Forum Discussion

BigT's avatar
BigT
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014

Propane detector going off

I have a real head scratcher going on. We got our trailer out of storage today. It's been there since early February with the 12 volt switch off and the propane off. When I turned on the 12 volt power and closed the refrigerator doors I heard a chirp. When I got home 10 minutes later and plugged it in to shore power the propane detector went off with a continuous sound. There is no source of propane (no small portable bottles) that I can think of, and I double checked the LPG tank valves and they are tightly turned off. We opened windows and the door to air it out and the alarm finally silenced itself. Would low voltage on the house battery cause it to go off? The read out said it was 12.6 volts, and that is a little low, but in 10 years of RVing I have never had this happen. Anybody got any ideas?
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Apr 28, 2014
    Low battery, old detector, dead mouse, rotten garbage, farting dog. Your pick.
  • SCVJeff's avatar
    SCVJeff
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2014
    I had that happen last summer and it turned out to be the neighbors trash can out gassing something juicy that you could barely smell but the detector caught it
  • BigT's avatar
    BigT
    Explorer
    Apr 26, 2014
    Thanks for the replies. I think low voltage is the culprit. After being plugged in for a few hours no more chirping and no more alarm going off. I have not checked the Mfg. date, but I will. Thanks again.
  • parker21's avatar
    parker21
    Explorer
    Apr 26, 2014
    What BB_TX said. Plus I once had a 2011 Sunseeker that had the batteries housed in the first step as you go into the coach. The Propane detector sensed the acid vapors given off by the batteries. Drove us nuts until we figured this out.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Apr 26, 2014
    12.6V is hardly low.......





    BUT were are you getting that reading?
    While hooked up to shore power OR just battery/no shore power?

    5th wheel in storage since early Feb.....3 mos of parasitic drain can cause battery to be low.
    Then when you plugged in voltage came up....LP Detector beep due to low voltage

    2012 LP Detector should not be 'expired' (Usually 5-7 yr shelf life)
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Apr 26, 2014
    Did you check the date on it? They have a "replace after" date.

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