I have to replace a "missing" fume detector, removed by one of the previous owners???? (why???)...... the halon system is still in place & ok, but no fume detector. What is everyones preference? I have seen them from $99.95 to $271.00 What model does everyone use????

Ive had 2 boats with them, not sure what brand. They both were a pain. Go off all the time, I raise the hatch smells Ok to me, they would even go off with the blower running sometimes. I suppose it might have been the sensor that was no good, but you know, other things came first.

I have a Gafrig and it seems to work just fine. I need to spill a drop of gas to see if it really really works.. I think propane will set it off too. But a rag with a few drops will do it too..

Good luck

Dick

All my Dads boats had them. He used to call it a "sniffer", in fact I think that was the brand name of one.
He used to check it's operation several times a year by using his cigarette lighter, the old liquid fluid type.
It saved our ass once when a fuel line developed a leak.

As for "it smelled ok to me", gas fumes are heaver than air and will settle in the lowest part of the bilge. You'll never smell it from up top unless it's really loaded with fumes. In which case BOOM!!!.
Didn't they teach you that in the boating course?

It went off when the blower was turned on because it stirred up the air and the sensor caught a whiff of gas.

The sensors DO go bad after a while. When they go bad, they read fumes ALL the TIME, rather than fail in the other direction. The sensor block is not but $20 to replace - they are designed to be replaced every so often.

F31, your detector "head" or display is probably fine - order a new sensor from West marine or Boat us.

I think I read that Xintex is a good unit.

I had been doing some research and the Xintex has a model that allows two seperate sensors to be used. I wonder if that is a good idea???? Two sensors in same area or for different areas?

Ah Ill trust my nose. And of course, you smell the output of the blower, anybody knows that. And if you put them together right, they wont leak, even holleys, just need the right parts and techniques. Good Luck.