[tirekicker11]

I was on a boat today where the owner complained about his on/off lpg solenoid getting hot. I've looked at it and indeed after having it 'on' for 5 minutes the 12V. solenoid is nearly too hot to touch.

I can't remember feeling a hot solenoid before, not on engines or on plumbing. Is this normal or does the solenoid needs to be replaced asap?

[Marmot]

Originally Posted by tirekicker11

Is this normal or does the solenoid needs to be replaced asap?

Maybe, maybe not.

Does the owner regularly check the temperature of the solenoid and only recently found it hot?

Most solenoids run hot, some seem almost too hot. It all depends on the power and duty cycle.

If the solenoid was previously running warm rather than hot it could be a problem with the slug or core not moving fully into the coil. When power is first applied there will be a high inrush current that quickly drops off to a low holding current when the slug is in the coil. If the current doesn't drop off it is an indication that the slug is sticking.

Whack the solenoid with the handle of a screwdriver and see if that reduces the current - and heat. Or just replace the valve if it has been around for a long time.

[tirekicker11]

Originally Posted by Marmot

Maybe, maybe not.

Thanks Marmot,

It's a brand new boat. I've had the dealer ordering a replacement solenoid from the builder (together with other items) so I guess I will replace the solenoid and see what the new one does. I can't find a manufacturer's name on the part and Google doesn't bring up any similar when I search in pictures.

[K1W1]

Hi,

Is their no legible wording or numbers on the labels shown on the coil casing?

The solenoid itself is only a tiny component of everything shown in your photo.

[tirekicker11]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

Is their no legible wording or numbers on the labels shown on the coil casing?

The solenoid itself is only a tiny component of everything shown in your photo.

There are some numberings on the coil and the casing that I couldn't decipher and didn't note down. Stupid in hindsight.

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by tirekicker11

There are some numberings on the coil and the casing that I couldn't decipher and didn't note down. Stupid in hindsight.

Hi,

I am sure you will remember to get all available info should you come across this type of mystery part again.

I am also curious as to why the Regulator and shut off solenoid are remote mounted from the bottle, this means that there is a length of rubber hose in the installation that is under full bottle pressure even when the solenoid is shut off and will remain so till the valve on the bottle is manually shut off.

I just saw the blow up you posted, I see the CE Mark which means the type has been approved for use in Europe - not that it applies to LPG Use. The lower one looks like the Parker Hannifin Logo. Those guys make a lot of fluid control gear, not sure what they do in Gas.

[tirekicker11]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

I am sure you will remember to get all available info should you come across this type of mystery part again.

I am also curious as to why the Regulator and shut off solenoid are remote mounted from the bottle, this means that there is a length of rubber hose in the installation that is under full bottle pressure even when the solenoid is shut off and will remain so till the valve on the bottle is manually shut off.

The bottle is somewhere below the camera, the hose from tank to regulator is approx. 50 cm. The stove is right behind the bulkhead. The entire set up is quite neat although this gas locker is so large that it is also used to store cleaning stuff and the like.

[tirekicker11]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

I am sure you will remember to get all available info should you come across this type of mystery part again.

I hope I do, am afraid I don't. Happends to me all the time. Sometimes I think I should wear a small camera on a cap that films everything and records my voice when I'm on a boat.

Originally Posted by K1W1

I just saw the blow up you posted, I see the CE Mark which means the type has been approved for use in Europe - not that it applies to LPG Use. The lower one looks like the Parker Hannifin Logo. Those guys make a lot of fluid control gear, not sure what they do in Gas.

I just looked into that and found that they do produce LPG solenoids. They have just had a recall for one particular model.

I have just e-mailled the factory to provide me with the details.

[Marmot]

Originally Posted by tirekicker11

I just looked into that and found that they do produce LPG solenoids. They have just had a recall for one particular model.

The recall was for leakers.

http://content.westmarine.com/wm-img...as_Systems.pdf

[61c40]

It would seem to me, that a rubber hose attached with a push barb and a hose clamp on any LPG or LNG system should raise a red flag A reinforced high pressure hose with flared or compression fittings would be a much safer system

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by 61c40

It would seem to me, that a rubber hose attached with a push barb and a hose clamp on any LPG or LNG system should raise a red flag A reinforced high pressure hose with flared or compression fittings would be a much safer system

Hi,

You should go by your local BBQ retailer and see what connects the regulator outlet to the Grill Valve inlets.

What is down stream of the regulator is a very low pressure and if a proper certified gas hose is used and replaced as recommended by the hose manufacturer there should be no problem IMO.

[61c40]

I believe the top hose in the picture is the high pressure side he commented in post #7 that the stove is on the other side of the bulkhead that would make the low pressure side the bottom hose going thru the bulkhead fitting as seen in his picture in post#3 The hole system looks like an insurance claim to me I wouldn't want it on any vessel I was involved in

[wdrzal]

Originally Posted by tirekicker11

The bottle is somewhere below the camera, the hose from tank to regulator is approx. 50 cm. The stove is right behind the bulkhead. The entire set up is quite neat although this gas locker is so large that it is also used to store cleaning stuff and the like.

Also any regulator that is in a enclosed space should have a diaphragm vent tube from the small hole in the diaphram enclosure to a outside space. This is in case the diaphragm ruptures/fails the gas is vented outside to a safe location. Not all lpg regulators are constructed so that a vent can be plumbed. Regulators intended for outdoor use usually have a screen instead of a threaded vent hole.

[tirekicker11]

Originally Posted by 61c40

I believe the top hose in the picture is the high pressure side he commented in post #7 that the stove is on the other side of the bulkhead that would make the low pressure side the bottom hose going thru the bulkhead fitting as seen in his picture in post#3 The hole system looks like an insurance claim to me I wouldn't want it on any vessel I was involved in

Correct, hose on top side is coming from the tank, hose down below comes from the regulator and is fed trough a grommet in the bulkhead to the stove on the other side.

Your comments are taken but could you explain why this set-up looks like an insurance claim to you and why you wouldn't want to have it on any vessel you were involved in please?

[tirekicker11]

Originally Posted by wdrzal

Also any regulator that is in a enclosed space should have a diaphragm vent tube from the small hole in the diaphram enclosure to a outside space. This is in case the diaphragm ruptures/fails the gas is vented outside to a safe location. Not all lpg regulators are constructed so that a vent can be plumbed. Regulators intended for outdoor use usually have a screen instead of a threaded vent hole.

Interesting information but in this case the regulator is located right next to the gas tank (as I see in most boats) and this compartment has an overboard vent as you could expect.