Propane leak detector seems to be a pain in my ass. Suggestions?

[TMG51]

When I bought my Class B Dodge, I went over all of the systems, and I noticed that the propane leak detector had been deliberately disconnected from 12v power. Strange, I thought; I wired it back up, it appeared to work fine, and I thought that was the end of the story and my best course of action.

Fast forward a while. The thing started going off for weird reasons. One time a girl spilled a beer in the van and the propane detector went off immediately. :huh:

Another time, it went off when I was using some spray cleaning products.

Even weirder - I posted here once about a weird smell coming out of my toilet. When that smell got real strong... the propane leak detector would go off. I kid you not. (P.S. I solved the weird toilet smell by emptying it and dumping some bleach in.)

Now, I could deal with all that if it just went off for stuff like that. But here's the annoying part. SEVERAL times, as I'm laying in bed, I've been woken up by this thing in the early morning hours going off. The first time that happened I thought it was an actual issue and was checking all my propane appliances etc. Couldn't find anything wrong. Since then, as it's happened several times in the early morning hours while I'm sleeping, my only guess is that it is going off as a response to CO2 buildup from my breathing for several hours while sleeping. I don't really know how these things work but it appears to me they simply go off for anything that isn't oxygen (e.g., the carbonation released from the spilled beer is also CO2 which set it off).

Each time it goes off while I'm sleeping I have to get up, shut it off, open all the windows, turn the fan on, wait around for it to decide to go off again, shut it off again, hope that twice is all it is in the mood to do and get back in bed. In short, I now understand why the previous owner disabled it.

So, what should I do? Has this been a problem for anyone else? Should I just disable it? I've been dealing with it this long because presumably propane leaks are a valid concern and the device should have some value. But it appears to serve only as an annoyance and an everything-and-whenever alarm. It is 17 years old though. Should I get a new detector? Have they improved? Input appreciated if anyone has had this problem before.

 

[highdesertranger]

stop eating so much chili. seriously get a new one. propane detectors go off because of methane. if CO2 is setting it off it's faulty. highdesertranger

 

[Queen]

Finds of mine has hers going off whenever her dog farts.    She finally disconnected it.

 

[Hippiechk]

My buddy who actually lives year round in Quartzsite has to shut his off when I am there...it chirps off & on at random! He is losing his hearing & it doesn't bug him but makes me batty!

I don't have mine turned on...its summer & the doors & windows are open, no one is going to die in here.



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[flying kurbmaster]

stop eating so much chili.  seriously get a new one.  propane detectors go off because of methane.  if CO2 is setting it off it's faulty.  highdesertranger

I second this,  the part of getting a new one, they don't last forever and not too much money for a lot of piece of mind. Having said that I have a new one and it also goes off once in while for no apparent reason.

 

[Wanderer]

I'd never dump any bleach into a toilet unless it leaves within seconds of doing it...Bleach and urine (Or even urine coated walls) can cause a gas to form which is toxic.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Propane leak detectors have a finite lifespan.  They actually come with an expiration date on them.  I believe they are supposed to be changed out for a new one every 5 years.

 

[MrNoodly]

Instead of using a detector, how about just maintaining your rig, periodically making sure your tank, fittings and lines are good?

 

[rvwandering]

Ours has never worked right so we disconnected it. Propane smells so bad we figure that we'll notice a leak before we blow up. :-D

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Instead of using a detector, how about just maintaining your rig, periodically making sure your tank, fittings and lines are good?

You're supposed to do all those things even when you have a leak detector.  They are not a substitute for having one.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Ours has never worked right so we disconnected it. Propane smells so bad we figure that we'll notice a leak before we blow up. :-D

From a propane safety website:

Other Reasons Why You May Not Smell A Leak

In addition to odor fade, physical conditions may prevent you from smelling a leak.

Some physical causes are listed below:
 
colds, allergies, or sinus congestion;
        
use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs;
        
cooking odors and certain foods you eat;
        
taking certain medications;
        
decline in ability to smell, especially for older people;
        
prolonged exposure to the odor of propane; and
        
musty or damp smells, such as in a basement.
        
The smell from a propane leak may not wake you when sleeping.

 

[rvpopeye]

Ditto on the 5 years and replace it !
Yup yup they sure will trigger on some weird things too.
Farts , sprays and various nasty smells in general.
A disconnected alarm will never save you !
But a malfunctioning one isn't much use either.

 

[MrNoodly]

You're supposed to do all those things even when you have a leak detector.  They are not a substitute for having one.

Which was my point.

 

[TMG51]

Instead of using a detector, how about just maintaining your rig, periodically making sure your tank, fittings and lines are good?

Did I not mention checking all of my appliances in the original post? The detector is additional insurance, not a guarantee.

Thanks for the 5 year information, guys. I had checked the unit for a date and didn't see one but a 5 year increment seems likely to me. Looks like they're only around $40-$60 on Amazon so I'll just order one and try that.

 

[masterplumber]

Propane detectors sense flammable odors - which HDR alluded to in his post. and the sensors do go bad over time, especially if they've been exposed to strong odors in the past. If you have a newer rig, like Tony and Karen, it can even be something as simple as the carpet off gassing. I have a Tiff, which is the glorified on steroids instrument you see utility workers, firemen, and heating technicians use. I can get it to go off, even with the sensitivity turned down, by just having someone breath on it. I'd replace it and be done with it. I put one in my cargo trailer right befor RTR this year. The only time it has gone off is when I changed a 1 lb propane bottle on the Mr Buddy and of course the shut off valve on the bottle didn't completely close. It was good to know it worked.

 

[TMG51]

I replaced that detector after this thread and have not had any superfluous behavior from the new one so that's the solution.

 

[mockturtle]

Finds of mine has hers going off whenever her dog farts.    She finally disconnected it.

My dog set mine off once, too, but he's not a very flatulent dog so it hasn't been a big problem.

 

[rvpopeye]

Mine stays on !
I'd rather listen to a false alarm than miss a leak!!!!!!!
BOOOOM ! You're done..............