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Gordon Wedman
 
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Default Questions about Propane wiring


"GBM" wrote in message
...
Two questions:

1. Remote Solenoid switch

My Seaward propane switch is powered from the main panel supply. But this
could be a potential safety problem. If the main panel switch/breaker
trips
or is accidentally switched on and off, the propane solenoid will switch
on
and off and could cause propane to flow to an unlit stove.

Should the propane switch be hot wired from the house battery?

2. Propane Detectors

My propane detectors (have two) are powered from a fused switch on the
main
panel. This means we must remember to turn them on before activating the
propane solenoid.

Should the detectors be:
- hot wired to the battery like bilge pump (not good because of continuous
battery drain.)
- wired to main battery switch (so they come on whenever we have power
turned on from house batteries)
- wired so they activate when solenoid switch is turned on (probably not
good due to start-up delay in detectors.)

Does ABYC address this? How are modern boats wired for propane? (OK - that
two more questions )

GBM



My Seaward propane switch


You mean solenoid, not switch, correct?
You can't connect the solenoid directly to any battery without first putting
in a switch. Having the solenoid activate whenever you switch on the main
panel does not sound like a good idea. You are not going to have gas coming
out of the stove unless someone has left a burner turned on but this could
happen. I would put in a switch on the main panel or a switch at the stove.
If you want to be real safe put in two switches, one at the master panel and
one at the stove. You can be even safer by spending lots of money and
buying a new stove that has safety shutoffs on all burners.
The propane detector I have draws something like 0.1 amps. I don't think I
would worry too much about connecting 2 of them directly to a house bank. A
small solar panel would take care of this draw.