FUEL SNIFFERS?

[foofer b]

Do many of you have a fuel sniffer in your engine compartment? Do you always run the blower? Or will opening the hatch and smelling be enuff?

[MattSC]

I don't have a fume detector, though I'm thinking of installing one. As for the blower, I always use it and also lift the hatch to take a quick sniff

[g36]

i have 2 actually but they also monitor other things see link.
one came with the boat and i found the other on ebay and got a real deal on it. i purchased a new sensor for the original even though it still would detect fumes by using the manufacturers method of verification but i wasnt sure how old it was. was cheap insurance i figured

http://www.mtiindustries.com/ms2.htm

i have the sa10-xl model
i have set one of them up to monitor fume and the other 2 alarms on it i have set to monitor the engine exhaust temp on each engine so that if i have a rise in my exhaust temp i will get an alarm and indicator.
the other unit is set up as designed fume,water, and fire (hope never to have that one go off)
i also open the engine hatch before starting the engines when i first get to the boat and take a sniff
i probably should run the blower more than i do but i will run it when starting and until i start moving.

[BobCT]

I just have one sensor in the engine room but I could hook up a second.

Bob

[prowlersfish]

A fume detector is a great thing to have , But you should always take a sniff and run the blower before starting , think of the fume detector as a back up for your noise .


The great thing about a fume detector is it is always sniffing when you using the boat as you can't always have you noise in the bilge .

[captainmaniac]

Blower always runs for at least 5 minutes before I start up. I often do the sniff test but not religiously. If there are any fumes they will be vacated by the blower, and I will likely smell them at least a bit when the blower blows them outside. I do have a fume sniffer as well as a CO2 sniffer, but don't typically use them - they are the originals on the boat, and at 30 years old, not sure if I trust them enough to use them. Also they are mounted at the lower station, while I tend to be up top on the bridge while running.

[Tuck]

i have a scentry unit, mounted just below the window by the lower helm. i also run the blowers for at least three or four minutes....usually longer...before starting the engines. i also run the blowers before firing up the genset as well.

i dunno...i just have this thing about going "boom!"

[jimbo36]

[quote="captainmaniac"] I often do the sniff test but not religiously. If there are any fumes they will be vacated by the blower, and I will likely smell them at least a bit when the blower blows them outside.

Of course the idea is NO fumes. If the blower is blowing fumes don't start the engine until you find out where they are coming from.

On my '74 Trojan tri cabin it sounds like the Howard Hughs "Spruce Goose" when I turn on the blowers. 4 of them. 2 at each engine and 2 in the midship where the Gennie is. I also have a sniffer but I make a habit of getting off the boat with the blowers on and sniff the air coming out the vents. I also run my blowers when I am underway at lower speeds or with a stearn wind when there is little air circulation through the natural vents. The aft cabin gets a bit smelly and hot otherwise.

This is one of the most important lessons in boating jimbo36

[alexander38]

Ok mine died today. It knew I just know it. And yes I'll replace it soon. If you don't have one please get one and run your blowers before starting and at low speeds and with the gen set running. And you guys with the fuel oil burners your batteries are down there. (No spell check on the blackberry)

[Sea Play'n]

I believe it is regulation to use the blower for at least 4 min before starting either a main engine or the genset. The reason to do a sniff test of the blower exhaust is to detect any trace of gasoline. Obviously if there is any, it is time to delay the start and investigate. A wise old Coast Guard inspector conducting an inspection on my first inboard boat told me the best gas sniffer in the world was in the middle of my face. The human nose is very sensitive to gasoline vapour. Use it religiously and you will never have a problem.
I have an electronic sniffer (Scentry), but it is a backup.

[21174U]

I recently installed the Xintex M-2A-R 2 Channel Gasoline Fume Detector in my 1987 SeaRay Sundancer. The boat is a little older but I got a great deal on it but it isn't without its fair share of problems. "The M-2A-R gas fume detector features include two-channel monitoring capability, plug-in sensors (second sensor optional), fault light alarm, fault lights to indicate a malfunction in either the module or one of the sensors." Thing has run like a champ so far. I bought it from a Boat Depot These guys seem to be really competitively priced but their site is kinda hard to navigate.

[jddens]

I have a sniffer and use it always. I also run the blowers and sniff the air coming out.......I think a sniffer is a "must have"..........John

[Moderator]

Still can not beat your nose for smelling fumes or spam .

[gettaway]

I recently installed the Xintex M-2A-R 2 Channel Gasoline Fume Detector in my 1987 SeaRay Sundancer. The boat is a little older but I got a great deal on it but it isn't without its fair share of problems. "The M-2A-R gas fume detector features include two-channel monitoring capability, plug-in sensors (second sensor optional), fault light alarm, fault lights to indicate a malfunction in either the module or one of the sensors." Thing has run like a champ so far. I bought it from a Boat Depot These guys seem to be really competitively priced but their site is kinda hard to navigate.

This post seems more like an ad than a real post, notice the "sea ray" and the thread is from quite a while back...hmmmm

[Commissionpoint]

I have a Sentry. Its the dual station model from the Roosevelt (Teddy) era. I never use it. It probably works just fine, but I trust myself more than it. Just haven't gotten around to getting rid of it. Its not causing any harm, but eventually it will go in the 'seconds' pile.

BTW. Fume Sniffer sounds like Gas Huffer. Its a bit of a dogberryism.