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

17 Replies

mobeewan
Explorer
May 25, 2013
Mounting it near the furnace should not make any difference. The exhaust is on the outside of the trailer. If it were to leak inside it would not be the same as blowing exhaust at it. Propane is cleaner burning, not the same as blowing gasoline engine exhaust at it. Especially if the engine is burning oil.
SaltiDawg
Explorer
May 25, 2013
joebedford wrote:
I happened to be reading the instructions for Kidde detectors today because I need to replace the CO detector in my stick house.

The instructions specifically say NOT to use a car exhaust as this may contaminate the detector and cause it not to function.

Do the instructions also state to not mount the detector near a furnace?
joebedford
Nomad II
May 25, 2013
I happened to be reading the instructions for Kidde detectors today because I need to replace the CO detector in my stick house.

The instructions specifically say NOT to use a car exhaust as this may contaminate the detector and cause it not to function.
Jerrybo66
Explorer
May 25, 2013
h2guy wrote:
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.

If the detector is defective flooding it with such a strong dose of carbon monoxide may still set it off. If that's the case, you won't hear it go off anyway when you really needed it.. :(
A working detector will trigger before any odor will bother you...Been there, done that...
WoodGlue
Explorer
May 24, 2013
loggenrock wrote:
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

This is what I've done. I have the hardwired unit near the floor and also one battery operated one on my headboard (made by Kidde) If one misses it, the other will pick it up!

WoodGlue
mobeewan
Explorer
May 24, 2013
Just get 2 detectors. they're not that expensive. I bought a Kidde with digital readout and mounted it to the wall next to the furnace intake which is near a floor vent. The other is a plain Kidde detector that looks like the digital but with no digital readout. I mounted it to the queen bed pedestal near the bedroom floor vent.
loggenrock
Explorer
May 24, 2013
Caution - too much exposure can damage the sensors in home-style CO detectors. Might not get it to reset... It would activate from auto exhaust, but depending on the technology inside the sensor may absorb too much to clear. Kind of a sacrificial device - it will give up its life to save yours... ST
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.
60chev
Explorer
May 23, 2013
Putting the detector in front of the exhaust of a car should set it off.
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.