LP Gas/Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Joseph O. Smith · 10-08-2002, 02:02 PM

I need to install some safety stuff on my 1980 Caravelle. Can you please advise me on LP gas, and Carbon Monoxide detectors. I have a smoke detector. Being new at this, I thought I could get such detectors that would opperate like the smoke detectors - a long time on a 9v battery. Wrong. The best I've been able to locate is an 110AC LP detector with recharable battery back up - for $67 plus postage. Do I need a Carbon Monoxide detector? I will appreciate any advice. Thanks, Joe

thenewkid64 · 10-08-2002, 02:27 PM

My advice is to get the Carbon Monoxide detector, use your nose, and save the $67.00 bucks on the LP detector. Most of the LP fittings are outside of the unit and LP is heavier than air so it will sink. Since the trailer is higher than the ground it will tend to sink out of the trailer if the leak is small. Big leaks you will smell. There are 12VDC Carbon Monoxide detectors available, I have one but it was installed with a on/off switch by the PO.

The carbon Monoxide detector is really only needed if you will be doing alot of cool/cold weather camping and plan to use your furnace and cooktop with the trailer closed up. If your pricipal use is summer camping then the need would be minimal. This is MY opinion, I advocate safety, but not if it seems to be overkill. You should do what makes you sleep well at night.

You have the furnace, cooktop, and refer that can create Carbon Monoxide. These should be checked each year for proper operation. This is where I would suggest spending the $67.00 since you do not know the history of the appliances.

68 Overlander · 10-08-2002, 02:32 PM

Joe,
You need a battery operated smoke and a CO detector designed for RV use.
Here is a basic RV safety link I found.
Randy

http://www.rversonline.org/01ConfCCFire.html

Joseph O. Smith · 10-08-2002, 02:50 PM

Thanks Brett, Good advice. I was worried about not waking up in the morning. It does seem logical that the LP gas will drop out the bottom. The carbon monoxide is another thing all together. Most of my camping is in the winter down here in the South. The summers are too hot - I go with my Scout troop to summer camp, but my family and I prefer either the winter or mountains. (Well, I keep forgetting that I now have air-conditioning so that my change). So, I will definately get a carbon Monoxide detector, and re-think the LP gas. Maybe I'll get a hand held detector to periodically check for LP leaks.

Thank you, and God Bless, Joe

Joseph O. Smith · 10-08-2002, 02:55 PM

Randy, Great advice on the Web Link. Thanks, Joe

davidz71 · 10-08-2002, 03:38 PM

I purchased a combination Smoke/fire/carbon monoxide alarm by Alert from the local Lowes lumber yard. It seems to work fine and is battery powered.

68 Overlander · 10-08-2002, 03:44 PM

The three things that scare me when I sleep are the furnace, the water heater, and my wife. They make detectors for the first two.
I turn my water heater off at night just to rule it out because it is gas only. Even if it catches fire and the detector wakes me up, I would rather fight the fire during the day with my pants on.
Randy

thenewkid64 · 10-08-2002, 04:25 PM

I find at night the standing pilot keeps the water warm enough that the main burner will not light unless it is very cold out. The noise would be my main reason for turning off the water heater. The hand held unit is a good idea, you may get nominated as the saftey officer of your unit if members know you have a handheld unit. Fittings on the tanks and the connected hoses will tend to leak with age, so checking these should be done a few times a year.

Randy, Figting a fire in your underwear is part of the "camping" experience not to be missed. Besides it gives all the neighbors something to talk about over morning coffee!

**jcanavera** · 10-08-2002, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thenewkid64
I find at night the standing pilot keeps the water warm enough that the main burner will not light unless it is very cold out. The noise would be my main reason for turning off the water heater.

My water heater has the self igniter so it has no standing pilot. I do miss the pilot in the fact that the main burner usually only ran when I used water. With the self igniter the water heater will call for heat a couple times a night. It takes me a few nights to get used to the click and the pop of the heater starting up in the middle of the night. Its a strange enough noise that it usually will wake me up, especially since the heater sits underneath my streetside twin bed.

Jack

Joseph O. Smith · 10-09-2002, 12:34 PM

Randy, Try tying a bell around your wifes big toe. Poor man's wife detector. I think we're on to something here... Joe

smily · 10-09-2002, 12:37 PM

That was good but on the serious side..........

This thread got my attention. I went and bought CO detector during my lunch break.

My son and I are going to our first Rally this month near the mountains of SC / TN ,( Cleveland SC), and we may need to run the furnace.

His mom would be really upset if we did not come back safe and sound.

Smily

smily · 10-09-2002, 12:38 PM

I just noticed your location!!!!!!!!!

Are you a member at the local WBCCI chapter?

Good to see someone from close by on this forum.

Smily

AKA Ken Smillie

Joseph O. Smith · 10-09-2002, 12:41 PM

Craig, That's what I'm going to do. In fact, I bought a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector at Lowes for my daughter's college dorm room last year that I will be using. What would be the value of getting one made specifically for RVs? Thanks, Joe

Joseph O. Smith · 10-09-2002, 01:37 PM

Ken, My wife wanted me to exercise some, so we just got back from a bike ride while the rain let up, or I would have responded quicker. I didn't take my on advice to tie the bell on her toe. Next time. (She gave me permission to say that.) I'm don't know much about WBCCI, nor anything about a local WBCCI chapter. What's it all about? You're right about the CO detector - scary stuff. I do plan to get one of the inexpensive hand held LP detectors. My main concern is that I've just bought my outfit and have yet to camp in it. So I have no experience with any of the equipment. Right now it is having new curtains installed and this week end I hope to carpet the inside. I just finished repairing the floor, water hoses, and a bunch of cosmetic cleaning, etc. Yep, I'm down hill here in Mt. Pleasant. Joe