Propane gas detector

mdmlm2015 · 12-31-2018, 09:29 AM

We took our trailer out this past week and within hours of setting up the propane gas detector alarm went red with a solid tone. I closed propane tank valves and alarm sill sounded. I completely removed the tanks and the alarm still sounded with red light. Detector issue maybe?

oldmanAZ · 12-31-2018, 09:51 AM

Have you checked your trailer's battery voltage? The detector is powered by the trailer's 12v battery and will sound if the voltage is too low.

The detector also detects carbon monoxide. Was a running vehicle or generator near the trailer?

RedHorse1 · 12-31-2018, 09:59 AM

I think those things have a lifetime around 3-5 years and need to be replaced.

harryjr · 12-31-2018, 01:29 PM

Did anyone use spray on sunscreen?

We sprayed our granddaughter and the propane alarm went to full alert. It took several minutes of full ventilation to clear.

We found out later from a friend who's a fire-marshal that the propellant in the sunscreen was the problem.

Jagiven · 12-31-2018, 01:40 PM

As others said, it could be a number of things. How old is you camper, as they do have a short life. People refer to them as a propane gas detector. But they alarm to nearly any gas, including methane from from a stinky pet. Low voltage sets them off too, but I have never figured out how low of voltage it takes to set it off.

mdmlm2015 · 12-31-2018, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Have you checked your trailer's battery voltage? The detector is powered by the trailer's 12v battery and will sound if the voltage is too low.

The detector also detects carbon monoxide. Was a running vehicle or generator near the trailer?

The trailer was plugged into a 30 amp breaker and as far as I can remember no running generators or cars nearby.

mdmlm2015 · 12-31-2018, 03:04 PM

So is the detector in the same console as the alarm or is it somewhere else on the trailer?

mdmlm2015 · 12-31-2018, 03:05 PM

Oh no sunscreen. It was 35 degrees outside...LOL

mdmlm2015 · 12-31-2018, 03:06 PM

Our trailer is a 2001 and we've only had it a couple of years. I don't know if the detector has ever been replaced. Probably a good idea to try that if I can find a replacement.

us71na · 12-31-2018, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdmlm2015

Our trailer is a 2001 and we've only had it a couple of years. I don't know if the detector has ever been replaced. Probably a good idea to try that if I can find a replacement.

As others have noted the gas detectors have a 5 year life from the date of manufacture. There should be a sticker on the unit with the expiration date. You may need to remove it to find the sticker. They are fairly easy to replace. Mine had two screws holding it in place and there are just two wires to disconnect. Mine even had a plug, which I spliced onto the new one that just had stripped wires.

mdmlm2015 · 01-01-2019, 12:42 PM

Thank you for the reply. Found some on Amazon and they seem very inexpensive. I will try to swap it out myself and save some moola.

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