LPG Alarm to Run off Dry cells (9 volt) Similar to Smoke Alarm?

Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 10:13
ThreadID: 66061 Views:5644 Replies:4 FollowUps:3
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We take our van off road and about 15 years ago (and in another van) rough road vibration could have caused a gas leak that we tracked down/fixed when in a caravan park in the Alice. There are LPG Gas alarms available that can be connected to the 12 volt van/Mobile Home Battery.

Question. Is there a unit available that can run on a 9volt batttery simliar to a smoke alarm that I can mount on the doorstep saving running power from the van battery.

Price and source. Thanks

Peter
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Reply By: Member -Signman - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 10:45

Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 10:45
I don't think a Monitor such as that would draw too much power in monitor status. You may wish to check the current draw (possibly milliamps).
Might be safer than risking your 9v battery going flat without your knowledge ??
Cheers

AnswerID: 349615

Reply By: Notso - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 11:06

Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 11:06
Check out this site.

The one Here Gas detector Consumes 1.7 watts.
AnswerID: 349616

Follow Up By: Tenpounder - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 11:28

Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 11:28
Yes, that's the unit I bought - see my reply below
Chris
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Reply By: Tenpounder - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 11:25

Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 11:25
Hi there. Been there, done that!! I decided to install a gas detector that didn't need to be wired inot the 12v loop. I just bought a 12 v unit, and made a little MDF box to hold two 6v Dolphin batteries, wired in series. Works a treat, and lasts for yonks.
The gas unit was around $100 (mail order or internet order eg Caravans Plus). The box was made up form scraps; the batteries cost about $10 a pair, and last 18 months or better.
Any more details needed, contact me direct at p147chris@bigpond.com

Chris (SA)
AnswerID: 349620

Reply By: PeterInSa - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 15:10

Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 15:10
Thanks for the replies.

The unit on the Website is the unit that I looked at, and will probably buy. Cannot believe that it takes 1.7 watts. The smoke alarms must take a lot less than this to operate on 9 volt batteries, and of course they must have low voltage indicators/alarm as well.

Intended to only turn the unit on when in the van and when not using the van give the unit to daughter for use in her MHome.

Will now look at hard wiring with plugs/sockets etc.

Peter
AnswerID: 349656

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 16:32

Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 at 16:32
Gas detectors need a heated filament.

Smoke detectors use Ionisation detectors which draw much less power.
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FollowupID: 617943

Follow Up By: Tenpounder - Thursday, Feb 19, 2009 at 12:59

Thursday, Feb 19, 2009 at 12:59
Yes I couldn't find any better solution.
Incidentally, I fitted a Narva plug to the gas detector lead, and a Narva socket on the battery box I built. There was already a 'spare' Narva socket connected to the van circuit. This meant I can choose as I wish whether to power the unit from the van circuit, or else run it off the twin battery system. The Gas detector unit has a relatively bright light that shows when it is operating.
So as long as you turn on the detector whenever the gas is on, you can't go wrong, can you?
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