Smoke alarm keeps 'alarming'...

[TennisMan]

Hey, our smoke alarm keeps going off at random; first time was at 5 a.m. two days ago, and it did it again this afternoon. Of course, there's no fire/smoke, and it has a brand new Duracell battery in it.

My theory is that the smoke alarm is getting very cold from the direct cold air blowing on it from the A/C unit. Perhaps this is setting it off?

Any ideas?

Thanx, Lance

[TinShack]

Lance, You didn't say what type of Airstream you have. Is it brand new?

[Fyrzowt]

Many times dust or a spider or other insect will invade, causing a false alarm. Blow it out (gently) with compressed air or vacuum it out. It sometimes helps. Sometimes they're just defective. On the plus side, they're also relatively cheap if it's not still under warranty.
Dave

[TennisMan]

Yeah, sorry, it is a brand new A/S 25 Safari SE FB; put a fresh battery in it as well.

Lance

[Silvertwinkie]

Could be defective...... if you've replaced the batteries and blown out any dust and it's still doing it, a replacement (under warranty) might be your next step.

[SilverCabin]

I had problems with mine too this past weekend. I was cooking breakfast, eggs and sausage, nothing generating any visible smoke. All the windows were open, fantastic fan was on, range vent fan was on, and the darned thing kept alarming. I fanned it with a towel and it would go off. After a few cycles of that, I took it down and set it outside on the picnic table.

In my 23 footer, the smoke alarm is on the ceiling at the street side front, about eight to ten feet from the stove. Perhaps that is too close.

Randy

[jimmickle]

I have had two first alerts fail recently. If yours is first alert, call them at the number on the back. After a few questions to make sure that it isn't just a bad battery, they told me to buy a new one and send them the bill, and they would send a check. They did on the first bad one. I am waiting for the second check. (Its only been a week)

[5cats]

Originally Posted by jimmickle

I have had two first alerts fail recently. If yours is first alert, call them at the number on the back.

Good suggestion!

Yesterday, our smoke detector began emitting the every-thirty-seconds-peep -- virtually one year to the day since we brought it home brand new. We replaced the 9V, tested fine. Then: peep...peep... Blew out the vent/casing (there's not much to these things): peep!

So I'm committed to replacement.
Molded into the casing:

• Brand: Universal
• Model: S8-775
• Mfg Date: 2006JUN28
• Replace by year: 2016
• Phone: none listed

Oh well, home depot or costco for a cheap multi-pack.

Better yet, I may just replace this unit and the CO detector, mounted right next to each other, with a single multifunction detector.

Too bad the factory saw fit to mount the smoke detector directly on the ceiling panel of our SE, instead of the wardrobe side like the CO detector: screw holes in wood are easier to hide in wood versus the shiney AL panels!

Cheers,
-jd.

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by 5cats

Good suggestion!

Too bad the factory saw fit to mount the smoke detector directly on the ceiling panel of our SE, instead of the wardrobe side like the CO detector: screw holes in wood are easier to hide in wood versus the shiney AL panels!

Cheers,
-jd.

We have twice had smoke detectors alarm for no reason - both time there were spider webs inside between contacts.

If you have to leave exposed holes in the aluminum, consider filling them with rivets. They will look intentional and at least be the same color.

[5cats]

Originally Posted by Janet

We have twice had smoke detectors alarm for no reason - both time there were spider webs inside between contacts.

If you have to leave exposed holes in the aluminum, consider filling them with rivets. They will look intentional and at least be the same color.

Holes: perfect! and why didn't I think of that?

I just now completely disassembled the smoke detector to look for critters or anything, but found nothing. Still quite clean. I'll just replace it and have peace of mind.

Cheers,
-jd.

[vswingfield]

Last year I bought a First Alert 10-Year smoke alarm. It has a lithium battery, so you don’t have to change batteries for the life of the unit. After 10 years, just get a new one.

[billberk]

Lance,

We've had the same problem since day one. I think the things are just too sensitive to temperature change.

I hate to admit it, but we take the batteries out when we camp just to shut them up.

Bill

[jzelle]

Same here, just not practical in such a small space. We threw ours out on day one.

