Hi - I Am doing a shakedown on my new used 10 year old Jayco poptop, all is well so far except for what appears to be a small slow gas leak which I have traced to the LPG Gas Hot Water System - it appears to be in the heater gismo . I know I am slowly losing pressure in that line because when I turn off that stop valve no loss of pressure shows on the gas fuse gauge fitted to my LPG bottle . Those gas fuse gauges are great and will show even a tiny leak overnight - I am losing all pressure overnight in that line only . There are a couple of solenoids and must be some kind of valve perhaps . Has anyone had a similar problem out there in caravan land, please ?. Its got me Bambozzeled ! The Water Heater works well but does show signs of considerable surface rust and I have done the soapy water thing , so frustrated with it I even did a bit of the naughty thing with a lighter but no sign of a leak . Maybe I will have to find a expert and grease his palm . Someone said caravans are like boats " a vessel one throws money into " anyway it hasn't blow up YET ! treat it as a challenge says "her in doors" .
OutbackMK said
08:26 PM Dec 22, 2015
Get an expert to have a look at it, detectors are available that will pick up parts per million leaks and as there is a naked flame in the fridge heater you could be sitting on a bomb if the leak ramps up.
Paulo said
10:15 AM Dec 23, 2015
Thanks ! - you have confirmed my last thought best to be safe - detectors hmm good ! next problem is experts are hard to find here on the nsw south coast we are a bit isolated but maybe I could get a mobile local jokel or might have to go to Jayco Workshop . One good thing about Jayco is there is a good parts supply and service for older vans and good design ones that seem to be older loved keepers . Merry Christmas Paul & Willa . "Grey Nomad would be's if we could be's " Hyundai Santa-fe with 2004 Jayco heritage Poptop .
erad said
10:29 AM Dec 23, 2015
Paulo:
Not sure where you are on the Sth Coast, but there is a gas place at Pambula. Another way to check for leaks is to use a mixture of soapy water dribbled around each joint, but this may not pick up a very slight leak, or a defect in the unit itself.
PeterInSa said
10:29 AM Dec 26, 2015
I think OutbackMK is refering to one of these sniffers
To me any organisations that installs LPG systems in cars would have such a test tool and probably more sensitive, I suggest you phone such an installer and probably a quick check will show you where the leak is, and he may be able to fix it on the spot. In SA I think such an installer would need to be a registered Gas Fitter as well to work on your caravan.
Peter
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 26th of December 2015 10:33:55 AM
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 26th of December 2015 10:35:03 AM
Paulo said
06:05 PM Dec 26, 2015
Interesting and helpful advice Peter -Thanks I am really into gadgets so I may get one for myself . If I do have a gas installer detect that the problem is in the gas heater I am now considering replacing the unit with a gas electric one . There are reasonably priced suburban replacements available which would probably be a change over I could do myself . Cheers Paul.
Aus-Kiwi said
02:32 PM Jan 2, 2016
Good choice...Once these issues start with gas appliances it often never ends ..
Safe and rather economical way out. New unit warranty etc
peace of mind..
Hi - I Am doing a shakedown on my new used 10 year old Jayco poptop, all is well so far except for what appears to be a small slow gas leak which I have traced to the LPG Gas Hot Water System - it appears to be in the heater gismo . I know I am slowly losing pressure in that line because when I turn off that stop valve no loss of pressure shows on the gas fuse gauge fitted to my LPG bottle . Those gas fuse gauges are great and will show even a tiny leak overnight - I am losing all pressure overnight in that line only . There are a couple of solenoids and must be some kind of valve perhaps . Has anyone had a similar problem out there in caravan land, please ?. Its got me Bambozzeled ! The Water Heater works well but does show signs of considerable surface rust and I have done the soapy water thing , so frustrated with it I even did a bit of the naughty thing with a lighter but no sign of a leak . Maybe I will have to find a expert and grease his palm . Someone said caravans are like boats " a vessel one throws money into " anyway it hasn't blow up YET ! treat it as a challenge says "her in doors" .
Paulo:
Not sure where you are on the Sth Coast, but there is a gas place at Pambula. Another way to check for leaks is to use a mixture of soapy water dribbled around each joint, but this may not pick up a very slight leak, or a defect in the unit itself.
I think OutbackMK is refering to one of these sniffers
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Portable-Combustible-Gas-Detector-Indicator-Methane-Propane-LPG-Leak-Tester-A51W-/131635523387
To me any organisations that installs LPG systems in cars would have such a test tool and probably more sensitive, I suggest you phone such an installer and probably a quick check will show you where the leak is, and he may be able to fix it on the spot. In SA I think such an installer would need to be a registered Gas Fitter as well to work on your caravan.
Peter
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 26th of December 2015 10:33:55 AM
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 26th of December 2015 10:35:03 AM
Safe and rather economical way out. New unit warranty etc
peace of mind..