Carbon Monoxide Alarms

[seadaddler]

My carbon monoxide alarms are driving me crazy when not even running the motor and it happens when I come to the boat at the slip and even now on the hard,it also happens after I leave the slip and been motoring.
The carbon monoxide alarm that starts out first beeping is in the vee berth and has been beeping when coming back to the boat after a day or two and now even the rear berth is now beeping also.
My 2007 H-36 is on the hard for bottom paint and now when I go to the boat the same thing happens the vee berth and rear berth beeping but not the one in the cabin saloon it never beeps at all,they are all hooked up to the 12volt batteries even when all switches are in off.
Nick

 

[Mulf]

CO Detectors have a short life.

For your 2007 boat it would not surprise me that they have reached their functional limit. You should actually be able to find an expiration date on them. My recollection is 5 years. I started having the same problem when my boat was 5 years old and learned they do expire. When you go looking for replacements try the RV stores and the internet, you will find the boat stores arre the most expensive.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Thanks Mulf, never new about expiration. Makes sense that the sensor would deteriorate when you think about it. Found this online:

"Double check your carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly. Carbon monoxide detectors actually have an expiration date, so check with the manufacturer instructions to determine how long the carbon monoxide detector is supposed to last."

 

[Capt Mike]

We had the same exact problem last year on our Hunter 386. First we thought the alarm in the V-berth was defective since it was the only one going off, my wife brought our dector from home and plugged it in the boat and it went crazy!! The batteries on the 386 are located under the port side seat in the main cabin, mine were wet-cells about four years old. Apparently when they were charging they giving off a small amount of gas, just enough to set off the alarm in the v-berth! My batteries were about four years old, figured it was time to replace them, bought the new gel-cell batteries, no more problems. Not sure where your batteries are located but they might be your problem?? Hope this helps.

 

[Johnb]

Propane will also set off a CO detector - I know for a fact. So probably any hydrocarbon gas would.

 

[Jim Seamans]

Hi Nick,

Been having the same problem on my boat. Seems when the inside temp goes up over 95 the alarms start going off. OR when I'm equalizing the batteries. I've taken to turning the DC panel off so the CO detectors are off works the best.

Damn It's hot here and now wind, can't imagine what is doing in your neighborhood. Rowan and her family will be here Saturday but not going sailing. Bummer....

 

[seadaddler]

Hi Jim &

Thanks for all the help here and will try all suggested,just changed the 4D's a month ago to T-105's.
Hi Jim my boat is on the hard as of a week ago for new bottom job and since we are going to NY around August 1 and jump in our motor home and heading out west,Oct we going river cruise on the Rhine and yes we have a tuff life for sure,pretty hot and rain and no wind makes things very quiet around here in Florida for sailing.
Nick

 

[Bob R.]

We have been having the same problem with our 2002 H356. There are 3 CO detectors on-board. The one in the main cabin is normally the problem. Usually happens when we are plugged in and using the AC with the boat closed up. Our batteries are in the cockpit locker, so it is not caused by battery gassing. We just got back from a 10 day cruise on the Chesapeake and it happened twice, 3:00 to 4:00 AM! The detector cases are sealed and can not be opened up without damaging them. No label on the units indicating an expiration date. If I turn off the DC main for a minute or so, the units will reset, but no guaranty that it won't start beeping again in a couple of hours. Very annoying!

 

[pearle]

CO2 alarm - low power warning

Hi all,
on my boat the co2 alarm goes off if the battery drops below 11 volts. There are two alarms on my co2 detector. If you look at it straight on there are 2 leds at the top - one at each corner. The one on the right is a 'low power' LED / alarm and it goes off after a day or so of running on battery power. It could be the alarm many of you report hearing as it sounds the same - very annoying!!
I can't see how to disable this 'feature' but I am ready to pull the whole unit out - I have battery alarms already and they are set lower than 11 volts.