What’s this then? Some sort of gas detector

[Ali]

Is it one of these?

https://marinestore.co.uk/Merchant2...BY4UfE8YxzEmxIhM1RRdrscXH_hSvmxoaAj0HEALw_wcB

If it is, I can’t figure out how it works. Shows green in fresh air, nothing against canisters similar to the description in the link. Indicates red if you blow some natural gas over it. Could be a handy thing if I could figure out how it works since I’ve started carrying a stove rather than stopping at the services. Found in late fathers attic, he had every gadget under the sun, every now and then I open a box and try to work out what’s what

 

[hotponyshoes]

It's a leak detector (sniffer)
You wave it around all the joints on gas pipe work.
It can pick up pretty small leaks. Usefull for annual checks on anything where the pipes might be subject to vibration, horseboxes, boats, so on.

That one originally came from maplins.

 

[Bullet2012]

^^^^ yep, we keep them in the toolboxes for stuff converted to run on propane.

 

[Ali]

Much appreciated fellas. I’ll take it out of the camping gear box and bung it in the plumbing box. I’ve got a leak detector spray, I don’t suppose this would be any more effective?

 

[Bullet2012]

They are actually very sensitive and pick up minute leaks, probably even before a bubble forms in leak spray.

 

[Barking Mat]

We've something similar at work, never used it.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Possibly better than spray, they are very sensitive, you might pick up a small leak with this when you might miss tiny bubbles around the back of a wall mounted fitting.
You can also wave them around in the bottom of lockers/cupboards as even a leak that is small enough to be undetectable will cause a build up of gas over time but not necessarily anywhere near the pipe work.

Pressure test the system with leak spray on first installation the use the wand for regular inspection once the system actually has gas in it.

 

[Agroshield]

Pressure test the system with leak spray on first installation the use the wand for regular inspection once the system actually has gas in it.

Could you comment perhaps on the required sensitivity of the device? I went, er, sniffing around when I saw this and some are as low as 30ppm and others as high as 1000ppm. Any difference between the style shown and the flexi-neck type other than the ability to sniff a tight hole? To me, the increased fragility of the long-neck type is a disadvantage over the compact type. Thanks.

 

[Kayos]

Is it missing the end?

I have one and it has a semi flexible probe on the end of it and its very sensitive, mine is an Anton

 

[hotponyshoes]

Could you comment perhaps on the required sensitivity of the device? I went, er, sniffing around when I saw this and some are as low as 30ppm and others as high as 1000ppm. Any difference between the style shown and the flexi-neck type other than the ability to sniff a tight hole? To me, the increased fragility of the long-neck type is a disadvantage over the compact type. Thanks.

It will pick up stuff that I can't pick up by sticking my face in and having a good sniff.
Don't know what the actual specs are.
If looking to get one then the lower the ppm number = more sensitive.

I expect there are some requirements if you are using it professionally, for checking my own horse box or something I would just open any doors to cupboards that have gas pipes running through, put it down in the bottom and leave it there for a few seconds while I shine a torch around to do a quick visual inspection. Look at the lights on it and then pick it up and move onto the next location.