CO Detector

[Jim in SE Ks]

Carbon Monoxide warning alarm was sounding when I went in the other night. Was sure it was a false alarm, but not willing to take the chance I called 911 and the local fire dept sent a couple guys with their equipment to check it out. They determined the source to be from the oven vent. Had used the oven earlier in the evening, and had left the pilot lite on which is something I usually do not do. Bottom line is I am not sure if the oven itself was the problem or just the pilot lite. Will check it out before next trip in our '98 Brave. Main reason for posting this is to remind folks to keep those detectors operational and replace batteries if needed. Warning level on this detector was 100 PPM which is deadly if exposure is long enough. I felt very lucky that mine worked.

[John Hilley]

The CO detectors have a limited life, if yours is original equipment it may be time to replace. Did the fire department actually get a CO reading or did they just base it on observation?

[Jim in SE Ks]

Yes John, it was a measured 60PPM at the oven vent with only the pilot flame at the time, but I had used the oven for a couple hours of cooking and when finished with the oven just left the pilot lite on and wasn't back in the coach until 4 or 5 hours later at 11:30PM to go to bed. It's possible the oven created the higher levels. Detector should not have alarmed until 100PPM. I am going to get a new detector tomorrow and operate the oven for a couple hours. Detector placement is over the bed, so will use both detectors for a comparison. Will try to post results, may have been a fluke, not willing to take the chance.

[John Hilley]

I think two or even three CO detectors may be a good idea. One with a readout would be nice. I noticed Menard's had several battery powered models and a couple had readouts. I plan on adding one to the bedroom.