Propane Alarm Won't Stop

[Chickadee]

Hi All:

Traded down to a 2014 Bay Star after full timing for 9 years in DP's. Have a question about what I think is a malfunctioning propane alarm in the Bay Star. Propane tank is full although we've NEVER used it even after returning a week ago from a summer trip back to visit family in South Dakota. Anyway, while parked in driveway here in Florida for post trip cleaning before storing our rig, the propane alarm located on wall on right just below passenger seat started alarming (ie. beep, beep--beep, beep--beep,beep--beep, beep-- (pause), then again, and again, etc.) Now, although we'd filled the propane tank before leaving on our trip North, again, we never used propane AT ALL, and tank valve remains closed, (shut off).

Can't figure why this alarm is sounding off when rig power is on such as when driving or parked before shutting power off.
Also, does anyone know whether the alarm sensor is located as an integral part of this light switch sized alarm panel on the wall, or is monitoring the near the propane tank compartment which since open to air doesn't make sense.

Anyone have any ideas???

Thanks

Steve

[OSP1268]

Run the vacuum over the detector. Maybe some dust or something got on the sensor and is setting it off. I've also heard that if you have a pet and they pass gas near the detector, that will set it off.

[Mike and Cha]

We were told that some cleaning solutions can trigger it, spray types are the worst, so if you did a good cleaning and the fumes are in the MH or some of the spray on the sensor it could trigger it.

[1mainiac]

The LP detector is a simple system. However 1st it is not a LP detector it is a flammable gas detector it cannot tell LP from a dog fart LOL. Two issues come up hundreds of times every year the first is false alarms well from my side I have seen very few actual failures in my 15 years of fixing them. Any vapor that that be flammable can and will set them off the list is long but floor cleaners hair sprays cooking sprays ect will set them off. The sensor as stated can be plugged but usually that is not the issue often they are in the kitchen area and most people store their cleaning products under the sink and the vapors from any of them can set them off. in most of them the normal light is green and no alarm. A red light with a alarm means it senses a flammable vapor and you should get out until the problem is fixed. A amber or yellow light with a alarm is a failure almost always low battery issue but can be other things. Many of them get power directly from the battery so I have seen on some units the battery is disconnected by mistake when this happens in some units the coach will still work when driving or plugged in but the battery itself will not be charged so you will get the amber light and alarm when everything else seems to be fine. That depends on your coach wiring so it will vary from unit to unit.

[Terry43]

Originally Posted by Chickadee

Hi All:

Traded down to a 2014 Bay Star after full timing for 9 years in DP's. Have a question about what I think is a malfunctioning propane alarm in the Bay Star. Propane tank is full although we've NEVER used it even after returning a week ago from a summer trip back to visit family in South Dakota. Anyway, while parked in driveway here in Florida for post trip cleaning before storing our rig, the propane alarm located on wall on right just below passenger seat started alarming (ie. beep, beep--beep, beep--beep,beep--beep, beep-- (pause), then again, and again, etc.) Now, although we'd filled the propane tank before leaving on our trip North, again, we never used propane AT ALL, and tank valve remains closed, (shut off).

Can't figure why this alarm is sounding off when rig power is on such as when driving or parked before shutting power off.
Also, does anyone know whether the alarm sensor is located as an integral part of this light switch sized alarm panel on the wall, or is monitoring the near the propane tank compartment which since open to air doesn't make sense.

Anyone have any ideas???

Thanks

Steve

Had a similar issue with detector; turns out it was because I was equalizing the batteries located on the drivers side behind front wheel. The gases from batteries was the problem.

[MCJones]

This may for may not help: I had alarms going off in a house all the time when the gas fireplace was used. I took them all down and blew them out with my compressor. I couldn't believe the cloud of "dust" that blew out of them. Put them all back up and presto - no more problem.. I think the contractor had them up there during sanding processes and that was the problem. Wouldn't take but a minute to blow those out and see if it helps. good luck.

[kalynzoo]

I was told that the life of a detector is about 5 years. I purchased a new propane detector, and it was a plug-and-play instillation. No further problem.

[1mainiac]

5 year life span is not far off and likely a good time to change it but the OP is talking about a new unit. Something I did not mention earlier is many of the new units are combo units with CO and LP alarms. Another issue in new units is That there may be some vapors coming from the construction materials used like the glues not being fully cured yet.

[Chickadee]

Thank you all for come backs regarding propane alarm. Just FYI I did have to have a generator issue looked at in a nearby Newmar dealer and had this 'Propane Alarm' replaced. Service folks indicated that the sensor on these alarms CAN be "defective" causing an alert situation even in absence of ANY propane or other such triggering fumes.

All we know for sure is that it sure is nice not hearing that BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP all the time............couldn't even shut the darn thing off!!!

THANKS AGAIN ALL!!

Steve

[wglabais]

Originally Posted by Terry43

Had a similar issue with detector; turns out it was because I was equalizing the batteries located on the drivers side behind front wheel. The gases from batteries was the problem.

Had the same issue, our flooded lead acid batteries are ready for replacement, when absorb charging the off gas will set off the LP detector as it is in the same vacinity. Opening the door on the battery compartment solves the immediate problem, new batteries should fix it, Lithium will definitely fix it as there is no off gassing with Lithium

[NLOVNIT]

I agree that, if your detector is OEM to the year of your coach, you are past time to replace it.

[Enfield]

Anyone know where the fuse is on the hot lead to the o propane detector