Propane/CNG control and sensor Questions

[Ken Coit]

Parfait sports an S-2 propane/CNG control and sensing system by XINTEX that is driving us crazy in the middle of the night. The alarm goes off and by the time you get to the mute button, the sensor has usually cleared and there is no "danger." If you stand there and watch it at 2:30 in the morning, it will sense something again, light the proper indicator for the only sensor we have, and the alarm will go off again. Neither of us has smelled the CNG in the boat ever, but we know we can smell CNG, since we use natural gas at home as well.

My guess is that there is something in the galley that is triggering these false alarms. It is getting to the point that we shut down the alarm system in order to get some sleep, but that means also shutting off the lights and fans.

Does anyone have a clue what might be triggering these alarms? Could it be cleaning supplies in the cabinet? Could it be low voltage at the sensor or the control unit?

The sensor is mounted on an aluminum plate with the edges turned up about a 1/4 inch; it seems to be a heat sink of rudimentary design. It is continuosly warm when the system is on; is this normal?

I will contact XINTEX, but maybe someone here has had a similar experience and can help faster.

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC




parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com

[Richard Hill]

Parfait sports an S-2 propane/CNG control and sensing system by XINTEX that is driving us crazy in the middle of the night. The alarm goes off and by the time you get to the mute button, the sensor has usually cleared and there is no "danger." If you stand there and watch it at 2:30 in the morning, it will sense something again, light the proper indicator for the only sensor we have, and the alarm will go off again. Neither of us has smelled the CNG in the boat ever, but we know we can smell CNG, since we use natural gas at home as well.

My guess is that there is something in the galley that is triggering these false alarms. It is getting to the point that we shut down the alarm system in order to get some sleep, but that means also shutting off the lights and fans.

Does anyone have a clue what might be triggering these alarms? Could it be cleaning supplies in the cabinet? Could it be low voltage at the sensor or the control unit?

The sensor is mounted on an aluminum plate with the edges turned up about a 1/4 inch; it seems to be a heat sink of rudimentary design. It is continuosly warm when the system is on; is this normal?

I will contact XINTEX, but maybe someone here has had a similar experience and can help faster.

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

Check your aerosol cans. WD-40 used to use propane as the propellant, and I think some other products do, also. That's why some mechanics use it to start finicky engines. I have heard of a trawler that blew up because of a leaking can of WD-40. I believe they stopped using propane a few years ago, but since that stuff lasts forever, you might have an old can.

I think heat sinks are normally warm. Good luck. Post a message when you have an answer.



captrahill@comcast.net

[Ken Coit]

Richard,

I agree that heat sinks are normally warm to hot; I find it odd that a sensor is using enough power to require a heat sink.

We do have some WD-40 aboard, but not near the sensor. I removed all the cleaning supplies from the corner cabinet a few weeks ago and cleaned the cabinet with Fantastic. We also bombed for ants a few weeks ago. I completely emptied all the food from the cabinet today and left the door open. All day long, the alarm did not go off!

Keep on sailing,

Ken

Parfait sports an S-2 propane/CNG control and sensing system by XINTEX that is driving us crazy in the middle of the night. The alarm goes off and by the time you get to the mute button, the sensor has usually cleared and there is no "danger." If you stand there and watch it at 2:30 in the morning, it will sense something again, light the proper indicator for the only sensor we have, and the alarm will go off again. Neither of us has smelled the CNG in the boat ever, but we know we can smell CNG, since we use natural gas at home as well.

My guess is that there is something in the galley that is triggering these false alarms. It is getting to the point that we shut down the alarm system in order to get some sleep, but that means also shutting off the lights and fans.

Does anyone have a clue what might be triggering these alarms? Could it be cleaning supplies in the cabinet? Could it be low voltage at the sensor or the control unit?

The sensor is mounted on an aluminum plate with the edges turned up about a 1/4 inch; it seems to be a heat sink of rudimentary design. It is continuosly warm when the system is on; is this normal?

I will contact XINTEX, but maybe someone here has had a similar experience and can help faster.

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

Check your aerosol cans. WD-40 used to use propane as the propellant, and I think some other products do, also. That's why some mechanics use it to start finicky engines. I have heard of a trawler that blew up because of a leaking can of WD-40. I believe they stopped using propane a few years ago, but since that stuff lasts forever, you might have an old can.

I think heat sinks are normally warm. Good luck. Post a message when you have an answer.

parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com

[Boyd]

Hi Ken...

Do you have a butane lighter in the boat... such as a stove lighter. I kept one on the boat to light the stove and found that all the butane had leaked out... couldnt light the stove that day.

Other than beans and rice for dinner... I am out of ideas.

Let us know what you find..

Boyd
s/v Tern
CD 30 MkII
Fort Lauderdale, Fla

Parfait sports an S-2 propane/CNG control and sensing system by XINTEX that is driving us crazy in the middle of the night. The alarm goes off and by the time you get to the mute button, the sensor has usually cleared and there is no "danger." If you stand there and watch it at 2:30 in the morning, it will sense something again, light the proper indicator for the only sensor we have, and the alarm will go off again. Neither of us has smelled the CNG in the boat ever, but we know we can smell CNG, since we use natural gas at home as well.

My guess is that there is something in the galley that is triggering these false alarms. It is getting to the point that we shut down the alarm system in order to get some sleep, but that means also shutting off the lights and fans.

Does anyone have a clue what might be triggering these alarms? Could it be cleaning supplies in the cabinet? Could it be low voltage at the sensor or the control unit?

The sensor is mounted on an aluminum plate with the edges turned up about a 1/4 inch; it seems to be a heat sink of rudimentary design. It is continuosly warm when the system is on; is this normal?

I will contact XINTEX, but maybe someone here has had a similar experience and can help faster.

