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Topic: Propane sniffer (propane detector) (Read 699 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: Propane sniffer
Reply #25 –
"It flashes green green red red then chirps."

Once and done? Only?

If that happened 5 years ago, how would I know now?   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Propane sniffer
Reply #27 –
  Hi Steve. I was working on a friends, new to him, 2001 MidBath, and I tested the propane alarm with a butane lighter. It worked, so I didn't replace it. I think back in 1999 to a little newer they actually didn't have an 'end of life' alarm. So test it with some butane 'a spark lighter, not lit' and yours may still work. If it was made by CC!, they have gone out of business, and the MTI 30-442-P (br) in brown is a good replacement and almost a perfect fit.
    A few years back I tested a neighbors LD (a 2001 also), and his propane detector didn't work. So I tested mine, and it didn't work either. (Oops!) I bought two MTI's like the one Joan pointed out in reply #12 this thread. They say 90 ma. on the back, but mine draws about 74 ma. Both are still working.  Date printed on the back was June 06, 2014. They are good for 5 years, before the EOL. That EOL alarm is two blinks of the red (alarm) LED, alternating with two blinks of the power on green LED. It is accompanied by an audible alarm. It can be muted once every  3 days, until it reaches 30 days and can't be muted. The instructions weren't clear, but apparently it is still functional until it hits the 30 day mark.
  So the useful part of this thread. I went out and checked my CO monitor. It says on the back it has an EOL signal at 7 years from the date of first use. (Next time I will write that date on the back of the unit.) It will alarm, 'chirp-' every 30 seconds, show 'End' on the display if it has one, and will not work 'NON functional' at that point.  Mine ( I didn't think it was that old!!! ) was made March 31, 2010. So depending on how long it sat in the store, or before I first installed it, could quit anytime.  I'll order one right away. Wouldn't do to have it quit at Morro Bay.
  The smoke alarm seems to be pretty old, no date on the back, but still passes the self test. That self test verifies all of the electronics. But I think that it is original from LD, so maybe It will get replaced too.
    Hope this made things a little clearer. RonB
   
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Propane sniffer
Reply #28 –
"I think back in 1999 to a little newer they actually didn't have an 'end of life' alarm."

RonB

Here's the deal... my rig is a 2004 and it still has the original 'Propane sniffer'!  The last time I tested it, with a flameless gas match, it worked as advertised. It has also alarmed whenever I've had an actual leak (x2) and once with hairspray.

I'm interested enough that tomorrow I will retest it once again and, in the process, examine it to discover if it ever had an EOL feature. I may even have the original paperwork that came with it.

I earlier replaced both the smoke and CO alarms.   8) 
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Propane sniffer
Reply #29 –
Mine went bad a few years back. At that time the M’ship still had exact replacements so I ordered the part, sent them a check, they packaged up the part, they put it in the mail, it arrived on my doorstep. 😎

Love that M’ship and their wacky ways!!
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon
Re: Propane sniffer
Reply #30 –
Thank you Ron and Steve for a complete and comprehensive explanation of the alert systems. I’ve ordered a replacement for the propane alert system from amazon and I will check the smoke and CO devices tomorrow. I will just go ahead and teplace their batteries at least.
Be well. Dale from Downey.
Dale from Downey 27’ 2012 RB,”Casa Verde”, 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Formerly1991 RB & 1990 Jeep Wrangler.
Re: Propane sniffer
Reply #31 –
"...tomorrow I will retest it once again ..."

Okay, to what I said yesterday, I located my gas match and with a good flame, blew it out. Placing the nozzle of the 'match' near the 'sniffer' it wasn't long before I had an alarm. So much for End of Life! That LP Detector came with the rig in Oct. 2004 and still functions as advertised. No telling how long it had sat in the LD storeroom prior to being installed in my coach.

Perhaps this EOL feature is a solution looking for a problem. How else would the manufacturer be able to acquire follow-up sales?

One thing I do know for sure is that it's not as easy crawling around on ones hands and knees on a cold linoleum floor as it once was, especially at the age of 82... yes, I did see my shadow this morning so sit back and wait another six weeks for better weather. Meanwhile I'll have another cup of hot chocolate to celebrate my birthday!   8)   :D 
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Propane sniffer
Reply #32 –
Steve,

I commend you for gettin’ on down to the test. I’d rather be sniffin’ a hot cup of chocolate than propane any day.

Congrats and like Mr. Grace says, “You’ve done very well”. https://youtu.be/p6ddSA9lrkc

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Propane sniffer
Reply #33 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"...tomorrow I will retest it once again ..."

Okay, to what I said yesterday, I located my gas match and with a good flame, blew it out. Placing the nozzle of the 'match' near the 'sniffer' it wasn't long before I had an alarm. So much for End of Life! That LP Detector came with the rig in Oct. 2004 and still functions as advertised. No telling how long it had sat in the LD storeroom prior to being installed in my coach.
Perhaps this EOL feature is a solution looking for a problem. How else would the manufacturer be able to acquire follow-up sales?

Steve

Happy birthday.

Sensors lose their sensitivity as they age, they are suppose to detect flammable gases before they reach the explosive level.
Testing with a propane lighter isn't a accurate test, the level of gas you exposed your detector too, in a real world leak, would have filled the motorhome with an explosive mixture.

While your detector still 'detects' it is 14 years old, about 9 years past the manufacturers suggested replacement date, and it probably lacks the required sensitivity to do its job correctly.
I suspect the EOL feature was added in a later model of your detector.

FYI, as an former maintainer of a fleet of 4-gas detectors (required by OSHA for confined space entry), testing the sensitivity of gas detectors requires specialized equipment, and calibrated gases.

Larry



Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Propane sniffer
Reply #34 –
"Sensors lose their sensitivity as they age, "
-----
I read this first as Seniors lose their sensitivity as they age, but, hey, that could fit, too!  ;)




2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Propane sniffer
Reply #35 –
“I read this first as Seniors lose their sensitivity as they age, but, hey, that could fit, too!”

We get sensitive to so many things as we and our toys and ancillary equipment age. As a teenager, just a few summers ago, I looked on as my dear Grandfather practically pounded every morsel of salt he could get out of the shaker onto his evening meal. “Boy he likes his salt”, I thought.

My Mom informed me that elderly people loose their sense of taste and salt becomes a problem for them. I determined then to slow the roll on salt as I got older in “flavor” of alternate seasonings.

It appears that even our LD appendage suffers the same fate as it gets older. Thank goodness our appliances come with service manuals and our friends at LDO are here to keep us well informed when we are a bit out of date.

Thanks. 😱

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"