Another CO story

[All U Get]

Hi All,
We're cruising on the ICW from Charleston to Savannah and everyday feeling a bit more tired and headaches. We discovered our genset had a leak at the heat exchanger/mixer elbow. While running the genset we didn't hear the CO detector in the engine room chirping away until its battery wore out. However the CO detector near our bunk read 11ppm.
We checked the Managing the Waterway Guide and found Thunderbolt had repair yards so we called ahead. Parts are on the way as we start feeling better. Best decision I made last season was that second CO detector after reading Roger's post.

All U Get

 

[Jimm]

See you there - at Hinckley Yard today thru Friday.. Jimm

 

[All U Get]

That's where we are.

All U Get

 

[Benny17441]

New digital CO alarms (2010) will not display concentrations of less than 30PPM and will not trigger a warning until a level of 70PPM. These concentrations are not considered life threatening and the standard was adopted to reduce calls for emergency responders due to false alarms. The CO monitor by your bunk was likely manufactured before 2010 and it could be malfunctioning or placed in an inadequate location. It is not usual to experience the symptoms of tiredness and headaches at concentrations of 11PPM but slow CO build up in the body could account for it. I would suggest to make a habit of inspecting the generator room at least once while it is running and preferably before retiring for the night. Your story will help create awareness among our forum members. Thanks.

 

[John Nantz]

Thanks again for the post

New digital CO alarms (2010) will not display concentrations of less than 30PPM and will not trigger a warning until a level of 70PPM. These concentrations are not considered life threatening and the standard was adopted to reduce calls for emergency responders due to false alarms.

We've all heard about "dumbing down" things but this is the first time I've ever heard of dumbing down a safety device. And to reduce false alarms? Hmmm… I would think the "background CO" level would be important and if it went off because something came along to cause it then so be it. At least one would have a gentle reminder, or better yet, an early warning that there could be a problem.

Your story will help create awareness among our forum members. Thanks.

I second that. Really GOOD post.

And Thanks again.

 

[All U Get]

New digital CO alarms (2010) will not display concentrations of less than 30PPM and will not trigger a warning until a level of 70PPM. These concentrations are not considered life threatening and the standard was adopted to reduce calls for emergency responders due to false alarms. The CO monitor by your bunk was likely manufactured before 2010 and it could be malfunctioning or placed in an inadequate location. It is not usual to experience the symptoms of tiredness and headaches at concentrations of 11PPM but slow CO build up in the body could account for it.

We had been anchoring out each night for over a week and it did get cold so we ran the generator for the heaters. As a former responder I can say there always was a reason for a detector sounding. Our CO detector in the back bunk measured a peak of 11ppm, we don't know if this was during the entire week or just the last night. I can also say it was more difficult to judge boat movement and water conditions as the week wore on.

Too bad if there was a change in how the new detectors are made. Our situation wasn't life threatening, but it could have gotten expensive.

All U Get

 

[Tom J]

Many of the boats on our dock have pulled the batteries from the CO alarms while they are tied up in their slips due to false alarms keeping the neighbors up all night. Seems that at times of peak battery charging, the alarms will go off if the boat is closed up. This is without any engine of any kind running anywhere in the area.

 

[centerline]

We had been anchoring out each night for over a week and it did get cold so we ran the generator for the heaters. As a former responder I can say there always was a reason for a detector sounding. Our CO detector in the back bunk measured a peak of 11ppm, we don't know if this was during the entire week or just the last night. I can also say it was more difficult to judge boat movement and water conditions as the week wore on.

Too bad if there was a change in how the new detectors are made. Our situation wasn't life threatening, but it could have gotten expensive.

All U Get

if you were feeling tired and had headaches that were caused by CO poisoning, it was a very life threatening situation.... the next phase is falling asleep because your tired.... the phase after that is where you dont wake up....

 

[Apex]

glad you were able to post up AllUG! And thanks for the safety reminders, I third the "good Post"

 

[Sock Puppet]

Great post; thanks for sharing!

 

[Benny17441]

Don't shoot the messenger, just pointing out the approved and in place standards regulating digital CO alarms. The symptoms of headaches and tiredness are also consistent with oxygen depletion. A CO alarm does not read oxygen levels and that perhaps could explain the low CO reading of 11PPM. A generator running and humans breathing the same air can lower the oxygen levels in an enclosed space. It is usually the CO2 that displaces the oxygen which causes the physiological symptoms. Perhaps there is a need to set different alarm standards for boats with fuel burning heaters. We need sensors that can measure both conditions and provide a quicker response than those intended for home use. If they build them we will buy. The boat repair had not been done, awaiting parts, so it has not been confirmed that it was CO would be good to follow up.

 

[dilligaf]

Hatch Always open

We always keep our hatch open even at night because of CO, even Cold nights. Blankets keep us warm at night and Heaters are used in the evening. If cold during the day, Keep working Ie cleaning or polish....