Strong smell of TCP?

[Mousy]

we are parked on a campsite in Lake Garda, with ehu, everything seems to be working normally. When we returned from our day out yesterday there was a really strong smell of TCP in the van. We don't have a bottle anywhere so it's not a spillage.
We have a gas alarm which went off at 1pm. Again the same smell. I opened all the windows and this morning it's only faintly in the middle of the van.
The battery locker has no smell in it.

Any ideas? Should we be concerned?

 

[DavidG58]

Any ideas? Should we be concerned?

No idea, but yes you should be - possibly very

 

[DavidG58]

what gas alarm was triggered?

CO or do you have one for LPG?

 

[Mousy]

Pictures of the alarm. When we bought the van the previous owner said it was the best alarm and could detect any gas, being skeptical we rarely turn it on but do have separate co2 and smoke alarms.

No other alarms have been triggered. Don't think we have one for lpg. We will turn the gas off though just in case.

 

[chaser]

When we had a duff battery, it made the co2 alarm go off before we could smell anything

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[sueandjohn]

a TCP smell can be a sign of an electrical circuit board overheating

 

[Chris]

I googled it and found this. I know nothing about anything technical but it looks like it mght be electrical although this was on a motorbike forum

http://visforvoltage.org/forum/11381-strange-smell-tcp

 

[whingyraindrop]

Google search suggests that when printed circuit boards burn out they smell like TCP

Lorraine x

 

[chaser]

Further to my last post, if you can get at your battery's , feel if there is a hot spot on them anywhere. If there is that's your problem , if not at least that's one thing eliminated

 

[Gerby]

Agree with SueandJohn on this, overheated PCB's give of a distinctive smell that many describe as TCP like.

In my previous job I carried out fire investigations and have had a few people describe this to me although by the time I got there needless to say the smell was somewhat different.

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[DavidG58]

It's probably the PCB in the gas alarm

Not helpful I know but it might help to smile a little

BTW you lot it is a CO (Carbon Monoxide) monitor not CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) which we actually need to live (in moderation)

 

[Mousy]

Thanks everyone we have delayed going out to try and sort it.
We think it's the solar controller. Martin is fiddling as we speak.

 

[DavidG58]

If it is a PCB there can't really be too many

Mains charger

Heating / hot water

Air con?

Lighting

control panel

fridge

time to get sniffing I guess

I really hope you get identify it and more so hope it is something you can then turn off and not miss

 

[DavidG58]

edit to above, didn't think about solar

provided you can turn it off or disconnect it, that could be a good result, possibly the least needed thing, particularly if you are using sites

 

[Mousy]

Result...
OK we sniffed and thought it was the solar controller Martin took it out but it doesn't smell.
Which is the positive coming from the solar panel as we forgot to take a picture before we removed it? Black or white?

The smell has been identified as coming from the cupboard light..

Very hot and burnt.

Has now been replaced.

Thanks so much for all your help, Martin says before you all suggest it his multi meter got left in the shed at home!

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[CWH]

Whew - thank goodness you found it. I was getting worried for you!

 

[Bailey58]

I hope Martin's stopped fiddling now and getting on with sourcing that smell.

 

[Mousy]

All done. Solar controller screwed back in...and working.

Burnt thing in the light replaced.

Off to reward our efforts with a cycle along the lake and a long lunch.

Ciao

 

[Just smiffy]

Have you checked your Rolex, iPads and £2000 cash are still there...

 

[Mousy]

Have you checked your Rolex, iPads and £2000 cash are still there...[/QUOTE

Cartier and Breitling darhling and both on wrists!

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[cliffanger]

Phew - just got back in from taking mum to doctors - and I've missed all the excitement! Glad you got it sorted - that boy's getting more and more DIYish with every post!

 

[Mousy]

Ger, he was all for turning off the alarm and ignoring it..we are missing you and the great leader...

 

[cranky]

for one terrible moment I feared someone had spilt the Laphroig

 

[Neilfg]

Just glad to hear that mice hadn't been the cause

 

[Anthea M]

So glad it's sorted !
I hate the smell of TCP it reminds me of grazed knees as children!!

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[Mousy]

I know Anthea, when I opened the van door I did wonder if we'd been robbed by a little old lady...or a nurse..

 

[Langtoftlad]

...thought this thread was a further episode of "Mousy, the black eyed wanderer", but no it was an illuminating thread on PCBs .

 

[Bailey58]

I'm impressed you replaced the "burnt thing in the light" so quickly, I would have been on ebay all day sourcing a new one and awaiting delivery. Did you have a spare lamp in stock?

 

[sueandjohn]

So glad you found the problem @Mousy
Great forum to get so much help so quickly, invaluable !

 

[Mousy]

I'm impressed you replaced the "burnt thing in the light" so quickly, I would have been on ebay all day sourcing a new one and awaiting delivery. Did you have a spare lamp in stock?

Martin says he's got at least 10 "Chinese" ones on board...as was the burnt out one

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