Bad Safe-T-Alert CO/LP detector

I'm hoping I can get some help from others who have had the same or similar problem. My 2016 Rockwood came with a Safe-T-Alert CO/LP detector located just inside the entry door near the floor. We were dry camping in the mountains of Idaho on its maiden voyage last year and around 3am, I hear this ear piercing beep coming from the downstairs area of my 5th wheel. After some investigating and testing, I found out my batteries were at around 11.3 volts and the CO/LP detector was in a "Failed" state due to low voltage. The solution that evening was to start my generator and let it run all night. The next evening, same thing happened. Needless to say, we cut our trip short and took the trailer back to Camping World to have them check things out. The batteries were tested (ok) and the CO/LP detector was tested to make sure it would sense CO and LP (ok). The low voltage issue I complained about was not checked. Long story short...we've replaced the unit 3 times over the course of several months and still have the same issue. According to the documentation and Safe-T-Alert's Support personnel, the detector is supposed to issue a low voltage alarm at 10 volts and a failure alarm at 7 volts. I'm getting the failure alarm at 11.3 volts. Oddly enough, if I put the detector on the variable voltage supply, it will alarm at 11.3 volts and recover at 11.5 volts. Safe-T-Alert doesn't seem to be interested in fixing the issue. Their solution is to send another unit in hopes of finding one that works as documented. My concern is that there are 100s or 1000s of campers out there with faulty CO/LP detectors. If it doesn't operate as documented, how can you be certain it will save your life if CO ends up in your camper. Right now, I'm operating with a portable CO detector in my bedroom area and I have the Safe-T-Alert unit disconnected. Has anyone else had the same problem or similar and are there any solutions. This has been going on for a year now and can't seem to get anyone to act. I would like to find something permanent instead of using portable detectors. Thanks in advance!

Seeking Advice

CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Feb 28, 2017
Greyghost wrote:
I have to comment on our situation, it's comical. We have had ongoing issues very similar to yours but it was/is not caused by low voltage. We have three large dogs and every time our detector goes off, one of the dogs is sleeping with their hind end under the detector. It's always the one of the two gassy dogs.

I had a dog like that in my home once. He would outgas in the living room and then get up and move into the kitchen.
Greyghost
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
I have to comment on our situation, it's comical. We have had ongoing issues very similar to yours but it was/is not caused by low voltage. We have three large dogs and every time our detector goes off, one of the dogs is sleeping with their hind end under the detector. It's always the one of the two gassy dogs.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2017
I agree that you should just get a 9 volt battery unit for peace of mind.

Do you have LED lights in your camper? If not by converting to LED bulbs you can save a lot of electricity and maybe then not need to charge up your batteries before bed by running the generator.

I have heard that some refrigerators have a electric element in the door to keep it from getting frosty. Check out yours, if you can't shut it off some of them can be unhooked behind the refrigerator light.

The radio memory wire can have a switch put in it saving a little too. Every little bit counts.

Any other electric saving changes you can do will help too.

Read the other posts on this forum about saving electricity or, start another thread on the subject.

Have a nice Day
jstaffon
Explorer
Feb 26, 2017
gwh1bass wrote:
It is rather irritating when the CO detector goes off due to low a voltage level.

We camp without hookups, so are dependent on batteries for the 12 volt juice. I do not have a way to recharge batteries while camping, so on longer trips the batteries tend to get discharged deep.

I got rid of the factory detector and replaced with a 9 volt battery unit.

Same here. No hookups during the summer trips. For the time being, I've got a nice Kidde CO detector in the bedroom right now while I try to find a good quality built-in unit to replace the factory installation. Doesn't look like I'll be successful.
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Feb 26, 2017
gwh1bass wrote:

I got rid of the factory detector and replaced with a 9 volt battery unit.

Sounds like the easiest and safest response.
gwh1bass
Explorer
Feb 26, 2017
It is rather irritating when the CO detector goes off due to low a voltage level.

We camp without hookups, so are dependent on batteries for the 12 volt juice. I do not have a way to recharge batteries while camping, so on longer trips the batteries tend to get discharged deep.

I got rid of the factory detector and replaced with a 9 volt battery unit.
jstaffon
Explorer
Feb 26, 2017
CampCritter wrote:
I recently had the same problem with a Safe-T-Alert detector. Mine was showing a malfunction alarm when the supply voltage dropped to ~11.5 volts. I called the manufacturer (MTI Industries) and was told that they had reports of this problem. The detector was only a few months old and still under warranty. MTI sent out a replacement unit and when I received it, I sent the defective one back to them. I tested the replacement on a power supply down to 9 VDC, and it didn't show a malfunction alarm.

I should probably also mention, that when I had the malfunction alarm on the detector, the battery voltage was at ~11.9. I was load testing the battery, and had almost everything that ran on 12 volts turned on in the trailer.

That sounds like my problem only with slightly different voltages. Unfortunately, I've tried several different units and still have the problem. In my opinion, I can't trust Safe-T-Alert anymore. They won't resolve the issue and the device is too important to rely on their product. Thanks for backing me up. I thought I was the only one having problems.
CampCritter
Explorer
Feb 25, 2017
I recently had the same problem with a Safe-T-Alert detector. Mine was showing a malfunction alarm when the supply voltage dropped to ~11.5 volts. I called the manufacturer (MTI Industries) and was told that they had reports of this problem. The detector was only a few months old and still under warranty. MTI sent out a replacement unit and when I received it, I sent the defective one back to them. I tested the replacement on a power supply down to 9 VDC, and it didn't show a malfunction alarm.

I should probably also mention, that when I had the malfunction alarm on the detector, the battery voltage was at ~11.9. I was load testing the battery, and had almost everything that ran on 12 volts turned on in the trailer.
dewey02
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2017
To the OP:
You can choose not to believe the very sound advice that many here have given you. But why not do a bit of poking around the internet and go to well-respected sites like Trojan (quality battery makers) or others and check for yourself? Yes, your batteries will come back up with a good charging, but they will last just a fraction of the number of cycles you would normally get from them. Taking your batteries down to a 20 percent charge is harmful to your batteries and will severely shorten their life.

But they are your batteries and it is your money, so you can spend it anyway you want.
westend
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
Some of you have posted about my batteries and the low voltage being the problem. I got it and thank you...I agree that's not ideal. But I also believe the Boost cycle (14.5 v) of my smart charger takes care of the sulfation on the plates and helps extend the life of the batteries.
The 14.5V absorption stage voltage is on the low end of many RV converters. It will certainly recover your battery charge if left at that voltage long enough. It does little to remove excess sulfation. An equalize charge of over 15 V is needed for that when batteries are fully charged.

Batteries have an expected life and it is ruled by amount of discharge and number of cycles at the depth of discharge. There are many resources to explain this and the battery mfg may have that information listed.

Battery University has an article on FLA batteries and how cycle life pertains to depth of discharge. There numbers are conservative but the relationships are sound.