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BobsYourUncle's avatar
Oct 15, 2014

Gas detector saved my bacon... Whoa!!! I'm Thankful!

Wow, I am counting my blessings here tonight. :E

I just installed a new stereo in the TT, then I was doing my dishes after that, listening to my favorite tunes on the new stereo, Had a couple drinks along the way.....

My sinuses are plugged a bit, allergy issue or something and I'm sneezing and working away late this evening contemplating heading to bed now.

So I washed my dishes, rinsed and put them on the stove cover like I do every time I do this task.

All of a sudden there comes a high pitched shrieking sound, just a quick loud beep, beep, every 10 or 15 seconds or so. I'm alone, I have my tunes cranked and I am enjoying the late evening as I work in the TT.

What on earth is that shrill shrieking sound? Thought it was coming from the stereo so I turned it off. Nope, not the stereo.

What is it? I start looking around and all of a sudden the noise comes on solid, loud shrill high pitched squeal.

Oh man what the heck is that?? I gotta find it and turn it off. Small area, the sounds is echoing off everything, I can't pinpoint it. Walk back and forth looking to see where it is coming from. Cannot locate.....Argh!! That hurts the ears!!

I look down at my gas detector, the light is red. Hmmmmm didn't occur to me that is should be green, not red. Drop to my knees, have a close look, reset button, push and hold, the noise stops.

So I analyze the situation..... Remember, I have had a couple drinks and my senses are not operating at their fullest. Hmmmm gas detector to notify me if there is propane present.... Still doesn't click, Bob, you're an idiot...

I stand up and look around. sinus issues, I can't smell a thing. Usually I have a nose like a bloodhound. But I'm 60 now and my senses are not what they used to be. I look at the stove controls. Oh 4 letter word, there is an element turned on. I quickly turn it off, open a couple roof vents, the door and crank up the FFan in the bathroom. I still can't smell a thing. Door wide open, roof vents open, I wait a minute and the gas detector goes from red to green.

Somehow when I was doing the dishes I managed to hit one of the stove controls and I turned an element on without noticing. Not sure how I did that but I did.

Wow, could have been fatal for me. Holy friggin doodle, I danged near did myself in. I was going to dry the dishes and go to bed. Wow, just wow. Sure glad I replaced my gas detector when I bought this TT. Old one wasn't working so I tossed it and bought a new one.

I think I just saved my own life.

Sure glad I pay attention to safety stuff in my TT!!!


So my message to everyone here is:

Check your gas detector, and smoke detector, the life you save may be your own!!! :E:E:E
  • Golden_HVAC wrote:
    Most propane gas leak detectors also shut off the propane valve when the detector is going off.


    I would say "some" rather than "most".

    Bruce
  • Wow...close and scary call. I think the stove knobs getting accidentally turned on is the most common safety issue I read about.
  • Glad all turned on it okay. Our first trip out with the fiver my wife did the same thing, bumped the knob turning a burner on. We went for a walk with the dogs leaving daughter at the fiver. When come back I see our neighbors running around inside and outside the trailer. The propane alarm went off and daughter went outside to get away from the sound. Neighbors heard the alarm and shut down propane and opened everything up. A big thank you went to them after a thorough walk through with one of them on how to use the safety systems. I did not know there was a propane alarm on board.
    :S
  • Whew! Glad all is good! Had similar incident this past weekend. Took 14 y.o. Daughter plus kidnapped the 7 y.o. & 19 month old granddaughters. Heard the 14 y.o. yelling at babe at the same time hollering to me about smelling gas. The babe turned the oven on and was messing with the stovetop knobs. Good Lord, she's trying to kill grandma and Aunt TT!
    That said, anyone know if they sell knob covers to keep kids from messing with the knobs?
  • Thanks for the reminder, especially with winter coming.

    Everyone should check the detectors in their S&B and their RV's.
  • Most propane gas leak detectors also shut off the propane valve when the detector is going off.

    You probably had the propane shut off while the detector was also sounding. (they do that) Good think it saved your life.

    Happy camping!

    Fred.
  • Dang it BOB.......propane is not as forgiving as butter incident!

    Those stove knobs/controls can be an issue.
    They should have to be pushed before turning.
    I remove the knobs occasionally....spray shaft down while pushing it in/spring out with some WD to remove any gunk.

    Glad you caught on

    Keep them trailer batteries charged (LP Detector wired directly)
    And check them smoke & co detector batteries twice a year

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