16 replies to this topic

[Adirondack Bob]

Hi All, Can anyone recommend a good Natural/Propane gas leak detector? Or is the liquid solution that bubbles the best? Thanks, Bob

[jumptrout]

Soap bubbles for me.

[RussTech]

Big Blue

[Daveb1972]

I use
Bacharach Leakator Jr Combustible Gas Leak Detector


The only complaint about it is, when I use Leak Lock (which has acetone) it will pick up and alarm on it. Works on all combustable gasses, nat, LP, hydrogen, acetone, alcohol, etc....finds EVERY leak.

[Derik]

Big blu is awesome!!!

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Big Blu is the true goo!

[RegUS_PatOff]

click on picture

[Daveb1972]

Blu is cool, the electronic is helpfull when the leak location if hard to identify, or when the customer insists there is a gas leak after you have sweap with the blu. Also of note, if you are looking for CO because of a CO alarm complaint, and cannot find the source, check for sump pump battery backup systems, or even golfcart chargers etc, any lead acid battery that is charging can release hydrogen sulfide (H2S), that can fool the average CO detector.

[Daveb1972]

Documented fact, Women smell the oderant in gas LONG before most men do, so If the Mrs. Complains, and her husband tells her there isnt a gas leak, keep looking! I once had the utility out to a house with me that had an intermittant gas smell, that I couldn't find, and the utility couldn't either. Customer got her own combustable leak detector and when it went off called again, the pipe that went through the sill plate had rotted almost completely away, and broke the second I put a wrench on it. 3 trips for gas smell, 3 different utility gas techs, and one VERY lucky customer!

[appl.tech.29501]

recently had a situation where the bubble leak detectors would not find a leak. I used UV leak detector, then Big blu.

had to buy a meter. it detected the leak right away. any meter that wil detect 50ppm or less should be sufficient.

[RussTech]

You thinned out the big blu and it still didn't produce bubbles? How weird.

[Bullstok]

http://www.gasleakse...t_gold_cgi.html


Got a barely used one with extra filter heads and case, all for under $100 on eBay. Found several leaks that were "intermittant" or not found by utility company. FYI: not too many people bid on the sensit lines on eBay. Though not many are listed either. If you are patient you can get good deals. They have descent refrigerant leak detectors as well.

FWIW, I am not a big blue fan. Too snotty when undiluted. Dawn dish soap is cheaper, gets same results, and can clean me or my mess up if there is a need.

[kdog]

Ditto that, I prefer the cheap dishsoap to Big Blue as well - another good one is those blow-bubbles childrens toy solution - it's nicely watered down and comes with that super handy little blowing ring in the cap that makes a great blotter.

Ya gotta hate it when any of them tip over and leak all over the shelf in your van though ! or freeze

[Bullstok]

Haha, kids bubble solution. Never thought of that. Seems a little too obvious to use something perfected for making tons of huge bubbles... And hey, if u get bored... Bubbles. Just hang the wand out the van window and all the neighborhood kids will follow you around like you r the ice cream man.

[RussTech]

If John Pasterello was dead, he'd be rolling over in his grave right now. Big blu can detect micro leaks of .65oz/year. Big blu is not soap its a blend of surfactants and yada yada yada. Its been drilled into my head so long it takes all my willpower to not regurgitate it all. Kids bubbles are a hell of a lot cheaper.

Edited by RussTech, 25 February 2012 - 06:47 PM.

[Daveb1972]

There is also a product called "Snoop" by Swage-Loc, we use it at the research center. Get a bottle of this stuff, and it'll find even the smallest of hydrogen leaks. Then refill the bottle with kids bubble stuff. At least the bottle wont tell your using kids toy liquid to save your customers....

[Bullstok]

I bet if u stuck gum on it you could detect even smaller leaks. Maybe it could take a month or 2 to get a good bubble going. Then someone can invent $50 bubbalicious