Carbon monoxide alarms going off

[OrangeCrush]

Thanks for the info, all.

The batteries are Duracell SLIGC115 (3 series-pairs) hooked up in parallel, new as of March. The Genasun controllers are set correctly for lead-acid, as are the voltage regulator and shore-power charger.

After checking the fluid level, they are all barely above the plates. I just ordered a "battery filler" so I can add a precise amount of distilled water to each. I haven't equalized them since I bought them, so after I add the water I will do that. Is it worth also testing them with a hydrometer now? If so what am I looking for exactly?

Otherwise I guess everything sounds pretty normal. I haven't set off the CO alarm with hydrogen all summer, but then again I usually have more vents and hatches open during the daytime than I did yesterday.

Looking ahead to winter layup, it would be very easy for me to leave some or all the solar panels hooked up (under the boat cover) to keep the batteries full. Is this advisable?

Thanks again, I've learned a lot about batteries from this forum in the past year but I still have a ways to go.

[John_Trusty]

I've experienced CO false alarms when hooked to shore power but only on really warm days, and did the same research on hydrogen off gassing as discussed above. The articles will tell you that the H levels that will trigger the alarm are about ten times the CO levels, but still far below combustion level, so no danger. Just annoying. I solved my issue by opening a port under the dodger to vent a little - no more issue. I've found that some ventilation is good for a variety of reasons, even if to keep the molds down.

[taxwizz]

Originally Posted by Seymore

Yeah, mine went off for no reason too. I bought one carbon monoxide alarm, installed it and, twice a week, it went off at three o'clock in the morning for no reason. I scrapped it.

Smart strategy.
When the alarm goes off...Scrap the alarm.

[Seighlor]

Recently had a similar experience. Checked with the manufacturer and learned that the alarms have a mandated five-year life. At the end of that life span, the alarm will sound alerting you to the fact that the alarm needs to be replaced.

There is no fixing the darn thing. It is necessary to purchase a replacement.

[Mutt]

Since both alarms went off, could a neighbour have been running his gas engines or generator near by and left or shut them off before you came back. Hydrogen is another potential, but rises very quickly so a detector right above the batteries would sense the hydrogen

[Fiveslide]

Originally Posted by Seighlor

There is no fixing the darn thing. It is necessary to purchase a replacement.

We've ruined 2 by applying bug spray near it. I ruined one, then wife ruin the replacement not a few weeks later. The alarms just go off and will not stop for anything. I unplugged the fuse an aired it out for days, plugged it back in and it went off constantly. So be careful what you spray near them.

[JD-Odyssey]

Originally Posted by Fiveslide

We've ruined 2 by applying bug spray near it. I ruined one, then wife ruin the replacement not a few weeks later. The alarms just go off and will not stop for anything. I unplugged the fuse an aired it out for days, plugged it back in and it went off constantly. So be careful what you spray near them.

We've noticed that some aerosols will trigger CO alarms too. Had an A/C unit requiring a Freon charge and just a slight bit of escaped Freon had them chirping for hours.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by taxwizz

Smart strategy.
When the alarm goes off...Scrap the alarm.

If an alarm is consistently issuing FALSE alarms, it is useless and replacement seems correct to me. What's wrong with that... why are you mocking him?

Jim

[Akapeterc]

They only have a life of about 10 years so if that old replace them

[DeepFrz]

Originally Posted by taxwizz

Smart strategy.
When the alarm goes off...Scrap the alarm.

Same psychology as "shooting the messenger".

[Time2Go]

FYI
Carbon Monoxide detectors should be mounted near the floor
and not on the ceiling. Unlike smoke, carbon monoxide is heavier
than air. If ceiling mounted you would be unconscious
or dead when the alarm went off for cause.
Cheers
Neil

[Steve Bean]

Sorry, Neil, Carbon monoxide is lighter than air, at temperatures above freezing. Carbon DIOXIDE is heavier than air. Carbon monoxide is flammable. CO2 is not flammable; it is used in fire extinguishers.

[Time2Go]

Originally Posted by Steve Bean

Sorry, Neil, Carbon monoxide is lighter than air, at temperatures above freezing. Carbon DIOXIDE is heavier than air. Carbon monoxide is flammable. CO2 is not flammable; it is used in fire extinguishers.

My Bad
Steve is correct, just researched this.
I was speaking anedotly from information given
to me by the last township inspector who made me move
Detectors to below bed level. (Multi-unit condos in NJ are inspected
every 5 years)
Thread drift here, but why would a housing inspector do this ?
The bedrooms in question are on the second floor
Cheers
Neil

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Seymore

Yeah, mine went off for no reason too. I bought one carbon monoxide alarm, installed it and, twice a week, it went off at three o'clock in the morning for no reason. I scrapped it.

How do you know it went off for "no reason"?

-Chris

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

... I will check the fluid levels, but is there a reason why the electrolyte being low would cause the batteries to outgas more than normal? ...

Low electrolyte is a symptom (of outgassing), not a cause.