New replacement Atwood LP gas detector

[Nozz]

AirForum’ers,

It’s near the 7 year timeframe to replace our original Atwood RV Propane Gas Detector model 31013, original pictures below. This goes in our 2015 Airstream Flying Cloud. Looks like the replacement model is now 31014, but seems to be difficult to find.

Questions…
1. Will an Atwood model 36720 fit into the original space?
2. Is there something newer, more modern that can replace it, without cutting or modifying the existing hole?
3. Recommendations with links?

Thanks in advance…
Nozz

P.S. I’ll be using Wago electrical connectors for the wiring

[alano]

I've got a 2015 trailer and my detector wouldn't stop this morning. So it looks like a replacement is necessary. I too could not find stock in the black unit, however, I did find the white unit, model 36719, at rvpartscountry.com. I'm guessing it will fit in the current opening without issue.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Mainly from reading internet hints here and there .... The black version appears to have gone out of production a while back. The only folks getting them complain about the unit they received having date codes way back in time. I would not want to pay full price and get one that was made in 2015 (as some have ....).

AS *appears* to have switched over to the white version. It would be nice to hop in a new trailer and see if that's the case. Looking at the pictures and the dimensions, the 36719 and 36720 are simply the black model done in white.

Bob

[1StreamDream]

I just went through this exact circumstance, with my 2015 flying cloud. I also could not find anything definitive in any direction, but I agree with uncle_bob, it certainly seems that the original (black) model has gone out of production. I could not find anything anywhere that identified a suitable replacement for the original model number, so I went with my judgement, and I ordered atwood 36719 from RVPartsCountry (about $55 when I got mine). I can report it is a PERFECT fit in the cut-out, the 4 corner holes in the face plate align perfectly, and it was a very easy swap.

https://www.rvpartscountry.com/RV-LP-Gas-Protector.html

I also went ahead and replaced my CO2 and smoke detectors at the same time, they dont last forever either, both of those were available on Amazon. If changing brands, be careful to get one that is certified for RV use. I was able to find the exact replacement (same size, same mounting holes, no drilling needed).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

[Nozz]

Originally Posted by 1StreamDream

I just went through this exact circumstance, with my 2015 flying cloud. I also could not find anything definitive in any direction, but I agree with uncle_bob, it certainly seems that the original (black) model has gone out of production. I could not find anything anywhere that identified a suitable replacement for the original model number, so I went with my judgement, and I ordered atwood 36719 from RVPartsCountry (about $55 when I got mine). I can report it is a PERFECT fit in the cut-out, the 4 corner holes in the face plate align perfectly, and it was a very easy swap.

https://www.rvpartscountry.com/RV-LP-Gas-Protector.html

I also went ahead and replaced my CO2 and smoke detectors at the same time, they dont last forever either, both of those were available on Amazon. If changing brands, be careful to get one that is certified for RV use. I was able to find the exact replacement (same size, same mounting holes, no drilling needed).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

Perfect! Thanks for the mutual support and links. This was exactly what I was looking for. I tip my hat to you sir.

Nozz

[gandttimes]

The only folks getting them complain about the unit they received having date codes way back in time. I would not want to pay full price and get one that was made in 2015 (as some have)

Bob[/QUOTE]

Bob, even the white one I ordered in the spring was dated 2018 but I was assured that the 7 years does not start until the unit is activated, so as long as it is a new unit.

[SeeMore]

Originally Posted by gandttimes

The only folks getting them complain about the unit they received having date codes way back in time. I would not want to pay full price and get one that was made in 2015 (as some have)

Bob

Bob, even the white one I ordered in the spring was dated 2018 but I was assured that the 7 years does not start until the unit is activated, so as long as it is a new unit.

Detector lifespan starts when it is first powered up and not before! This insight has been posted many times over the years yet still seems to be an unknown by even the long term posters and lurkers.

Sizing -

FYI for those of you with older units. There are two size openings used with the older (pre Dometic) flush-mount Atwood LP gas detectors. One used an opening of 3-7/8" H x 3-1/4" W and the other 2-5/8" W x 3-5/8" H.

Unscrew your current detector and measure the opening. With that in hand you can evaluate whether the 36719 (3-7/8 H x 3-1/4" W) or 36720 (opening 3-5/8" H x 2-5/8" W) units will meet your need.

