I was a patient man with my gas detectors but not anymore.

[StephJohn2010]

Okay. I realize that LP detector under the sink and the carbon monoxide detector in the bedroom are important, BUT! I'm at my wits end with both.

First my bedroom carbon monoxide detector. It is a Costar unit and only 2 years old. I was forced to snip its wires (it is hard wired in to our RV). It would beep twice every 30 seconds and apparently that means the unit is dead and needs replaced. I will soon be replacing it with some other brand other than Costar. Probably won't be hardwired either.

Secondly, my Safe Alert RV propane detector under sink will go off for no reason. I'd say once every three weeks. We have a dog but I've heard that one before. My dog was nowhere near the unit when it went off tonight. I've had the propane OFF for the past 6 days. Why is it going off?

Does anyone else have problems eith either of these things? I need help because none of this makes any sense.

[wny_pat1]

Replacing a Outdated RV Propane Leak Detector

And RV Leak Detectors detect a wide range of explosive gases. They are specially designed to operate in places with vibrations where home detectors are not. But I can not say that home detectors will not properly function in a RV environment. Only that the ones tested for that environment are recommended in it. That is a decision that you have to make.

[wny_pat1]

carp65 wrote:
Our propane detector went off a couple of weeks ago. I unscrewed it, checked the fuse and it was okay. Cleaned the outside sensor with alcohol, replaced the fuse and all was fine. Must have been a dirty sensor, or something in the waste basket. Has not gone off since

Were you following the detector's maintenance instructions??? On a 2005 coach? If it was original, the detector should have been replaced a about 3 or 4 years ago! It is generally recommended that these detectors be replaced in the five (5) to seven (7) year from the date of manufacture of the detector, which date must now be stamped on the detector. I don't know if it was a requirement to stamp the detectors back in 2005.

[ArchHoagland]

CO detectors

You can buy a replacement and see if that cures the problem.

It's very important to have a working detector in my humble opinion after having a friend of mine die of Carbon Monoxide in her home.

[Peg_Leg]

I've been down this road, 2 AM. We checked every joint with soapy water. I found the problem to be low voltage. My converter died, buried and gone, will have a wake next trip out.

I ended up adding volt meters just inside the door where I can check voltages at a glance. I also added a on/off switches to the volt meters and the detector which is just underneath them. If I get that wake up call again, I can verify if it's a voltage problem and just shut the thing off if there's no danger present.

[carp65]

Our propane detector went off a couple of weeks ago. I unscrewed
it, checked the fuse and it was okay. Cleaned the outside sensor
with alcohol, replaced the fuse and all was fine. Must have been
a dirty sensor, or something in the waste basket. Has not gone off
since

[sowego]

One thought popped into my mind when you mentioned your gas detector was under the sink...maybe it could be the vent on the sink drain is allowing methane/odors from the waste tank to come through? Also check to be sure any cleaning product or trash bin item could be causing it. Other than that...could be a bad unit or moved to a different location. I'd try moving it to see if it continues to misbehave.

[JCMSr]

Had a similar problem last year with the propane detector after having the carpets in the RV cleaned. Apparently the fumes from the carpet cleaner set it off and after that it would not reset without going off. Isn't it strange how these things usually only go off in the middle of the night?

[schlep1967]

If you are sitting in a park with electric hook-ups I would think the batteries should be charging through the unit. If they are not charging then odds are it is the batteries that are bad.

[edatlanta]

I have a Saf-T-Alert 35-742 on my desk right now that started losing it's mind two nights ago. It finally wouldn't reset so it is now cut loose and sitting here waiting to be tossed. It has a manufacture date of 11-2011 so it didn't even make it two years. I have checked all fittings on my stove with Dawn and also an electronic LP detector and no leaks.

This thing is a pain and it always went off for no reason between midnight and 3:00am.

[Bumpyroad]

my propane? detector fired off when I used an aerosol.
bumpy

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I'd add a modest solar system and an amp-l-start to deal with the possible low battery issues.

[StephJohn2010]

SCVJeff wrote:
How's the heat been up there? It's not unheard of for the detector to respond to out gassing of the formaldehyde used in some wood composites

I had mine go off several weeks ago from a stinky trash an several houses away.

Only 70 or 75 degrees today.

[StephJohn2010]

OP Here: Now that i've read a bit on this forum, the cause could be low voltage. I've had my powergear leveling system tell me "low voltage" before when i've taken up the leveling jacks from time to time. I'm gonna get a multimeter tomorrow. If it is low voltage, what do I need to do? Replace engine batteries?

[SCVJeff]

How's the heat been up there? It's not unheard of for the detector to respond to out gassing of the formaldehyde used in some wood composites

I had mine go off several weeks ago from a stinky trash an several houses away.