CO detector choices.

[eric1514]

Is there anything wrong with using a AA battery operated CO detector from Wally World verses one that came hardwired in my RV? The manual for the new unit said nothing about not using it in a MH. It has a low battery warning and the batteries are meant to last two years. It's not drawing down the coach batteries and it's 1/3 the price of the OEM unit, which may not be available, anyway.

What say you experts?

TIA,
Eric

[IAMICHABOD]

What is needed is a dual chamber detector that will detect CO and smoke from a slow smoldering fire such as may start in a R/V because of electrical fires and fast burning smokeless fires.

After a lot of research.

This is what I found.
A Kidde KN-COSM-XTR-B Nighthawk
That seemed to be best suited for this kind of application.

Like This

They now can be bought at Home Depot, also At Amazon.

Amazon

I suggest you read all the info and make your decision on this but I replaced the ones in my Class C with this one.They are rated for 7 years
and most are only rated for 5,If your RV is older than 5 years old and they haven't been changed they are most likely no good. Mine needed to be replaced so this was a good deal for me.

Just a reminder,a first line of defense is always the best. Check those smoke detectors and replace them if needed,all have a date on them and how long they are good for. If they don't, toss them.

While it is important to know all of your emergency exits it is also
important to be warned early,especially if you are older or have mobility issues or have small children.

I hope that this helps,It is better to be safe than sorry and it is a small price to pay for security and peace of mind.

[Ron3rd]

Several years ago a member on this forum who was a firefighter said the only "brand" their dept recommends if asked is the Kidde, and more specifically they like the Kidde Nighhawk combo fire and CO detector. I used one for years and it worked fine. I like the choices above too with the longer lasting batteries.

[Bumpyroad]

rockhillmanor wrote:
Personally I want my co detectors in the small confines of an RV to be hard wired to a 12v, not a 9v walmart battery!
.

I wasn't aware that Duracell, etc., make a line of sub standard batteries specifically for Wal Mart sales. thanks for enlightening me.
bumpy

[ScottG]

rockhillmanor wrote:
Personally I want my co detectors in the small confines of an RV to be hard wired to a 12v, not a 9v walmart battery!

Hard wired detectors are constantly being charged by the engine battery when traveling and/or convertor. So I know for safety sake it will always have power to it, there is no slowly going dead 9v in my CO detector. Hard wire ones also have a reliable constant low voltage alert. Just saying it's what I think is safer.

The battery powered detectors work exactly the same way and are no less quality than any others. They chirp when the battery gets low and they let the user know when they get old.
In fact, I would trust a detector from someone like Kidd far more than I would trust one made by one of those companies that make all our other RV junk.

[rockhillmanor]

Personally I want my co detectors in the small confines of an RV to be hard wired to a 12v, not a 9v walmart battery!

Hard wired detectors are constantly being charged by the engine battery when traveling and/or convertor. So I know for safety sake it will always have power to it, there is no slowly going dead 9v in my CO detector. Hard wire ones also have a reliable constant low voltage alert. Just saying it's what I think is safer.

[eric1514]

All good news.

Thanks, folks.

[CT_WANDERER]

I just installed a digital CO detector with a 10 year battery, that I got at Home Depot. I move the older one toward the front neat the refer and heater. See how this works out. Gary

[samandtheduck]

Bobbo wrote:
My Winnebago came with a battery operated unit. The only detector in mine that is wired to the RV battery is the propane detector.

Same thing in my Carriage fifth wheel.

[Bobbo]

My Winnebago came with a battery operated unit. The only detector in mine that is wired to the RV battery is the propane detector.

[powderman426]

I chose the Kidde model that has a readout, and a ten year lithium ion battery. I got tired of having to change batteries each year. It cost $50, but new batteries each year probably add up to more than that.

[ScottG]

No.
I called one of the companies that make the battery operated models and they said the only reason they don't recommend it's use in a RV is because they had not tested it in one.
So I've been using one (two really, the first one got old) for the last ten years and it has been fine.

[zedd]

Supposedly the ones rated for RV use are more rugged and can handle more extreme temperatures than the house units. When our original alarm crapped out I bought a house unit from Wally World. It failed after one season. I got an RV rated unit from Amazon and it has lasted three seasons so far. As always, YMMV...

[Old-Biscuit]

No different than using a battery operated Smoke Alarm.

Keep it clean, check batteries twice a year