Propane monitor/Sensor Going into fault mode

[Hans Baart]

I have a Trident model #1300-7761 propane sensor and Control module. It is going into fault mode after being on for many hours.
The first time it happened we had been out for a couple of days and the alrm activated and no gas was being used after shutting off the audible alarm several times the unit reset it's self. Then last weekend it went in to alarm mode again only it would not reset so I disconnected the power with the propane gas turned off at cylidner.
The next morning I energized the unit again and it worked again for a few hours only to sound the alarm again.
Yesterday I went to see if I could locate the fault.
Energized it and tested the sensor with a Gas lighter and all the functions work perfectly for hours while I was at the boat.
Just wondering if anyone else had run into this problem?

 

[Benny17441]

The gas lighter test will not work. The sensor is designed to measure PPM concentration in the air and not a direct spray. It is not a true test for the functionality of the sensor. Conduct a leak test by using the pressure gauge by your tank. Open up the tank and pressurize the propane line to the stove valves, note the reading on the gauge and shut off the tank valve. Come back after 30 minutes and see if the gauge is still holding the same pressure reading. If the pressure has dropped, then there is a significant leak. If the pressure has not dropped there is either no leak or it is quite small. Use your nose to detect the smell of the added warning chemical. If your sensor is older than 10 years go ahead and replace it. As I understand it your sensor will continue to work and sound a warning even if the control unit is turned off, so if there is a leak it should sound the warning. Those sensors will and do go bad. What I have always done is to turn the valve to the tank Off immediately after I'm finished using the stove.

 

[Hans Baart]

Thanks for the reply. Did that no leaks. I think it is very sensitive to a number of different fumes as we had the vacuum cleaner going and the exhaust was pointed at the sensor and the alarm sounded. Then cleared. It working fine now. Cheers

 

[DeniseO30]

The sensors go bad just like smoke detector sensors my guess is if you replace it you will be fine

 

[jviss]

Open up the tank and pressurize the propane line to the stove valves, note the reading on the gauge and shut off the tank valve. Come back after 30 minutes and see if the gauge is still holding the same pressure reading. If the pressure has dropped, then there is a significant leak. If the pressure has not dropped there is either no leak or it is quite small.

Benny, what are you talking about here? The gas pressure will be very low on the stove anyway, like less than 1 psi. (There's a pressure reducer/regulator from the tank to the line running to the range.)

"A common operating pressure for liquid petroleum or LP gas appliance is 10" - 11" of water column (WC) or re-stating this in equivalent measures, that's 27.4 millibars or 2491 - 2739 Pascals or Pa, or about 0.36 - 0.40 psi or about 5.78 to 6.36 ounces of pressure per square inch."

LP Gas, Propane Gas, & Natural Gas Pressures & Pressure Settings