Protecting gas solenoid

[BigAl.NZ]

I got one of these :



The last one had been there many years and corroded - despite all the self amalg tape on it.

Got me to wondering if I cant just pot the whole thing in epoxy?

The gas fittings also got a bit stiff due to corrosion - is there an approved grease or something else to keep them lubricated?

[Calaban-Alleria]

I would be careful if your solution might provide too much thermal insulation.

[boatpoker]

Tef-Gel

[SailingHarmonie]

I think the key wording here is "many years".

As much as we would like, nothing last forever, especially in the marine environment. If you replace in kind and it lasts for "many years" more, you should be happy.

[Hartleyg]

I, like you, had one of those rust to oblivion. So with the next one, I applied a coat of Lanocoat to the exterior. When the solenoid got hot the Lanocoat melted and flowed over the outside, leaving a (very sticky) coating.
That was 6 years ago - and its still shiny. I did have to change the hose going to the regulator, and the threads were nice and shiny as well. My solenoid and other parts (and tanks) are in a locker that does get seawater in it from time to time, so I'm sure it would have rusted if I hadn't protected it.


Hartley
S/V Atsa

[deblen]

I believe Yellow Teflon tape is one correct lube for LPG fittings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KlXalfPxl8

https://www.mitchellplumbinggas.com/...l-gas-fittings
My choice for coating the whole assy,would be good "rust" spray paint (Rustoleum,etc). Repaint as required.


YMMV / Len

[deblen]

NZ LPG Regs for boats
https://www.standards.govt.nz/shop/asnzs-5601-22020

[Marathon1150]

We have had several of the same solenoid shown in the photo and IMHO, they are completely unsuitable for the marine environment. We had one fail one morning while making our way to Mexico which made it impossible to make coffee. A critical situation. Fortunately there is a second one connected to the bulkhead heater and I was able to swap them.

I like the Lanocote solution and I'm going to try it.

We also have a spare on board that is designed for marine applications. Unfortunately, it will require some plumbing changes that I have not had the time to attend to. So Lanocote for now, marine grade gear next.

[GordMay]

“Tef-Gel vs. Lanocote” ~ by Practical Sailor
Which corrosion protector holds up to extreme heat?
➥ https://www.practical-sailor.com/sys...el-vs-lanocote

[sailingharry]

While repairing the issue, and taking steps to keep it functional, are imperative, these little valves have a real potential of screwing with your happiness factor.


I read a story some years back of a boat on the Marblehead to Halifax race, who somehow messed up and had zero battery. Zero battery means zero propane -- so they ate cold food for the rest of the trip.


My solution? I carry the parts needed to easily bypass the solenoid. This is a less than ideal solution, and would be truly a "temporary" fix. But, I believe the risk to be minimal -- and worth it to have cooking. The parts were cheap, they sit in a vacuum sealed bag in the propane locker, and hopefully will still be sealed when I eventually sell the boat. I also carry a spare regulator, stolen from a scrapped home BBQ.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by deblen

I believe Yellow Teflon tape is one correct lube for LPG fittings.

https://www.mitchellplumbinggas.com/...l-gas-fittings
My choice for coating the whole assy,would be good "rust" spray paint (Rustoleum,etc). Repaint as required.


YMMV / Len

Where would you use the tape? LPG fittings are a flare fitting and don't use any teflon tape to create the seal. Or would you wrap the solenoid in that tape?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by sailingharry

. . . My solution? I carry the parts needed to easily bypass the solenoid. This is a less than ideal solution, and would be truly a "temporary" fix. But, I believe the risk to be minimal -- and worth it to have cooking. The parts were cheap, they sit in a vacuum sealed bag in the propane locker, and hopefully will still be sealed when I eventually sell the boat. I also carry a spare regulator, stolen from a scrapped home BBQ.

Why not just carry a spare solenoid? (In addition to all of the above).


I do. These are consumables; 3 or 4 years of life for one of these is pretty good in my book. No need for it to spoil your coffee hour.


One good thing about gas is that none of the components is expensive or bulky. I carry spares for everything -- regulator, solenoid, hose, fittings.


And I don't even cook primarily with gas -- that's what the induction is for.

[Hartleyg]

Dockhead: "These are consumables; 3 or 4 years of life for one of these is pretty good in my book."


If you don't protect them, that is definitely true - I replaced mine about every 5-6 years since we bought her in '04 - and they looked absolutely horrible when I did, which is why I'm so happy mine looks like new after 6 years of being coated with Lanocoat. I re-coated it last spring "just in case". Solenoids get hot when they're on, and when they do, the Lanocoat softens and flows around everything and into the cracks - you can't really see it, but the whole thing is sticky


Hartley
S/V Atsa

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Hartleyg

Dockhead: "These are consumables; 3 or 4 years of life for one of these is pretty good in my book."

If you don't protect them, that is definitely true - I replaced mine about every 5-6 years since we bought her in '04 - and they looked absolutely horrible when I did, which is why I'm so happy mine looks like new after 6 years of being coated with Lanocoat. I re-coated it last spring "just in case". Solenoids get hot when they're on, and when they do, the Lanocoat softens and flows around everything and into the cracks - you can't really see it, but the whole thing is sticky

Hartley
S/V Atsa

My gas locker is pretty well protected and dry, so my solenoids don't die from corrosion. They just wear out.

Of course protecting anything on a boat from corrosion is a good thing. I recoat my windlass motor every year with Lanocoat. After replacing two of them at considerable expense, after the motor housing rusted out That is definitely not a consumable

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by deblen

I believe Yellow Teflon tape is one correct lube for LPG fittings.

Originally Posted by pcmm

Where would you use the tape? LPG fittings are a flare fitting and don't use any teflon tape to create the seal. Or would you wrap the solenoid in that tape?

For boats built to USA standards, propane fittings can be a mixture of flare, inverted flare, and NPT (tapered thread). Outside the USA, BSP (also tapered thread) is used instead of NPT and barbed fittings with a hose clamp are occasionally seen. The photo is of a gas solenoid with BSP thread.

For flare and inverted flare fittings a tiny film of oil is helpful (but usually not absolutely necessary) in achieving a secure metal-to-metal seal. Either motor oil or 3-in-1 work fine for this.

For NPT/BSP fittings, some sort of sealant is required. The best product I have found for metal to metal connections is Rectorseal #5 which is a paste dope that can also be used for water, natural gas, and diesel lines. For use aboard it is available in convenient toothpaste-sized tubes. It is messy and has a characteristic odor but seals better than any other product I have used. Rectorseal T+2 is low odor and non-staining but more expensive and no better as a sealant.

You can use the yellow tape dope if you want but it doesn't seal as reliably (in my experience) and you run the risk of pieces of it breaking off and contaminating the line, which can lead to a stuck valve or clogged orifice downstream. I will only use tape dope as a last resort when I'm dealing with threads in poor condition that won't seal any other way, and even then I use it in combination with a paste dope.