Lazy Daze Owners' Group

LP gas detector

March 06, 2014, 10:45:47 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 145246

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Looking for info on how to correct an "over sensitive" gas detector.   The very brief info sheet for the unit indicates cooking odors, etc may set-off the alarm.  We can verify that this happens all to often.  We have never smelled gas or had any indication of a gas problem, however, when cooking almost anything that produces typical cooking odors, the alarm activates.  We use the range hood and most often turn on the ceiling vent fan 26.5  to draft fresh air through the MH.  This usually silences the alarm within 5-6 minutes but, in cold weather it also brings in cold air.  We appreciate the need for the safety feature but, repeatedly having to silence the alarm is aggravating.  I would rather not replace the detector but, if we can't determine how to lower the sensitivity of the unit that may be the next step.

JBI - 2004 LD, NC

Re: LP gas detector

Reply #2 – March 07, 2014, 12:27:15 am

Yahoo Message Number: 145250

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I really think you should replace the detector. It should not be that sensitive if it's working correctly. Or at least borrow one from another RV, and try it for several hours.

Eric Greenwell

 wrote, On 3/6/2014 10:00 PM:

Re: LP gas detector

Reply #4 – March 07, 2014, 07:33:42 am

Yahoo Message Number: 145252

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wrote :.. We have discovered that if we open the house battery compartment it will stop. We now open the compartment and put a small block of wood to hold the door open about 3 or 4 inches. Has solved the problem.

You might want to make sure that everything is clean and secure in the battery compartment.

Last year I had an issue with the detector going off when I opened the entry door to the house part of the RV.  I realized it was the action of the step coming out that somehow triggered the alarm.   Later it would go off when the water pump kicked on.  I realized the alarm was some kind of power fault. The unit was not getting the proper flow of electricity to work properly (sorry for the awaked phrasing -  I don't speak wirehead).  Cleaning the battery terminals and making sure everything was tight helped for a little while.  But the problem would come back when ever the battery charge was low.

A short time after that I discovered my batteries were nearly gone and not holding a charge.  I have not had an issue with the detector after changing the batteries.

John

Green 07 MB

Re: LP gas detector

Reply #6 – March 07, 2014, 09:58:36 am

Yahoo Message Number: 145254

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The original poster has a 2004 rig. Propane detectors, like CO detectors and smoke detectors, go bad with age. The first sign of failure is typically an increase in false alarms. Replacements aren't expensive. Lives are.

Now, it is true that very low house battery voltage can cause false alarms as well. The case cited, in which failing batteries dropped so low in voltage when the electric step was operating (a heavy load) that the propane detector tripped, is a good example. But if your batteries are in good shape and your detector gives false alarms--AND you have ruled out a real propane leak!--then by all means buy a replacement. Installation is a simple matter of connecting two wires and securing a couple of screws.

Andy Baird

http://www.andybaird.com/travels