[Rebee]

Smoke alarms are sensitive to ozone in the air, and in a small space noticable ozone may be produced by an electric motor. An example of a ozone producer is an electric drill. The sparks coming from the brushes cause ozone, not a lot but can be detected with smell. Im thinking maybe some loose wires around the Converter unit.

A CO sensor should be mounted near the floor because Carbon Monixide is heavier than air. If it is on he cieling and goes off noone will hear it. Too Late.

Just some thoughts and things to look for in the AS.

dale

[wagnerda]

Our smoke alarm near the stove also has a habit of going off whenever cooking, even with the stove vent fan on.

However, our smoke alarm has a "dumb-down" button on it so when it starts to go off you hit the button and supposedly for the next 15 minutes it is not as sensitive. Doesn't always seem to work 100% but it does seem to help.

Of course if you are frying a pork chop nothing will stop it except pulling the 9V battery.

One of these days I think I will move it back to the rear of trailer over the bed and see if that takes care of it. I haven't done that yet because I was also worried about the holes in the SE skin, but I like the rivet idea so that will take care of it.

regards, Dave

[Mackhopp]

When cooking or using the toaster, I cover my smoke alarms with a shower cap temporarily. Seems to work.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by Rebee

Smoke alarms are sensitive to ozone in the air, and in a small space noticable ozone may be produced by an electric motor. An example of a ozone producer is an electric drill. The sparks coming from the brushes cause ozone, not a lot but can be detected with smell. Im thinking maybe some loose wires around the Converter unit.

A CO sensor should be mounted near the floor because Carbon Monixide is heavier than air. If it is on he cieling and goes off noone will hear it. Too Late.

Just some thoughts and things to look for in the AS.

dale

I agree with Dale, especially about the CO detector being near the floor, and for heaven sake don't throw out the detectors - if they are too sensitive clean or replace them. If your smoke alarm regularly goes off when you cook, take a cheap hotel shower cap and put over it for the duration of the meal - then remove it.

You only have to escape from one fire to become a fanatic. You only have to see one person struggle for months to clear carbon monoxide from their red blood cells to realize that any inconvenience is negligible compared to third degree burns. You'll never regret being too safe. You may pay far more than you bargain for by thinking that it can't happen to you.

Paula

[Fyrzowt]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

I agree with Dale, especially about the CO detector being near the floor, and for heaven sake don't throw out the detectors - if they are too sensitive clean or replace them. If your smoke alarm regularly goes off when you cook, take a cheap hotel shower cap and put over it for the duration of the meal - then remove it.

You only have to escape from one fire to become a fanatic. You only have to see one person struggle for months to clear carbon monoxide from their red blood cells to realize that any inconvenience is negligible compared to third degree burns. You'll never regret being too safe. You may pay far more than you bargain for by thinking that it can't happen to you.

Paula

Agreed.

We had a gentleman last week who due to a fire, will never again have the opportunity to hear a malfunctioning or overly sensitive smoke detector.

If you don't have one, buy one.
If you already have one, maintain it. Please don't disconnect the battery.
It really is a pleasure to be able to hear a smoke detector and have the opportunity to gripe about it. Sure beats the alternative.
Dave

[5cats]

Originally Posted by 5cats

I'll just replace it and have peace of mind.

I found a nice smoke+CO detector at the local home improvement store and mounted it in place of the factory CO detector.

The remaining holes from the factory-installed smoke detector filled in nicely with rivets and essentially vanished. Nice.

I had been puzzled about the location of the original CO monitor, mounted waaay up on a cabinet nearly touching the ceiling. I kept that one in service, but now positioned down low.

A little dot of blue masking tape takes care of the over-achieving, "I'm on! I'm ON!" status light that flashes all around us with the shiny walls at night.

Us + pups all around, sound asleep: bliss.
Working smoke/CO detectors: priceless.

Cheers,
-jd.

[SilverCabin]

Here's that sensitive smoke alarm I have that I mentioned back in post #6 on this thread, and here's what I found works very well to keep it quiet while cooking. I found these at a paint distributor that works with building contractors. The little shower cap is made to protect a smoke detector when they are spraying ceiling texture and paint. I only put this on if it starts to act up and never leave the stove unattended.

Randy