Before we use the new to us camper, I want to upgrade/update the detectors/alarms.It currently has a CO alarm which is likely a 1995 version. Other than that, it has nothing.I plan to have a CO, a propane, and a smoke alarm in the unit in addition to replacing the fire extinguisher and adding a second one in the cabover area.I plan to hardwire the CO detector in when I replace the one that is there and whatever I buy, it will have battery backup.I plan to add a propane/CO detector down along the floor somewhere near the appliances. This is really for propane, but if I am installing, I might as well make it a dual purpose. I was planning to hardwire this one in as well and ensure it is one with a battery backup.For the smoke alarm, I figured one of the sealed ones that you just replace after it's life would make more sense than trying to run wires in the ceiling. If I placed it next to a light fixture though, getting power wouldn't be that tough.Anything I might not be considering in this plan?

A combination CO/propane detector goes for about $40. They need to be replaced every few years once they start to give false alarms. I have no idea about a separate battery backup. My is hardwired and I do not remember seeing a choice for one with a separate battery.In addition to the wired in detector, I have a separate CO detector. It is a small unit that runs on a couple of AA batteries. There is a low battery beep, but I replace them every year before that starts. I have given up on a smoke detector. The TC is just too small and it gives an alarm almost every time I cook regardless of the location.

JimK-NY wrote:A combination CO/propane detector goes for about $40. They need to be replaced every few years once they start to give false alarms. I have no idea about a separate battery backup. My is hardwired and I do not remember seeing a choice for one with a separate battery.In addition to the wired in detector, I have a separate CO detector. It is a small unit that runs on a couple of AA batteries. There is a low battery beep, but I replace them every year before that starts. I have given up on a smoke detector. The TC is just too small and it gives an alarm almost every time I cook regardless of the location.Thanks for the insight on the smoke alarm. Curious, have they been RV specific smoke alarms or HH units? I'm wondering if they make them differently to compensate for the enclosed space.

So when you say that you want to hardwire these in you are talking about 12 volt or 120 volt? The propane detector is 12 volt and wired into the 12 volt batteries in the RV. For the CO I got one with a 10 year battery.

corvettekent wrote:So when you say that you want to hardwire these in you are talking about 12 volt or 120 volt? The propane detector is 12 volt and wired into the 12 volt batteries in the RV. For the CO I got one with a 10 year battery.12V. Maybe it is all a moot point since they expire anyway.

Keep in mind that a hardwired 12v detector will constantly draw on the battery. Not a lot, but enough to kill a battery in a couple weeks.

Updating CO/Propane/Smoke detectors/alarms | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

JimK-NY
Explorer II
Sep 08, 2020
rlw999 wrote:

My Safe-T-Alert combo CO/Propane detector is rated at 108 mA nominal current draw. So at that rate it will draw around 2.6 AH/day or 36 AH in 2 weeks.

https://www.stadealer.com/dual-co--lp-gas-alarms.html

Electronic devices are typically rated at peak power which for an alarm means with the alarm sounding. Operating currents without the alarm sounding are more likely to be 0.0l - 0.02 amp. Here is an example with a typical "supply current" of 17 mA, equals 0.017 A. That is equivalent to 12 AH/month. Many batteries can lose more than that with no draw.
https://rvsafealarm.com/files/RVSafe_Manual.pdf
rlw999
Explorer
Sep 08, 2020
JimK-NY wrote:
srschang wrote:
Keep in mind that a hardwired 12v detector will constantly draw on the battery. Not a lot, but enough to kill a battery in a couple weeks.

Absolutely NOT.

The typical RV propane detector pulls about 10 milliamps. That is 0.01 amps or 0.24 AH/day. So it will pull about 40 AH in 6 months. That is about a 50% draw on a single small RV battery.

My Safe-T-Alert combo CO/Propane detector is rated at 108 mA nominal current draw. So at that rate it will draw around 2.6 AH/day or 36 AH in 2 weeks.

https://www.stadealer.com/dual-co--lp-gas-alarms.html
bookmaker
Explorer
Aug 04, 2020
I just replaced my Safe T Alert combo CO/propane detector. It started beeping and light flashing. When I removed it, it was installed dated in 2009. They are supposed to be replaced no later than 5 years after installation.

On the replacement, I wrote the install date on the face with a silver felt tip pen.

Dale
silverbullet555
Explorer
Aug 04, 2020
jimh425 wrote:
I like the hardwired detectors for propane/CO. I don’t think you actually need a 5’ distance. Mine is more like two feet from the stove top and below it. Sure, it’s possible to get a false detect, but that hasn’t really been an issue more than once/twice in 14 years. Mine is mounted in the wall that extends from the bathroom.

I’m in the habit of turning the disconnect if the TC is not plugged in.

Thanks for that feedback. I initially wanted to place it near the floor not far from the stove and heater as that is where gas is likely to go first.
srschang
Nomad
Aug 04, 2020
JimK-NY wrote:
srschang wrote:
Keep in mind that a hardwired 12v detector will constantly draw on the battery. Not a lot, but enough to kill a battery in a couple weeks.

Absolutely NOT.

The typical RV propane detector pulls about 10 milliamps. That is 0.01 amps or 0.24 AH/day. So it will pull about 40 AH in 6 months. That is about a 50% draw on a single small RV battery.

Well, my propane detector, CO2 detector, and smoke detector pull .2 amps combined. So 5 Ah per day, dead battery in a couple weeks.
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Aug 03, 2020
srschang wrote:
Keep in mind that a hardwired 12v detector will constantly draw on the battery. Not a lot, but enough to kill a battery in a couple weeks.

Absolutely NOT.

The typical RV propane detector pulls about 10 milliamps. That is 0.01 amps or 0.24 AH/day. So it will pull about 40 AH in 6 months. That is about a 50% draw on a single small RV battery.
jimh406
Explorer III
Aug 03, 2020
I like the hardwired detectors for propane/CO. I don’t think you actually need a 5’ distance. Mine is more like two feet from the stove top and below it. Sure, it’s possible to get a false detect, but that hasn’t really been an issue more than once/twice in 14 years. Mine is mounted in the wall that extends from the bathroom.

I’m in the habit of turning the disconnect if the TC is not plugged in.
silverbullet555
Explorer
Aug 03, 2020
srschang wrote:
Keep in mind that a hardwired 12v detector will constantly draw on the battery. Not a lot, but enough to kill a battery in a couple weeks.

Yeah. I usually disconnect the battery when we are home which would be fine. Good reminder though.I have a battery CO detector. I really wanted the propane too as I am a little OCD about the propane piece too.

The mounting location is more challenging. Propane is heavy, but finding somewhere to mount that is more than 5' from an appliance and low in the camper has proven tough. I didn't realize the 5' limitation when I bought the item and opened it.

Planning to install a small marine battery switch to make that disconnect easier in the future.
srschang
Nomad
Aug 03, 2020
Keep in mind that a hardwired 12v detector will constantly draw on the battery. Not a lot, but enough to kill a battery in a couple weeks.
silverbullet555
Explorer
Jun 15, 2020
corvettekent wrote:
So when you say that you want to hardwire these in you are talking about 12 volt or 120 volt? The propane detector is 12 volt and wired into the 12 volt batteries in the RV. For the CO I got one with a 10 year battery.

12V. Maybe it is all a moot point since they expire anyway.