Again, the 7 year internal countdown to replacement alarm is triggered on initial power up. New old stock is perfectly useable for it's full 7 year lifespan after installation.

[DoublTrouble]

https://www.airforums.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=215876

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by SeeMore

Detector lifespan starts when it is first powered up and not before! This insight has been posted many times over the years yet still seems to be an unknown by even the long term posters and lurkers.

Sizing -

FYI for those of you with older units. There are two size openings used with the older (pre Dometic) flush-mount Atwood LP gas detectors. One used an opening of 3-7/8" H x 3-1/4" W and the other 2-5/8" W x 3-5/8" H.

Unscrew your current detector and measure the opening. With that in hand you can evaluate whether the 36719 (3-7/8 H x 3-1/4" W) or 36720 (opening 3-5/8" H x 2-5/8" W) units will meet your need.

Again, the 7 year internal countdown to replacement alarm is triggered on initial power up. New old stock is perfectly useable for it's full 7 year lifespan after installation.

What I said.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The detector lifespan is just a guess. Mine died long before the predicted life of the unit had run out. Anything sitting on the shelf for 7 years isn't getting any better during that wait.

Bob

[SeeMore]

uncle_bob, you are correct twice over.

1) LP Detectors can, at times, prematurely malfunction, which will trigger an audible warning alarm. Many, if not most, LP Gas detectors will tell you when the unit needs replacing by displaying a yellow indicator light.

2) Secondly, a product sitting undisturbed on a shelf, post manufacturing, definitely will not get any better during that idle period.

However, unless the detector's electrical components suffer corrosion or physical destruction, shelf life should not reduce it's gas detection ability. I haven't seen an explanation of how pellistor sensor &/or diffusion-based infrared gas detection sensor degradation occurs in the absence of electrical current and suspect it would be fascinating reading.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by SeeMore

uncle_bob, you are correct twice over.

1) LP Detectors can, at times, prematurely malfunction, which will trigger an audible warning alarm. Many, if not most, LP Gas detectors will tell you when the unit needs replacing by displaying a yellow indicator light.

2) Secondly, a product sitting undisturbed on a shelf, post manufacturing, definitely will not get any better during that idle period.

However, unless the detector's electrical components suffer corrosion or physical destruction, shelf life should not reduce it's gas detection ability. I haven't seen an explanation of how pellistor sensor &/or diffusion-based infrared gas detection sensor degradation occurs in the absence of electrical current and suspect it would be fascinating reading.

Hi

Many of us store our trailers with the power disconnected. That is how I do it and have done it. If you *only* look at the power on hours ( < half the time since installation), ours died a *very* early death. There most certainly is a wear out mechanism that is independent of it being on power.

Bob

[SeeMore]

The presence of electrical current triggers the clock starting on the sensors and the life span clock continues to run thereafter with or without the presence of electricity.

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by SeeMore

The presence of electrical current triggers the clock starting on the sensors and the life span clock continues to run thereafter with or without the presence of electricity.

Thank you. Best precise explanation.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by SeeMore

The presence of electrical current triggers the clock starting on the sensors and the life span clock continues to run thereafter with or without the presence of electricity.

Hi

Unless they have a clock that has its own nuclear reactor, it only runs when power is applied .... The board it these things is pretty simple. No onboard battery / power source.

The fact that it only runs when power is on is why a lot of folks go well over the stated number of years before the "I'm dead" alarm goes off.

Bob

[Projet2907]

[QUOTE=Nozz;2539040]AirForum’ers,

It’s near the 7 year timeframe to replace our original Atwood RV Propane Gas Detector model 31013, original pictures below. This goes in our 2015 Airstream Flying Cloud. Looks like the replacement model is now 31014, but seems to be difficult to find.

Questions…
1. Will an Atwood model 36720 fit into the original space?
2. Is there something newer, more modern that can replace it, without cutting or modifying the existing hole?
3. Recommendations with links?

Thanks in advance…
Nozz


I bought this newer one on amazon that will fit in the same hole;
RV SAFE RVLP-2B Propane Gas Alarm - 2-Wire, Black.

I found only white ones of the originals.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

You can install it horizontally or vertically. Used in the 2023 Airstreams models

Easy to install yourself, just cut the wires and re-crimp or use wage nuts. I shut off the all electrical, shore and 12v when I work on electrical :-0)