Forum Discussion

GMandJM's avatar
GMandJM
Explorer
Feb 21, 2013

Propane Detector Set Off by Litterbox????

So after the third night in a row of getting awakened by the scream of the LPG
detector, we called the company that made it to try to figure out what the issue
could be.

We had turned off the propane after the first night it went off, so we are pretty
sure that isn't the issue (Tanks are in the back, detector in the front of the RV, btw).
Also checked the batteries and they're fine, so it isn't a matter of low voltage.

The detector is only 18 months old - out of warranty, of course.

The CSR came up with this: The fumes from the cat using her litter box
may be setting it off.

We're picking up another detector today to see if there really is something setting
off the alarm or if it's defective, but we are wondering if anyone with a cat has
had this happen or if anyone has heard of this happening?

It seems a bit farfetched to me.

30 Replies

  • Our dog loves to sleep right by the propane detector. She sets it off quite frequently with doggie farts. I think the litter box is a good call.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Never had that happen myself (2 cat motor home) But, as someone said, Methane is Methane, so is ammonia and that can also be a litter box product.

    We call them propane detectors but they detect ANY explosive gas, Propane, Methane, Hair Spray propellent, Air Freshener propellent, Alcohol, Gasoline, and a long long of list of things that go BOOM when you mix with the proper ration of air and add a spark.
  • number of years ago mine went off all of the time. Fixed it when it when off at 2am and I punched a hole in the thing and riped the wiring out. Slept well after that. Bought another at the end of the trip and never had another problem. Wife swears the other appliances warned the new one what would happen.
  • Propane Detector Set Off by Litterbox????

    YUP it can.

    Traveled with some friends and they cleaned the cat litter box, put it in a bag and tied it off....only thing is they set the bag down on the floor by the detector and that sent it off screaming.

    You will find many things will set it off, cleaners, some perfumes, spray deodorant to name a few.
  • I bet we could come u with a couple of dozen things that set of the detector. Spray air freshener sets of mine.
  • Um, putting this politely - methane is methane. One of my dogs made the mistake of passing gas while laying near the detector - and set it off, scaring all of us to death - then had Hubby and I laughing so hard.... well... it's bathroom humor at its finest ;-)
  • We were told it must be the dog. Even when she wasn't in the trailer (in that case, it must be her food, we were told).
    Our problems started after the batteries went dead sitting in the lot where we keep it. After that, it would randomly go off, usually at 3AM or when we were not in the trailer. We gave up on it and got another one.
  • When we did our walk through we were told that hair spray and certain floor cleaners could set it off. Maybe the ammonia from the litter box is causing it. Could move the box.