Propane Detector June 01, 2019, 11:55:53 am During the last couple of weeks my propane detector (Safe T Alert 40-442-A) sounded twice an alarm. Both times it happened when it was warm and I turned on the roof fan in the back of the rv. The first time the alarm came on, I pressed the button, and it seemed to be fine again. The second time the device continued to blink red after the button was pressed. In both cases the fridge was running on propane and everything else was off. Since then the alarm came not on again,I removed the device and according to a sticker on its back was apparently manufactured in 2010. On its front the device says that it needs to be replaced when the light blinks red/green - and it never did this. I'm wondering now whether I should replace the device simply due to its age, or whether I can trust the light on the front (which is usually just green). If the device should get replaced every 5-7 years I would actually expect a sticker on its front with the manufacturing date.If I replace the device I wonder whether it makes any difference that the model that is being sold now - Safe T Alert 40-442-P instead of Safe T Alert 40-442-A - uses 90 mA instead of 45 mA (buying a physically identical model would make it very easy to replace it).Some advice would be appreciated.Klaus
Re: Propane Detector Reply #1 – June 01, 2019, 12:13:34 pm Just replaced mine yesterday.....with Vince's help....the original was manufactured in 2013.....so we got 6 years out of it...the original was 40-442-P and replaced with the same......you need to replace it as some last 5-6 years like ours but some last longer....but if it's beeping at you it's telling you to change.....I would call that Customer Service number on the back of the alarm 800-383-0269.....I guess I was lucky because mine was an easy change 1 Likes
Re: Propane Detector Reply #2 – June 01, 2019, 12:21:44 pm Many propane detectors have the manufacturing or expiration date stamped on the rear of the detector.The average life is 5 years, the 'replace' light doesn't always work.From MTI's site."Replace your Propane and CO Alarms that are over 5 years old. Only install Propane and CO Alarms that are UL listed for Recreational Vehicle Use. Some CO Alarms or their replaceable CO sensors may have a shorter service life." The 40-442 detectors should be interchangeable .Larry 2 Likes
Re: Propane Detector Reply #3 – June 01, 2019, 12:25:15 pm Should have added that I purchased mine from Lazy Daze, it was cheaper than Amazon ....and I was already meeting with Vince so it made it easier for me 1 Likes
Re: Propane Detector Reply #4 – June 01, 2019, 01:17:24 pm I'm on my third detector in our 06. Based on my experience the first one did pretty well for a long time. The second and third models seem to go through spells of false alarms. In fact, that seems to be all smoke alarms and propane detectors are good for these days. At least, in small RVs.We actually had a slight propane leak a few years ago that I could smell that was within a couple of feet of the detector and it never went off. Recently the current one went through a phase of going off once or twice in the morning around 9am and then reset and back to green. It's less than 5 years old.Jim 1 Likes
Re: Propane Detector Reply #5 – June 01, 2019, 03:37:20 pm Hi Jim; Well the propane, more properly described as 'an explosive' gas detector (includes butane, methane, alcohol, gasoline, and natural gas) doesn't know whether it is day or night, or what time of day it is. So you were doing something to set it off at 9:00 AM. Deodorant sprays, perfume, some cleaning agents etc. all contain hydrocarbons. Hydro carbons when in aerosol form will confound the sensor in the 'propane' detector. Rate of rise is important to the alarm. Just like a smoke alarm, a slow gradual rise of sensed chemicals will take longer to set off an alarm. A rapid change in levels will set off the alarm quicker. Also propane is slightly heavier than air, and will settle to the floor, which is why the alarm is near the floor. The MTI 30-442 Amazon.com: MTI INDUSTRIES 30442PBR 12V Propane/Gas Detector: Automotive has an 'end of life' alert, flashing the red LED twice, then the green LED twice, repeat. The a;arm can be silenced for 3 days, then can't be silenced after 30 days. That is written on the front panel in the picture. I believe that EOL is a five year period. If you routinely turn off your house batteries for storage that might extend that time. With solar I don't disconnect my batteries. and I don't have a disconnect anyway. (just a wrench!) RonB As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Propane Detector Reply #6 – June 01, 2019, 05:55:53 pm Quote from: RonB - June 01, 2019, 03:37:20 pmHi Jim; Well the propane, more properly described as 'an explosive' gas detector (includes butane, methane, alcohol, gasoline, and natural gas) doesn't know whether it is day or night, or what time of day it is. So you were doing something to set it off at 9:00 AM. Deodorant sprays, perfume, some cleaning agents etc. all contain hydrocarbons. Hydro carbons when in aerosol form will confound the sensor in the 'propane' detector. Rate of rise is important to the alarm. Just like a smoke alarm, a slow gradual rise of sensed chemicals will take longer to set off an alarm. A rapid change in levels will set off the alarm quicker. Also propane is slightly heavier than air, and will settle to the floor, which is why the alarm is near the floor. The MTI 30-442 Amazon.com: MTI INDUSTRIES 30442PBR 12V