Propane and CO2 detector Replacement

[dennis.mcdonaugh]

I got a little over 4 years out of my pair of detectors - they both quit within a month of each other. Normally I get 5 years of life out of one. When I was replacing the one below the stove, I blew its 1 amp fuse. I had done this before and it took me a long time to find the fuse that time.

 You'd think I’d remember where it was, but nope, and it took me a long time to find my notes. I finally did locate them and the fuse is in the rear run bay in a 2000 Dynasty.

One of the replacement detectors was labeled 2022, but this shouldn’t be an issue because I think the clock starts running when it is powered up right?

I wonder why the fuse isn’t with the other house fuses in the bedroom?

Edited March 18 by dennis.mcdonaugh

[cbr046]

I was wondering why mine would chirp once/minute . . . . End of life!

I replaced it with this PANGAEA RV Carbon Monoxide & Propane Dual Gas Detector for $55 as the OEM Safety-T-Alert was over double the cost.  I did have to make an adapter mounting plate to cover the huge ugly hole Monaco put in the original mount. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CBVY4WRY/

I make the mistake of soldering it in with a grounded soldering iron.  My fuse is in the front run bay (2003 Endeavor).

It looks like Amazon reduced the price of one of their Safe-T-Alerts dual detector to $70. MTI Industries seem to have several models that do the same thing . . . .

- bob

 

[georgecederholm]

On 3/18/2024 at 6:49 AM, dennis.mcdonaugh said:

I wonder why the fuse isn’t with the other house fuses in the bedroom?

Dennis,

I think the LP detector is wired into the chassis battery circuits on many older models, possibly to better support a “always on” operation (questionable logic, of course). The fuse block usually located in the bedroom, sometimes in the closet, is fed by the house battery circuits.

[tomevansfl]

We are camping for the week for the 4th of July. This morning the LP detector went of with constant beeping. It stoped for about a minute after I pressed the test/reset button and then beeped about once every minute or so . I did a little research and found that the sensors can get clogged. That makes sense since our detector is less than 12” from the floor. I brushed the Louvered  front with the brush of the vacuum. The light turned green and it hasn’t beeped again. 
 

I removed the detector to check its age. It was manufactured January 2001!

Takeaway: replace the detector every 5-7 years or as recommended by the detector manual and clean the vent ports at the beginning of every trip, every time you vacuum, or once-a-week if you fill time. 

[Tom Cherry]

1 hour ago, tomevansfl said:

We are camping for the week for the 4th of July. This morning the LP detector went of with constant beeping. It stoped for about a minute after I pressed the test/reset button and then beeped about once every minute or so . I did a little research and found that the sensors can get clogged. That makes sense since our detector is less than 12” from the floor. I brushed the Louvered  front with the brush of the vacuum. The light turned green and it hasn’t beeped again. 
 

I removed the detector to check its age. It was manufactured January 2001!

Takeaway: replace the detector every 5-7 years or as recommended by the detector manual and clean the vent ports at the beginning of every trip, every time you vacuum, or once-a-week if you fill time. 

FWIW….AMEN.  Also, as an Ex Safety Director that had insurance fire protection responsibilities as well as the “mechanical end” and inspected large plants and their fire alarms and sprinkler systems….

My advice.  Monaco used ONE company.  Both for the Propane upfront (on toe kick) and the CO in the Bedroom ceiling.  I stick with them.  If you cannot locate or are unsure of the specific model number…Google them and CALL.  Their tech support is great.  Get the new numbers.  They actually tell you to order from Amazon as their website prices are higher.  If one wants, there is a tan or beige propane detector….

I could NOT reach the 2 pin plugs….some did.  I just cut off the wire right at the detector. I use a crimped butt splice.  Next time I do that, I cut off, just behind the butt splice, and use a new crimped butt splice.  At this rate, I’ll run out of wire in 2050…. LOL.

While there…look at the date on the front Smoke Detector.  It is an RV rated one,  I don’t try to save a few dollars on life and safety devices….use an RV RATED ONE.  

The lives on each device are different or may be different….Smoke is usually 10 and CO is or was 7.  Propane??  Can’t recall.  Just put a note inside a cabinet or put on your 10 year calendar…

THANKS FOR POSTING THIS…VERY I!PORTANT

On 3/19/2024 at 1:14 PM, georgecederholm said:

Dennis,

I think the LP detector is wired into the chassis battery circuits on many older models, possibly to better support a “always on” operation (questionable logic, of course). The fuse block usually located in the bedroom, sometimes in the closet, is fed by the house battery circuits.

Late to the party.  The two alarms are on a fused  HOT LINE somewhere.  By CODE, the detectors will NOT BE TURNED OFF when the House Battery disconnect is turned off…

[jacwjames]

I replace my CO detector last year, it started to beep indicating end of life, Not sure if had been changed before that but we owned the coach for ~14 years. 

Then started wondering about the propane detector, so decided to take a look.  There was no light on it, and to be honest couldn't remember if it ever did.  So I took the cover off to inspect.  When the detector was originally installed they mounted it very close to the floor but is pretty much at the elevation of the slide floor and there was not enough  room for the detector and someone forced it into the opening and broke the back of the detector. 

So I bought a new one, modified the hole so I could get the detector to fit and wired it up.

My wife got back from her trip on Monday, Tuesday AM for some reason the propane detector was going off.  I reset it and so far it hasn't started again.