Propane Detector Set Off by Litterbox????

[GMandJM]

So after the third night in a row of getting awakened by the scream of the LPG
detector, we called the company that made it to try to figure out what the issue
could be.

We had turned off the propane after the first night it went off, so we are pretty
sure that isn't the issue (Tanks are in the back, detector in the front of the RV, btw).
Also checked the batteries and they're fine, so it isn't a matter of low voltage.

The detector is only 18 months old - out of warranty, of course.

The CSR came up with this: The fumes from the cat using her litter box
may be setting it off.

We're picking up another detector today to see if there really is something setting
off the alarm or if it's defective, but we are wondering if anyone with a cat has
had this happen or if anyone has heard of this happening?

It seems a bit farfetched to me.

[Bill_T]

Cleaned camper interior with Murphy's Oil Soap and it set off the gas detector. No propane or engines turned on. Had to run fans to air out the cabin to keep the thing from beeping.

[3LittleDucks]

We don't camp with a cat, but ours went off in the middle of the night last night (1 beep every 30 seconds, so an 'error' type mode), not sure what triggered it.

[crabbin_cabin]

Just move the litter box! Self admitance - one time I was lying on my gut working under the kitchen sink when I 'accidentaly' passed gas! Yes - you guessed it - beeeep when the 'gas' detector!!

[WoodGlue]

I just bought one of these in case my built in unit goes off:

Carbon Monoxide Detector

If they both go off, the I'll take the alarm more seriously, as I'm going to keep this one on my headboard.

Wait, this is the propane detector thread!

WoodGlue

[shenandoahvalle]

I have had the same problem this week, finally pulled the wires out of the back of the alarm. I will have to get another one as soon as I can get to a dealer. Mine got to the point that even orange peels set it off, along with Fabreeze, the dog, not even sure what else. They must get very sensitive after a while.

[noteven]

Couldn't you just see ol' Rover, lying there pretending to sleep, passing a little wind caused by the dead gopher he ate before he licked your face, and that detector going off....Rover stuck on ceiling ... a ha ha ha ...

and scaring the cat would be even better...

made my day...

[Kittykath]

Okay, so I'm not crazy.

After several sleepless nights of the detector going off at 3am and scrambling to open the doors and windows, I finally determined the culprit was none other than my teenage son's tennis shoes! Not sure what was fermenting in them, but it must have been toxic. I made this discovery only AFTER I went berzerk and cut every possible connection with a wire cutter in the middle of the night.

I'm $70 poorer, but the new detector is much less temperamental and we finally can sleep through the night.

[GMandJM]

We scoop anytime there is something in the box and we use a clumping
litter, so I really dont think that was the cause after all.

Last night we finally unwired the old detector after it would not clear the alarm
mode even after opening all the windows and using a fan. The alarm we bought
for backup did not go off at all. We really think that the original gas detector
is/was defective.

Thanks again for the replies.

[WandaLust2]

GMandJM wrote:


The CSR came up with this: The fumes from the cat using her litter box
may be setting it off.

Perhaps you can use clumping litter and scoop twice a day? Could it be the faint ammonia fumes doing it? I know Hair Spray and Room Freshener sets one of our alarms off. 😞

We're picking up another detector today to see if there really is something setting
off the alarm or if it's defective, but we are wondering if anyone with a cat has
had this happen or if anyone has heard of this happening?

Never heard of this happening. We travel with four cats and 2 large litterboxes (totes from Wal*Mart) with a clumping deodorized litter. I scoop several times a day as needed. No alarms have gone off.

It seems a bit farfetched to me.

To me too... unless there's ammonia or some kind of chemical in the litter setting off the alarm.

[allen8106]

GMandJM wrote:
So after the third night in a row of getting awakened by the scream of the LPG
detector, we called the company that made it to try to figure out what the issue
could be.

We had turned off the propane after the first night it went off, so we are pretty
sure that isn't the issue (Tanks are in the back, detector in the front of the RV, btw).
Also checked the batteries and they're fine, so it isn't a matter of low voltage.

The detector is only 18 months old - out of warranty, of course.

The CSR came up with this: The fumes from the cat using her litter box
may be setting it off.

We're picking up another detector today to see if there really is something setting
off the alarm or if it's defective, but we are wondering if anyone with a cat has
had this happen or if anyone has heard of this happening?

It seems a bit farfetched to me.

One thing you should understand is that the manure and urine generates methane. Methane is samilar to propane. Additionally most aeresol sprays use some sort of methane product as the propellant that aids in dispensing the liquid from the aersol can. As such many, many products in a spray can will set off the propane detector.

[GMandJM]

After reading this, I told G-half there'd be no more gas passing in
the camper. (He didn't go for it.)

Seriously though:

Thanks for all the replies...and for making us smile. We did get a
backup detector and are running both at the same time. The new one is
on 9v battery and the original one on AC. We'll see if either/both go
off, but so far nothing.

In reading the lit that came with the new detector, there was quite a
list of what might set it off, including acetone (in nail polish remover)
and ammonia (which is the main ingredient in After-Bite bug bite remedy).
Egad - it's a wonder these things aren't set off constantly!

FWIW, our kitty litter has something called "Ammonia Shield". That
probably sets off these detectors, too. 🙂

Thanks again to all who took the time to reply.

j-half

[3_dog_nights]

az99 wrote:
Has anyone had one actually detect a leak that was posing a real danger?

Yes, first trip out,with new 5'ver, wife didn't turn the gas range all the way off.
it was just slightly off the "Off" mark. About an hour after breakfast the alarm went off. When I got down on the floor to hit the reset switch I smelled the gas. Just glad I gave up smoking years ago, could have been both first and last trip!

[winniman]

No chance of sneaking one in I guess with those things around. lol

[Vulcaneer]

Our litterbox has set it off a couple of times. Sounds like your detector is working just fine. Why replace it?