Propane sensor going off

[JRRNeiklot]

I just got my solar hooked up and the propane leak detector keeps going off constantly. I talked to a guy at a local RV shop and he says the propane sensor will sometimes detect other gasses and go off, so I'm worried about hydrogen gas. He also mentioned that the sensor could go off if the voltage is incorrect. I'm showing above 13 volts on my battery monitor. So, unless the charge controller is roasting the batteries, there shouldn't be enough gas venting to cause any problems, correct? I haven't yet gotten the battery bank sealed. I figured I could leave the doors to the passthrough storage open (that's where the batteries are mounted) and pull the slide trays out that I have the batteries installed into until I get them sealed and vented. I disconnected the batteries and plugged into shore power and the sensor does not go off.

I'll attach a photo of the battery bank.


Anyone have any ideas on what's going on here?

Thanks.

[JRRNeiklot]

Could someone look at these two pics and tell me if these batteries are wired correctly? I had an rv shop install this and I just want to make sure everything is right on that end. One of the leads is disconnected in one pic.

Edit: Nevermind, I checked it out. It seems to be wired correctly.

[joegray]

Had a problem with my propane detector. It was the batteries gassing. One battery had a dead cell so would never reach full charge. I would disconnect the batteries, let them rest and then check with a hydrometer.

[glennts]

Cracking the battery compartment solves that problem for me most of the time. My controller is a Rogue 3024 that allows for connecting a compartment vent fan that will turn on when gassing conditions are met. I have also hacked the propane sensor so that the alarm still triggers but valve cutoff does not activate. Got tired of hundreds of false positives over the years and all the time spent fanning fresh air through the door to get the thing to reset.

[JRRNeiklot]

I'm wondering if I could line the entire passthrough compartment with visqueen and vent it outside? Has anyone ever tried that?

[RLS7201]

delete

[jarata1]

They do go off if battery is low
Mine also went off when I stripped the floor using ammonia

[JRRNeiklot]

I left the solar disconnected all night and the alarm did not go off, so it's definitely solar related. Any ideas what's wrong? The batteries should not vent enough hydrogen to set that off while the passthrough is open on both sides. See above pic. That should be plenty of ventilation, no?

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Whenever we disconnect power to the coach and disconnect the battery switch, our propane detector has to be reset. There is a reset button on the detector. Solved our problem. This happened every time we took the RV in for service if they pushed the battery disconnect switch.

[ata3001]

I just replaced one that was going off sporadically. Found that the recommended replacement date was Oct 2014. Replaced it & all is good.

[Chris_Bryant]

Um... you are charging the battery which is producing an explosive gas. The detector is very sensitive- that's why when you disconnect the batteries, the alarm doesn't go off.
I would install the batteries correctly, in a vented compartment.

[garyemunson]

I agree on the age of the coach. I would not trust any detector (propane or smoke) older than about 7 years. Time for a new one if yours is that old.

[beemerphile1]

My first assumption would be that you have an LPG leak and would test the LPG system.

[JRRNeiklot]

I'm doing that now. Solar is disconnected (and it's after midnight). Going to give it some time and check back in a few. I'll post the results here.

Thanks!

[Joe417]

I have one that's quite sensitive. Goes off if bug spray or hair spray is sprayed in the TC or just about any aerosol vapor. Even very small amounts.

I don't remember ever having any voltage issues causing it to alarm. And I have had a low battery a time or two. It does chirp one time when the power is removed. Not sure at what voltage that occurs.

Manufacturers specify a expiration date of 6 or 7 years. Not sure if they get more or less sensitive.

Like DrewE said, disconnect the solar leads and check it with just the batteries.