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Topic: LP Gas detector ghost! (Read 225 times) previous topic - next topic
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LP Gas detector ghost!
Our 2016 TK LP Gas detector has recently started blaring intermittently. The first time was 1 AM, of course! We pulled the fuse and it stopped- opened all windows and hoped to wake up alive! It now goes off when using the generator in the morning (not early evening)- go figure!
Any suggestions? Thanks so much.
2016 24' Twin King

Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #1
My experience with LP gas detectors is that they detect non-existent odors very well and don't do so well with propane. We are on our 3rd detector in 13 years and the current one which is perhaps 3 years old goes off randomly and then stops.

However, the one time we had a leak that I could smell and was within 2 feet of the detector we never heard a peep.

They allegedly have a 5-7 year life expectancy.

Jim

Don't get me started on the smoke detector.

Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #2
Hi Jim,
What do you do when it goes off? Do you take the fuse out? Has it gone off with the generator on?  Any suggestions?
Thanks- Sandy
2016 24' Twin King

Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #3
As Jim said, they usually need to be replaced at about five years.  Our last one was sensitive to dog farts, causing several false alerts.  I replaced it with new, which is a simple and inexpensive task.  Since replacing it, we haven't heard a peep.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life

Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #4
Occasionally blowing them out with compressed air is a good idea as well.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #5
Does the LPG detector have a "replace by" date on it? Even though the rig is a 2016, the detector may be older; LD does buy large lots of "whatever" and installs the "whatever" until it runs out. If the detector is at or near the end of its life span, this is the replacement; Amazon has it, as do other suppliers:

MTI Industries 30-442-P-BR Safe T Alert 30 Series Propane/LP Gas Alarm - Flush Mount, Brown

2003 TK has a new home

Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #6
We plan to replace it once we get in touch with Vince at the Mother Ship. I tried calling all day yesterday and no one answered- hope they’re still in business! Thanks for all the replies- it sure helps! I’ll let you know how it goes.
2016 24' Twin King

Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #7
Hi Jim,
What do you do when it goes off? Do you take the fuse out? Has it gone off with the generator on?  Any suggestions?
Thanks- Sandy

In addition to the cursing, I press the reset button until it quits which it usually will in less than 10 minutes. I don't recall it going off with the generator running but that, at least, I would understand a little bit.  Several months ago for some reason, it went through a period of going off every morning around 9 am. Nothing that runs with propane was on and hadn't been on for well over an hour.

It quit doing that eventually. I have threatened to rip out both the LP detector and smoke detector on several occasions.

Neither the second or third LP detectors got anywhere near their expected life before we started getting these false alarms.

Jim

Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #8
"Our last one was sensitive to dog farts,..."

While I have not been successful in getting Cedar to back up to my detector I do know from experience that they will alarm on women's hair spray.   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #9
When our original batteries were about dead ours would chirp from lack of power. Generally after everyone was sound asleep.  Replacing the batteries fixed the issue.  
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath

Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #10
In response to ssragen;   A cold generator has a simple choke, and will feed too much gasoline into the carbuetor. You remember those inefficient cheap things!  The extra uncombined gas will come out the exhaust and set off the propane detector. So if you run your generator in the morning, and it sets off your propane ( explosive gas, including gasoline) detector; you can be sure that exhaust is getting inside your rig.
   Make sure the exhaust pipe is in good shape and extends beyond the side skirt of your LD. Don't have any windows nearby open. Warm exhaust can float around alot and enter windows.  I have an older TK and my [Emerald] exhaust is near the front of the rear tires. Just the side rear window there.  It might go away when your MicroQuiet warms up.  Also the space heater combustion air intake is right there. But you would only know it if the heat exchanger was bad.  Another place could be around your refrigerator if the air seals were bad around the sides.  The drain line from the cooling coils does empty near there. There should be a little check valve on the end of that line, so exhaust wouldn't back up into the fridge.
 Wish I had a 2016, it's still new enough you shouldn't be botherd by the maintenance ghosts yet.    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB

 
Re: LP Gas detector ghost!
Reply #11
RonB, thanks for this helpful information. We will follow your suggestions tomorrow morning and let you know!
2016 24' Twin King