On our latest trip, upon setting up, the Safe Alert propane gas detector in the unit started malfunctioning. It was periodically beeping much like a smoke detector in your home does when the backup battery is dead. The warning light on the unit was flashing red/ green which according to the unit indicates "replace". When I went to remove the unit ( it is hard wired into the electrical system) the beeping stopped, the light turned green, and has seemingly been functioning normal ever since. Anyone had this issue with their own rig? Any thoughts on whether I should replace it or simply keep an eye on it to make sure it functions properly going forward?Thanks

Detectors (of any flavor - propane, CO, smoke) are relatively cheap. When in doubt, replace it.What year is your rig? Is the detector original equipment?

It's shot - time to replace it.

It's a safety issue: detector is designed to do that when it detects bogus readings from the sensor. It is trying to tell you it has reached retirement age, time to replace. It does that rather than simply falling falsely and permanently silent.

I had one going off and on, but didn't notice a yellow light, which in mine indicates old age. However, I eventually determined it was going off because I was using an MRE heater to cook a snack for me and wife. Once I aired out the MH, it never recurred. I guess something in the MRE heater made the detector think it was propane.

I agree with replace it. Better safe than sorry.

Safe Alert propane gas detector | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 17, 2014
bill.ritchie wrote:
Thanks for the info. As far as the converter and batteries, how do you exactly check the converter? My batteries are fairly new and in good shape.

Thanks

With RV connected to shore power....check the converter output.....S/B 13.4-13.6V (with battery cables disconnected on converter.

2008 RV......6 yrs. old. Replace the LP Detector
And recheck wiring connections when you do.
bill_ritchie
Explorer
Feb 16, 2014
Rv is a 2008. Beeping went off after connecting to shore power. It was connected to shore power the entire time it was beeping. It didn't stop until I removed the detector and was in the process of removing the back cover to disconnect it. Yes, it almost seemed like there was a loose wire. However, right not the status light is green and it seems to be functioning normal. Will probably simply replace it
N7SJN
Explorer
Feb 16, 2014
Mine died after 5 years. Easy to replace.
bill_ritchie
Explorer
Feb 16, 2014
Thanks for the info. As far as the converter and batteries, how do you exactly check the converter? My batteries are fairly new and in good shape.

Thanks
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 16, 2014
Details are missing.......

Year of your RV? If older than 5 yrs. Replace the LP Detector.The 'sensors' have a self life of 5-7 yrs.

Beeping going off before connecting to shore power?
Stopped after connecting to shore power?
Then low battery voltage alarming on LP Detector....after hooking up shore power DC voltage went back to normal. Check your battery voltage and converter DC output....battery may be weak and converter is not properly charging.

Did you actually remove the LP Detector----enough that the wiring may have been loose. Check wiring/terminals.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2014
bill.ritchie wrote:
On our latest trip, upon setting up, the Safe Alert propane gas detector in the unit started malfunctioning. It was periodically beeping much like a smoke detector in your home does when the backup battery is dead. The warning light on the unit was flashing red/ green which according to the unit indicates "replace". When I went to remove the unit ( it is hard wired into the electrical system) the beeping stopped, the light turned green, and has seemingly been functioning normal ever since.

Anyone had this issue with their own rig? Any thoughts on whether I should replace it or simply keep an eye on it to make sure it functions properly going forward?Thanks

When they beep like that it means 'low voltage'. You could have a convertor and/or battery malfunctioning. Not enough for you to notice if you don't use the 12 volt lights that much, but it IS enough to make the detector go off.

THAT was how I found out my converter was malfunctioning and in turn frying my batteries. Check your coach battery and converter.

When you plugged into the shore power your converter started charging your low battery and that is why it suddenly stopped beeping when you were set up because it got the correct voltage to it.

check your coach battery before you start ripping the detector out and replacing it!
SAR_Tracker
Explorer
Feb 16, 2014
Olddud wrote:
I had one going off and on.... I guess something in the MRE heater made the detector think it was propane.

Yeah - hydrogen!
Snowman7
Explorer
Feb 16, 2014
I agree with replace it. Better safe than sorry.
Olddud
Explorer
Feb 16, 2014
I had one going off and on, but didn't notice a yellow light, which in mine indicates old age. However, I eventually determined it was going off because I was using an MRE heater to cook a snack for me and wife. Once I aired out the MH, it never recurred. I guess something in the MRE heater made the detector think it was propane.
naturist
Nomad
Feb 16, 2014
It's a safety issue: detector is designed to do that when it detects bogus readings from the sensor. It is trying to tell you it has reached retirement age, time to replace. It does that rather than simply falling falsely and permanently silent.