Carbon Monoxide Detector

[ragdogs]

I was away for the weekend at a dog event where I needed to run my generator for the air. When I went to check on my dogs my carbon monoxide detector was going off (dogs are fine). Couple of men advised it is probably from my generator. I was parked in an area up against vegetation (shrubs, small trees) on the side where my built in generator is located. There was clearance of about 4 feet but not much air flow. After that I did not run my generator.

Has anyone experienced this before? Lastly I live in Ontario, Canada does anyone know a technician that works on built in generators so that I can get maintenance done on it (Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville area).

Thank you,

[bobndot]

How do know it wasn't the dogs. Its also a methane detector. Happened to me with my Labs a few times.

Use portable backup model as well.
Replace on board detector thats more than 5 yrs old.

[Durb]

Most detectors are propane/CO. How do you know it wasn't propane detection (or methane). Are your dogs large and flatulent? Just saying.

[DaButcher]

My bedroom carbon monoxide detector went off last week while on a casino parking lot. There was very little wind at the time with no obstruction near the exhaust and the generator had been running for 10 hours when the dectector went off right as I laid down for the night. My exhaust is just behind the cab on driver side and bedroom in my C is rear. I shut of generator opened windows and door until detector would reset without going off, then restarted generator. I then got the carbon monoxide detector from the living area and put on a shelf in the bedroom as additional safety precaution for the remainder of the night which went by without another issue. *I added the bedroom carbon monoxide and smoke detectors soon after purchasing the motorhome because I was not comfortable with only having detectors twenty feet or so from the bedroom.

[memtb]

Somewhat pertaining to this topic, whether your alarm was real or a false alarm.....CO is nothing to take lightly. If your detector fails and you have a high CO event.....your next of kin may be the ones telling the story. There is a saying among “preppers”.....”One is none, two is one”! Meaning, you do not place your life or well being on one item.....always have a back-up on critical equipment! We have two CO monitors in each of our units! Yes both could fail at the same time, but unlikely. We sleep better knowing that we have a back-up system! memtb

[valhalla360]

If there is no breeze, it's very much a concern, particularly for ground level exhaust but even for roof level or portable generators, in the right conditions, it can be a concern. The further the exhaust is away from the rig, the better.

RV's are not sealed up very well so if the exhaust hangs around, it likely will find it's way in. We usually set up our portable generator 15-20ft from the rear of our trailer (bedroom is in the front) with the exhaust pointed away.

Events can be problematic as they often pack the rigs in close and lots of people are running generators, so it may not even be your generator that causes the problem.

[ferndaleflyer]

My detector in my bedroom went off at 4am parked in a field at my friends house with the generator not running. Could not get it to reset so I removed it and found out that it was supposed to have been replaced in 2010--11 years ago. Had my order for a new one cancelled Sat so now need to find one local as I am leaving Wend and need one in there.

[NavManCan]

Bit further out than that area, but Don's Trailer Service in K/W does work on Onans. I had mine diagnosed and repaired there a long while back, when I had a Roadtrek 190P. They're on Shirley Ave in a strip mall, just down the street from the old Roadtrek factory. They were very good back then. You could try sending them a note or give them a call.
http://donstrailer.com/

I have never had the generator in any of my motorhomes set off the CO detector. It's probably worth pursuing, and having it checked. If the leakage is inside the genset, like an internal exhaust/manifold leak, it will need further diagnosis. Better to get it checked?

[scbwr]

For safer use of generator, you may want to get the Camco Gen-Turi system:
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44461-Gen-Turi-Generator-Exhaust/dp/B000BUU5XG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=RB6U6JNTTO2I&dchild=1&keywords=rv+generator+exhaust+venting+system&qid=1630327466&sprefix=rv+generator+e%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-3

Shop around as you can probably get a better price than the current Amazon price, or find one slightly used. I recently picked one up just in case I need to run a generator while sleeping, and I also purchased an extra carbon monoxide detector for use in the bedroom.

If you have an Onan generator, their web site has a link for finding a nearby service facility, or simply do a Google search for generator service. Basic maintenance on a generator isn't that difficult (oil change, oil filter, plugs) and I've learned to do it myself. I did have to buy a oil filter wrench that helps me remove the filer as it is recessed on my generator. Supplies can be ordered directly from Onan or can be purchased online.