We had to install a carbon monoxide detector, wired directly into the "house" batteries, in order to obtain insurance on our 1976 Catalina 30. At first, all was well, but we are now plagued with this alarm going off at various times, when the boat is at dock and hasn't been moved for days at a time, and sometimes, just hours after cruising. We can find no discernable pattern to these random alarms. We thought that maybe the unit was malfunctioning, so tested a regular house-type 110 volt detector, which then alarmed after an over-night test, but our direct-wired alarm did not go off at that time. We thought maybe it was something growing in the bilge, so added bilge cleaner, but alarm again went off. We also tested our valves to/from cooking stove, but can't find any leak. Frankly, we are at a complete loss to finding a solution. Has any other Catalina owner experienced this problem? We need some advice and help with this one.
Carbon Monoxide Problems?
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Batteries outgassing when charging
I've no direct experience with this, but it seems like I've read of instances where batteries, upon being charged, outgas and sometimes this sets off an alarm. Maybe check the archives on this site for other articles. If two different units are setting off alarms, I'd guess that there is a source of something you should pay attention to. Did you buy a marine alarm? (as opposed to something for a house).
I've no direct experience with this, but it seems like I've read of instances where batteries, upon being charged, outgas and sometimes this sets off an alarm. Maybe check the archives on this site for other articles. If two different units are setting off alarms, I'd guess that there is a source of something you should pay attention to. Did you buy a marine alarm? (as opposed to something for a house).
Shouldn't be the battery
Battery probably wouldn't do it (but you're right, they do emit gases). It could be the stove, generator, water heater, or the engine. First thing I'd check are the exhaust lines from the engine- could be as simple as tightening a clamp. Crank her up and start feeling around all the lines and joints. If you have a leak, you'll feel puffs of air and you will have located your source. If you're engine is good, it has to be one of the other items. I have seen a device called a "sniffer" that locates the source(s) of leaks, but as I recall, they are quite expensive- > $1000- and I don't think they sell them at Home Depot. Most air conditioner/heater repair companies use them in homes for natural gas, freon, and CO. Maybe call one of them out and explain the situation??? Otherwise, go through a process of elimination. Turn the water heater off at the breaker, remove your fuel source from the stove (if possible), etc. Anything that uses combustion to produce energy- check it. Then again, it could be something less obvious. Are you or your neighbor cooking with charcoal near your vents? Maybe your neighbor's Hatteras or Bertram is tripping your alarm when he fires it up every other week to keep the engines from seizing (since he only has it for show and never goes out anyway- okay that was a cheap shot at all the go-fasties). Are you smoking below deck- even though that would probably not be enough trigger the alarm. Another option is to install a couple of those solar vents to see if that will reduce the levels in the cabin (plus there are other benefits to having some extra air moving through the cabin). Whatever you do, don't sleep on the boat until you fix the problem.
Battery probably wouldn't do it (but you're right, they do emit gases). It could be the stove, generator, water heater, or the engine. First thing I'd check are the exhaust lines from the engine- could be as simple as tightening a clamp. Crank her up and start feeling around all the lines and joints. If you have a leak, you'll feel puffs of air and you will have located your source. If you're engine is good, it has to be one of the other items. I have seen a device called a "sniffer" that locates the source(s) of leaks, but as I recall, they are quite expensive- > $1000- and I don't think they sell them at Home Depot. Most air conditioner/heater repair companies use them in homes for natural gas, freon, and CO. Maybe call one of them out and explain the situation??? Otherwise, go through a process of elimination. Turn the water heater off at the breaker, remove your fuel source from the stove (if possible), etc. Anything that uses combustion to produce energy- check it. Then again, it could be something less obvious. Are you or your neighbor cooking with charcoal near your vents? Maybe your neighbor's Hatteras or Bertram is tripping your alarm when he fires it up every other week to keep the engines from seizing (since he only has it for show and never goes out anyway- okay that was a cheap shot at all the go-fasties). Are you smoking below deck- even though that would probably not be enough trigger the alarm. Another option is to install a couple of those solar vents to see if that will reduce the levels in the cabin (plus there are other benefits to having some extra air moving through the cabin). Whatever you do, don't sleep on the boat until you fix the problem.
Fire dept.
I would call the fire department if you are in a marina when the alarm goes off. They have sniffers and are usually really happy to come out and evaluate the situation. This happened in our home and they were able to determine that the problem was with the sensor and not a CO leak. In our area, the FD guys are truly heroes who would much rather come out on a call that would prevent loss of life than deal with tragedy. I would not call them as an emergency though unless the alarm is sounding. do call them non urgently for suggestions and advice. Good luck.
I would call the fire department if you are in a marina when the alarm goes off. They have sniffers and are usually really happy to come out and evaluate the situation. This happened in our home and they were able to determine that the problem was with the sensor and not a CO leak. In our area, the FD guys are truly heroes who would much rather come out on a call that would prevent loss of life than deal with tragedy. I would not call them as an emergency though unless the alarm is sounding. do call them non urgently for suggestions and advice. Good luck.
The meter the Fire Dept. uses is very costly,
(like a small car) and new units are very sensitive. They are multi-gas meters that really require considerable battery power and actually suck in some air to sample. My experience with CO detectors in residental houses is about 90% false or dubious alarms. When they were correct usually had obvious cause like Nat. Gas forced air heater with zero maintenance for years. I would expect one to alert often in my boat, as mentioned above when a neighbor fires up in marina or after bringing the boat in after motoring. Bottom line I think, is difficulty making accurate detector at reasonable cost. Keeping boat really well vented should help, you might check with Harbor Patrol also to see what their experience is with detectors in your areas and if they can assist you.
(like a small car) and new units are very sensitive. They are multi-gas meters that really require considerable battery power and actually suck in some air to sample. My experience with CO detectors in residental houses is about 90% false or dubious alarms. When they were correct usually had obvious cause like Nat. Gas forced air heater with zero maintenance for years. I would expect one to alert often in my boat, as mentioned above when a neighbor fires up in marina or after bringing the boat in after motoring. Bottom line I think, is difficulty making accurate detector at reasonable cost. Keeping boat really well vented should help, you might check with Harbor Patrol also to see what their experience is with detectors in your areas and if they can assist you.
Low voltage?
I had this problem last week. The alarm went off in the middle of the night and I discovered that it was because of low voltage. Probably a combination of the refrigerator and the battery charger coming on at the same time for a moment dropped the voltage below the minimum for the unit. My unit has a different sound and flashing lights for a real CO event and the other error alarms. Both types of alarm will get you right out of bed. Could low voltage be your problem? S/V Anodyne 36’ Catalina
I had this problem last week. The alarm went off in the middle of the night and I discovered that it was because of low voltage. Probably a combination of the refrigerator and the battery charger coming on at the same time for a moment dropped the voltage below the minimum for the unit. My unit has a different sound and flashing lights for a real CO event and the other error alarms. Both types of alarm will get you right out of bed. Could low voltage be your problem? S/V Anodyne 36’ Catalina
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