Forum Discussion

silverbullet555's avatar
silverbullet555
Explorer
Jun 15, 2020

Updating CO/Propane/Smoke detectors/alarms

Before we use the new to us camper, I want to upgrade/update the detectors/alarms.

It currently has a CO alarm which is likely a 1995 version. Other than that, it has nothing.

I plan to have a CO, a propane, and a smoke alarm in the unit in addition to replacing the fire extinguisher and adding a second one in the cabover area.

I plan to hardwire the CO detector in when I replace the one that is there and whatever I buy, it will have battery backup.

I plan to add a propane/CO detector down along the floor somewhere near the appliances. This is really for propane, but if I am installing, I might as well make it a dual purpose. I was planning to hardwire this one in as well and ensure it is one with a battery backup.

For the smoke alarm, I figured one of the sealed ones that you just replace after it's life would make more sense than trying to run wires in the ceiling. If I placed it next to a light fixture though, getting power wouldn't be that tough.

Anything I might not be considering in this plan?
Truck Campers
  • JimK-NY's avatar
    JimK-NY
    Explorer II
    Jun 15, 2020
    A combination CO/propane detector goes for about $40. They need to be replaced every few years once they start to give false alarms. I have no idea about a separate battery backup. My is hardwired and I do not remember seeing a choice for one with a separate battery.

    In addition to the wired in detector, I have a separate CO detector. It is a small unit that runs on a couple of AA batteries. There is a low battery beep, but I replace them every year before that starts. I have given up on a smoke detector. The TC is just too small and it gives an alarm almost every time I cook regardless of the location.
  • silverbullet555's avatar
    silverbullet555
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2020
    JimK-NY wrote:
    A combination CO/propane detector goes for about $40. They need to be replaced every few years once they start to give false alarms. I have no idea about a separate battery backup. My is hardwired and I do not remember seeing a choice for one with a separate battery.

    In addition to the wired in detector, I have a separate CO detector. It is a small unit that runs on a couple of AA batteries. There is a low battery beep, but I replace them every year before that starts. I have given up on a smoke detector. The TC is just too small and it gives an alarm almost every time I cook regardless of the location.


    Thanks for the insight on the smoke alarm. Curious, have they been RV specific smoke alarms or HH units? I'm wondering if they make them differently to compensate for the enclosed space.
  • corvettekent's avatar
    corvettekent
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2020
    So when you say that you want to hardwire these in you are talking about 12 volt or 120 volt? The propane detector is 12 volt and wired into the 12 volt batteries in the RV. For the CO I got one with a 10 year battery.
  • silverbullet555's avatar
    silverbullet555
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2020
    corvettekent wrote:
    So when you say that you want to hardwire these in you are talking about 12 volt or 120 volt? The propane detector is 12 volt and wired into the 12 volt batteries in the RV. For the CO I got one with a 10 year battery.


    12V. Maybe it is all a moot point since they expire anyway.
  • srschang's avatar
    srschang
    Nomad
    Aug 03, 2020
    Keep in mind that a hardwired 12v detector will constantly draw on the battery. Not a lot, but enough to kill a battery in a couple weeks.
  • silverbullet555's avatar
    silverbullet555
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2020
    srschang wrote:
    Keep in mind that a hardwired 12v detector will constantly draw on the battery. Not a lot, but enough to kill a battery in a couple weeks.


    Yeah. I usually disconnect the battery when we are home which would be fine. Good reminder though.I have a battery CO detector. I really wanted the propane too as I am a little OCD about the propane piece too.

    The mounting location is more challenging. Propane is heavy, but finding somewhere to mount that is more than 5' from an appliance and low in the camper has proven tough. I didn't realize the 5' limitation when I bought the item and opened it.

    Planning to install a small marine battery switch to make that disconnect easier in the future.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Aug 03, 2020
    I like the hardwired detectors for propane/CO. I don’t think you actually need a 5’ distance. Mine is more like two feet from the stove top and below it. Sure, it’s possible to get a false detect, but that hasn’t really been an issue more than once/twice in 14 years. Mine is mounted in the wall that extends from the bathroom.

    I’m in the habit of turning the disconnect if the TC is not plugged in.
  • JimK-NY's avatar
    JimK-NY
    Explorer II
    Aug 03, 2020
    srschang wrote:
    Keep in mind that a hardwired 12v detector will constantly draw on the battery. Not a lot, but enough to kill a battery in a couple weeks.


    Absolutely NOT.

    The typical RV propane detector pulls about 10 milliamps. That is 0.01 amps or 0.24 AH/day. So it will pull about 40 AH in 6 months. That is about a 50% draw on a single small RV battery.
  • srschang's avatar
    srschang
    Nomad
    Aug 04, 2020
    JimK-NY wrote:
    srschang wrote:
    Keep in mind that a hardwired 12v detector will constantly draw on the battery. Not a lot, but enough to kill a battery in a couple weeks.


    Absolutely NOT.

    The typical RV propane detector pulls about 10 milliamps. That is 0.01 amps or 0.24 AH/day. So it will pull about 40 AH in 6 months. That is about a 50% draw on a single small RV battery.


    Well, my propane detector, CO2 detector, and smoke detector pull .2 amps combined. So 5 Ah per day, dead battery in a couple weeks.
  • silverbullet555's avatar
    silverbullet555
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2020
    jimh425 wrote:
    I like the hardwired detectors for propane/CO. I don’t think you actually need a 5’ distance. Mine is more like two feet from the stove top and below it. Sure, it’s possible to get a false detect, but that hasn’t really been an issue more than once/twice in 14 years. Mine is mounted in the wall that extends from the bathroom.

    I’m in the habit of turning the disconnect if the TC is not plugged in.


    Thanks for that feedback. I initially wanted to place it near the floor not far from the stove and heater as that is where gas is likely to go first.

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