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christineg · 11-14-2010, 03:25 PM

I have a recently purchased 2001 Jayco Designer Class C which had a continuous alarm going off when we drove up to check on it today. It seems to be the LP gas alarm but we smelled no gas. I am wondering if it might be the battery, the manual said it runs off the marine battery. I am afraid to start the engine to see if that might help charge it up. it has been a couple weeks since we had checked on it. We are brand new to this so any help would be appreciated.

pkendzor · 11-14-2010, 03:55 PM

Most lp alarms run off the house battery and will go off if the battery is low. Do you have a battery indicator on the panel with your tank levels ? Is there a switch on your dash for connecting your engine battery to your house battery? If so depress the switch for a minute or so and see if the alarm goes out. Or if you are afraid to start it put a battery charger on your house battery, or plug it into shore power and charge it up.

Paul

pkendzor · 11-14-2010, 04:07 PM

I would shut the propane off first, then open the doors and windows for a bit just to make sure. Propane has an additive like natural gas, and gives off a rotten egg smell even with a small leak. If I could not smell gas and had the tank shut off and doors and windows open for a while, I would not hessitate to start it. But that is just my opinion.

Paul

AFChap · 11-14-2010, 04:36 PM

Could be a low battery. LP alarms can also be triggered by off-gassing batteries, ammonia from a failed refrigerator cooling unit, and "off-gassing pets" in addition to leaking LP. I would air it out a bit, check the battery condition and levels, and then not be at all afraid to start it up.

christineg · 11-14-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkendzor

I would shut the propane off first, then open the doors and windows for a bit just to make sure. Propane has an additive like natural gas, and gives off a rotten egg smell even with a small leak. If I could not smell gas and had the tank shut off and doors and windows open for a while, I would not hessitate to start it. But that is just my opinion.

Paul

Thank you. We ventilated and pressed the battery cross-connect and the alarm stopped immediately. So it's just a dead battery which we'll get fixed tomorrow. Thank you for your quick reply; it pointed us in the correct direction and we're much relieved.

christineg · 11-14-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFChap

Could be a low battery. LP alarms can also be triggered by off-gassing batteries, ammonia from a failed refrigerator cooling unit, and "off-gassing pets" in addition to leaking LP. I would air it out a bit, check the battery condition and levels, and then not be at all afraid to start it up.

Thank you also, i really appreciate the help. It was just the battery(s), not a major crisis. How are you enjoying full-timing? it's something we are dreaming about at this point...

RVhauler · 11-14-2010, 08:17 PM

Keep in mind that these alarms do wear out just like smoke detectore do

christineg · 11-15-2010, 12:37 AM

This is a good point also. it had crossed our minds that these systems are old, and the batteries are original equipment.. We only made a short weekend trip in it right after we bought it a month ago and are planning a longer 2 week trip to the Ozarks in a couple weeks. We don't want any trouble on our trip if we can help it. We are getting it checked out tomorrow.

pkendzor · 11-15-2010, 09:03 AM

One of the things to look for is your house battery disconnect switch. When you are not going to use your motor home for a while and it is not plugged in, turn it off. This disconnects small draw items like your lp detector, electric clocks, etc.

Paul

christineg · 11-15-2010, 05:15 PM

Thanks for all the help! We just replaced both batteries and hopefully the problem is solved. You all have been so much help and I was almost afraid to ask for fear of sounding, well like a newbie!!

KIX · 11-15-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christineg

I was almost afraid to ask for fear of sounding, well like a newbie!!

We were all "newbies" at one time.

pkendzor · 11-15-2010, 06:12 PM

Please don't ever be afraid to ask.... Like Kix said we were all newbies at one time ! .... I only wish these forums were around when we got started...... And I'm still learning after 30 some years....