Alarms and CO Detectors

grantgoold · January 17, 2011, 02:28:38 PM

Folks, I am looking at purchasing a combination C0 detector and Explosive Gas Alarm for the bus. Anyone had any experience with these alarms. At this point, the Kidde unit has all the stuff I need. 120 AC with power cord. Battery back up LED display.

Thoughts

Grant

robertglines1 · January 17, 2011, 02:32:52 PM

A definite must if running gen set or LP on board. Rvsafety man Jim is the resident expert and did a thread last fall about what other situations will set them off. Bob

JohnEd · January 17, 2011, 03:01:19 PM

One of those category of detector has a life span of a couple years or so and the other last indefinitely. I would look at that angle before making my purchase.

The Propane detector used to be available with a 12 valve that would cut off the gas if it alarmed. Seems that a similar feature on thew CO detector would make sense. Jim has always had some pretty good answers.

John

luvrbus · January 17, 2011, 03:54:11 PM

Combo units don't work good CO detectors are mounted high and propane units are mounted low propane is heavier than air I think you will be better off with 2 separate units unless you are using natural gas.FWIW I would spend a little extra and get away from Kidde the marine world has some better units

good luck

rv_safetyman · January 17, 2011, 04:26:47 PM

Grant, the more I researched smoke/CO/propane detectors, the more complex the whole subject became. That was especially true with the CO detectors.

That is the reason I wrote a pretty detailed article for BCM (October Issue).

This is a pretty important subject, and a bit more detailed that I can attempt to rehash here.

Jim

luvrbus · January 17, 2011, 05:18:21 PM

When I started making my bus with more Propane use I bought the Trident Marine propane detector or it would shut the propane off and sound the alarms if propane was detected was worth the extra money for me a real popular unit for the marine world

good luck

Seayfam · January 17, 2011, 06:09:12 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on January 17, 2011, 05:18:21 PM
When I started making my bus with more Propane use I bought the Trident Marine propane Doctor it would shut the propane off and sound the alarms if propane was detected was worth the extra money for me a real popular unit for the marine world

good luck

I'm with loverbus on this one!!
Get your self one that will shut the propane off, then buy a separate co2 detector and replace it every 2 or 3 years "they do go bad"

Gary

rv_safetyman · January 17, 2011, 06:56:31 PM

The sad story on propane detectors/shut off solenoid systems is the the leading vendor was CCI (7719 system). It seemed to be the benchmark and they were the major supplier to the RV manufacturers. They, like many other folks, have gone out of business.

Jim

belfert · January 17, 2011, 09:03:49 PM

Who makes propane detectors for RVs now? They are still required even if CCI is out of business.

Seayfam · January 17, 2011, 09:51:56 PM

Quote from: belfert on January 17, 2011, 09:03:49 PM
Who makes propane detectors for RVs now? They are still required even if CCI is out of business.

SAFE-T-ALERT
Recommended replacement for CCI controls "no additional modifications required" replaces 7752 & 7719

Gary

JohnEd · January 17, 2011, 10:42:38 PM

Read what Clifford said one more time. It is still made for marine applications. I have the Propane detector witgh the automatic shutoff. I was told when I bought it that there were no more and the company went out of bus. The electric valve looked pretty generic to me but who knows. When/If it gives up I will just wine and snivel to Clifford for a reference to a marine supplier. Get the auto shut off that Clifford refered to. Please.

Trident Marine!

John

Quote from: luvrbus on January 17, 2011, 05:18:21 PM
When I started making my bus with more Propane use I bought the Trident Marine propane detector or it would shut the propane off and sound the alarms if propane was detected was worth the extra money for me a real popular unit for the marine world

good luck

grantgoold · January 18, 2011, 05:31:26 AM

Excellent information. I too will purchase the auto shutoff as I am just getting started with the propane installation. I like the idea of two separate units. I will spend what ever amount is necessary to ensure my family's safety.

Regards

Grant

rv_safetyman · January 18, 2011, 06:54:00 AM

I had not heard about the Trident system. Looks good, but a bit expensive. Here is a link:

http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/8577--12v-lpg-gas-detection-control-system-detector-solenoid.html

The Safe-T-Alert system is shown here:

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/lp-gas/lp-co-detector-with-valve.htm

The CCI system was less money (think I sold them for $179 when installed with my system).

I have always been amazed that the "code" only specifies a detection system in RV. What good does that do if you are not there to hear the alarm? Some of (but not all) the top end, big dollar coaches install the shut down system in their coaches.

I always tried to talk my customers into installing the CCI shut down system when I installed my system. I then installed a NC relay in the power wire and connected the coil of the relay to my fire detection system. That way, if a fire was detected it shut the propane off.

Jim

luvrbus · January 18, 2011, 07:03:24 AM

Shop the marine dealers the price will vary I bought mine from Go2Marine wasn't that much more than PPL for the RV type and more came with it,marine stuff is IMO is better quality than the RV drawback is you pay for it but hauling grandkids priceless lol

good luck

belfert · January 18, 2011, 10:54:56 AM

Quote from: rv_safetyman on January 18, 2011, 06:54:00 AM
I have always been amazed that the "code" only specifies a detection system in RV. What good does that do if you are not there to hear the alarm? Some of (but not all) the top end, big dollar coaches install the shut down system in their coaches.

I suspect the reasoning for not requiring shutoffs is that if nobody is in the vehicle when the LP detector sounds at least nobody will be hurt if there is a fire. Of course, not having a fire is the better outcome. Similiar to smoke alarms required in homes, but not sprinklers. (Home sprinklers will be required when states adopt the latest residential building code.)