My propane detector has failed so I am going to replace it. ( Coach never had a co2 device ) I find combo co2/propane detectors at Lowes but they are hard wired 110 VAC. ( Actually plug in ) I have not dug into the diagrams on my 95 U280 but I assume that they are 12VDC and not 110 AC.
What have you guys used to replace these failed detectors ?
Thanks
OK OK OK, Brain fart, Should be CO Detector not CO2, hey its Saturday, brain has had a hard week.
My CO/smoke detector is 9v (battery) operated and I got it at Lowe's, believe it is a Nighthawk or some similar name, it's the one Rush Limbaugh used to push. It does not require replacing the sensor every time the battery is replaced. I have NO idea how good it is as it has never gone off except for tests.
Propane is NOT included. It goes low and the CO/smoke detector goes high. My propane detector is hard wired and wouldn't it have to be 12v, DC to work when not hooked up/invertor/gen-set?
Gary, you have inadvertantly discovered something here. If it's true what some say about global warming and CO2 in the atmosphere (now a fractional amount), we may all need a CO2 detector/alarm someday. Hope I'm long gone by then. :o
Gary,
If your coach has the Safe-T-Alert flush mount CO detector it looks like Amazon has the best deal going at this time. They have it for $66.54 with free shipping. I usually go with Adventure RV and they are a few dollars cheaper, but no free shipping.
Safe-T-alert
Model 60-542-12V
http://www.amazon.com/MTI-Industries-60-542-Carbon-Monoxide/dp/B000B9181A (http://www.amazon.com/MTI-Industries-60-542-Carbon-Monoxide/dp/B000B9181A)
This is the detector in my 2000, but could be different for the 1995.
Thanks,
Brad
2000 U320 4000
This is a good time to remind everyone to check the dates on your smoke, propane, and CO monitors.
The general recommendation for replacement is between 5 and 10 years, most typically 7. We replaced all 3 in our coach this spring. Smoke was an easy swap out for the exact same unit from Home Depot, so no need to change the mounting base. This is a battery operated unit.
Purchased Safe-T-Alert propane and CO monitors online, don't recall which vendor, but they are the 12V units used in RVs, not a house/residential unit like are found at Lowes/HD. Be careful on the CO monitor - there are 2 styles, flush and surface mount. Our coach used the flush-mount style.
Michelle
Thanks for the heads up, mine are probably 10 years old. I'll do it right away.
Good idea! All these detectors generally use some form of decaying element, so they do lose their "viability".
Because the dates for the CO and propane detectors aren't readily viewable once they're installed (unlike the smoke, which you can easily take off its base and look at the back), I wrote the manufacture and install dates on the manuals and put them in our maintenance file for easy reference.
Michelle
All,
If anyone needs a replacement LP Safe-T-Alert 40-442-WHT just send me a PM. My LP detector failed this summer while on the road and the company I used to buy from sent two. When I spoke to them about why I received two they stated they only sent one and I must be mistaken....end of story.
Michelle is correct that they print the date on the back side of the unit. My unit that would start beeping a 4 AM and scared the heck out of us was dated 1999.
Thanks,
Brad
2000 U320 4000
Like a whole lot of things in my dotage, I consider one question and more arise.
The detector in my 95 was propane only, control panel is mounted in cabinet above the door and additional sensor is mounted on floor at rear of wall near table. This device is the one that HAD a shut off solenoid at the propane tank, it was defeated many years ago as it was a nuisance.
CO detector ( I think ) can mount anywhere either high or low, Propane detector MUST be mounted low as propane is heavier than air.
THEREFORE, combo unit is not logical choice ?
Seems I need to have one each ?
Look... DW has been out of town all week and the added duties of feeding myself, keeping clean and dressed have me stressed. Even the dogs miss her. :))
Thanks Brad,
On your suggestion, I checked Amazon and found out that the dimensions of the Safe-T-alert Model 60-542-12V were much larger than the model 40-442A which is my 2000 U-320.
However, Amazon also had the model 40-442A.
See: http://www.amazon.com/MTI-Industries-40-442A-WT-Flush-Detector (http://www.amazon.com/MTI-Industries-40-442A-WT-Flush-Detector)
It's on it's way with 2-day free shipping. :)
I have also ordered a new CO detector and made an interesting discovery.
http://www.amazon.com/MTI-Industries-60-542-Carbon-Monoxide/ (http://www.amazon.com/MTI-Industries-60-542-Carbon-Monoxide/)
Amazon lists the "Product Dimensions: 11 x 7 x 5 inches" but MTI has it as
Case Dimensions: Flush Mount 60-542 6.5"W x 3.5"H x 1.25"D which matches mine.
See: http://www.mtiindustries.com/re1.htm (http://www.mtiindustries.com/re1.htm)
It appears that all Amazon detector listings have a bogus-generic 11 x 7 size.
Now all I need to do is replace the smoke detectors. Will probably take Michelle's suggestion and get them at a big box hardware store.
Harvey,
The good thing about Amazon, they have very good follow through service in case there is a size issue.
I need to check my date on the CO alarm, as it might be the original too ???
Thanks,
Brad
200 U320 4000
Why not install both LP detectors in different places. There is 12 volts available in many places. We have two 12 volt LP detectors in our kitchen, each with a 12 volt power cutoff switch to reset them.
We have three round Kidde carbon monoxide battery (3 AA) detectors that have digital display with memory in our motorhome. Two in bedroom for redundancy and one in living area mounted 1/4 down from ceiling on opposite bedroom walls.
Model is KN-COPP-B and purchased at Home Depot or Lowe's. Don't forget your 10% military discount. I would not want to combine CO with propane as propane detectors need to be near the floor and CO don't work as well near the floor.
Digital display shows peak level and after 7 years from initial power up, the unit will display End for end of life of detector. For stick homes, each bedroom should have a detector.
http://www.kidde.com/utcfs/Templates/Pages/Template-53/0,8062,pageId%3D4407%26siteId%3D384,00.html (http://www.kidde.com/utcfs/Templates/Pages/Template-53/0,8062,pageId%3D4407%26siteId%3D384,00.html)