Buzzing propane detector

DesertRam · 02-04-2019, 10:31 PM

The propane detector in my 2018 Eagle HT started an irritating mid-range buzzing a few days ago. Resetting doesn't help. I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered this, and if so, what was done to resolve it. Could it be dead already? Unit is less than two years old, though who knows how old the detector is...

Thanks

oldmanAZ · 02-04-2019, 11:25 PM

They will buzz if the voltage is too low. Are you connected to power or boondocking?
Are you or someone near you running a generator? Carbon monoxide triggers them, too.
I've heard, but never experienced, a dog passing gas that has set them off.
One report said with his furnace running and the wind from one specific direction, his alarm would go off.

Hope something above helps. Be safe whatever you do.

**norty1** · 02-05-2019, 06:26 AM

If you remove the 2 screws that hold it in place you will find a stamped birthdate on the back of the unit. If defective, contact the mfg and see what they say. It should be good for 5 years if OE.

Be careful about buying replacements from online retailers like ebay as they may be reconditioned or already several years old.

DesertRam · 02-05-2019, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

They will buzz if the voltage is too low. Are you connected to power or boondocking?
Are you or someone near you running a generator? Carbon monoxide triggers them, too.
I've heard, but never experienced, a dog passing gas that has set them off.
One report said with his furnace running and the wind from one specific direction, his alarm would go off.

Hope something above helps. Be safe whatever you do.

Thanks for the input. To be clear, the alarm is not actually going off. The buzzing is not the same as the alarm sound, just a low-volume humming (zzzzzzzzzzzz), like a high frequency bee. The trailer is connected to power at my house. No generators in the vicinity. The dog hasn't been inside since this started.

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

If you remove the 2 screws that hold it in place you will find a stamped birthdate on the back of the unit. If defective, contact the mfg and see what they say. It should be good for 5 years if OE.

Be careful about buying replacements from online retailers like ebay as they may be reconditioned or already several years old.

Thanks. I'll give that a shot this weekend.

**norty1** · 02-05-2019, 10:39 AM

Test it with candle smoke or something that should set it off. If it's not functioning it's worthless.

RogerR · 02-05-2019, 01:45 PM

It would not hurt to try to clean it. I would vacuum it and then shoot a little computer air blast through it. Not much, just a puff. Do the fire alarm while you are at it.

us71na · 02-06-2019, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerR

It would not hurt to try to clean it. I would vacuum it and then shoot a little computer air blast through it. Not much, just a puff. Do the fire alarm while you are at it.

Many canned air products are flammable, I would not spray them into a propane detector, which has a heating element.

Are you sure the noise isn't coming from your 12 volt power supply? Ours emits a high pitched whine.

**norty1** · 02-06-2019, 10:41 AM

In my rig the alarm is right next to the converter.

Maybe see if you can narrow the location down. It could be a muffin fan.

Or remove power to the alarm and see if it stops.

EvilDoer · 02-06-2019, 09:14 PM

There are a bunch of people on this forum that will tell you it's okay to travel with the propane on to keep your fridge cold and that propane hasn't caused them any problems in all the years they've been RVing. If they're right, just yank that detector out and throw it away.
If you don't believe them, make sure your propane is off and your rig is well ventilated, check the voltage to the detector, and/or replace it.

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