I have a 2006 45cc Hunter. This morning, we were using the stove top in the galley and the propane stopped flowing. The LPG Control switch, that is usually lit when it is turned on, went off and the LPG panel breaker tripped. I reset the breaker, and it tripped again when the LPG Control switch was turned on. I am guessing it is probably the LPG solenoid, but it is only a guess. Has anyone had an experience with this?
LPG System Breaker Tripping
- Thread starter John6212
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- lpg system
That’s where I would start investigating, the solenoid at the tank regulator assembly. Could be a bad circuit breaker on DC panel, but probably not. Sounds like a new solenoid / valve will remedy your problem.
Disconnect one of the wires to the solenoid near the tank and apply power as normal. If circuit breaker does not kick then the solenoid is bad, if it kicks then there is a shorted wire. You can also make a resistance test of the solenoid coil. Or you can place a load of one amp where the solenoid is to see if the circuit braker will kick.
The solenoid valve is designed to default to close the gas flow when power is lost. There is likely a short somewhere in the circuit that trips the breaker. Disconnect the solenoid and set the breaker, if it trips again the short is in the wiring. If it don't trip, connect a 12V test lamp in place of the solenoid; if it trips again it is likely a weak breaker but if it don't trip your culprit is the solenoid.
You're probably barking up the right tree. Also inspect all of the above (FREEBY) before laying down your hard earned cash for a proper solenoid valve. They're not cheap.
Feel the solenoid immediately (within 30 secondes) after the breaker trips. If it's hot, there's your problem. I had exactly the same piece of junk on my boat and it failed after about 5 years. Replaced it with an ASCO industrial grade solenoid valve and no further problems.
IIRC, I don't remember seeing any sort of approval stamp on the solenoid valve and was going to go after Hunter to explain why. It really looked like a piece of junk and was a ball of corrosion when I pulled it out. I bought the boat new so it was factory installed. In the end I couldn't be bothered going after Hunter and just did the job properly and got back to boating..