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Old 03-21-2023, 11:13 AM   #1
DebNJim B
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M.O.C. #21158
Chirping propane detector

Here's one I haven't seen in the forum before.
About once or twice a week for the last month or two we have been awaken between midnight and 1AM with the propane detector chirping like a smoke detector with a low battery, however the propane detector is wired directly to the battery. It's not an alarm, just a chirp. I get up and push the reset and all is well for the rest of the night.
Today I hit it with a duster and hopefully that will end this, but...
My question is: Why is it always in the middle of the night? Why doesn't it chirp during the day? I have found that also to be true of smoke detectors with a low battery. It's always the middle of the night. Is this some kind of law of nature?
 
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Old 03-21-2023, 11:19 AM   #2
Carl n Susan
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You should be able to check the flash frequency and match them to the reference information. The most likely reason is End-Of-Life (EOL) for the unit. They are only good for 5 years. Seeing you have a 2017 unit; it is time to replace.
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Old 03-21-2023, 11:36 AM   #3
Mikendebbie
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I replaced mine a couple of months ago. When the "end of life" chirping starts - generally the thing will let you silence it "xx" number of times and finally it will go off and the silence button does not work. My RV was built November 2017 - so my five years was up. Mine is also hardwired. I could not find the exact "surface mounted" model that I had as OEM, but I found the same model "number" unit and I had to cut a small hole in the back of my kitchen island to get it to fit flush.

I thought I bought it on Amazon but I could not find it in my past orders...maybe I got it from Camping World or Rec Pro?? I think it was ~$75.
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Old 03-21-2023, 02:26 PM   #4
DebNJim B
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That was actually one of my thoughts, but I was thinking the life expectancy was 10 years. I guess I'll just go ahead and replace it.

My question still remains though, Why does it only chirp in the middle of night?

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Old 03-21-2023, 02:34 PM   #5
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Sophisticated engineering? Normally thye start chirping and don't quit until you cut the wires.
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Old 03-21-2023, 02:41 PM   #6
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We have a ‘21 model and it started chirping a couple of weeks ago. I called camping world and they are making me bring it in because it’s still under warranty. Ours is chirping around the clock, not just at night.
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Old 03-21-2023, 03:15 PM   #7
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It might not be worth your time getting the detector replaced under warranty. The warranty, at least for the Safe-T-Alert one we have in our rig is only one year. This is the one we have, wouldn't be worth it to me for a dealer to replace it, would cost more for fuel to bring it both ways than the cost of a new one and two crimp connectors. https://www.amazon.com/Safe-T-Alert-...0-4513d670b6bc
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Old 03-21-2023, 03:16 PM   #8
DebNJim B
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M.O.C. #21158
Found the same model no. on Amazon and looks identical. Hopefully an exact replacement and easy install.
Arrives Friday.
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Old 03-21-2023, 07:02 PM   #9
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Got dogs? My dog set mine off a couple times. They also don't have a long life span. I had to cut the wires to mine at 0 dark thirty.
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Old 03-21-2023, 08:26 PM   #10
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I suspect that when these rigs are new, there is a lot of out gassing from the materials used in them, and the sensors in these detectors, propane, smoke, and CO all get contaminated from these chemicals and this shortens their life. None of our detectors went the full expected life from when we purchased our rig, but the replacements did last close to the life they were supposed to have.
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Old 03-22-2023, 05:47 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak View Post
Got dogs? My dog set mine off a couple times. They also don't have a long life span. I had to cut the wires to mine at 0 dark thirty.
We had one in another rig (SOB) go off (in the middle of night of course) and I thought it was the dog laying by it. Turns out it was our battery. Apparently a cell shorted and it was boiling over and gassing off badly. Had two batteries in that one so I disconnected the bad one and went back to sleep.
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Old 03-22-2023, 06:29 PM   #12
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Read them flash and check the guide
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Old 03-25-2023, 10:59 AM   #13
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Ok mine is flashing red and green. It’s not a continuous flash and chirp, it is steady but has a minute or two in between. The code says “ low battery “. I just replaced the batteries last week, and I’m plugged into shore power. So do I order one from Amazon and replace it, or do I have a different problem.
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Old 03-25-2023, 11:16 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DebNJim B View Post
....
My question is: Why is it always in the middle of the night? Why doesn't it chirp during the day? ...
More than likely, it is chirping in the middle of the day, you are just not paying attention if you are engaged in something (like watching television), or you may be outside the camper, you are simply not hearing it.

At night, everything is quiet and your mind rests and you start hearing all the sounds around you. Now, you hear the chirp because there is nothing else going on calling your attention, especially after you've settled down for the night.
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Old 03-25-2023, 02:29 PM   #15
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Final Chapter

So the one I bought from Amazon came yesterday and I installed it today.
Perfect match so all I had to do was change the wires and mount it on the existing bracket. Took maybe 10 minutes.
$90 later and no more chirps.
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Old 03-25-2023, 06:03 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor View Post
Ok mine is flashing red and green. It’s not a continuous flash and chirp, it is steady but has a minute or two in between. The code says “ low battery “. I just replaced the batteries last week, and I’m plugged into shore power. So do I order one from Amazon and replace it, or do I have a different problem.
I would check the voltage at the Propane Sensor. If it says "low battery" it is referring to the RV batteries where it gets it's 12V power. As you recently "replaced" your batteries, I am thinking something is incorrect in that system. Check the voltage at the batteries without shore power being on for 30 minutes and also with shore power. It could be the batteries are not being charged (blown reverse polarity fuses in the converter or Disconnect switch?).
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Old 03-25-2023, 07:51 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor View Post
Ok mine is flashing red and green. It’s not a continuous flash and chirp, it is steady but has a minute or two in between. The code says “ low battery “. I just replaced the batteries last week, and I’m plugged into shore power. So do I order one from Amazon and replace it, or do I have a different problem.

This is the lights and beeps for a Safe-T-Alert LP/CO detector. Your detector may need to be replaced. How old is the rig or the detector?
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Old 03-26-2023, 05:40 AM   #18
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It’s a ‘21 model and I assume the sensor is the same. The beep and flash code says low battery.
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Old 03-26-2023, 06:42 AM   #19
DebNJim B
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If your main disconnect is off it will prevent the converter from charging the battery but the co detector is wired directly and will run the battery down.
You didn't say if you are camping or in storage.
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Old 03-26-2023, 08:02 AM   #20
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It’s in our driveway, plugged in to 50amp shore power. Battery disconnect is the connected position. The batteries are fully charged.
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