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Placement of CO2 detector?

MTBob
Explorer
Explorer
I have a Northern Lite TC that has a carbon dioxide detector that has failed. It is mounted on the inside above the entry door. Instructions that came with the new replacement advise that since CO2 is heavier than air, that the unit should be placed near the floor.
I've been using the camper for over 10 years, and the old unit was installed above the door by the manufacturer of the camper.
The beds are located high in the TC, over the truck cab, slightly below the elevation of the detector.
I'm wondering - where do other RV's have their CO2 detector located?
Thanks
MTBob
Bob
2002 10-2000RR Northern Lite
2008 Chevy 3500 DMAX, SRW,
2001 Lund 1700 Fisherman
29 REPLIES 29

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
CO mixes so well with air that it just doesn't matter where you place the detector.
That's why the dual, propane/co detectors can be mounted near the floor.

GordonThree
Explorer
Explorer
Delete
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MTBob
Explorer
Explorer
First my humble appologies for having a brain fart and mistating the "Oxide". As you all correctly pointed out, the detector is for Carbon Monoxide, not Carbon Dioxide. What a bone-head mistake.
And, after re-reading the manufacturers instructions, mounting the "CO" detector near ceiling level appears to be appropriate... though apparently it also can be mounted in lower locations.
Sorry to have wasted your valuable time repsonding to a stupid question.

MTBob
Bob
2002 10-2000RR Northern Lite
2008 Chevy 3500 DMAX, SRW,
2001 Lund 1700 Fisherman

maillemaker
Explorer
Explorer
In our Class C, I installed one CO detector on the ceiling in front of the top bunk (next to the smoke detector). I installed another one on the wall near the ceiling in the back bedroom, and finally I installed a hard-wired CO/Propane detector near the floor beside the furnace intake, which is under the the oven/range.
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beemerphile1
Explorer
Explorer
ljr wrote:
CO2 is the good stuff that makes plants grow. CO kills people.

Why would anybody have a CO2 detector?


Maybe to check their soda and make sure it still has fizz. :B
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NRALIFR
Explorer
Explorer
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Combo CO/LP alarm units are popular, but I much prefer separate units so both can be optimally placed with CO eye level and LP at floor level.


Me too. Sometimes I have to pull the fuse for the propane detector after a meal of beans and cornbread and the darn thing just wonโ€™t quit goin off. Iโ€™d like to still be able to monitor the CO level in the camper just in case. :W

:):)
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And for all you Scooby-Doo and Yosemite Sam typesโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ..Letโ€™s Go Brandon!!!

Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Explorer II
Combo CO/LP alarm units are popular, but I much prefer separate units so both can be optimally placed with CO eye level and LP at floor level.
Dutch
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SoundGuy
Explorer
Explorer
MTBob wrote:
I have a Northern Lite TC that has a carbon dioxide detector that has failed.

I'm wondering - where do other RV's have their CO2 detector located?


I don't know of any RV that is factory equipped with a CO2 detector ... most these days would have a dual purpose propane / CO detector located near the floor.
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JimK-NY
Explorer II
Explorer II
The typical CO detector is a combo detector with the propane leak detector. For propane leaks, the detector is mounted near the floor. Propane tends to hang low to the floor and mixes slowly with air. CO mixes rapidly and the detector can be placed anywhere.

Optimistic_Para
Explorer
Explorer
Personally, I would like to have it near my head where I am sleeping, as I feel that that is when I am most vulnerable to a Carbon Monoxide build up.

It turns out that there are also rules for where NOT to put a CO detector (at least in a house).

"The following locations can either create a false alarm or avoid your
detector from properly identifying the CO levels in your home:

* In close proximity to any fuel-burning appliance.
* In excessively humid areas such as your bathroom.
* In direct sunlight.
* Near any sources of blowing air such as a fan, vent or open window."

As you can see from that, it can be tricky finding a good place in something as small as an RV.

NRALIFR
Explorer
Explorer
Boon Docker wrote:
The standard recommendation for a CO (carbon monoxide) detector is approx 5 feet above the floor.

A CO2 (carbon dioxide) detector is placed at floor level.

CO is lighter than air and CO2 is heavier than air.


Thatโ€™s where mine is, about chest high in the TC. Itโ€™s also at the foot of the cabover bed area, which is another recommendation I remember seeing on CO detector packaging. They should be installed in the area you will be sleeping.

:):)
2001 Lance 1121 on a 2016 F450 โ€˜Scuse me while I whinge.
And for all you Scooby-Doo and Yosemite Sam typesโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ..Letโ€™s Go Brandon!!!

ljr
Nomad
Nomad
CO2 is the good stuff that makes plants grow. CO kills people.

Why would anybody have a CO2 detector?
Larry

Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Explorer III
The standard recommendation for a CO (carbon monoxide) detector is approx 5 feet above the floor.

A CO2 (carbon dioxide) detector is placed at floor level.

CO is lighter than air and CO2 is heavier than air.

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have a CO detector, not Co2.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

BFL13
Explorer II
Explorer II
The LP detector for propane should be low near the floor, but the CO detector should be higher. Not sure there is a CO2 detector. Unfortunately, they also make a combo LP/CO detector, so wherever you put it is wrong. IMO have two single purpose units and put the LP low and the CO higher. With the ceiling fire alarm, that makes three detectors.
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