My trailer is coming up on 10 years old. Does that mean that my factory installed CO detector has reached the end of its reliable lifespan? Thought that I read that somewhere. Is it any different than the battery model that I also use for redundancy in my camper? Does it also detect leaking propane?A couple of years ago, we accidentally bumped one of the stovetop knobs and released propane. We all just thought that it was a smelly black tank…..glad we discovered the leaking propane before something bad happened. No alarms went off. I now turn off my propane tanks when not in use…..scared us…Buy a new OEM type CO detector or just use the store bought ones? If store bought, do I just disconnected the factory unit?Thank you

Just buy one that works. The CO detector only detects CO unless otherwise stated by the maker. The CO detector in my TT was good for 7 years and went into a warning chirp when that was reached that was different from the normal test alarm. Look at the back of the unit and it should have an expiration date on it. Bought a new one at Lowe's for a few dollars and installed it.

Usually 5 years from the date stamped on the unit. There about 70 dollars at any rv store or amazon.com

I think a label on mine says five years from date on the unit.

Are we talking about propane detector, because a CO detector will not detect propane. If the propane detector did not go off when you left a unlit burner on, then you will need to replace the PROPANE detector.

A CO detector will not detect propone. If your trailer is 10 years old don't forget to change the smoke detector because they go bad at around 10 years. Pushing the test button only tells you that it has power. Detectors are the cheapest insurance that you can ever buy!!

Factory installed CO Detector life span | Good Sam Community

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2014
What is needed is a dual chamber detector that will detect CO and smoke from a slow smoldering fire such as may start in a R/V because of electrical fires and fast burning smokeless fires.

After a lot of research.

This is what I found.
A Kidde KN-COSM-XTR-B
That seemed to be best suited for this kind of application.

Like This

They now can be bought at Home Depot, also At Amazon.

Amazon

I suggest you read all the info and make your decision on this but I replaced the ones in my Class C with this one.They are rated for 7 years
and most are only rated for 5,If your RV is older than 5 years old and they haven't been changed they are most likely no good. Mine needed to be replaced so this was a good deal for me.

Just a reminder,a first line of defense is always the best. Check those smoke detectors and replace them if needed,all have a date on them and how long they are good for. If they don't, toss them.

While it is important to know all of your emergency exits it is also
important to be warned early,especially if you are older or have mobility issues or have small children.

I hope that this helps,It is better to be safe than sorry and it is a small price to pay for security and peace of mind.
noe-place
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014
I also failed to keep track of expiration dates on ALL my alarms in the MH. They all failed within two weeks of each other. All were well past their expiration dates and I had totally failed to keep track of it. Fortunately our MH was parked in the garage and the batteries clued me to the fact something was wrong before anything actually leaked.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014
dodge guy wrote:
Lauren wrote:
My point was simply that people cannot go into WalMart and buy one thinking they will have one that is interchangable with the one in the RV - you will most likely (like 99% possibility) one that is 120v and the one your are replacing is 12v.

I have just replaced - once again - all the smokies and the CO in my house and those I got cheap at Home Depot.

My trailer has a standard battery (9V) operated CO detector. no 110V wiring to it. same with the smoke detector in the kitchen area. the LP alarm is run off the RV (house) battery.

Bingo! A CO detector is a CO detector. The one in my trailer is battery powered and Lowe's had a half a dozen different ones to choose from.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Apr 11, 2014
Lauren wrote:
My point was simply that people cannot go into WalMart and buy one thinking they will have one that is interchangable with the one in the RV - you will most likely (like 99% possibility) one that is 120v and the one your are replacing is 12v.

I have just replaced - once again - all the smokies and the CO in my house and those I got cheap at Home Depot.

My trailer has a standard battery (9V) operated CO detector. no 110V wiring to it. same with the smoke detector in the kitchen area. the LP alarm is run off the RV (house) battery.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Apr 11, 2014
The battery operated one in my house sets a chirp every 2 minutes when it expires. the countdown starts the minute you install a battery. I think mine says 7 years. not sure on the one in the trailer!
Lauren
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
My point was simply that people cannot go into WalMart and buy one thinking they will have one that is interchangable with the one in the RV - you will most likely (like 99% possibility) one that is 120v and the one your are replacing is 12v.

I have just replaced - once again - all the smokies and the CO in my house and those I got cheap at Home Depot.
Mich_F
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
You don't necessarily have two detectors. My Itasca MH has a combination CO/Propane detector. I replaced one of the two in my Coachmen last Spring and it had a sticker on the back saying it had a 5yr life expectancy.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
Good God there is some bad info on this thread. Detectors for anything come both in hardwired versions and battery powered versions. The price varies widely depending on the sophistication of the detector and the profit margin of the maker. They all work, some better than others with digital readouts giving you a constant level of CO in PPM. CO has virtually the same specific gravity as air and will not automatically rise to the ceiling. Place the freakin detector where you will be breathing air from! They all have an expiration date printed right on them. If you use a battery powered version change the batteries as required. Regardless of which kind of detector or what powers it make sure it is not expired and test it regularly.
Dick_B
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
If you replace it be sure the new one is compatible with the old ie. similar functions and wiring.
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
fla-gypsy wrote:
All you need to do is take it off the mount and look on the back. No need to pay $70 either. I bought one for less than $20 at the local home improvement store.

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