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

Boyd@wbta.cc

[Ken Coit]

and I am embarassed to say that it never occured to me. It could be leaking, but it is a very slow leak if so. It has been on board for a couple years, but in the middle of the night I am ready to remove nearly anything that keeps waking me up.

More to come...

Ken

Hi Ken...

Do you have a butane lighter in the boat... such as a stove lighter. I kept one on the boat to light the stove and found that all the butane had leaked out... couldnt light the stove that day.

Other than beans and rice for dinner... I am out of ideas.

Let us know what you find..

Boyd
s/v Tern
CD 30 MkII
Fort Lauderdale, Fla

Parfait sports an S-2 propane/CNG control and sensing system by XINTEX that is driving us crazy in the middle of the night. The alarm goes off and by the time you get to the mute button, the sensor has usually cleared and there is no "danger." If you stand there and watch it at 2:30 in the morning, it will sense something again, light the proper indicator for the only sensor we have, and the alarm will go off again. Neither of us has smelled the CNG in the boat ever, but we know we can smell CNG, since we use natural gas at home as well.

My guess is that there is something in the galley that is triggering these false alarms. It is getting to the point that we shut down the alarm system in order to get some sleep, but that means also shutting off the lights and fans.

Does anyone have a clue what might be triggering these alarms? Could it be cleaning supplies in the cabinet? Could it be low voltage at the sensor or the control unit?

The sensor is mounted on an aluminum plate with the edges turned up about a 1/4 inch; it seems to be a heat sink of rudimentary design. It is continuosly warm when the system is on; is this normal?

I will contact XINTEX, but maybe someone here has had a similar experience and can help faster.

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com

[Ken Coit]

This is what I received from XINTEX a few minutes ago. I haven't decided whether it is a good deal or not, but at least we have the answer. Maybe they would like to install it too?

"The sensor have a life between 3 to 8 years, and as they get older they get more sensitive and any little odor will set them off. Unfortunately we no longer make a sensor for that unit. We do offer a customer loyalty plan which gives you 50% off retail price if you wanted to upgrade. The cost will be $160 that included a new display unit, solenoid valve, and one sensor."

Anyone need a faulty XINTEX sensor, S-2 control, and solenoid valve for CNG or propane? As-is, no warranty.

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

Parfait sports an S-2 propane/CNG control and sensing system by XINTEX that is driving us crazy in the middle of the night. The alarm goes off and by the time you get to the mute button, the sensor has usually cleared and there is no "danger." If you stand there and watch it at 2:30 in the morning, it will sense something again, light the proper indicator for the only sensor we have, and the alarm will go off again. Neither of us has smelled the CNG in the boat ever, but we know we can smell CNG, since we use natural gas at home as well.

My guess is that there is something in the galley that is triggering these false alarms. It is getting to the point that we shut down the alarm system in order to get some sleep, but that means also shutting off the lights and fans.

Does anyone have a clue what might be triggering these alarms? Could it be cleaning supplies in the cabinet? Could it be low voltage at the sensor or the control unit?

The sensor is mounted on an aluminum plate with the edges turned up about a 1/4 inch; it seems to be a heat sink of rudimentary design. It is continuosly warm when the system is on; is this normal?

I will contact XINTEX, but maybe someone here has had a similar experience and can help faster.

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com

[Richard Hill]

This is what I received from XINTEX a few minutes ago. I haven't decided whether it is a good deal or not, but at least we have the answer. Maybe they would like to install it too?

"The sensor have a life between 3 to 8 years, and as they get older they get more sensitive and any little odor will set them off. Unfortunately we no longer make a sensor for that unit. We do offer a customer loyalty plan which gives you 50% off retail price if you wanted to upgrade. The cost will be $160 that included a new display unit, solenoid valve, and one sensor."

Anyone need a faulty XINTEX sensor, S-2 control, and solenoid valve for CNG or propane? As-is, no warranty.

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

Hmmmmm...That sounds like the experiences I always have with fixing broken plumbing at my house. "Sorry, they don't make them that - size, style, color,etc. (take your pick) anymore. But you CAN buy a brand new one for only twice what the old one would cost." Grrrr...

I assume you have checked on the price of a comparable new unit. Maddening.

I happened to find a Trident unit on sale at West when I was refitting my Bristol 32. Paid about $175 for the unit with solenoid, control panel and one sensor. FWIW.



captrahill@comcast.net

[Ken Coit]

The current model two-sensor contol panel with new sensor and solenoid valve lists for $320 from XINTEX. This is not the first time I have run into a similar situation with them, but in the earlier case the technology of Halon type fire extinguishers did change by law, so I can't be too hard on them for that. I'm not sure why they are not manufacturing new sensors for the old systems, but maybe it has something to do with the problem I am having.

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

This is what I received from XINTEX a few minutes ago. I haven't decided whether it is a good deal or not, but at least we have the answer. Maybe they would like to install it too?

"The sensor have a life between 3 to 8 years, and as they get older they get more sensitive and any little odor will set them off. Unfortunately we no longer make a sensor for that unit. We do offer a customer loyalty plan which gives you 50% off retail price if you wanted to upgrade. The cost will be $160 that included a new display unit, solenoid valve, and one sensor."

Anyone need a faulty XINTEX sensor, S-2 control, and solenoid valve for CNG or propane? As-is, no warranty.

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

Hmmmmm...That sounds like the experiences I always have with fixing broken plumbing at my house. "Sorry, they don't make them that - size, style, color,etc. (take your pick) anymore. But you CAN buy a brand new one for only twice what the old one would cost." Grrrr...

I assume you have checked on the price of a comparable new unit. Maddening.

I happened to find a Trident unit on sale at West when I was refitting my Bristol 32. Paid about $175 for the unit with solenoid, control panel and one sensor. FWIW.

parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com