My batteries are kept all the way at the stern in a locker isolated from the cockpit. Could a small refrigeration unit set it off? Thing is, it has been in operation for weeks and this is a new development.
CO alarm problem (?)
- Thread starter Justin_NSA
- Start date
Google "gas sensor interference" and see if anything comes to mind on any reference table. Freon can set them off, but if it was leaking enough to measure the fridge would probably be dead by now.
Your right, I got my wires crossed. I should have put down 50-60% cross sensitivity. Let’s say it’s 50% Because all professional sensors are different and who knows about these over the counter models. If the meter is showing a ppm then the potential hydrogen ( if that is all what it is sensing) is actually double.
Yeah, I have never seen interference listed for low-end models. However, since there are no filters or other mechanisms up stream of the detector, and I believe the interferences are intrinsic to the chemistry of the sensor, I don't expect it to vary that much.
I've never run into this problem on boats because the batteries (coincidence) happened to be in the cockpit lockers. Only in industry.
I've never run into this problem on boats because the batteries (coincidence) happened to be in the cockpit lockers. Only in industry.
I hung out all weekend on the boat with the Kidde in its place. No alarm. 0.0 on the readout. No change made whatsoever. Weird.
I'd just purchase a new detector for piece of mind. If you haven't used any new cleaners, detergents brake cleaner (the old kind that works really well) then its probably the detector, off gassing batteries or a little of both. Could be your refrigerator unit but like already said, I think you would have symptoms from that if it was given its small capacity of refrigerant. We have had batteries cook off from having a bad cell (s) the onboard charger senses a low voltage condition and pumps up the amps which boils the other batteries, electrolyte drops and the batteries heat up more into a vicious cycle. I've been eyeballin the battery maintainers to install on my boat. My 4 batteries are have little to no room on the top of them to easily check the levels.
Slightly off topic, since I'm sure you were joking, but still interesting:Are you sure you were breathing directly into the sensor? Taking big breaths?
Carbon monoxide in exhale is sometimes used as a means of accessing smoking status. No, this is not while they are actively smoking.
- 17.13±8.50 parts per million (ppm) for healthy smokers
- 3.61±2.15 ppm for healthy non-smokers
- 5.20±3.38 ppm for passive smokers
It takes >40 ppm for 10 hours or 400 ppm for a few minutes to trigger the alarm
Don’t inhale....Interesting.... how does one become a healthy smoker?
Arrg! This should be in the "wtf" thread! The monitor has been quiet from my last post to now. This weekend it started again but was quiet when I closed it up. Then last night I got an email from a neighboring slip that my boat is beeping. High cabin temps due to the weather have been the only change. Something must be offgassing. I may just have to pull the battery when we leave and set it back up when stay onboard.
Replicate the condition but leave the battery charger off and see if that changes things. These detectors are not bullet proof. You may have a bad one.
There is a high temperature limit to those CO monitors.
Maybe remove the battery from the monitor, if possible, while no one is aboard.
Jim...
I leave my boat in Arizona during the summer and if I dont take the batteries out of the CO monitor, the alarm goes off on hot days (or so says my next door neighbor). The batteries are just being maintained by solar and a charge controller so no real charging going on. Boat lives under a shaded car port but this is a hot place.
I think its the heat.. But it takes a lot of heat.. Im guessing well over 110F or even more.
I think its the heat.. But it takes a lot of heat.. Im guessing well over 110F or even more.