LP detector button tests ok, but defective.

[erkme73]

Went to Edward Medard Park in Hillsborough County (Tampa, FL) this past week. Was beautiful, and relaxing. On our last day, it rained just a little, and shortly there after the wife and I noticed a distinct odor. It smelled like a cross between wet dog, soaked shoes, and laundry that's been left in the washing machine a little too long.

My brother and his family were in the neighboring spot with their RV. He helped me feel and sniff every square inch of my Intruder. The smell was 'moving' and we couldn't pin it down.

Long story short, the wife remembered trying to fire the pilot on the range, but gave up - opting for the convection/microwave instead. But she never turned the pilot off.

Sure enough, after turning the pilot off, and ventilating well, the smell was gone, and did not return. While I know what LP smells like in a strong enough concentration, this weakened/diluted amount really didn't smell like propane.

Our hard-wired LP detector, despite blinking a 'green' LED light every few seconds and beeping madly when pressing the "TEST" button, did not alert at all. I cupped some propane and held it to the detector, and it still did not alert. I pulled the cover off, and found black carbon on the inside of the cover - as though something had burned. Clearly it's defective.

Just a heads up for those who might be traveling with the same Damon-installed LP detectors. They might just be giving you a false sense of security.

[KC1BUD]

I was once told they only have a in-service life of 5 years. I have changed them before, it is easy.

I wouldn't have known it had it not happened to me, but it was in an old 1986 Champion.

[DiamondDan]

I get the opposite failure mode, so I guess I shouldn't complain. Mine faults a few times a year, beeping every 30 or 60 seconds. Pressing and holding the reset button resets.

This seems to happen most often when I'm driving alone. Naturally.

[Ray,IN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC1BUD I was once told they only have a in-service life of 5 years. I have changed them before, it is easy. I wouldn't have known it had it not happened to me, but it was in an old 1986 Champion.

You stated a very important point, LP detectors do have a service life and must be replaced. Same for smoke detectors and CO detectors. Which reminded me, our 5er is now 6 years old, and I've neglected ours. Thanks for the reminder!

[KC1BUD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiamondDan I get the opposite failure mode, so I guess I shouldn't complain. Mine faults a few times a year, beeping every 30 or 60 seconds. Pressing and holding the reset button resets. This seems to happen most often when I'm driving alone. Naturally.

When mine beeps like that it means the battery needs to be replaced.

[KC1BUD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN You stated a very important point, LP detectors do have a service life and must be replaced. Same for smoke detectors and CO detectors. Which reminded me, our 5er is now 6 years old, and I've neglected ours. Thanks for the reminder!

One way to test a LP detector is to push the trigger on a disposable lighter and hold it close to the detector. DO NOT turn the spark wheel, you only want the gas and not the flame.

For CO detectors exhale on them.

Neither one takes a large amount to set them off. If they go off, they work and don't need replacing right away.