My detectors are hard wired into the 12V system of the camper, on the same circuit as the overhead lights.Even when plugged into shore power, one of the detectors starts beeping about low voltage while the water pump is cycling rapidly, such as when I'm taking a shower.Normally I remove the fuse for the detectors and lights while I shower, and replace it immediately thereafter. This makes for an interesting time when I'm showering after the sun goes down. Either I fumble around in the dark, or I listen to the detectors go beep-beep-beep the entire time.The detectors are all 15 years old and probably should be replaced anyway, so I'm thinking of killing two birds with one stone. Get some new detectors that use 9V batteries, and get them off the 12V system, and my case.Any recommendations for good detectors?

mkirsch wrote:Even when plugged into shore power, one of the detectors starts beeping about low voltage while the water pump is cycling rapidly, such as when I'm taking a shower.How far down is the voltage going when this happens ?If you are going to replace them all just because you think it's time anyway.....I think you should stick with the 12 V ones like it came with. Much more reliable. What if the 9 V model runs the battery down while the RV is in storage; will you know it the next time it's used ??

Don't know what the voltage is doing. I'm kind of indisposed when it happens so even if I had a meter hooked up I wouldn't be able to read it.Oddly enough it does not happen if I just stand there running water down the drain. I have to be in the shower with a head full of shampoo lather, the worst possible position.

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 and talking to Kidde, they assured me that this one would work in a home and also A RV,there is no difference. 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, I had a hard wired one and I chucked it for the battery powered ones, they can be checked before each trip by pushing the test button in the center of the unit. 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. I hope that this helps

Propane detectors have a replace after date on them somewhere, on the back side on mine that are also hard wired. The replace after date gave it something like a 5-6 yr life span. I think if you look yours will be well past the replace after date. That may solve your problem.

Vulcan Rider wrote:mkirsch wrote:Even when plugged into shore power, one of the detectors starts beeping about low voltage while the water pump is cycling rapidly, such as when I'm taking a shower.How far down is the voltage going when this happens ?If you are going to replace them all just because you think it's time anyway.....I think you should stick with the 12 V ones like it came with. Much more reliable. What if the 9 V model runs the battery down while the RV is in storage; will you know it the next time it's used ??I replace my 9v batteries every spring as part of my start-of-the-season checklist. if the OP is a fulltimer just replace the batteries when DST starts and ends. I'd rather have the peace of mind that comes with the 9v models knowing that they'll operate in case of a 12v failure in the coach.

RV duty propane, CO, and smoke detectors | Good Sam Community

Roger10378
Explorer II
Aug 19, 2015
It is probably the detector reacting to the steam generated by the shower. If you read all the places you should avoid there is no place left in most RVs to mount a smoke detector. You do need to replace yours as they are way past there lifetime. Just find a location as far away from the shower as you can but still in the bedroom.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Aug 19, 2015
For a detector to be effective in an an RV, it must be rated for unconditioned spaces. The standard household UL listing is not at all adequate, unless you always keep the interior of the RV heated and cooled to a fairly narrow temperature range.
Ava
Explorer
Aug 19, 2015
As a retired firefighter treat the rv as your home with working smoke detectors. They are usually wired in with a battery backup or just straight battery. You should change the batteries yearly as at home. As said before there is an expiry date on them. Keep safe Doug
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 18, 2015
BB_TX wrote:
Propane detectors have a replace after date on them somewhere, on the back side on mine that are also hard wired. The replace after date gave it something like a 5-6 yr life span. I think if you look yours will be well past the replace after date. That may solve your problem.

OP.....you have a 2000 Palomino B1500 popup TC

Your 'detectors' have expired (past their self life)
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2015
rk911 wrote:
IAMICHABOD wrote:
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 and talking to Kidde, they assured me that this one would work in a home and also A RV,there is no difference.

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 10 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, I had a hard wired one and I chucked it for the battery powered ones, they can be checked before each trip by pushing the test button in the center of the unit.

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.

I hope that this helps

or from here at a substantial discount.

It is actually THIS ONE that I referenced in my post.
rk911
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
IAMICHABOD wrote:
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 and talking to Kidde, they assured me that this one would work in a home and also A RV,there is no difference.

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, I had a hard wired one and I chucked it for the battery powered ones, they can be checked before each trip by pushing the test button in the center of the unit.

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.

I hope that this helps

or from here at a substantial discount.
rk911
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
Vulcan Rider wrote:
mkirsch wrote:

Even when plugged into shore power, one of the detectors starts beeping about low voltage while the water pump is cycling rapidly, such as when I'm taking a shower.

How far down is the voltage going when this happens ?

If you are going to replace them all just because you think it's time anyway.....I think you should stick with the 12 V ones like it came with. Much more reliable. What if the 9 V model runs the battery down while the RV is in storage; will you know it the next time it's used ??

I replace my 9v batteries every spring as part of my start-of-the-season checklist. if the OP is a fulltimer just replace the batteries when DST starts and ends. I'd rather have the peace of mind that comes with the 9v models knowing that they'll operate in case of a 12v failure in the coach.
BB_TX
Nomad
Aug 18, 2015
Propane detectors have a replace after date on them somewhere, on the back side on mine that are also hard wired. The replace after date gave it something like a 5-6 yr life span. I think if you look yours will be well past the replace after date. That may solve your problem.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2015
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 and talking to Kidde, they assured me that this one would work in a home and also A RV,there is no difference.

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, I had a hard wired one and I chucked it for the battery powered ones, they can be checked before each trip by pushing the test button in the center of the unit.

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.

I hope that this helps
mkirsch
Nomad II
Aug 18, 2015
Don't know what the voltage is doing. I'm kind of indisposed when it happens so even if I had a meter hooked up I wouldn't be able to read it.

Oddly enough it does not happen if I just stand there running water down the drain. I have to be in the shower with a head full of shampoo lather, the worst possible position.