Pilot Gas Alarms

Pilot Troubleshooting Page
Order direct over the phone (9.00 – 15.00 Mon – Thurs, 9.00 – 13.00 Fri) for fast delivery of items we hold in stock.

Pilot Gas Alarms detect and alert the user to the presence of accumulations of LPG, which can be an indication of a leak in an enclosed environment such as a boat cabin.

They allow preventative measures to be taken to stop the leak before it becomes problematic, as well as responsive measures like ventilating the area and evacuating the vessel in extreme circumstances.

LPG leaks are a significant risk in marine environments. LPG is heavier than air, allowing it to settle in the lowest reaches of a ship and go unnoticed if a suitable detector and alarm is not installed.

With a Pilot Gas Alarm installed, the leak is detected, an alarm state is raised, and the LPG supply can be automatically shut off using a solenoid valve.

Pilot Solenoid Valves

Pilot solenoid valves work with Pilot Gas Alarms to electronically control the flow of LPG supplies on boats and other marine vessels.

They are available in 12V and 24V versions, and in diameters of 1/4″ stainless steel or 1/2″ brass, to suit different LPG gas supply lines.

Used with the Pilot Gas Monitoring System, the solenoid valve can close automatically when an alarm state is triggered by either of the dual channel LPG sensors.

The Gas Monitoring System itself includes LED indicators for when an alarm state is triggered, as well as a manual Gas On/Off button to open and close the valve.

Why is an LPG alarm important?

LPG is heavier than air and on boats, that means it can accumulate below decks or in areas that are not commonly used by crew.

Fitting LPG sensors in those areas means that if a leak occurs, you can be notified much sooner, allowing you to take preventative measures to avoid an explosion or other risk to human life and property.

Pilot solenoid valves add an important extra layer of protection, as they mean as soon as an alarm is triggered, the LPG supply can be automatically disconnected, preventing the leak from accumulating further.

The manual override is also a useful additional safety feature, as well as a convenience for any time you need to switch off the gas supply for maintenance, cleaning or any other purpose.

Maintain your sensors

For the best operation, maintain both your Pilot solenoid valve and your LPG sensors and ensure they are regularly tested.

You can test the LPG sensors in your system just using lighter fluid vapours, and typically we would recommend replacing the sensors every two years as a precaution.

If an LPG sensor starts to fail, replacements are also available so you can remain confident in your Pilot Gas Alarm’s ability to detect an LPG leak and shut off the supply immediately.

We’re always happy to discuss what you need for new and existing Pilot Gas Alarm systems, including for larger vessels with multiple different zones to monitor.

Just contact Envin Scientific using the details on this site if you have any questions or you need our help to decide exactly which specification of solenoid valve your system needs.

Installing a Pilot solenoid valve

You can find detailed installation instructions for your Pilot solenoid valve in the Pilot Gas Monitoring System User Manual, available for download from this website.

Briefly, the valve should be installed as close as possible to the regulator and downstream from it.

The gas input is labelled ‘1’ and the output is labelled ‘2’ to ensure gas flows in the correct direction after installation, so use these labels to orientate the valve correctly.

A two-core power supply cable should be used to connect the valve to pins 9 and 10 on the Gas Monitoring System’s circuit board.

Again if you have any questions about this or would like to know anything else about Pilot Gas Alarms, the Gas Monitoring System, Pilot Solenoid Valves and replacement LPG sensors, just give us a call and we will be happy to help.