The old CO detector is 5 years old so I replaced it with a state of the art digital CO detector. I inserted fresh batteries and pressed the test button. Everything worked. The alarm was loud enough to wake me if I were asleep and the detector would monitor and retain CO levels for reference.But there is this one nagging question -- how do I know the detector will work when CO is present in the RV. All I know at this point is that the test button works but I would like to know if the detector would actually work.I tried using a candle and blowing it out to see if the CO unit would work. Unfortunately I found that the smoke detector worked but nothing happened with the CO detector. Is there a reliable inexpensive way to actually test the unit? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The CO tester does not measure "instant" levels, rather it detects a concentration over time. I don't happen to know the exact numbers, but it is the sort of thing that a fairly high concentration for two or three minutes -- which will not harm you, btw -- will not show up at all. It takes a dangerous level for quite some time, maybe a half hour, to set it off.I know of no safe, simple test that does not require some expensive lab equipment. That said, also be aware that no matter how glorious or expensive your CO detector is, its life is at most 5-7 years, at which point it will start beeping at you every minute or three. Your only option at that point is to throw it away (although some do have replaceable sensors).

Carbon Monoxide test kits are available. I have also heard that lighting a match, blowing it out and then holding it near the unit will trigger an alarm as a test...Test Kit HERE

Hold an unlight cigerate lighter with the gas coming out to test the alarm.

Vet Man wrote:Hold an unlight cigerate lighter with the gas coming out to test the alarm.That is only for the propane detector.Mike

put a lit, small charcoal grille in rv...makes lots of CO...it is the favored way in Japan to commit suicide!! ...ummmmm, dont stay in rv while doing this!!!!!!

Testing Carbon Monoxide Detector | Good Sam Community

naturist
Nomad
May 22, 2013
The CO tester does not measure "instant" levels, rather it detects a concentration over time. I don't happen to know the exact numbers, but it is the sort of thing that a fairly high concentration for two or three minutes -- which will not harm you, btw -- will not show up at all. It takes a dangerous level for quite some time, maybe a half hour, to set it off.

I know of no safe, simple test that does not require some expensive lab equipment. That said, also be aware that no matter how glorious or expensive your CO detector is, its life is at most 5-7 years, at which point it will start beeping at you every minute or three. Your only option at that point is to throw it away (although some do have replaceable sensors).
downtheroad
Explorer
May 22, 2013
Carbon Monoxide test kits are available. I have also heard that lighting a match, blowing it out and then holding it near the unit will trigger an alarm as a test...

Test Kit HERE
Vet_Man
Explorer
May 22, 2013
Hold an unlight cigerate lighter with the gas coming out to test the alarm.
mike-uswest
Explorer II
May 22, 2013
Vet Man wrote:
Hold an unlight cigerate lighter with the gas coming out to test the alarm.

That is only for the propane detector.

Mike
RV_daytrader
Explorer
May 22, 2013
put a lit, small charcoal grille in rv...makes lots of CO...it is the favored way in Japan to commit suicide!! ...ummmmm, dont stay in rv while doing this!!!!!!
loggenrock
Explorer
May 23, 2013
Or just accept the fact that Kidde (or whomever) is a reputable company and the detector is UL approved. To be sure, just buy a 2nd one for the rig! ST
RoyB
Explorer II
May 23, 2013
My 2KW Honda Generator is always sitting on the tailgate of my truck. If I have the exhaust pointed toward the trailer I usually set off the Carbon Monoxide detector. Then I have trouble getting it to quit sounding haha...

Roy Ken
Jerrybo66
Explorer
May 23, 2013
Park your truck with the exhaust pointed to the open door of the RV. With the motor running,the sensor should go off within a minute.
60chev
Explorer
May 23, 2013
Putting the detector in front of the exhaust of a car should set it off.
h2guy
Explorer
May 23, 2013
60chev wrote:
Putting the detector in front of the exhaust of a car should set it off.

Much better than smelling up your RVs interior.