My Alarm Clock/LP Detector

[nomad297]

My CO/LP detector/alarm has started to go off every night at between 1:30am and 2:30am. It has done this every night except one for the last three weeks, but only when the camper is occupied - which it has been for 16 nights. I am assuming that if it alarmed while unoccupied, it would not stop alarming until I returned to my camper to turn it off. First, I have no LP leaks - I am a plumber and I have excluded this as a possibility. Second, my CO/LP alarm is only (falsely) alerting for LP and not CO.

What the heck? Why is it going off with such a predictable pattern? My dogs sleep about ten feet away from the detector. Could they be farting on a regular schedule and setting it off? I'm perplexed.

Bruce

[NMWildcat]

I vote on the dogs. I think I would get a second battery operated LP detector and see if it alarms along with the original. Or just replace the original. No little Coleman bottles in the rig?

[ynott96]

My newly acquired 2011 Georgetown 300FWS had its co/lp detector die....and in small print on the unit was "replace by 2014".....bought a new one( had to also get new solenoid)...$300 plus labor...and it states that it must be replaced at 60 months life time!!!!!!!!
The manufacturer has a guaranteed replacement every 5 years for the lifetime of the motorhome!!!!!!!!!!!
Your unit may be approaching its designated lifetime end!

Good luck, George

[Kenny kustom]

Yup. It's the sensing cell.

My rebreather had 3 O2 cells that had to be replaced every year, at $150 a pop.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[nomad297]

While I don't dispute that the less than one year old device may be defective, can anybody explain or opine on why it goes off at the same time every night, only when the camper is occupied?

Bruce

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by nomad297

While I don't dispute that the less than one year old device may be defective, can anybody explain or opine on why it goes off at the same time every night, only when the camper is occupied?

Bruce

Sorry Bruce.... I have no idea. Maybe you need to call Ghostbusters?

[mjones12]

I have blamed lots of things on my dog.....Seriously. I have heard that the offloading of methane by dogs- or ?those who blame dogs - can set those things off.

[Stormrider151]

Originally Posted by nomad297

My CO/LP detector/alarm has started to go off every night at between 1:30am and 2:30am. It has done this every night except one for the last three weeks, but only when the camper is occupied - which it has been for 16 nights. I am assuming that if it alarmed while unoccupied, it would not stop alarming until I returned to my camper to turn it off. First, I have no LP leaks - I am a plumber and I have excluded this as a possibility. Second, my CO/LP alarm is only (falsely) alerting for LP and not CO.

What the heck? Why is it going off with such a predictable pattern? My dogs sleep about ten feet away from the detector. Could they be farting on a regular schedule and setting it off? I'm perplexed.

Bruce

Yes it could very well be the dog. I saw a video on YouTube awhile back about this very thing. A young lady full timer was having the exact same issue. And it turned out to be the dog passing gas. If it were my dog it would probably melt the detector. I have GOT to change his food.

[RussPastuch]

Sorry, but yes, CO detectors are good for 5 to 7 years, then have to be replaced. Not cheap ! But better safe than dead !

[bob5560g]

Mine goes off if I let the battery get too low.

[updhaul]

If the dogs didn't do it, I'm betting on the alarm warning you that power or battery is low and needs replaced. It gives you a grace period. Note use specific batteries to keep warranty in effect Could be defective, I had that happen and manufacturer sent new one. Alarms only malfunction at night. Check all your vents for new critters and proper vent alignment, don't wake dogs

[CountryGirl14]

Originally Posted by Stormrider151

Yes it could very well be the dog. I saw a video on YouTube awhile back about this very thing. A young lady full timer was having the exact same issue. And it turned out to be the dog passing gas. If it were my dog it would probably melt the detector. I have GOT to change his food.

Seriously? Can a dog laying in front of detector passing gas really set them off?

In our previous trailer we had ours go off once. Ruled out propane. Nothing from a compressed can being being sprayed. Reset the detector. Never went off again, nor did we ever figure out what caused it to go off in the first place. If this is true, I may have 2-3 years later found out my answer! It was hubby...I mean the dog!

[rjshiflet]

One suggestion (based on our experience) before you go and spend the money for a replacement...use a vacuum hose and clean all around the detector as well as the detector itself.

Ours wasn't quite that predictable, but was going off very frequently day and night. Once I vacuumed to remove all dust from it - it hasn't uttered a peep except during a TEST. Lights still working to indicate it's actively monitoring and we sleep very soundly with no interruptions.

[41ford]

I have seen spiders make a home in detectors, that will intermittently set them off. Check your detectors for that.