do you have a smoke / CO detector?

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njl

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May 30, 2011
64
Westsail 32 NYC
If you do, what appliances are you protecting against?

And if you don't, do you use oil lamps and/or a stove and/or a heater?

The reason I ask is the previous owner had no smoke or CO detector, but used a propane stove (infrequently) and oil lamps.
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,204
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Yes

njl said:
If you do, what appliances are you protecting against?

And if you don't, do you use oil lamps and/or a stove and/or a heater?

The reason I ask is the previous owner had no smoke or CO detector, but used a propane stove (infrequently) and oil lamps.
Click to expand
My boat did not originally have one. I installed a household battery powered combination smoke/fire/CO2 unit and replaced it after five years in case it was getting tired.

I have a gas generator I run at times and the aft berth where my wife and dog spend a lot of time underway is at the same level as the engine. It seemed prudent to install one.

 
KD3PC

KD3PC

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Sep 25, 2008
1,069
boatless rainbow Callao, VA
I kept two aboard, one in the aft cabin for us while sleeping vs. the other boats in the marina that may not be as safety conscience as I....

the other in the salon, for stoves and gennies and air down the companionway.

Cheap to install, and for the same reasons Rick mentioned...
 
Mark Maulden

Mark Maulden

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Jan 25, 2011
2,439
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
I took a new CO detector and put it right at the tail pipe of my truck. It never did go off. What gives????
 
stephen Penny

stephen Penny

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Nov 8, 2009
537
Hunter 386LE San Fancisco
What you really need most of all is an lower explosive limit (LEL) detector/alarm in the event of a propane leak. Experienced that on my 5th wheel, which had an LEL detector/alarm. It avoiided an explosion on a propane release inside the cabin several years ago.
 
All U Get

All U Get

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Oct 2, 2008
3,811
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
Mark Maulden said:
I took a new CO detector and put it right at the tail pipe of my truck. It never did go off. What gives????
Click to expand
Check the owners manual for alarm settings and operation. Your truck's exhaust could be burning clean and it would take a while for an alarm. I like the CO detectors that have a digital readout.
All U Get
 
All U Get

All U Get

.
Oct 2, 2008
3,811
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
njl said:
If you do, what appliances are you protecting against?

And if you don't, do you use oil lamps and/or a stove and/or a heater?

The reason I ask is the previous owner had no smoke or CO detector, but used a propane stove (infrequently) and oil lamps.
Click to expand
There are two types of smoke detectors and several different CO detectors. Here's the link with info on many topics. http://www.usfa.fema.gov/campaigns/smokealarms/alarms/index.shtm
Hope this helps.
All U Get
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,219
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Yes Both

In main cabin. occasional use of propane stove/oven and "Buddy" propane cabin heater. Have not used generator yet but in the event that I do, the detectors are there. Propane gas detector is also there under the stove.
 
thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,971
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
No reason to think there was signifigant CO.

Mark Maulden said:
five minute test in a closed garage......
Click to expand
Cars burn very clean these days.

Try a propane torch inside an inverted trash can (closed) for about 30-45 minutes. That's about how long it will take to go through most of the oxygen, depending on the torch and leaks. Of course, that's why we can get away with a stove for either moderate periods or if a window is open or a ventilator is pulling. But use both burners for 30 minutes in a tight boat and you'll feel it. I used this test on mine; it worked.

I have one since I have a propane cabin heater. It is a sealed Dickson unit and I have never seen a reading above zero.
 
thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,971
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
No reason to think there was signifigant CO.

Mark Maulden said:
five minute test in a closed garage......
Click to expand
Cars burn very clean these days.

Try a propane torch inside an inverted trash can (closed) for about 20-30 minutes. That's about how long it will take to go through most of the oxygen, depending on the torch and leaks. Of course, that's why we can get away with a stove for either moderate periods or if a window is open or a ventilator is pulling. But use both burners for 30 minutes in a tight boat and you'll feel it. I used this test on mine; it worked.

I have one since I have a propane cabin heater. It is a sealed Dickson unit and I have never seen a reading above zero.
 
BrianW

BrianW

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Jan 7, 2005
843
Hunter 26 Guntersville Lake, (AL)
Automobile exhausts go through a catalytic converter that converts CO into CO2 and water, so not good to use an auto exhaust to test the CO detector. BrianW
 
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CHM

CHM

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Oct 30, 2011
70
Beneteau 432 Merritt Island
I have one. Diesel engine and propane stove. Unlikely to ever need it, but it's a cheap safety measure.
 
CHM

CHM

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Oct 30, 2011
70
Beneteau 432 Merritt Island
CHM said:
I have one. Diesel engine and propane stove. Unlikely to ever need it, but it's a cheap safety measure.
Click to expand
. Also, the insurance company likes safety devices.
 
T

tommays

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Oct 2, 2006
1,517
Jboat J24 commack
safe-t-alert


  • [SIZE=-1]
  • UL Listed to UL 2034-2005 for Marine use, including March 8, 2007 revisions. Meets ABYC A-24 recommended standards.
  • Marine environment tested for salt water spray, cooking fumes, shock, humidity, temperature extremes, vibration and corrosion.
  • Power 12 vDC, operational range 8-16 volts.
  • Micro Current Technology: 60 milliamp (.06 amp.) current draw.
  • Widest Operational Temperature Range Available:-40°F to +158°F
    (-40°C to +70°C).
  • Relative Humidity: 15% to 93%.
  • Confirmation Circuit: Yes - Circuit reconfirms CO levels before alarming.
  • Audible Alarm: Minimum 85dB @ 10 feet.
  • Case Dimensions:
    Model 60-541 Surface Case - 5.5"W x 3"H x 1.3"D.
    Model 60-542 Flush Case - 6.5"W x 3.5"H x 1.25"D.
  • Weight: 60-541 / 542 = 0.43 lb.[/SIZE]
With the A4 power you have to have one and its a silly place to cheep out as we lost someone this season
 
Stephen Trapani

Stephen Trapani

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Jun 3, 2004
298
'79 Hunter 33' HUN33190M79L Olympia
Propane range, Force 10 propane cabin heater, two CO detectors, one propane detector, solenoid switch for the propane and I never sleep with propane switch open.
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,215
CC 30 South Florida
I have a smoke detector and CO detector. The smoke detector serves as an early warning for fire and the CO detector protects against carbon monoxide generated from a gas generator, propane heater or stove. I have no problems using heaters or stoves while I'm awake but when I go to sleep I like having an alarm that would wake me up in case of fire or concentration of CO.
 
sailcruiser

sailcruiser

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Sep 6, 2011
435
I have both smoke and CO. Smoke for the risk of electrical or any other fire but electrical being my top concern. We do have an oil lamp but rarely light it. Our stove is CNG so CO is more for boats around us with gas engines. A gas generator might be in our future but it was purchased on the suggestion of our surveyor. SC
 
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