CO Detectors

[ccbreder]

RV CO detectors are cheap.
http://store.qginc.com/

 

[akrvbob]

Amazon sells that cheap detector and it gets terrible reviews, I wouldn't bet my life on it:

http://www.amazon.com/COSTAR-906002704-Carbon-Monoxide-Detector/dp/B000FGECW6/

Bob

 

[anm]

Amazon sells that cheap detector and it gets terrible reviews, I wouldn't bet my life on it:

http://www.amazon.com/COSTAR-906002704-Carbon-Monoxide-Detector/dp/B000FGECW6/

Bob

Reading the reviews it doesn't sound too good...
I'm leaning toward the Kidde, at least it is a well known name brand... whatever that's worth nowadays...

 

[anm]

A few things I've found out about CO detectors:
1. All CO detectors have a limited lifespan, when first introduced they were a year or two, now they're usually about 5-6 years, possibly a bit more.
2. A detector with a digital readout can tell you how much CO is in the air even though it's below the detector's alarm point -- sounds like something worth knowing.
3. Putting one in a van or rv means that the mounting location is not going to meet the usual recommendations, at least not in my Astro (read small).

 

[ccbreder]

Does kidde make a rv unit? 3 and a half stars is not a bad review on amazon.

 

[anm]

Does kidde make a rv unit? 3 and a half stars is not a bad review on amazon.

Not that I'm aware of, but I will monitor it closely and report on its performance...

 

[ccbreder]

They have a lower operating temperature and humidity limits. Parked in the sun could kill them.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

They have a lower operating temperature and humidity limits. Parked in the sun could kill them.

Not to mention the fact that vehicles can shake things up quite a bit, depending on the road. A CO detector designed for a house may not hold up to that, could maybe fail without it being obvious that it's no longer working.

Regards
John

 

[anm]

They have a lower operating temperature and humidity limits. Parked in the sun could kill them.

I thought of stuff like that and decided to take a chance. Since the one I am getting has the lcd display it will be very apparent if it stops working, as long as I occasionally look at it that is...

 

[mockturtle]

Mine is a Safe T Alert specifically for RVs.

 

[anm]

I've bought the Kidde CO detector and it appears to be working though I'd really like to test it, turn on the heater, close all the vents, fan off, and see what it does. I'd feel better if I knew the reading actually varied...

 

[sassypickins]

Mine is a Kidde combination CO/smoke detector mounted on the edge of the front cab shelf, about 4' high and 6' away from my Coleman white gas stove, and more or less from my Mr. Buddy heater depending on where I set it.  The instructions suggested not placing the detector too close to the appliance(s).

Along with a loud chirp, it has a lady's lovely voice that says, "Fire!  Fire!" This I know because it went off in the middle of my bacon-cooking frenzy for the potato feed at RTR.  It also says, "Warning - carbon monoxide detected!" This was last week when I foolishly made morning coffee without a cross-breeze. 

Both times I pushed the center button, which momentarily hushed the warnings and the chirping, and once my doors were thrown open and a towel hastily escorted all the bad stuff out and the good stuff in, my world calmed down and my momentary embarrassment was followed by gratitude.

It has never warned me of anything when I've used the heater.  And it's supposed to say "low battery" and chirp and flash red when a new battery is needed.

 

[highdesertranger]

sassy is that a rv model or a house model? highdesertranger

 

[sassypickins]

sassy is that a rv model or a house model?  highdesertranger

house...  

 

[karl]

I have 2- both Kidde, both residential, models unknown- one is round and eats batteries, it has never activated from co, but chirps every 1-2 weeks that the batteries are low. Soon to be landfill....

The other is a rectangular one, which has activated when the van has been running in the garage with the sliders open(tune-up time). I have to hit the button AND take it outside for it to quit. batteries last for 6+ months in that one.

Think I paid $20-25 for the good one, less for the POS.....both from Walmart.

 

[Kathleen]

Good reminder here to get RV quality CO monitor due to the rough ride in vehicle.

Will it work right if I don't mount it to the wall???????

Since the minivan has little height can I get a reliable RV smoke detector/CO monitor?

Every inch of space is an issue. The less gadgets the better. But safety is top priority.

 

[MikeRuth]

I purchased this one recently off Amazon, 10 year rated life span.
https://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-CO710-Monoxide-Temperature/dp/B011O2WW1C

It does have an on/off switch if your going to be out of the van for long periods of time.

I had been placing mine about 30 inches off the floor line and from reading here I see that's not so good. I'll place it a few inches off the floor line now.
I'm happy with it but I have yet to set it off. I'm still trying . That may sound crazy but occasionally I'll run a MR. Buddy and as a test I have run the heater for better than 30 minutes and not set it off. Ahhh No I wasn't in the van

Mike R

 

[Kathleen]

I purchased this one recently off Amazon, 10 year rated life span.
https://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-CO710-Monoxide-Temperature/dp/B011O2WW1C

It does have an on/off switch if your going to be out of the van for long periods of time.

I had been placing mine about 30 inches off the floor line and from reading here I see that's not so good. I'll place it a few inches off the floor line now.
I'm happy with it but I have yet to set it off. I'm still trying . That may sound crazy but occasionally I'll run a MR. Buddy and as a test I have run the heater for better than 30 minutes and not set it off. Ahhh No I wasn't in the van

Mike R

Thanks, Mike, that looks like a good one. I like the idea that of an on/off switch, as I'm just getting my feet wet in traveling to RTR this year. Am not planning to be a full timer, unless national economics force me out of my 200 yr old adobe and onto the road. Then my minivan would be my new home 

 

[tripper]

FYI There is a high quality battery operated CO2 detector on Amazon for $34 that has a lithium battery and lasts for 10 years. I know my last cheapie CO2 detector ate 3 x AA batteries every couple of months.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

It does have an on/off switch if your going to be out of the van for long periods of time.

I had been placing mine about 30 inches off the floor line and from reading here I see that's not so good. I'll place it a few inches off the floor line now.

If you are forgetful like me it is better to take the batteries out and leave the detector open so you can see it is not functional.

from the National Fire Protection Association code (NFPA 720, 2015 edition):

all carbon monoxide alarms “shall be located on the wall, ceiling or other location as specified in the installation instructions that accompany the unit.”

The specific gravity of CO is 0.9657 (air being 1.0), which means it will naturally float to the ceiling.  CO coming from a heat source usually forms a layer near the ceiling (being hotter than the room air).  The recommendation is "the CO detector be placed a couple of feet below the ceiling."  And "the detector should be placed at least 15 feet away from any fossil fuel burning appliance."  The last might not be possible in a van so I just placed mine as far away from the heater as possible.