Inficon-718-202-G1 Combustible Gas Detector

I did natural gas and propane system safety checks for 20 years. About half my time was on high pressure, high volume pipelines and the other half on various municipal systems. A significant component was checking the system for leaks. We used $3000 to $10,000 instruments. Each day we would prove our gear was operating with the instrument being able to sense the Combustible chemistry in a sharpie. If the gear could pick up the solvent in a sharpie, that instrument was ready for work. Well, the 718-202-G1 rings on a sharpie as well! I was surprised as the units I'm comparing this to cost 10x more. It will reliably pick up leaks. Testing for propane and natural gas leakage should not be a speed test, run down the length of the piping you are checking and stop momentarily at each joint for a half second. A tee would be 3 quick stops. Remember natural gas would gather high in a space, it being less dense than air, while propane would gather low, being heavier than air. I'm very impressed with the instrument quality, it's speed of response and value.

It is my opinion that if you have natural gas as a utility in your residence, you should have a gas detector. I have a Macurco detector that monitors 24/7 for leaks that exceed the lel, but I also wanted a detector that was more sensitive and that could be moved around. You see in my community over the past few years, we have had two (that I am aware of) terrible tragedies in the news, of homes exploding from gas leaks. In both cases natural gas with the utility additive (usually methyl mercaptan) was smelled by the occupants, the gas utility was summoned, the utility inspectors gave the all clear, and a few hours later there were explosions with injury and fatality. The detectors the utility issues to their inspectors are not as sensitive as this device. The 718-202-G1 can sense down to 5 ppm and allows multiple sensitivity settings all the way up to 25 ppm. So not only are you able to locate a leak, but you are able to quantify its level as well. Some people may be wondering why not just use some MegaBubble or dish detergent and water to spray onto the gas pipes in your residence. Well, that will not tell you the level of the leak, and bubblers are useless on items that should not be sprayed like thermostatic valves on water heaters or electronic gas valves on boilers. You also cannot spray a gas smell that is coming from a crack in the wall or a crawlspace. Sometimes you just need a sensitive detector. The usual gas pressure in pipes to your stove, boiler, or water heater is about 0.5 to 1.0 psi. But the service pressure before the regulator is 40 to 60 psi. If your regulator or main cutoff develops a leak, you can fill that floor of your residence with an explosive level of gas very rapidly at that pressure. Being able to isolate a leak to these high pressure devices lets you tell the utilty, " It is a high pressure leak and you need emergency response immediately!" This happened to a friend. His main cutoff had been cycled twice during a boiler and hot water heater replacement. Several weeks later the main cutoff began to leak into his basement. A knowledgeable friend who was visiting him recognized that it was a high pressure leak and called the utility and told them. The utility inspector arrived in 3 minutes. The utility determined that the packing on the high pressure cutoff had dried out from 75 years of service and when disturbed formed a widening gap. The utility effected a repair and all has been well since. With a detector you will find the source and with this detector you can determine relatively accurately the level of the leak. I would never want to be without one in a residence that had natural gas service. Only caution (other than the obvious ones with gas like don't turn on a light or use a non-intrinsicaly safe flashlight) is that the sensor is right at the tip so you don't want to plunge it into something like gooey pipe dope at pipe joints. It can be replaced, but it is expensive. Keep it clean, change your batteries regularly, and you've got a great tool. I have used mine to find a leaky gas valve (8 ppm) and had my plumber replace it and I use it to check my pipes and valves periodically. 5 star and I would buy again. I also recommend to anyone reading this, if you have natural gas service, to get a Macurco detector to watch over you while you are sleeping and an intrinscally safe flashlight if you need light where a bad smell is coming from. Use your head and you will get to keep it. :-)

I found this product to be excellent at detecting gas leaks. I had to replace an existing gas line with 3/4" pipe to support a new tankless water heater. My previous tanked water heater ran on a 1/2" gas line. The replacement required many fittings with several threaded pipe joints. I originally used a gas rated teflon tape on all of my joints, however I came to find out through watching my meter that I was losing a very small amount of gas somewhere in the re-piped lines. I know that many plumbers and do-it yourselfers recommend soap solution and bubbles to find leaks. This worked well when when I had considerably large leaks, and you can easily see all areas of the joint (back side of elbow and unions), but for micro leaks the soap and bubbles didn't work for me at my typical natural gas pressure (1/2psi or less). In my case, I could not pressure test my system with higher PSI, since my gas meter has regulator that vents pressure above 1/2psi. This detector is absolutely great, it found micro leaks in several of my teflon tape joints. BTW, I found that pipe joint compound worked much better on my galvanized pipe fittings at sealing joints without micro leaks. We are talking about leaks that you can NOT smell, and can not easily identify with bubbles at such a low pressure. I had purchased a $30 combustable gas leak detector from my local home center, but it simply could not detect these micro-leaks. A large leak that you can smell, no problem the $30 unit can isolate it for you, but not very small leaks. If you planning to re-pipe natural gas line, or you have some natural gas lines in your home that you want to check to be sure, this is a great product. Be sure to read the instructions, and follow sound safety rules when working with natural gas.

