Smoke Alarm Sounding When Heater Is Running

[Airlovr]

Newbie here tryin and dyin to get a jump on spring and the camping season.
The lows at night have been in the lower fifties. A little chilly for my taste.
This is my second time taking "The Mini Bar" (2014 Bambi Sport 16) out.
So first of all, I've seen the many post of nearly fractured fingers attempting to turn the heater on at the thermostat. LOL. You guys were not kidding!!!
Now here's the REAL issue...
When I turn the heater on at the thermostat, it runs for a bit and starts heating up. Then the damn smoke alarm sounds. Ugh!!! At first I thought maybe it needed to "burn off" dust or something since its never been used. But time after time, the dinner bell, I mean smoke alarm sounds.
Help a kid out here!!! Thank goodness for electric blankets!!!


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[RonaldC303]

Could it be carbon monoxide that is setting off the alarm? Perhaps there is a leak or some other way the the furnace exhaust is getting back into the coach.

[Airlovr]

It's the smoke detector attached to the ceiling above the dinette.
The carbon monoxide alarm is under the seat at the dinette on street side.

The Arkansas Airstream Dealer is not far from the house. I'll check with them on Monday.
Unless you guys can enlighten me.


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[RonaldC303]

On my coach, the carbon monoxide detector is mounted near the ceiling and the LPG / Propane detector is positioned just above the floor. Glad you are going to get it checked.

Ron

[overlander63]

The smoke alarm will sound until all the oily coating is burned off the heat exchanger. It make take an hour's continuous operation before it stops. Just to be cautious, remain in the trailer, near the thermostat, just in case that is not the case.

[Airlovr]

Okay. Thanks for the info guys!!!


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[alantbird]

some smoke alarms go off when there is a sudden rise in temp. the one in my motorhome and in the house go
off when we use the shower with no exhaust fan on

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by Airlovr

It's the smoke detector attached to the ceiling above the dinette.
The carbon monoxide alarm is under the seat at the dinette on street side.

The Arkansas Airstream Dealer is not far from the house. I'll check with them on Monday.
Unless you guys can enlighten me.


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We must be neighbors. If I was home I would try to meet up with you and see what is going on, but I am sitting in Las Cruces, NM at the moment.


1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

[J. Morgan]

And yea, if the furnace is brand new, it will burn off the oil from manufacturing putting hydrocarbon into the air.


1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

[Howard Lefkowitz]

If after running heater for awhile the alarm does not go off, try replacing the battery. The extreme cold weather effected most of the batteries in our unheated RV's by significantly reducing the voltage. When I opened up my motorhome yesterday all of my sensors were beeping.

[CDONA]

Newer smoke detectors look at haze, steam or smoke and heat rise. Currently mine goes off from the toaster, I've had them go off from a tea kettle, frying eggs, and the shower, no smoke from any of it.
I tried looking for just a smoke sensitive one, but most are for kitchen use, smoke and heat.
The low celing throws off the sensitivity tuning threshold, just not made for our AS needs

[Foiled Again]

My first Airstream had the smoke detector about 3 feet from the stovetop. It alarmed every single time I tried to cook anything on the burners --- and NO I am not that bad at cooking.

So I simply kept a shower cap handy and put it over the alarm, did my cooking, then took it off immediately. How did I always remember it - well it was neon yellow green.

Paula

[daveswenson]

New furnaces throw off smoke and haze. I think the only cure is to run the thing until things burn off. Take the batteries out of the smoke detector, turn up the heat, open the windows and leave for a while.

[NavyCorpsman]

Another gremlin is dust on the detector sensor. Gently brush and vacuum.

[Airlovr]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

We must be neighbors. If I was home I would try to meet up with you and see what is going on, but I am sitting in Las Cruces, NM at the moment.


1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

Aww!! What a nice gesture. Thanks for the offer.


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[Airlovr]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

My first Airstream had the smoke detector about 3 feet from the stovetop. It alarmed every single time I tried to cook anything on the burners --- and NO I am not that bad at cooking.

So I simply kept a shower cap handy and put it over the alarm, did my cooking, then took it off immediately. How did I always remember it - well it was neon yellow green.

Paula

Lol!!!! Love it!!!!


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[Airlovr]

That's to all for your comments!!!!


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[ljsigman]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

My first Airstream had the smoke detector about 3 feet from the stovetop. It alarmed every single time I tried to cook anything on the burners --- and NO I am not that bad at cooking.

So I simply kept a shower cap handy and put it over the alarm, did my cooking, then took it off immediately. How did I always remember it - well it was neon yellow green.

Paula

Brilliant Paula!