RE: [A/S] Re:LP gas detector

["DT & BW" <dtbw_1999@xxxxxxxxx>]

Actually, the LP gas detector does NOT detect the odor.  The odor your nose
perceives is added to propane (which is odorless otherwise) so that your
nose can detect a leak.  The odorant is NON combustible and its odor is
destroyed in the combustion process.  LP gas detectors directly detect
combustible gases and will alarm at a level of LP gas 1/1000th the amount
needed to support combustion in open air.  Depending on your nose, you may
not sense the odorant at that small a level.  When we fill the A/S
motorhome's LP tanks, the process involves opening a venting valve on the
tank as you fill.  Understand that the tank and the valve are OUTSIDE the
motorhome.  During filling, we invariably setoff the LP detector INSIDE the
motorhome as there seems to always be a small path for some of the venting
LP gas to find its way into the motorhome.  I have NEVER smelled any of the
odorant on the inside of the motorhome even though the alarm was sounding
off.  

David Tidmore
GM Roger Williams Airstream
Weatherford, TX