Carbon Moxoide and LP Detectors have replacement dates

[SteveG]

I searched the forum for a post on this subject but did not find one. I read in the June Motor Home mag an article that said the CM and LP detector should be replaced every 5 years, no exception. The LP detector operating manual made no mention of replacement but the C. M. manual said 6 years.

Is this common knowledge? First I have heard about these replacement dates. SteveG

[BryanL]

It is well documented but I don't think many read the documentation. If you do a bit of I'net searching you'll find it discussed and the reasons described.

The RV rating is also in 'code' and documented but seldom explained so it is also not well known. The RV rating is for a broader temperature range and a bit more ruggedness.

[DeanLinAZ]

Steve:
I just replaced both units with new ones from Lichtsinn Parts Dept.
The CO detector had a decal on the back side (towards the rear of the coach) which said--"replace this unit before July 2009". Our LP detector has been giving false beeps for about four months, so I replaced it as well after reading the magazine article and some other strings on the forums.

Be safe.

[RV Wizard]

We have discussed this issue in the past here on the forums. I was unable to find a link for you. Sorry.

[SteveG]

Mike, thanks for looking. It is what is is and I was just not aware of it but I'll be soon purchasing some replacement detectors. I was just curious about what wears out causing the equipment to have to be replaced. There are so many knowledgeable people in the forum that I figure someone will eventually respond with an explanation. SteveG

[TXiceman]

The elements eventually loose their sensitivity and have to be replaced. It is amazing what you can learn by readingt the instructions.

ken

[Clay L]

About three months before it got to the point that vacuuming or blowing air through it stopped working, my LP detector started giving a lot of false alarms. That was about 5 years after we bought the motor home (new) and about two months ago.

The CO detector didn't put out false alarms but went into a fault mode about the time the LP detector completely gave up the ghost.
So we got close to 5 years on both of them.
My CO detector also had the sticker mentioned above with a replacement date on it.

[SteveG]

Is the LP detector replacement date from the time the unit was manufactured or the time it was put in service. In other words would the LP detector have a shelf life? I am thinking if I find a CCI supplier who may have stock piled some of the units as CCI went out of business but they were produced some time prior the "replacement date" would make a difference on which rule applied.

The CCI Owners manual doesn't address LP replacement date and I was not able to find one on the unit. The Costar Carbon Monoxide detector manual says should not be used after replacement date. They make it sould like shelf life is included.

[Carvin Marvin]

Just looked at my CO detector as a result of reading these posts. Says right on the back of the alarm "Replace after 6 years" mine is 8. Guess I had better check on the LP detector.

[RV Wizard]

The life of the detectors is from the date of manufacturing.

[SteveG]

I did a little research regarding the CCI Controls model 7770 LP detector provided in my 2004 Winnebago Journey. Below is the CCI chpt 7 bankruptsy info. Filed for Chpt in April 2009 but unclear when they stopped manufacturing.

From: Bankruptcies. - Free Online Library
DBA: CCI Controls Inc. ; (Business type N/A) 5052 Cecelia St.; South Gate 90280
Chapter: 7 ; Assets: $8,028; Debts: $1,773,951;
Doc# LA09-17648-BR ; File-Date: 04/01/09


Winnebago is still installing these units. Part numbers are Winnebago’s part numbers: 150138-01-01A = White; 150138-01-02A= Brown



Litchtsin Motors 800-343-6255 said they sell the CCI product from Winnebago's parts house for $137.15.

[RV Wizard]

You may want to get replacements that are OEM now, while they have them. The competitors war of a different size and may have to be retrofitted when use as a replacement.

[SteveG]

I agree with RV Wizard and will purchase and OEM LP detector replacement. It will be the easiest replacement and I have had no problems with the exisitng unit.

Now to move on to the Carbon Monoxide Detector. Our Journey uses a Costar Model 9RV which is a self contained 9VDC battery power supply mounted on our carpeted bedroom ceiling. So will try to replace with like same. I found info about the company which is Costar / Quantum Group at this site:

http://http://www.gsa-world.com/?id=...hat=getDetails

and the company at this site:

http://www.qginc.com/

If you go to the Products tab at the company site you will find an opprotunity to purchase on line, cost $56.00. This seems to be the going rate and is comparable with the Safe-T-Alert products and others who sell the Costar 9RV. Bekow is some product information:

The Model 9RV has many significant improvements.
Among the most notable are:

• CO specific biomimetic sensor, prevents false alarms, premature responses, or failures caused by interferent gases. **
• Advanced sensor formulation virtually eliminates "false" alarms. The multiple detection capability features a life safety (high level) alarm and a health protection (low level) warning signal. Both the alarm and the warning signal can be silenced manually.
• Improved sensor technology guards against CO exposure throughout a broader range of temperature and humidity. The advanced microprocessor continually measures the rate of change in air quality and automatically silences the alarm once the CO danger has dissipated. There is a six year warranty on the Detector.
• ** Ref. "CO Detectors How Selective Are They?" by Lara A. Gundel, PhD, Michael G. Apte, PhD, Lawarence Berkeley National Laboratory and William B. Helfman, M.D., PhD., Quantum Group, Inc. (to receive a copy of this report, please contact Quantum Group, Inc. at (800) 432-5599

Two down and one to go but the smoke detector will be a few years off as I am reading 10 years is the expected life. Thanks for everyone's assistance. SteveG

[Gary RVRoamer]

I just bought a replacement for my CCI LP detector. It's been giving occasional false alarms anyway and I wanted to get one while suppliers still had some stock. I got mine for $68 "close out pricing" cause they have switched to a different brand (supplier). It was the last brown one the shop had.