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

corvettekent
Explorer
Jun 15, 2020
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.
silverbullet555
Explorer
Jun 15, 2020
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.
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2020
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.

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Updating CO/Propane/Smoke detectors/alarms

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