Carbon Monoxide / LP Detector

[jstubbert]

I have an older model coleman without a carbon monoxide or LP detector. I would like to install one. I would like to find an all-in-one unit. So far I have not had any luck in locating one.

Another idea I have is rather than hard wiring one in I am considering using one of the battery powered home carbon  monoxide dectors. Do you know of any downside to this appoach other than making sure we have fresh batteries for each trip?

I would really like to hear from anyone who has installed a detector in their camper. I would love to learn from your experience...

Best regards,

Jeff Stubbert

[Tim5055]

I have never seen a combo unit, but have to admit that I've never looked too hard.  My Santa Fe has a factory LP detector and I added a battery powered CO detector along with the smoke detector I added.

[tlhdoc]

The newer trailers only come with a propane detector.  I have never seen one with a propane/carbon monoxide combo unit.  I have the factory propane detector and a portable carbon monoxide/smoke detector.  Wouldn't need new batteries for each trip with the battery powered models.  We replace our batteries once a year at home and in the PU and we have never had a dead battery in a detector yet.  The only problem we have with the smoke detector is that it will go off when cooking inside.  The increase in temperature near the ceiling sets off the fire part of my detector, so it is mounted so it can be easily removed from the ceiling when cooking indoors.  I slide it between the tenting on the bunkend and the dip of the shepherds pole.  

[topcat7736]

Lp gas is heavier than air and drops quickly to the floor. The LP detectors are made to be used at floor level.
 
Carbon monoxide and smoke are lighter than air and the detectors are made to be used higher up. A good combo detector is worth its weight in gold.
 
Because of the differences, I don't believe you'll be able to find a "combo" unit  for both the LP and smoke/co.

[jstubbert]

That sums it up.... They most likely don't exist and if they did I don't think I would want one..

[JonesFamilyJayco]

I installed a battery operated CO detector, but became dissapionted after the batteries would consistantly run low & start to beep.  I unfortuantely installed it too far away from the door, so I would have to pop it up to get to it. Since these are used in homes all the time, I think I may have bought a dud.  

I agree that smoke & CO rise, so I should try to replace mine with a unit installed on the roof (and closer to the door!)

[tlhdoc]

I agree that smoke & CO rise, so I should try to replace mine with a unit installed on the roof (and closer to the door!)

If you install it on the ceiling you will need to pup up to get to it.  When you are popped down the beds will be in blocking access to it.

[Larry Mack]

I have a combo co/smoke detector, got it at Walmart about $40 or so...seems to work fine..it talks to you as well as alarms..says what the alarm is...

Mounted it on the ceiling...I take the battery out at the end of each trip.

[Cadeuses]

** This post is not to spark an argument but FYI to all...** Carbon Monoxide IS heavier than air... the same as propane.  Therefore CO (carbon monoxide) and PG (propane gas) would both be at the lowest level within the confined container.

 
If that container happens to be your PU... both gases would be found at the floor level... providing they didn't leak out of the relatively loose joints and door areas of your PU.  The danger of course with these gasses is:
 
1.  For Propane... the risk of explosion, once the interior concentration reached the correct level to sustain combustion, and
 
2.  For Carbon Monoxide... suffocation as CO displaces the oxygen above it... meaning NO Oxygen at the floor level.
 
These risks for the most part are relatively low, however accidents involving both have happened in the past.  Knowledge about how to work with and avoid hazards with these gasses are your best defence....
 
So what's my point...?  Place both of your detectors LOW within the PU.... Not high for the CO one as may have been suggested by the comment

Carbon monoxide and smoke are lighter than air and the detectors are made to be used higher up

Hope this helps... and have a SAFE great day!

[AustinBoston]

** This post is not to spark an argument but FYI to all...** Carbon Monoxide IS heavier than air... the same as propane.  Therefore CO (carbon monoxide) and PG (propane gas) would both be at the lowest level within the confined container.

Absolutely NOT TRUE!  I believe you are confusing carbon dioxide (aka CO2, which IS heavier than air, and only toxic in fairly high concentrations) with carbon monoxide (CO, which can be deadly at concentrations hundreds of times lower than CO2).  Carbon monoxide is only slightly lighter than air, so it's density is essentially the same as air.

Density of Carbon Monoxide: 1.250
Density of air (mostly Nitrogen and Oxygen): 1.293
Density of Carbon Dioxide: 1.977

Carbon monoxide is normally warmer than the surounding air and would therefore rise even if it were slightly denser (which it isn't).  Propane will usually be colder and would sink even if it were slightly lighter than air (which it isn't).

I was able to find web sites with incorrect information about this.  I believe even people who should know better sometimes confuse the two.  But every reference I found by CO detector manufacturers said that CO is lighter than air and that the CO detector needs to be mounted high.  Even when I did a google search for Carbon and Monoxide and "heavier than air" nearly all the sites said CO2 was heavier than air, but that CO was lighter than air.

If that container happens to be your PU... both gases would be found at the floor level... providing they didn't leak out of the relatively loose joints and door areas of your PU. The danger of course with these gasses is:

1. For Propane... the risk of explosion, once the interior concentration reached the correct level to sustain combustion, and

2. For Carbon Monoxide... suffocation as CO displaces the oxygen above it... meaning NO Oxygen at the floor level.

This just about proves that you are confusing CO2 with CO.  With carbon DIoxide (CO2), it takes 50,000 parts per million (5%) to start feeling the effects, mostly from toxicity but also from displacing oxygen (suffocation).

With carbon MONoxide (CO), effects begin to appear at 200 parts per million, or about 0.02%.  Fifteen minutes exposure to 6500 parts per million CO (0.65%) is nearly 100% fatal.  This is a concentration way too low to involve displacement of oxygen in the air.  Carbon monoxide is fatal at a level nearly 10 times lower than carbon dioxide even has effects.

Some references:

A CO test equipment company:
http://home.att.net/~cobusters1/

From a site on mine safety (where correct info is a matter of life-and-death):
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/dms/website/training/inventory/minegases.htm

From the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000701-d000800/d000766/d000766.html

Austin

[Cadeuses]

Sharp eye there Austin.... I stand corrected!