Always ON propane detector and the Law

[crispyboy]

[QUOTE=gklott;2322060

Why would anyone not have a propane detector in your trailer that is always on? Would you put an on-off switch on your smoke detector or CO detector?

73/gus[/QUOTE]


I have both a master cut off switch and switch for the combination propane/co detector. It is part of the checklist to make the trailer operational or putting in storage.
I also remove the small batteries from smoke detectors, clocks, remotes, etc...when I put the trailer in long term winter storage. I don't want a leaky battery to ruin the equipment.

[Cyclist]

We had our original propane/gas detector replaced under warranty years ago. I don't recall what the original was like and since we were full timing, the Use/Store switch was always in the Use position. I later noticed the replacement detector is off when the trailer is in store mode (we are no longer full timing) which suits us fine as we shut off the propane tanks when in storage. When we switch back to Use mode, the detector blinks red for several minutes and then turns green.

[SPS Tools]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

The law and the industry standards are probably one and the same for a service tech trying to deal with a customer. ...

And they often are the same as the law/code says “Shall comply with xxx standard.” Many(most?) municipal building codes are written this way instead of city council members having to become experts in building standards.

[davidlparker]

There may be state laws that apply to this situation. For example, Kentucky requires a functioning propane detector if one is to license their RV in Kentucky. Once licensed I doubt the state or the county clerk who issues licenses will ever check to confirm the presence of a functioning propane detector. But, why would one not want to have one in their RV? They are not that expensive and draw very little power from the RV's 12 volt electrical system. It seems like a good idea. I have one in my AS.

David Parker
1993 Excella
1989 Dodge D-350

[ROBERT CROSS]

I believe that most/all of us have one, but some of us take it out of the loop when in long term storage.

Bob
🇺🇸

[lsbrodsky]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I believe that most/all of us have one, but some of us take it out of the loop when in long term storage.

Bob
🇺🇸

Yes, that is exactly the point. Some have stated that it is against the law to do so and i was unable to find any law that says that.
Larry

[Halford1]

Learned other thing today:

Propane is an asphyxiant. That means it is heavier than air. When you breathe propane vapor it actually "pools" in your lungs and prevents air, and most importantly oxygen from being absorbed by your body. You suffocate basically. Propane is odorless colorless and non-toxic.

[rmkrum]

Note that ALL commercially sold end-user propane for fuel use is odoriferous. They add Methyl Mercaptan (Skunk scent) to it.

You occasionally see tankers placarded as containing “non-odorized “ propane. It’s used to pressurize aerosol products and requires special handling and leak detection systems. It’s truly without any odor.

[Al and Missy]

It is a simple matter for a somewhat technically competent person to find all the things that are wired directly to the battery and move them to the trailer side of the KILL SWITCH or USE/STORE switch, whichever you have. That is what I did. I can't move the jack to hook up my trailer without turning the KILL switch ON, and I wouldn't be in the trailer with it OFF. I see no hazard in this configuration. In my opinion, additional switches complicate commissioning and decommissioning and present a risk of not being properly set.

Al

[Just RVing]

When did AS start installing the detectors?

[switz]

In the last century

[perryg114]

I have never experienced one of these things that actually worked. They need to be tested and replaced often. If you have one 10-15 yrs old chances are it is useless. If you are not there to hear it then whether it is on or not is irrelevant. It can run batteries down and so can other things in the trailer like fridge boards etc.



Perry

[lsbrodsky]

I think they only last 7 years, they have an "I am dead alarm" that you cannot override. That is how I knew it was time to replace mine.
Larry

[Griff]

My 2012 fb 28' propane leak detector has died. It is a Dometic Model 36720. I have read it was re placed by a 36719 this seams very odd. Normally anything new has a higher number. I purchased one on line being the 36719 with a mfg. date 2016. How can this be newer by only 4 years. It would be newer but not up to 2019 newer. What longevity when does the clock start, mfg. date or activation date?
One of you wiz bang folks must know.

[ROBERT CROSS]

If the light is still green, and it hollers when LP is present is there a reason to change it?🤔

Bob
🇺🇸
....if we wake up and the cat is on the floor, in her bed dead, it's time to replace.😢

[solomon.m]

Originally Posted by Cyclist

When we switch back to Use mode, the detector blinks red for several minutes and then turns green.

Hi all, I'm coming late to the party on this thread but it was a topic of interest to me since my storage site has no shore power. I noticed the same detector behavior on my 2020 FC 27FB, which didn't agree with what was written in the owners manual regarding the wiring of the use/store switch. Yesterday the voltmeter I ordered from Lowes arrived and I tested power on the backside of the detector in both positions of the use/store switch and confirmed, when in store mode, no power is being delivered to the propane detector. I haven't modified any wiring on the AS, so this is how it was built and delivered. Personally I prefer this schema as I'd like to reduce the parasitic loss as much as practical for storage. Ultimately I see installing a cutoff switch in my future, but it's good to know this part of the solution is already complete.

[ghaynes755]

At some point in the recent past the wiring was changed. My earlier 2015 Classic had a direct connect to the battery on a fused circuit. 2013 FC was the same.


My 2020 Classic 33 powers the detector off when the CZone system is powered off.

[lsbrodsky]

Hooray! Makes a lot of sense and solves a lot of dead battery problems!!
Larry