Propane/Gas Detector: Automotive has an 'end of life' alert, flashing the red LED twice, then the green LED twice, repeat. The a;arm can be silenced for 3 days, then can't be silenced after 30 days. That is written on the front panel in the picture. I believe that EOL is a five year period. If you routinely turn off your house batteries for storage that might extend that time. With solar I don't disconnect my batteries. and I don't have a disconnect anyway. (just a wrench!) RonBI am aware of those issues. However, in each instance, there was no cooking going on, no sprays of any kind. I was sitting at the table looking at the computer alone. In one instance we were out of the rig and a neighbor tracked us down to let us know it was going off and as in every other instance, it stopped and hasn't started since although it is now in storage with power off.The last two detectors didn't get anywhere near 5 years before problems started. Moreover, I was smelling propane for days before we found the leak and fixed it and it never went off. It turned out to be two connections that needed just a touch of tightening. Either we aren't having good luck with longevity or poltergeists.Of course the smoke detector is the worst. Boiling water will set it off.Jim As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Propane Detector Reply #7 – June 01, 2019, 06:18:28 pm "Boiling water will set it off."That comment triggered a thought with me.Is the flame on the stove burner pure blue? There is a possibility that you may have incomplete combustion, particularly if the flame tips are orange. I have used a heavy duty pipe cleaner to clean out the gas tubes and passages, it normally makes a marked improvement.But that doesn't account for the other instances!
Re: Propane Detector Reply #8 – June 01, 2019, 07:41:17 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - June 01, 2019, 06:18:28 pm"Boiling water will set it off."That comment triggered a thought with me.Is the flame on the stove burner pure blue? There is a possibility that you may have incomplete combustion, particularly if the flame tips are orange. I have used a heavy duty pipe cleaner to clean out the gas tubes and passages, it normally makes a marked improvement.But that doesn't account for the other instances! That is a good idea on the flame. Will have to check. However, steaming vegetables in the microwave will also set it off too.Jim
Re: Propane Detector Reply #9 – June 01, 2019, 09:13:43 pm "...will also set it off too." D@mned if you do, d@mned if you don't! Can't win for losing.
Re: Propane Detector Reply #10 – June 01, 2019, 09:46:11 pm I will replace my propane detector.However, looking at the responses here it is not completely clear that they are very reliable. Even newer devices seem sometimes to produce false alarms when they should not or no alarms when they should, and the end of life alarm seems to be also not working reliably in all devices. This is not exactly inspiring confidence.Is there a way to test these devices? Could I just close all windows and roof openings and open the stove burners and wait outside for the alarm? Or could I take a one pound bottle (for the Buddy heater), have it directly next to the detector, let propane discharge from it by manually pushing down the valve, and wait what happens? Or are these crazy ideas and there is no way of testing these devices, and there is nothing else to do but to buy new ones every couple of years and hope for the best?Klaus
Re: Propane Detector Reply #11 – June 01, 2019, 10:13:32 pm No need to get that fancy (and dangerous). You can test by valving open a butane lighter, but without the spark, next to the detector. 1 Likes
Re: Propane Detector Reply #12 – June 01, 2019, 11:13:07 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - June 01, 2019, 10:13:32 pmYou can test by valving open a butane lighter, but without the spark, next to the detector.That idea came to me, too, after writing the last post. I just did it - and the detector screamed as it should after about 30 seconds. Kind of funny is that I noticed the sentence "do not test with lighter" in small print on the device.
Re: Propane Detector Reply #13 – June 02, 2019, 05:36:24 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - June 01, 2019, 10:13:32 pmNo need to get that fancy (and dangerous). You can test by valving open a butane lighter, but without the spark, next to the detector.Or you can have your dog sleep by the detector.Chris 1 Likes
Re: Propane Detector Reply #14 – June 02, 2019, 05:38:10 pm Quote from: Jim & Gayle - June 01, 2019, 05:55:53 pmI am aware of those issues. However, in each instance, there was no cooking going on, no sprays of any kind. I was sitting at the table looking at the computer alone. In one instance we were out of the rig and a neighbor tracked us down to let us know it was going off and as in every other instance, it stopped and hasn't started since although it is now in storage with power off.The last two detectors didn't get anywhere near 5 years before problems started. Moreover, I was smelling propane for days before we found the leak and fixed it and it never went off. It turned out to be two connections that needed just a touch of tightening. Either we aren't having good luck with longevity or poltergeists.Of course the smoke detector is the worst. Boiling water will set it off.JimJim, I moved my smoke detector (30' IB) to the front of the lounge. That took care of the false signals.Chris 1 Likes
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