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Topic: Replacement LP/CO Detector (Read 716 times) previous topic - next topic

Replacement LP/CO Detector

I learned (at the Escapees Escapade Bootcamp in Gillette, WY) that LP/CO detectors have an end of life time and need to be replaced. Mine was 17 years old and so was well out-dated. I contacted Atwood who made the original and, of course, the unit is no longer made but they do have a replacement. The original Atwood LP/CO detector, mounted in the bottom of the bathroom cabinet near the kitchen, had three wires, red, black and yellow. It also had an internal switch that turned off the LP gas valve so that no LP would flow if the detector was triggered. The new unit (slightly larger so I had to do some wood carving) has three wires as well, one black and two red with no yellow wire. The three wires on the new unit offer the possibility of having the detector powered by both the house and coach batteries (and the instructions say to combine them if powering only off of one source). Atwood tech support said both the black and yellow wires coming from the coach to the unit were grounds and they should be wired together with the black on the unit. If I do that, then the gas valve relay does not work and I cannot get the LP to function on any appliance. As a temporary expedient, I wired the old detector in series with the new detector (and put the old one inside the bathroom cabinet). In that way, the relay or switch for the LP is kept in the correct postion to allow the LP to flow. Has anyone dealt with this issue without the duplication I've created? What wire needs to be rewired to bypass the LP valve that is shut off by the old detector? Any suggestions from this body of wise and experienced persons?
Forrest and Mary Clark
'96 U295 WTBI 40' (#4896)
2015 Jeep Cherokee
Full-timing since May 2012
Motorcade #17248

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #1 –
RV building codes changed and dropped the switch at the tank.  I removed first the plunger in the tank switch when the solenoid failed and I could not get propane.  Finally I removed the solenoid powered switch at the tank completely.  There is a very expensive marine solution if you really want the old tech switch to shut off the propane tank supply.  Marine solutions are needed so you don't fill the below deck area of a boat with propane as it is heavier than air.

After I removed the switch, I remember hooking the two wires together, been a couple of years and a coach ago.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #2 –
I took the auto-shutoff out of line with the lp tanks and installed the new LP/CO detector with both red wires hooked together. My understanding was that they were to go to two different batteries is available so that it one failed the other would still power the unit. It also said that the green LED was supposed to blink and mine doesn't but I'm happy the way it is. I cut the wires to the old CO detector and put it back in the end of the dish cabinet since I had nothing to fill that hole with. I suppose I could wire the red warning LED to be on full time and tell friends that the CO level was always high so if they felt sleepy...
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #3 –
The old style detector can be used to power propane solenoid, and a new second propane detector installed. The new second detector we installed is a surface mount and we mounted in a different near floor location. Old and new detectors may work forever if a reset is done by momentarily turning off the 12-volt supply wire. Nice to have redundancy on all detectors. Why rely on just one life-saving relatively-inexpensive device?

The old style puts out 12-volts DC for a few seconds to open propane solenoid, then changes the 12-volts to a lower voltage, maybe 6-volts to keep solenoid in open position. The lower voltage reduces overheating solenoid during the continuous open position. Probably using continuous 12-volts to keep solenoid may work, but may eventually burn out solenoid.

Many have re-plumbed the copper propane line without the solenoid to resolve long delay in getting gas flowing again after a false alarm shutdown.

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #4 –
Barry, thank you. That sounds like what I have done in wiring the two detectors in series. I've used the same hole as the old one (slightly enlarged) for the new detector since it can be mounted recessed. Then I "mounted" the old detector inside the cabinet so it will continue to keep the propane valve open. Since the detector is out of date, I doubt that it will reliably detect and turn off the propane if any is present.
Forrest and Mary Clark
'96 U295 WTBI 40' (#4896)
2015 Jeep Cherokee
Full-timing since May 2012
Motorcade #17248

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #5 –
I find out of date old detectors still work just fine. But they should not be the only detector in use.

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #6 –
OK. That would make sense, Barry. Other than pushing the test button, how would you test an old detector? Certainly this one works with a push of the test button...earsplitting scream, but does it detect propane?
Forrest and Mary Clark
'96 U295 WTBI 40' (#4896)
2015 Jeep Cherokee
Full-timing since May 2012
Motorcade #17248

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #7 –
Spray a bit of hair spray. That can set off those detectors. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #8 –
Forrest, test button tests power & sound, but does not assure that it will detect gas. Running our propane hot water tank will sometimes cause propane burner fumes to cause our inside propane detector to alert, so that is our assurance that ours will detect propane. I think that hair spray may coat the detector sensor and damage it. Maybe a butane lighter without a flame will set it off?

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #9 –
Quote from: fsclark47 –
Other than pushing the test button, how would you test an old detector?

Flatulent cocker spaniel worked for us in a previous coach... :-X
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Flatulent cocker spaniel worked for us in a previous coach... :-X
Groan -- giggle -- snorfle -- groan
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #11 –
So does a Lab who has her crate right by the propane detector
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Replacement LP/CO Detector

Reply #12 –
This is NOT the reason that I would add a dog to our RV living :D ! But I do appreciate the ideas. Or at least the laugh they provided.

Barry, you may have the best suggestion. That is one I can try out!
Forrest and Mary Clark
'96 U295 WTBI 40' (#4896)
2015 Jeep Cherokee
Full-timing since May 2012
Motorcade #17248