Downside to lower CO alarm?

Some brands of propane detectors will go into alarm mode when they get enough use/age on them. I think it’s better to be proactive to replace them or bring a way to disconnect them temporarily. Most are pretty loud when they are going off.

CO is SLIGHTLY lighter than air, but it mixes readily. LP is much heavier than air, and will sink.

I put one of these in my last pickup camper, and in each of my fifth wheels.

The unit I have now tested very accurately when I checked it with the calibrating gas I have at work. I am not saying they are all very accurate, but the one I have is. It is close enough that I trust it with my generator under my slide and don't worry about it.

Co ditectors are the worst thing they put in trailers, I don't know how I lived for 30 years with out them haha.

seriously though I have had to disconect it in the last couple trailers I have owned (before that nothing I had came with one) if you camp with lots of campfires you will understand, you can only have it going off from the campfire for so long before its just stupid.

Steve

Kayteg1 wrote:
I am against combining the alarms as propane sensors work for long years (I tested 20 yo still working) when CO sensor has 10 years efficient life and should be replaced.

MTI says their LP detector lasts for 5 years before needing to be replaced -- it will sound an alarm after 5 years that indicates end of life. That's the same lifetime they publish for their CO-only and LP/CO Combo units. Even their ceiling mount sealed-battery CO detector has a 5 year lifetime even though residential units from manufacturers like Kidde have a 10 year lifetime.

Atwood says it's combo detectors will last for 7 years.

There may be some LP detector with a 20 year lifetime, but don't count on it until you check your manual since MTI and Atwood are very common.

Propane detectors are placed low because propane is heavier than air and it does not mix readily. CO mixes rapidly. I have never seen any recommendation for placing one. Most campers come with a single, wired, combination detector placed at low levels. I also added a separate CO detector powered by a 9v battery. The location was not specified by the manufacturer.

The question was about the downside of placement of a combo detector.
LP is heavier than air. CO is lighter than air. LP detector should be placed no higher than your pillow. CO detectors should be placed at about 5' from floorline.

Kayteg1 wrote:
CO poisoning is still not well explained to general public, but available knowledge is that it mix with most of the air, that is why sensor is recommended in mid-level.
I still think that it doesn't matter that much.
I am against combining the alarms as propane sensors work for long years (I tested 20 yo still working) when CO sensor has 10 years efficient life and should be replaced.
So if you keep the camper long, you will have dilemma in few years.
I also like the idea about 10 years batteries no matter what.
CO poisoning is "by absorption" what is another hard to figure out feature.
In my old house I had fireplace, that I was using heavy. At the time I had CO detector who would display value of 500, what is consider deadly, but for short time it lasted the detector did not start alarm.
Lastly I camped for almost 20 years before CO detectors become available and am still alive.
Just don't use range oven for comfort heating and make sure your furnace is in good condition.
Lot of owners use furnace heavily in cold climates, while never cleaning the burner.
For generator use, you suppose to have exhaust gas alarm, but those are still hard to get.

Good points

CO poisoning is still not well explained to general public, but available knowledge is that it mix with most of the air, that is why sensor is recommended in mid-level.
I still think that it doesn't matter that much.
I am against combining the alarms as propane sensors work for long years (I tested 20 yo still working) when CO sensor has 10 years efficient life and should be replaced.
So if you keep the camper long, you will have dilemma in few years.
I also like the idea about 10 years batteries no matter what.
CO poisoning is "by absorption" what is another hard to figure out feature.
In my old house I had fireplace, that I was using heavy. At the time I had CO detector who would display value of 500, what is consider deadly, but for short time it lasted the detector did not start alarm.
Lastly I camped for almost 20 years before CO detectors become available and am still alive.
Just don't use range oven for comfort heating and make sure your furnace is in good condition.
Lot of owners use furnace heavily in cold climates, while never cleaning the burner.
For generator use, you suppose to have exhaust gas alarm, but those are still hard to get.

Kayteg1 wrote:
For CO alarm, I bought portable 1 with 10 years batteries on it.
After 10 years it suppose to go to garbage.
It fits in cupholder in camper, or sits on my side table at house, when I don't travel. Doubles as thermometer and I remember it being cheaper than $30.

My other one is similar. Thermometer built in and I stick it on the wall. Just was thinking if I should add a 2nd one lower down as the kids sleep lower to the ground.

For CO alarm, I bought portable 1 with 10 years batteries on it.
After 10 years it suppose to go to garbage.
It fits in cupholder in camper, or sits on my side table at house, when I don't travel. Doubles as thermometer and I remember it being cheaper than $30.