Carbon Monoxide Detector

[seadaddler]

My 2007 H-36 came with 3 hard wired to 12 volt system and around or 6 years after
2007 they all took turns going bad and switched to 3 round AA ones that work carbon/smoke and talk the alarm and have same ones in my RV and in boat they do get corrison on them so
I am trying spraying new ones with some kind of protection.
Nick

 

[Ron20324]

From today's Annapolis paper...

 

[druid]

CO monitors are problematic in the marine environment.

Funny Story...

Most insurance and surveyors require a propane detector onboard if there is propane used. Now, on one of the boats we chartered, there was one in the head (maybe the propane locker was in the head... don't remember). After having chili for dinner, we discovered that methane is very close to propane chemically, so we had a "flatulence detector"

druid

 

[Maine Sail]

Guys,

If investing in a CO detector please ensure that it meets the applicable standards for construction & use. There are a lot of UL 2034 CO detectors out there but much fewer that actually meet the marine supplement portion of UL 2034.

ABYC
"24.5.1 Detectors shall be certified by an independent third party to meet the requirements of UL 2034, Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Detectors including the applicable sections pertaining for use on recreational boats."

Just be sure what you are getting has been fully tested for use in the marine environment.

 

[JamesG161]

If investing in a CO detector please ensure that it meets the applicable standards for construction & use. There are a lot of UL 2034 CO detectors out there but much fewer that actually meet the marine supplement portion of UL 2034.

The Kidde I linked in my post#16 is UL2034 and...
UL217, NFPA72, (chapter 11 2002 edition) The State of California Fire Marshall, NFPA101

I had to dig on that one, but I had 2 on my boat, that I tested and changed batteries on.
Safety First!
Jim...

 

[Maine Sail]

Marine CO Detectors used to have their own standard, UL1524, but the additional marine tests were recently rolled into UL2034. A UL2034 listing does not make it a "marine" unit unless it specifically says it includes the marine supplement of UL2034. The vast majority of UL2034 CO detectors do not meet the marine portion of that standard..

 

[JamesG161]

The vast majority of UL2034 CO detectors do not meet the marine portion of that standard..

I read that UL2034 marine section. If my boat enclosed cabin sleeping areas were "salt water sprayed" I might might change mine. UL suggestions (not legal code) are guidelines for manufacturers. Kidde's propaganda did say RV & recreational marine. So far mine pass the semiannual battery change and smoke test.

What "wears out" is the 0.5 microCurie Americium radioactive isotope, disappears due to half life decay in 3-5 years. The isotope ionizes the air to detect CO and smoke.
Jim...

 

[Maine Sail]

I read that UL2034 marine section. If my boat enclosed cabin sleeping areas were "salt water sprayed" I might might change mine. UL suggestions (not legal code) are guidelines for manufacturers. Kidde's propaganda did say RV & recreational marine. So far mine pass the semiannual battery change and smoke test.

What "wears out" is the 0.5 microCurie Americium radioactive isotope, disappears due to half life decay in 3-5 years. The isotope ionizes the air to detect CO and smoke.
Jim...

Any CO detector is better than none. I would much rather see a residential unit than none at all.

FWIW I just called Kidde again, called them a few years ago as I would like a less expensive marine solution, and they still do not offer any marine rated CO detectors and do not recommend their RV or residential products be used on a boat. Their CO detectors not tested to the marine portions of UL 2034.

 

[lehighsail]

How about a specific recommendation for a unit that would be compliant to the Marine portion of the UL2034 reg. I agree that this is not a place to cut corners.

 

[JamesG161]

Their CO detectors not tested to the marine portions of UL 2034.

Like you have said many times @Maine Sail .

Sales PROPAGANDA!

So far, mine have served me well, but I try to control my cabin climate most of the time in berth. They look new and no signs of corrosion.

BTW mine have a label near the battery to put the "install date" right next to the manufacture date. This let you recall when you are 3+ years of service.
Jim...

 

[jaybarr]

I bought a CO detector from canadian security professionals. CO can easily sweep into your boat. I replace the batteries of my CO alarm at least twice a year just to be safe. They usually emit a chirping sound when the battery power is getting low. When you hear that sound you should immediately replace the battery. If you are planning on installing one, you should test the CO detectors weekly and vacuum them monthly. You should replace the CO detectors every five years. These devices tend to lose their sensitivity over time so the fresher the alarm the better.

 

[RoyS]

Not once, but twice when we stayed overnight in Kennebunkport we were placed downwind of enormous three story power boats. Both times the power boats ran their generators 24/7 with the exhaust blowing into our boat. The marina loaned us a CO alarm that they had for this purpose the first time. The second time I moved during the night to a vacant space out of the exhaust stream. It seems that this could happen to anyone and a CO alarm is a good idea.