leaks.


If it's that simple why is it so expensive?

Though looking at a close up of the device:-
Â* Â*http://www.alde.co.uk/itemdetails.php?itemId=53

it seems as if you could well be right. Â*You have to "Press the red
cap" for the leak detection to operate so presumably normally the gas
bypasses the leak detector chamber.

It still seems a bit of a rip-off price, typical boat equipment! Â*:-)

--
Chris Green


Wouldn't dream of using one on a boat as it would give no audible
warning. By the time you've noticed it showing a leak the bilges could
be filled with gas or you could be accelerating skywards

I'm not considering it as the *only* safety device. It will however
spot very small leaks that might not cause any serious problem for a
very long time but which might become worse in time.

--
Chris Green

[email protected] September 8th 11 01:38 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
Tim Downie wrote:
fred wrote:
On 8 Sep, 09:14, wrote:
Harry Bloomfield wrote:
John Rumm submitted this idea :
It looks similar to the fermentation trap used on the top of a
brewing/wine making vessel / jar in concept.

Basically as gas passes through it, its forced to bubble through a
liquid, hence making any gas flow "visible". So if installed near
the supply after the regulator, any bubbles indicate gas being
passed into the system. If all the taps are off, then you know
something is leaking or letting by.

I would agree with that description, though I have never seen one.

They are probably not much more useful than checking for leaks by
turning everything off, then the regulator off - leaving it off for
a while, then back on. If the regulator hisses, then you have
leaked some pressure. You do though have a constant check with the
bubbler, for potential leaks.

If it's that simple why is it so expensive?

Though looking at a close up of the device:-
http://www.alde.co.uk/itemdetails.php?itemId=53

it seems as if you could well be right. You have to "Press the red
cap" for the leak detection to operate so presumably normally the gas
bypasses the leak detector chamber.

It still seems a bit of a rip-off price, typical boat equipment! :-)

--
Chris Green


Wouldn't dream of using one on a boat as it would give no audible
warning. By the time you've noticed it showing a leak the bilges could
be filled with gas or you could be accelerating skywards

Paul Mc Cann


Hmm, I think I'd rather have a good visible indicator of a leak rather than
wait for a possibly fallible detector system to tell me that the leak had
already happened.

I don't think it's meant to replace a gas detector, more as an additional
safeguard.

Yes, exactly, a regular check of the bubble detector will show up even
tiny leaks before anything else is noticeable.

--
Chris Green

Steve Firth September 8th 11 02:38 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
wrote:
fred wrote:

[snip]

Wouldn't dream of using one on a boat as it would give no audible
warning. By the time you've noticed it showing a leak the bilges could
be filled with gas or you could be accelerating skywards

I'm not considering it as the *only* safety device. It will however
spot very small leaks that might not cause any serious problem for a
very long time but which might become worse in time.


A Gaslow gauge will detect leaks on boats. Ensure all taps are closed then
turn off the cylinder valve. The gauge will show green. Check that the
gauge stays green for at least 24 hours.

Much more important on a boat is to turn off the gas at the cylinder when
sailing and whenever the gas is not in use. There's no hazardif the gas
cylinder is turned off and it is installed in a free draining gas locker.

Andy Burns[_7_] September 8th 11 02:48 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where tobuy cheaply)?
 
Steve Firth wrote:

A Gaslow gauge will detect leaks on boats. Ensure all taps are closed then
turn off the cylinder valve. The gauge will show green. Check that the
gauge stays green for at least 24 hours.


Doesn't sound particularly practical on a boat you're actually
inhabiting ...


Steve Firth September 8th 11 03:35 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
Andy Burns wrote:
Steve Firth wrote:

A Gaslow gauge will detect leaks on boats. Ensure all taps are closed then
turn off the cylinder valve. The gauge will show green. Check that the
gauge stays green for at least 24 hours.


Doesn't sound particularly practical on a boat you're actually inhabiting ...


Gas and boats are a poor combination. Leaving gas turned on on a boat is
Russian roulette.

Houseboats are floating caravans, not boats.

[email protected] September 8th 11 04:11 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
Steve Firth wrote:
wrote:
fred wrote:

[snip]

Wouldn't dream of using one on a boat as it would give no audible
warning. By the time you've noticed it showing a leak the bilges could
be filled with gas or you could be accelerating skywards

I'm not considering it as the *only* safety device. It will however
spot very small leaks that might not cause any serious problem for a
very long time but which might become worse in time.


A Gaslow gauge will detect leaks on boats. Ensure all taps are closed then
turn off the cylinder valve. The gauge will show green. Check that the
gauge stays green for at least 24 hours.

Surely that would be a huge leak to empty the gas cylinder to that
extent in 24 hours.

Much more important on a boat is to turn off the gas at the cylinder when
sailing and whenever the gas is not in use. There's no hazardif the gas
cylinder is turned off and it is installed in a free draining gas locker.


Even less hazard if you don't carry any gas at all! :-)

--
Chris Green

Steve Firth September 8th 11 04:43 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
wrote:
Steve Firth wrote:
wrote:
fred wrote:

[snip]

Wouldn't dream of using one on a boat as it would give no audible
warning. By the time you've noticed it showing a leak the bilges could
be filled with gas or you could be accelerating skywards

I'm not considering it as the *only* safety device. It will however
spot very small leaks that might not cause any serious problem for a
very long time but which might become worse in time.


A Gaslow gauge will detect leaks on boats. Ensure all taps are closed then
turn off the cylinder valve. The gauge will show green. Check that the
gauge stays green for at least 24 hours.

Surely that would be a huge leak to empty the gas cylinder to that
extent in 24 hours.


Err the valve to the cylinder is closed. You're just monitoring losses from
the pipes/seals. Given that the pipe is usually 8 or 10mm any leaks will
show up quickly.

Much more important on a boat is to turn off the gas at the cylinder when
sailing and whenever the gas is not in use. There's no hazardif the gas
cylinder is turned off and it is installed in a free draining gas locker.


Even less hazard if you don't carry any gas at all! :-)


That is the best solution. May I introduce you to the concepts of diesel
heating, diesel ovens and Origo spirit burner hobs?

Harry Bloomfield[_3_] September 8th 11 08:41 PM

Alde bubble gas leak detector, how does it work (and where to buy cheaply)?
 
After serious thinking wrote :

A Gaslow gauge will detect leaks on boats. Ensure all taps are closed then
turn off the cylinder valve. The gauge will show green. Check that the
gauge stays green for at least 24 hours.

Surely that would be a huge leak to empty the gas cylinder to that
extent in 24 hours.


You missed the bit about turning the cylinder valve to off. The Gaslow
will indicate the low pressure, if pressure is lost.

Basically the same idea as I suggested - turn all appliances off, turn
cylinder valve off, leave it a while and turn it back on - if there is
a hiss from the regulator, some pressure has been lost somewhere in the
pipe work.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:02 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2014 DIYbanter