I had a slow propane leak in my RV that kept setting off the RV propane alarm at inconvenient times. After repeated attempts, the RV dealer was unable to find the source of this leak. With this Infinicon Gas-Mate, I was able to correctly identify the source of the leak. The offending hose was replaced and the problem was solved. This was the perfect tool for the job. Also very easy to use. Saved me time and money, plus I can now camp safely. This quality instrument is coming on all my RV camping trips from now on. And it's even American made.

During our fall furnace inspection, The inspector discovered a leak at the natural gas fireplace insert. He declined to fix it, claiming that he was not a certified natural gas repair man. Instead, he turned off the main gas valve and wrapped it with out of service tape. He then told us to call a repair man. In an attempt to save money, I instead bought this gas leak detector from Amazon. After I installed the batteries, I was able to immediately find the small gas leak along side the outlet of the fireplace gas valve by using this device. That nut on the gas pipe was loose. One and a half turns later, I tested the system again to detect gas leaks, and I found none. I saved myself $125 for a repair call and a five second repair, not counting the time I saved from not having to wait for the repair man all day to show up at my home. The device comes with a very nice carrying case that is actually more rugged than the device housing itself. I give the unit one star less than five stars because the battery compartment is rather cheaply made. You will definitely have to store this device in the carrying case in order to avoid inadvertent damage.

American-Made Quality. In my testing, it worked well. I purchased this gas detector just for "peace of mind" purposes. I could find no leaks. I placed the sensor in our fireplace, (natural gas), and just cracked the gas valve open. Within a few seconds it was squealing like a banshee. I then closed the gas valve completely, and over about a one minute period of time the unit started scaling back on its reading. After about one minute, the alarm sound stopped. I then tested the unit with a butane lighter. I turned on the lighter, and then blew out the flame and placed it near the sensor. Again, it started squealing like a banshee. I find the unit to be solid and well made. I would try to protect the sensor head from physical damage. My only MINOR quibble is I found the battery cover a little hard to get off. Once you find the trick of depressing a little tab, this operation is easy. A fine American-made tool.

I almost fell off my chair when I opened the shipping box and saw "Made in USA" next to a small picture of Old Glory on the outer display container of the meter. That alone made me glad I went with this one over the others I was looking at. I bought the meter to track a gas leak either in the basement or at the stove. Gas Co was here to do some replacing of the header pipe and associated fittings servicing two gas meters and pressure regulator was changed also. When the gas technician finished and turned on the main shutoff valve he saw one of the gas meters dial indicator needle moving ever so slightly and wasn't leaking were he had changed parts. We did the soapy water trick but didn't bubble anywhere we put it. Rather then get a plumber or HVAC company to come in and fix it that money was used to buy the leak detector. The house was built in 1929 and the shut off valve at the stove is a original. Same with the gravity furnace. I think it's the one at the stove. The unit was shipped and delivered with Amazon Prime one day shipping which was free and super fast. Haven't used the test meter yet as I got home too late to be jumping in under the house Saturday. I did use it on a Bic lighter, breathed a little bad breath on the sensor, tried it on the propane BBQ grill but no leaks there. But just from what I did it was easy to see this is one very sensitive piece of test equipment. This purchase I did a very, very quick research session on as I'd like to have hot water. Didn't have the time to be browsing them like I normally would. Just now I read a few of the positive reviews others had posted... when I was shopping all I had time for was the PPM rating in specs and when I saw 5 compared with what other brands(some much higher priced too) were able to do I was sold. The Gas Co was here for a unrelated situation requiring the gas service to be shut off...which was irritating. But a gas leak even a small one can be allot more irritating under the right circumstances and I concur with other reviewers opinions that if you have natural gas lines at your residence you should have a good test meter too and the Gas Mate fills that parameter perfectly..

This is an excellent product everybody should save. When they have natural gas in their houses, this will help to save lives.