Was driving conversion van/camper yesterday when the CO detector started going off. 3 beeps than nothing then the same thing 20 minutes later. I detected a slight combustion smell. The front windows were open and the back vent windows were open. Temp was about 100 and there was a strong cross wind.There are no electric or plumbing holes in the vehicle. I've been on this trip 3 weeks and several thousand miles with no similar occurrences.Thinking it might be a backdraft. Any thoughts or similar happenings?

I don't know what the term for it would be, but I do know that certain vehicles do a good job of sucking in the exhaust from the rear.My dad's station wagon would do that when the rear window was open. Our SUV does that when the rear window is open. We don't drive with the rear window open.Not sure if this is what you are talking about.... :)

TOMMY47 wrote:Was driving conversion van/camper yesterday when the CO detector started going off. 3 beeps than nothing then the same thing 20 minutes later. I detected a slight combustion smell. The front windows were open and the back vent windows were open. Temp was about 100 and there was a strong cross wind.Driving without A/C on a 100° day? You need to blow the dust off that man-badge application and get it submitted pronto. :)But yes, exhaust does swirl around the back of a moving vehicle and will come in the back windows. But modern engines with catalytic converters probably don't put out enough CO to trip an alarm after that much dilution. I'd check the batteries.

I don't care much for AC. Windows work fine for thee most part.That is what I'm talking about pasusan. Pretty new battery.

OMG! Someone else who doesn't like AC? I love you man!But to remain on point, unless your detector is hard wired into your 12V circuitry, I too would suspect a failing battery. Those 3 beeps every 20 minutes is fairly standard tell-tale. If you can replace it, do so and see if that doesn't eliminate the problem. Even "new" batteries aren't always new. Best of luck to you and yours.

BACKDRAFT? | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

Dtank
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
beemerphile1 wrote:
You are not supposed to drive vans and station wagons with the rear windows open. Your manual probably states that. Many vehicles have a sticker on the window.

It seems your detector is working perfectly.

Or maybe it isn't.

Try a different battery - and/or replace detector.

Try the same drive with windows up.

BTW - and FYI - look up the definition of "BACKDRAFT"..:R

.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
You are not supposed to drive vans and station wagons with the rear windows open. Your manual probably states that. Many vehicles have a sticker on the window.

It seems your detector is working perfectly.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2015
Water-Bug wrote:
Replace the battery.
X2 - read the directions in small print on the detector.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jun 19, 2015
Water-Bug wrote:
Replace the battery.

I agree 3 beeps than nothing for 20 minutes then 3 beeps suggests low battery
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2015
One hundred degrees is probably above the rated operating temp of the detector.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 18, 2015
Conversion van/camper.........Does vehicle battery supply everything DC or do you have a separate battery for camper system?

Same battery....then doubt it is low voltage causing CO to beep

Separate battery.....load test battery

How old is CO Alarm. They go bad and do have a self-life (expiration date usually on backside)
noplace2
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
OMG! Someone else who doesn't like AC? I love you man!

But to remain on point, unless your detector is hard wired into your 12V circuitry, I too would suspect a failing battery. Those 3 beeps every 20 minutes is fairly standard tell-tale. If you can replace it, do so and see if that doesn't eliminate the problem. Even "new" batteries aren't always new. Best of luck to you and yours.
TOMMY47
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
I don't care much for AC. Windows work fine for thee most part.
That is what I'm talking about pasusan. Pretty new battery.
Sport45
Explorer II
Jun 18, 2015
TOMMY47 wrote:
Was driving conversion van/camper yesterday when the CO detector started going off. 3 beeps than nothing then the same thing 20 minutes later. I detected a slight combustion smell. The front windows were open and the back vent windows were open. Temp was about 100 and there was a strong cross wind.

Driving without A/C on a 100° day? You need to blow the dust off that man-badge application and get it submitted pronto. :)

But yes, exhaust does swirl around the back of a moving vehicle and will come in the back windows. But modern engines with catalytic converters probably don't put out enough CO to trip an alarm after that much dilution. I'd check the batteries.
Water-Bug
Explorer II
Jun 18, 2015
Replace the battery.

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BACKDRAFT?

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