CO / LP detector

[BurbanAZ]

We got a Jayco travel trailer last year and had constant issues with the CO / LP detector going of constantly. Im trying to find a battery powered replacement unit but every one I seem to find runs off 12v dc. Is there a reason they are all 12v, seems like a headache to have a constant drain on my battery even though it's low when a battery detector lasts years.

 

[REasley]

Just a point of curiosity. Have you looked into reasons that it might be going off? Those things are usually pretty reliable, but a very small propane leak might be the problem. The whole idea behind being tied into the rigs 12 volt system is to operate a solenoid valve to close down the propane in case of leak.

 

[BurbanAZ]

I looked into if we had a leak at all but even with the propane completely off and the system empty the alarm was going off. The trailer was unused and new so it didn't have any chemicals stored in it or anything and the water system hadn't been used.

So does the alarm shut the solenoid if it's starts alarming? If it does then I'll just try replacing the unit with a new 12v unit.

 

[Louisd75]

I looked into if we had a leak at all but even with the propane completely off and the system empty the alarm was going off. The trailer was unused and new so it didn't have any chemicals stored in it or anything and the water system hadn't been used.

So does the alarm shut the solenoid if it's starts alarming? If it does then I'll just try replacing the unit with a new 12v unit.

It may or may not shut off the propane depending on the model of detector you have, but I would still go with a 12v replacement. I'm going with an isolation switch on the battery that will let me secure power to everything on the trailer when it's not in use. The propane/co monitor will be a part of the circuit that gets isolated. My furnace won't work without electrical and all of the propane lines will be external. You may want to look into a battery isolation switch that allows for everything to be shut off while the trailer is in storage or being towed.

 

[BurbanAZ]

That's a good idea about isolating everything so you can completely shut power off to everything. I would think you could just use a normal battery switch like you can get from any auto parts store just to basically open the circuit when not in use and cut the power.

 

[oldcelicaracer]

check the battery voltage,they are supposed to go off when the bsttery gets under 11.7 volts,u could install a small motor cycle battery with a isolator switch to charge it up and then isolate it so the main battery dont drain it....just a possibility,but the alarm is doing what its supposed to but if its going off over 12v then get it warrentied as it is not working propperly, a 9v house hold alarm will also work