Community Forums

Ysanchez4 · 09-17-2016, 06:22 PM

After dry docking and running the generator and AC for several hours in the Texas heat, we begin to smell a chemical odor. Sort of like propane. My wife thinks we're going to die and won't let us sleep in the RV. I think it's just part of the exhaust sneaking in. Any thoughts? 2016 Newmar Baystar Sport.

mhbell · 09-17-2016, 06:41 PM

Do you have a Carbon Monoxide detector?? If not get one and make sure it works. exhaust fumes can kill you, especially in your sleep. They make kits to reroute the generator exhaust. I would not want to sleep in it either until I knew it was safe and found out what was causing the chemical smell. Better to be safe than sorry or Dead.
Mel

Ysanchez4 · 09-17-2016, 06:55 PM

We do have a CO detector. So fumes that are not CO are equally as harmful?

mhbell · 09-17-2016, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ysanchez4

We do have a CO detector. So fumes that are not CO are equally as harmful?

It depends on what the fumes are..

Quote:

After dry docking and running the generator and AC for several hours in the Texas heat, we begin to smell a chemical odor. Sort of like propane. My wife thinks we're going to die and won't let us sleep in the RV. I think it's just part of the exhaust sneaking in.

The part in red is what would scare me until I found out for sure. I read every week where some poor person or persons pass in their sleep because of exhuast fumes from a generator, theirs or someone next to them. make sure that CO detector is working.
Mel

RayChez1 · 09-17-2016, 08:29 PM

The smell could be several things. You might have a leak on your regulator on the propane tank, check it out with soapy water.

It could also be a bad battery going bad and they smell like rotten eggs.

You also could have a leak on your black tank and the air conditioner is picking up the smell and pulling it into the coach.

I really doubt the air conditioner is picking up the fumes from the generator. It would set your alarm off right away inside your coach.

That was one thing I hated on my gasoline coach, it had the generator right under the bedroom and it would set off the alarm. I never have had any problems with the Onan Quiet Diesel in the front of the coach setting the alarms off. And diesel has a distinctive smell anyway. You should be able to tell if it is diesel smell.

GeeWillakers · 09-18-2016, 12:26 AM

check that the odor, if it's sulphur-like, isn't coming from the hot water tank.

Gary RVRoamer · 09-18-2016, 07:35 AM

Exhaust odor is the most obvious guess. Why not shut the genset off for awhile and see if the smell goes away? We always get a diesel exhaust smell from the genset exhaust if there is no breeze and the fumes tend to hang by the coach. I even carry a home-made Genturii-type exhaust pipe for that situation.

Raychez gave several other possibilities that are worth checking, but since you didn't notice any odor until you used the genset, that seems like the prime candidate.

The main danger from exhaust is CO - carbon monoxide. It actually displaces oxygen in the blood stream, so even a tiny bit of CO can cause suffocation, even though there is plenty of oxygen in the room. People who die from exhaust gases are nearly always CO victims, not CO2. CO2 (carbon dioxide) has to get really concentrated to have any really harmful effect, so is rarely a problem. Nausea and other discomfort can occur, though.

vettenuts · 09-18-2016, 08:40 AM

Check your propane tank for leaks. I have had two, the first one was due to age, but the second one was from the factory, it was a cross threaded fill valve. Soapy water will put a propane leak to bed quickly.

Ysanchez4 · 10-24-2016, 12:49 PM

Just to let everyone know, it was a bad battery. I was told that I was supposed to put water in the batteries- which I had no idea was still a thing. So my question for you guys is how often are you supposed to do this and exactly where are the batteries? Sincerely, Newmar Newbie.

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2016 Newmar Baystar Sport

vsheetz · 10-24-2016, 12:56 PM

House batteries can be wet type, requiring water to be added. Or sealed type, and maintaince free. Common to have wet batteries for house batteries. Check and add water as needed monthly. Also best to not let you batteries discharge to below 12vdc, else their cycle life is reduced.

As to where located in your coach, I'll let someone knowing of your vantana to answer.

mhbell · 10-24-2016, 01:08 PM

I would also check to be sure you are not over charging the batteries causing them to boil. That is when you most likely have the chemical smell. Hope the level did not go below the plates in the batteries.
Mel

vettenuts · 10-25-2016, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ysanchez4

Just to let everyone know, it was a bad battery. I was told that I was supposed to put water in the batteries- which I had no idea was still a thing. So my question for you guys is how often are you supposed to do this and exactly where are the batteries? Sincerely, Newmar Newbie.

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2016 Newmar Baystar Sport

Not sure where your batteries are located, they are typically in one of the bays under the coach. You can buy battery fill systems to make it easier and there are caps that reduce the amount of water loss. OEMY's web site shows the caps. As far as checking, I check mine every couple of months. They don't always need water and when they do it is a minimal amount but this keeps them topped up correctly. You use distilled water to keep them maintained.