Safe-t-alert

[n5pht]

OK - I have posted some of this before but now more desperate. I am currently using my 2nd (in 2 years) Carbon Monoxide / Propane Gas detector. I know this model is the Safe-T-alert and suspect the first one was similar if not the same.

Both did not last very long. This one only 2 years. I got so frustrated I installed a toggle switch in line to make it easy to turn it off to get back to sleep! There is NO propane or CO2 leaks - I and others have checked it several times.

Both units did not seem to last very long - maybe 2 years at best. I looked on the units themselves to see manufacture date (to make sure I had not gotten an old one - sitting on store shelf for years!)

My trouble shooting:

1. Electrical. I believe there is a good supply of 12 volts. I put a meter on the circuit and all is good. I don't have any indications in the MH of any 12 volt issues.

2. Location. One would think Winnebago would know best - don't laugh too hard - but I am not sure. The unit is about 6 inches from the floor in the hallway between the toilet and shower. Seems like a tight space to me (hallway is maybe 2 feet wide. When DW is using the shower the 2 doors to that area are closed. She turns on the bathroom vent but still that makes for a steamy area for a few minutes.

3. Causes to set it off. I have tried to sort this out with little pattern. I actually sometimes thought it happened after I had too many beans.... seriously. And once or twice when cleaning the RV - dust I suppose.

I want to use a detector and realize the safety involved of course.

I don't want to spend extra $ but would for a unit that is worth it and works properly. If I try to relocate to another area in the MH that would be difficult at best.

Ideas appreciated.

[twinboat]

Are your batteries under or nearby it ?

The gas's from charging batteries can set them off.

[n5pht]

Thanks twinboat

No, coach batteries about 20 feet away.

[BrentB]

If I'm reading this correctly, you're saying that yours goes off even when there's no gas present? If so, mine does the same thing.

[n5pht]

Originally Posted by BrentB

If I'm reading this correctly, you're saying that yours goes off even when there's no gas present? If so, mine does the same thing.

Yes - I have had two in 2 years and both not reliable. Does anyone know of a quality unit that works?

[BrentB]

It seems that Safe-T-Alert (MTI) and Atwood are the only two companies making these detectors. I think I will either try an Atwood, or go back to individual detectors for CO and LPG. Before I got the combo detector I never had any problems.

Detectors on Sale! - Adventure RV

[fbuckwalter]

I installed a new safety alert detector early last year. It is working ok so far and I will test it today.
How long after they are installed did it take for the problems to start?

Frank

[ga80486]

Do you have a dog? I heard of one case where the dog slept in front of it, and was setting it off by passing gas.

[BrentB]

Originally Posted by fbuckwalter

I installed a new safety alert detector early last year. It is working ok so far and I will test it today.
How long after they are installed did it take for the problems to start?

Frank

For me it was about 2.5 years.

[fbuckwalter]

Mine works on propane, I have no CO gas to check that function. The one I replaced would not trigger at all.

One thought is maybe some sort of transient is setting it off. Maybe radio waves?

Is there any correlation with shore power vs. battery?

There may have been a bad production run with a faulty part or mfg. process. I have seen that happen.

The warranty is one year, not what you would hope for in a safety device.

Location considerations are discussed in the manual.

Hopefully the third device will be the charm.

Frank

[TomBr]

It seems to me that this is in exactly the wrong place for a CO detector. My first suggestion would be that almost nothing does two things at once and does both well. You might try replacing it with a propane (actually flammable gas) detector and get one or two battery powered CO detectors to place properly, according to their instructions. I prefer two, one in the main area and one in the bedroom, but that may be overkill.

[ernieh]

Welcome to the ever growing list of folks who own what is probably the least reliable device in the RV industry. I've never had one that worked properly for more than two years.

I personally replaced mine with an RV rated CO detector and will depend on my nose for propane leaks.

[JohnBoyToo]

We just got one off amazon -
5 minute swap and I'm pretty sure it's demise was hair spray in the back bath that made it too sensitive to the aged batteries right underneath it..
they've since been replaced (they were probably overcharging and boiling off)

[Pepper2]

Just ordered a new Safe-T-Alert. While at the Amazon site I read that 5 yrs. after they are installed, they are timed out, and quit functioning.