CO2 Detector advice

[blue-moon]

Originally Posted by Bobby Lex

It looks like you ordered a smoke alarm, not a carbon monoxide alarm. Bob

I ordered both. hope they will work. I have been using Nest smoke detector at home (battery operated) and very happy about them but I heard they do not work on the boat keeps giving false alarms. I wish they did since I could get text alarm on my phone when I am away from the boat.

[Bobby Lex]

Oops. My bad -- sorry about that!

Bob

[Lodesman]

I can't recall the brand, but was a residential CO detector, gave false alarms when mounted on the deckhead next to an external surface - on very cold days. When we relocated it to an internal bulkhead, we had no more false alarms.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

I can't recall the brand, but was a residential CO detector, gave false alarms when mounted on the deckhead next to an external surface - on very cold days. When we relocated it to an internal bulkhead, we had no more false alarms.

That's common, as high humidity levels [>±80%RH], steam, and [likely your case] condensation may cause false smoke alarms.

[thinwater]

Yes, false alarming of CO detectors installed ...

• Too close to the batteries, or
• With batteries that are failing and thus being over charged, or
• Batteries being equalized...

are not uncommon.


The solution, other than bad batteries or equalization, is the locate the detector CORRECTLY. about 5 feet above the floor, near bedrooms, and NOT in kitchens or engine rooms. Move the detector.


I have two on my boat (catamaran) and have had no problems. Not near the kitchen or batteries. I have set the propane sensor off with solvents, which I consider a good sign (I also test it annually with propane).

[AndyEss]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Yes, false alarming of CO detectors installed ...

The solution, other than bad batteries or equalization, is the locate the detector CORRECTLY. about 5 feet above the floor, near bedrooms, and NOT in kitchens or engine rooms. Move the detector.


I have two on my boat (catamaran) and have had no problems. Not near the kitchen or batteries. I have set the propane sensor off with solvents, which I consider a good sign (I also test it annually with propane).

Smoke and CO detectors should be mounted high, in the breathing zone. Propane detectors, on the other hand, must be installed as low as practically possible as propane is heavier than air and sinks to the lowest enclosed space it can find.
If you mount a propane detector high up in your boat, and forbid you have a propane leak, your bilges can fill with a highly explosive mixture of propane and some air, and you would never know about it until some spark (eg a bilge pump turning on) blows you and your pride and joy over the anchorage.
Spray paint also sets off propane alarms.

[wefleenor]

Has anyone had issues with the propane sensor going off when equalizing FLA batteries? I have that happen every time.

[AndyEss]

Originally Posted by wefleenor

Has anyone had issues with the propane sensor going off when equalizing FLA batteries? I have that happen every time.

Shortly after I bought my boat I switched to lithium LFP batteries. No info on hydrogen or sulfuric acid fumes setting off propane sensors