Community Forums

JimM68 · 04-29-2012, 08:04 AM

So I went out to the bus this morning to see if there was anything for breakfast, the cupboards in the S&B were bare.

And I smelled propane!

Seemed when I was working on removing window film yesterday, I musta brushed against one of the stove burner knobs, and it was on!

So I turned off the stove, opened all the windows, touched nothing electrical, left the door open, and got the heck out quick.

My 2008 Monaco is equipped with a "safe alert" recreational vehicle propane detector, under the fridge. Green light is on. When I returned after the gas had cleared, pressing the test light caused it to shriek and the light to turn red.

If there was enough gas in the bus for me to smell, shouldn't this thing have been shrieking?

Should I replace it (duh... heck yes I'm gonna replace it) ?

My previous bus (1999 model) had one with a valve, if it went off, it shut off the propane at the tank. I wonder if they make one like that that is wireless? I really like the shutoff idea, but my fridge is in a slide, running a wire don't sound like fun at all.

4Knights · 04-29-2012, 09:11 AM

Jim, thank god it didn't catch fire over night! Does the manual for it have a testing interval? Most home model CO detectors have a minimum monthly test and some of the new smoke detectors require weekly push of the test button. I would replace it.

JimM68 · 04-29-2012, 09:24 AM

It passed the test just fine this morning...
But the test doesn't involve any real propane, just pushing a button.

rmmpe · 04-30-2012, 11:38 AM

You can perform a truly functional test by using an unlit Propane torch or portable BBQ tube and directing the gas to the sensor.

chief02 · 04-30-2012, 11:47 AM

The test button mearly checks the electrical currciut and the the LPG gas sensor. It tells you it is powered up and the alarm sounding mech is working. Replace it, the sensor is most likely bad.

okmunky · 04-30-2012, 12:06 PM

I have removed my stove and oven knobs and stored them with the silverware. It's safety over aesthetics in this RV. But then I live with a monkey who starts turning on things (lights, emergency flashers, water, etc.) when she wants me to put down the ipad and get her something else to eat. Oops, there she goes again. She has me well trained.

Benny367 · 04-30-2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM68

So I went out to the bus this morning to see if there was anything for breakfast, the cupboards in the S&B were bare.

And I smelled propane!

Seemed when I was working on removing window film yesterday, I musta brushed against one of the stove burner knobs, and it was on!

So I turned off the stove, opened all the windows, touched nothing electrical, left the door open, and got the heck out quick.

My 2008 Monaco is equipped with a "safe alert" recreational vehicle propane detector, under the fridge. Green light is on. When I returned after the gas had cleared, pressing the test light caused it to shriek and the light to turn red.

If there was enough gas in the bus for me to smell, shouldn't this thing have been shrieking?

Should I replace it (duh... heck yes I'm gonna replace it) ?

My previous bus (1999 model) had one with a valve, if it went off, it shut off the propane at the tank. I wonder if they make one like that that is wireless? I really like the shutoff idea, but my fridge is in a slide, running a wire don't sound like fun at all.

It is my understanding that these sensors are to be replaced EVERY 5 YEARS.

MAU MAU · 04-30-2012, 03:32 PM

Benny is 100% correct.

Depending on the unit and its inherent sensitivity, they must be replaced every 3 to 5 years. They will still test OK, but their ability to detect the gas is could be zero.

As mentioned, thank God you are here to write about it.