Forum Discussion

regalroute66's avatar
regalroute66
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013

Carbon Monoxide Alarm to a Propane/ Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Hello Everyone,
Our 24' Triple E Class C MH has expired alarms. I'm inquiring to see if you can install a flush mount dual alarm (CO/Propane) and if it can be can be wired directly to my existing 12 volt connection of only two wires. My current alarms are only for carbon monoxide, but I would like to install a new alarm for both.And for some unknown reason I have two alarms one directly above the other approx. 3' apart on the same wall. Can I get away with just one? Would I have to run any more wires to operate a dual alarm? My current expired alarms are CCI Controls Model # 3400 flush mount. Any help to this topic would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you in advance.
  • TurnThePage's avatar
    TurnThePage
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2013
    All my reading supports what ScottG said. And the air is never totally still in my travel trailer, even at night. So far in my experience the propane detectors tend to last a little longer than the CO detectors. Next time I replace my propane alarm, I think I'll get a combo unit. I'll still probably keep a separate CO alarm around too. Pretty cheap safety measures IMO.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Aug 08, 2013
    CO is only slightly lighter than air and mixes well with the oxygen through out the room. The CO won't rise to the top of the RV and fail to be sensed by the monitor. That's why a combo unit works fine.
  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2013
    X2 on where danger comes from (lighter than =raises and heavier than air= low spots) but something else. WE redid ours last summer and I actually read the directions. My new one says of replace 5 years OR FROM date of manufacture. And was over one year old all ready, out of the box. Manufacture date is stamped on rear. So if you have a choice can get one that hasn't been sitting on a warehouse for a year already. And I was sort of stuck using the same location because of mounting holes.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 08, 2013
    ICamel wrote:
    CO is lighter than oxygen and therefore rises. Propane is heavier than oxygen and flows to low points. You should use a CO alarm that is mounted near the ceiling and a propane alarm that is mounted near the floor.


    X2

    Don't understand why a combo CO/Propane alarm is even sold.

    Another example of 'just because it's sold doesn't mean it's worthwhile or needed'
  • haddy1's avatar
    haddy1
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2013
    The propane alarms tend to give a lot of problems including false alarms. I would definitely keep them separate. Otherwise, you will be throwing out a good CO alarm when the propane fails. In over 30 years of owning RVs, I've never had a propane alarm work properly for longer than 2 years.
  • ICamel's avatar
    ICamel
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2013
    CO is lighter than oxygen and therefore rises. Propane is heavier than oxygen and flows to low points. You should use a CO alarm that is mounted near the ceiling and a propane alarm that is mounted near the floor.

About DIY Maintenance

RV projects you can tackle on your own with a few friendly pointers.4,352 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 23, 2025