This seems really strange! Packed the camper for a trip; closed it up and started to hitch it to my truck when the CO/Propane alarm started sounding. Nothing was in use except the fridge and because its small flame is outside the camper and vented I couldn't believe it was the problem. I reset the alarm and started off. At a stop light I heard the alarm sounding again. I turned off the fridge and closed the propane tanks - alarm sounded again. Pulled into a parking area and went into the camper. I could smell ripe bananas my wife had packed. Out of desperation, I removed the bananas and the alarm stoped! I know bananas give off ethylene gas. Apparently the CO/Propane detector doesn't know the difference. Moral: don't transport ripe bananas in a closed camper!

Propane detectors are designed to recognize all hydrocarbon (flammable) gases. They are not specific to propane. Must have had some pretty RIPE bananas in there.

ADK Camper wrote:This seems really strange! Packed the camper for a trip; closed it up and started to hitch it to my truck when the CO/Propane alarm started sounding. Nothing was in use except the fridge and because its small flame is outside the camper and vented I couldn't believe it was the problem. I reset the alarm and started off. At a stop light I heard the alarm sounding again. I turned off the fridge and closed the propane tanks - alarm sounded again. Pulled into a parking area and went into the camper. I could smell ripe bananas my wife had packed. Out of desperation, I removed the bananas and the alarm stoped! I know bananas give off ethylene gas. Apparently the CO/Propane detector doesn't know the difference. Moral: don't transport ripe bananas in a closed camper!This was a good one, who would have thought. I would have probably turned around and headed home to find out what was going on.

You nailed it- gaseous ethylene will set off the alarm, as will many other gases/VOC's (cleaning compounds and perfumes of all kinds, etc).

When I was in trucking we would get a load of banana's every now and then. We would have to open trailer vents for off gassing.

Toxic Bananas? | Good Sam Community

Doug33
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
I've packed (over)ripe bananas in my lunch cooler before. By the time lunch came around, the whole cooler reeked really badly. I can vouch for the gases that bananas give off!
scottykrug
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
Tvov wrote:
Okay, learn something new everyday! I never knew this about bananas.

x2

Have a great day!
Poppy___Nana
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
Tvov wrote:
Okay, learn something new everyday! I never knew this about bananas.

x2 - we had an issue while camping one time, could not figure out why the alarm was going off.....we must have eaten the bananas (we usually bring bananas with us) because when we got to the next campground, the alarm did not go off.....here many years later I find the reason!
Tvov
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2013
Okay, learn something new everyday! I never knew this about bananas.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2013
If we ever cross paths in our favorite CG - don't offer me a bannana. :p
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2013
When I was in trucking we would get a load of banana's every now and then. We would have to open trailer vents for off gassing.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
You nailed it- gaseous ethylene will set off the alarm, as will many other gases/VOC's (cleaning compounds and perfumes of all kinds, etc).
Mark_and_Linda
Explorer
Aug 28, 2013
ADK Camper wrote:
This seems really strange! Packed the camper for a trip; closed it up and started to hitch it to my truck when the CO/Propane alarm started sounding. Nothing was in use except the fridge and because its small flame is outside the camper and vented I couldn't believe it was the problem. I reset the alarm and started off. At a stop light I heard the alarm sounding again. I turned off the fridge and closed the propane tanks - alarm sounded again. Pulled into a parking area and went into the camper. I could smell ripe bananas my wife had packed. Out of desperation, I removed the bananas and the alarm stoped! I know bananas give off ethylene gas. Apparently the CO/Propane detector doesn't know the difference. Moral: don't transport ripe bananas in a closed camper!

This was a good one, who would have thought. I would have probably turned around and headed home to find out what was going on.
SAR_Tracker
Explorer
Aug 28, 2013
Time for banana bread!
sbowman871
Explorer
Aug 28, 2013
Propane detectors are designed to recognize all hydrocarbon (flammable) gases. They are not specific to propane. Must have had some pretty RIPE bananas in there.

Forum Discussion

Toxic Bananas?

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

STRAWBERRY BANANA CHEESECAKE SALAD

Green NON-toxic RV Mattress

bananas foster

Toxic Bue Green Algae Warning

Pink non-toxic antifreeze and system sanitization