Gas Vapor Detection...

[Lucky7]

Hello Everyone.

Looking for advice on this Scentry Gas Vapor Detector. I

I have a 1989 10.8M International. I believe this is original equipment. At times I can turn it "on" and everything seems normal. At other times it will "buzz" and provide a warning that Gas Vapors are High. I am doubting the alarm as it is 30 years old. Should I replace it with a new alarm? Is it possible to just update the sensor and re calibrate it?

Sorry the picture is sideways. Can't seem to fix that.

Thanks,
Ron

[prowlersfish]

When it goes off did you open the hatches and do a sniff test ? Its also likely the sensors have exceed their life exaptation .

[WayWeGo]

I have a similar alarm and it seems to need to warm up after turning it on. It alarms for a minute or so and them works normally. I don't know if that is normal or a sign of old age.

[RWS]

friends of mine bought a new 36' sea ray in 1986, with the same equipment

it gave false positives when new.

RWS

[P-Dogg]

I doubt the sensors work. Lifespan is a question for the mfgr., but i see no reason to not replace them outright. Consider the cost of not replacing them, and to have them be needed......

[Lucky7]

When it goes off did you open the hatches and do a sniff test ? Its also likely the sensors have exceed their life exaptation .

Thanks. Yes I did a sniff test and everything seemed "normal".

[Lucky7]

I doubt the sensors work. Lifespan is a question for the mfgr., but i see no reason to not replace them outright. Consider the cost of not replacing them, and to have them be needed......

Thanks. I will look at replacing the sensor. To be honest I expected everyone to say toss the whole thing and buy XXX. I will look for a replacement sensor and go from there.

Thank you!

[WayWeGo]

Unfortunately, I understand that Scentry was bought by Rule many years ago and the parts have not been available for at least a decade.

I am going to test mine and if it works correctly, I am fine with it. If not, a Fireboy-Xintex unit will be on order. If only it would fit in the same hole...

[Lucky7]

Unfortunately, I understand that Scentry was bought by Rule many years ago and the parts have not been available for at least a decade.

I am going to test mine and if it works correctly, I am fine with it. If not, a Fireboy-Xintex unit will be on order. If only it would fit in the same hole...

Please let me know how you go about testing it. I will do the same. Thanks for your feedback.

[WayWeGo]

I am going to try and use a butane lighter as per the instructions from Fireboy to test it.

If that doesn't work, I guess I am going to very carefully use a paper towel with gasoline on it. I am thinking of putting the towel in a ziplock bag and opening it directly over the sensor while trying to keep all the fumes contained.

WARNING: I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE ELSE DOING WHAT I AM GOING TO DO AS THIS MAY BE DANGEROUS!

[mikeandanne]

Follow the instructions from the maker, as the plastic bag is a bad idea. You may damage the sensor with too high a concentration and then need to replace it. I repaired gas testing equipment for years.

Actually there may be a test gas which is designed to test the functions properly, with no damage. I say may be, cause for this marine application I don't know, but the maker will.The equipment needs to alarm at certain concentrations of explosive gas, that is the only way to be safe. Good luck guys.

[WayWeGo]

In this case, the manufacturer has been out of business for over a decade.

A similar manufacturer's test procedure is to use unlit butane gas from a lighter, but I don't know if that will work with Scentry's product.

[mikeandanne]

In this case, the manufacturer has been out of business for over a decade.

A similar manufacturer's test procedure is to use unlit butane gas from a lighter, but I don't know if that will work with Scentry's product.

Well, hate to be the bearer here , if that is the case then that equipment is of no use to anyone and could be a danger in the fact of it being a false sense of security. I have an idea you were already thinking this.
My advice is get rid of it and replace with new .

[Lucky7]

In this case, the manufacturer has been out of business for over a decade.

A similar manufacturer's test procedure is to use unlit butane gas from a lighter, but I don't know if that will work with Scentry's product.

Just to close the loop here. I followed this test procedure and it worked perfectly. Great news. The "explosive" alarm went off after about 3 seconds. After removing the butane the alarm went to "danger" in about 2 seconds and finally "safe" a couple seconds after that.

Thanks for the help.

Ron

[WayWeGo]

Just to close the loop here. I followed this test procedure and it worked perfectly. Great news. The "explosive" alarm went off after about 3 seconds. After removing the butane the alarm went to "danger" in about 2 seconds and finally "safe" a couple seconds after that.

Thanks for letting me know!