First Time Poster - Carbon Monoxide (C0) Alarm Question

azpathfinder · 09-04-2021, 05:47 PM

I have been following this site for some time and find it very helpful and informative, but the first time I've posted. Last night my C0 alarm started beeping. It's never happened before. Both propane tanks were turned off, no furnace or stove had been used. Fridge and hot water heater are on electric. I turned on the bath vent fan, opened a window and turned the A/C on fan. After about 10 minutes, the alarm stopped. I left the window and fans on and went to bed. Any idea as to what could have caused the alarm to go off. Thanks.

Topperace · 09-04-2021, 05:57 PM

Could be couple of things if no inside material is "combusting" thus creating CO..
did you have the windows or vents open and someone in the camp burning a campfire where the smoke could have entered your RV?

If the CO is old, or battery weak, can cause false alarms or some detectors to go off...

CO detector is dirty, try cleaning the sensor or device....

If you are certain that nothing was burning inside your RV, even a slight electrical short burns for a second and emits smoke...electric burner or coil like in heaters that are dirty, burn and produce CO...etc....then probably either weak battery, dirty battery contact, or dirty sensor, from dust or bugs, etc....

check out this post on CAMPERFAQS.com

https://camperfaqs.com/rv-carbon-mon...eeps-going-off

**FPM III** · 09-04-2021, 07:03 PM

MODERATOR NOTE:

The subject of this thread appears to be about CO (Carbon Monoxide) detectors but erroneously uses CO2 (for Carbon Dioxide) instead.

The posts proceeding this one along with the thread title have all been reviewed and those containing CO2 have been changed to CO.

pconroy · 09-04-2021, 09:18 PM

And you're sure it was the Carbon Monoxide alarm, not the propane alarm?
Were there other campers near-by? Other sources for CO?

I'd probably sleep with the windows cracked for a while longer.
A battery operated CO detector at Home Depot is about $20. Might be good to get one as a "second opinion".

Like stated, detectors age and should be replaced eventually.
I replace the Fire and CO detectors in the house every ten years.

**JFlightRisk** · 09-04-2021, 09:32 PM

Could be picking up exhaust from a vehicle nearby, an aerosol propellant, or nearby flatulence. Any of the sources mentioned above. Our first detector timed out at 4 1/2 years old. Seems they always want to give up the ghost in the middle of the night.

Check the date stamped on the back of the detector. That'll tell you when it was made.

Brownie · 09-05-2021, 03:22 AM

As the other posters have said, CO/Propane detectors are notorious for failing and going off if they're more than a few years old. Mine did after its first year and was replaced by my Jayco dealer under warranty.

Mine also went off years ago when my refrigerator coils sprung a leak - (as JFlightRisk mentioned) in the middle of the night! The RV tech that replaced my refer coils told me the ammonia mixture will set off the CO/Propane detector. Check your refrigerator every few hours to make sure it's still cooling.

Best of luck tracking down the problem.

**norty1** · 09-05-2021, 04:50 AM

Your thread sounds like it had something to do with your first post. You can eliminate that as a cause of the alarm. Keep posting.

Look at the indicator lights and they will indicate what has set off the combo alarm. No reason to leave it alarming for 10 minutes as it can damage your, your pets and nearby campers hearing. As you know it's a piercing noise that get your attention. They are prone to false alarms but even so you can't ignore it.

16WhiteColly · 09-05-2021, 08:04 AM

They should have a date to replace stamp on it somewhere. They are like smoke alarms after a few years, they go bad.

kirkelli · 09-05-2021, 08:15 AM

Just curious,, Did you fart while you were in there? I did that one time and set it off

Randel J · 09-29-2021, 05:47 PM

I'm a little confused about the CO alarms in TT's. My CO alarm is powered by 12v only, no battery. I know I can get an inexpensive CO alarm from my local hardware store that is powered by battery, but do some trailers come from the factory with battery powered alarms? If so, why not all? The smoke alarm that came with our trailer is strictly battery powered.

OnTheGo · 09-29-2021, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randel J

I'm a little confused about the CO alarms in TT's. My CO alarm is powered by 12v only, no battery. I know I can get an inexpensive CO alarm from my local hardware store that is powered by battery, but do some trailers come from the factory with battery powered alarms? If so, why not all? The smoke alarm that came with our trailer is strictly battery powered.

Ours have all been hard wired. I always thought it was a serious enough issue that the builders didn't want to trust the users with failing to change batteries. Maybe 12v is more reliable overall.

We have had alarms from spraying insect repellent. We wait until we're outside now.

TCNashville · 09-29-2021, 07:52 PM

Most campers have a combination CO/propane detector that is hardwired and operate on 12V and usually from Saf-T-Alert. They're usually located somewhere down closer to the floor because propane is heavier than air. The one on your ceiling is a simple battery powered smoke alarm that will tell you when the battery is getting low by chirping.

**norty1** · 09-30-2021, 04:59 AM

I have not seen a battery powered CO/LP in a new rig. It could be some requirement that it is hardwired. I bought a 120v powered one with a 9v battery for backup but the battery would not last long . I just use it to verify my hardwired one if it alarms and I can't fing the source of the alarm. It plugs into a ac outlet.

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