Propane detector beeping

Maldoro1 · 10-12-2020, 01:04 PM

Went camping in my 2020 253RB over the weekend and my propane detector kept going off. Tanks were off. Didnt do anything different then we normally do. Got it home, plugged it in and still going off. Getting 4 beeps and a red light then it goes back to green for a bit. Bought camper in June. Do you think this detector is bad?

travelin texans · 10-12-2020, 03:05 PM

Check your coach batteries along with all the cables to be sure none are loose.
Be sure the factory battery disconnect is in the "on/connected" position otherwise your batteries will not charge when connected to shore power.
Check water levels in battery cells & top off with distilled water if needed.
Your CO/LP detector is wired directly to the coach batteries & usually that beeping is due to low voltage.
Or it could be a faulty detector.

Maldoro1 · 10-13-2020, 05:58 AM

My fridge is a 12v fridge and working perfectly so doubt my battery is bad.

Aceallenk · 10-13-2020, 06:58 AM

Those propane detectors only last about 4-5 years at the best of times, I don't think your is that old but check the date on the back when it was manufactured. Probably Chinese junk also so pretty good chance it's junk also and decided to calf just after warranty and before it's time. Mine calfed at 4 years according to it's date, so I removed the fuse that'll be in the wall after you remove the detector from the wall, mine had 6 feet of wire but the fuse was there.

travelin texans · 10-13-2020, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maldoro1

My fridge is a 12v fridge and working perfectly so doubt my battery is bad.

Your fridge in a 30'+ rv only operates on 12 volt?
I know they on a come back but typically they were found in smaller entry level RVs.
If you are connected to shore power everything 12 volt will run through the converter so you will have power to the fridge, but as I said earlier your detector is wired directly to the battery not through the converter.
Disconnect from shore power to see if you then have 12 volts to everything, if not check the battery.
If by chance your dealer was a cheap skate & installed a marine type battery that list CCA, cold cranking amps, on the top of the battery, this is not suitable for rv use but rather a boat to start the engine or use a trolling motor. It should be a deep cycle battery with only AH listed on top.
For safety reasons I wouldn't recommend removing the fuse to silence it!

TTKITTLE · 10-18-2020, 02:21 PM

Hi,
We had the same thing happen to us in our 2013 Cruiser 5th Wheel. We were on the road and called to find out why if the tanks were turned off that the sensor kept going off. They freaked out and said prior to them replacing it (sensor under warranty) that we needed to have someone come out and check for a propane leak. So we did. No leak. Bad sensor! Replaced and the annoying beep stopped. Had to pay for the road call, but I guess better safe then sorry.

Winterpegger · 10-18-2020, 03:22 PM

Happened to me - disconnected the battery then reconnected it . Think it was caused the heat.

travelin texans · 10-18-2020, 04:49 PM

A couple things that don't seem possible, but are fact about those detectors;
If your dog lies near it & breaks wind that will set off the alarm!
Some aerosol sprays such as hair spray or air fresheners will set it off, even if not sprayed near by!

dostiem · 10-18-2020, 06:14 PM

You are right. It happened to us many times. Hair spray makes the propane detector beep.

Maldoro1 · 10-19-2020, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterpegger

Happened to me - disconnected the battery then reconnected it . Think it was caused the heat.

I will give it a shot. Still going off randomly. i can hear it when i'm working in the yard.

Maldoro1 · 10-19-2020, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTKITTLE

Hi,
We had the same thing happen to us in our 2013 Cruiser 5th Wheel. We were on the road and called to find out why if the tanks were turned off that the sensor kept going off. They freaked out and said prior to them replacing it (sensor under warranty) that we needed to have someone come out and check for a propane leak. So we did. No leak. Bad sensor! Replaced and the annoying beep stopped. Had to pay for the road call, but I guess better safe then sorry.

I am probably going to schedule a service call. I'm about 30 mins form my dealer, there are a couple of other minor things they could fix as well.

Maldoro1 · 10-19-2020, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Your fridge in a 30'+ rv only operates on 12 volt?
I know they on a come back but typically they were found in smaller entry level RVs.
If you are connected to shore power everything 12 volt will run through the converter so you will have power to the fridge, but as I said earlier your detector is wired directly to the battery not through the converter.
Disconnect from shore power to see if you then have 12 volts to everything, if not check the battery.
If by chance your dealer was a cheap skate & installed a marine type battery that list CCA, cold cranking amps, on the top of the battery, this is not suitable for rv use but rather a boat to start the engine or use a trolling motor. It should be a deep cycle battery with only AH listed on top.
For safety reasons I wouldn't recommend removing the fuse to silence it!

I was surprised to learn this as well. This fridge is the largest I ever had in a RV but yes only 12v. No propane and no electric. I did check the battery and it is a Interstate with dual purpose. I was planning on buying another battery. I can buy two for the RV and move this one to my Boat.

BTW I did have 12v to everything that should, lights work, ignition for my water heater works, slide, etc...

Maldoro1 · 10-19-2020, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

A couple things that don't seem possible, but are fact about those detectors;
If your dog lies near it & breaks wind that will set off the alarm!
Some aerosol sprays such as hair spray or air fresheners will set it off, even if not sprayed near by!

I originally thought it was a the jackass burning treated wood next to me but he was only there for one night. I never smelled anything inside of the camper and it did not go off until we were packing up two days later.

travelin texans · 10-19-2020, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maldoro1

I was surprised to learn this as well. This fridge is the largest I ever had in a RV but yes only 12v. No propane and no electric. I did check the battery and it is a Interstate with dual purpose. I was planning on buying another battery. I can buy two for the RV and move this one to my Boat.

BTW I did have 12v to everything that should, lights work, ignition for my water heater works, slide, etc...

Still sounds like a battery issue especially since you have the dual purpose battery. Be sure the replacement batteries are true deep cycle not dual purpose & have that battery load tested at an auto parts store BEFORE installing it in your boat, it may be toast & strand out in the water somewhere.

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