Carbon Monoxide Detector Question

TaiKahn

I have a 2019 T@B 400 with a Atwood carbon monoxide detector.  The detector, with the green lamp on, emits one chirp every 40 seconds or so. Is this normal or do I have a problem?    

tabiphile

It should not be chirping...try holding the reset to stop it. If it continues to chirp after a reset you may have a low 12 volt. What is the charge level on your battery?

ScottG

Agree. I don't have the manual handy but IIRC that is a fault code of some sort. Low battery voltage would the first and easiest thing to check.

Bayliss

@TaiKahn, this is what the Atwood user's manual states:

"The audible indicator has two distinct functions:  Alarm and Fault.  In the "Alarm" function, for the CO the alarm will sound four "beeps" in 1 second followed by 5 seconds of silence, after 4 minutes of alarming, silence will last for 1 minute.  For the LP the alarm will sound six "beeps" in 1 second continually.  In the "fault" function, the alarm will last for 1 minute.  In the "Fault" function, that alarm will sound a "chirp" once every 40 seconds until the fault is cleared."

The manual also states, "Fault Mode.  This mode indicates that a fault has been detected that compromises some alarm function."  . . . . "This mode will be exited automatically when the fault is cleared.  If the fault persists, the alarm is not functioning properly and must be replaced to ensure your safety in the area."

Unfortunately, I do not see anything about how to "clear" the fault.  However, try pressing the "TEST" button until the alarm sounds, and then release the button.  The detector will sound three times.  The LED will flash red and should then display a flashing green light every 8 seconds.  If so, that probably will have cleared the fault.

If that does not work, I suggest that you contact Atwood (1-866-869-3118.)  If the device is defective, they should replace it at no cost.

N7SHG_Ham

Whatever you do, NEVER camp without a working alarm, a couple and their dog just died about 100 miles from where I live. Lots of hits if you search on camping deaths from carbon monoxide. https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/11/2-dead-in-camper-trailer-near-the-dalles-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-suspected.html

TaiKahn

I want to thank everyone who replied with helpful comments. I promise to pay your kindness and generosity forward. From your comments I learned that the chirping indicates that the detector has entered the "Fault" mode. I confirmed that the voltage is adequate voltage.  Also I pressed the reset/test button. The chirping continues. The dealer from which I bought the RV contacted nuCamp. nuCamp has agreed to send me a new detector unit. I hope that replacing the unit stops the chirping.  Thank you again. 

Kentsb

I am having to replace my detector also. Can anyone tell me what screwdriver head is required. None of my star drivers fit. I have a new 2021 320 CSS.

Verna

@Kentsb, you will need a square drive (or Robertson) bit, probably a #2, for 99.9% of the screws in your T@B. If you have a selection with star bits, it may also have the square drive bits also. 

Kentsb

Verna said:

@Kentsb, you will need a square drive (or Robertson) bit, probably a #2, for 99.9% of the screws in your T@B. If you have a selection with star bits, it may also have the square drive bits also. 

It is not a Robinson head.

Verna

@Kentsb, wow!  Highly unusual. Can you post a photo?

Kentsb

I will post a pic. tomorrow.

ChrisFix

@Kentsb
I replaced my CO detector on a 2021 400, and it was square drive screws holding it in place.

Kentsb

Must be #1 as my #2 clearly did not fit.

Kentsb

Confirmed #1 square. Thanks to all with help.

Kentsb

ChrisFix said:

@Kentsb
I replaced my CO detector on a 2021 400, and it was square drive screws holding it in place.

Chris,

Why did you replace your detector?

kware

Where do I find a replacement ?  

Kentsb

I got mine from NuCamp directly. Mine was warranty.

sequimite

I replaced the Atwood with a Safe-T-Alert 45-742 from Home Depot online. The screw holes don't align, but it fits well in the cutout.

johnfconway

It's been an unusual summer in SW New Mexico. Two spates of heat dome. Even retreating to 10,000+ ft. elevation with trailer was not in the cards. To ease heating inside the trailer, we opened the door and pulled the screen closed before dawn and closed it back up after sunset. We are planning to get back out after Labor Day.

About 10 days ago the Atwood CO/Propane detector was chirping (indicating fault) pre-dawn. An hour later, green light back on and fault had presumably cleared.

Checked Victron and always 100% SoC. This same pattern happens on some, but not all, days.

Propane tank level has not budged off of 100%. Leak in system unlikely. No obvious source of CO. It could be the detector is tired and randomly entering fault mode? Any other diagnosis? Do not want to discover the hard way with 2:00 a.m. chirping while camping. Thanks for any comments. Meanwhile, I will be checking out where to purchase replacement.

johnfconway

Well, that is weird. Thread led me to believe detector is Atwood. It's actually  "Safe RV CO and Propane Gas Alarm". In the words of Emily Litella: "Nevermind"!

pthomas745

Here is a link to the RV Safe "manual".  Look closely at the pattern of lights and beeps.  They are trying to tell you something. 

https://rvsafealarm.com/files/RVSafe_Manual.pdf

SLJ

What I don't think has been mentioned above is that this type of CO alarm only last around five years and then needs to be replaced. When it gets to it's end of life it will give a fault warning. When you pull it check to see if there's a date stamped on it. Four years is a little early but that is most likely the problem.

BrianZ

Thanks to this thread, I checked the Atwood LPCO detector in our T@B built in May 2017 and found the detector was built in Sep 2016.  The manual that came with it states a 7-year life, which I believe is programmed by the manufacturer.  So, rather than wait for an alarm to go off next month, I'm replacing it now with an "exact match"-looking one found on Amazon..
Dometic Dual LPCO Combination Alarm (White)
https://a.co/d/9D8Sicr
It states a 10-year life expectancy. 

Sharon_is_SAM

Good thinking @BrianZ.  I may do the same.

BrianZ

To follow up on my above-mentioned Amazon order, what I received was not the 10-yr Dometic brand shown, but the same Atwood model that I'm replacing.  At first I was disappointed, since the Atwood model has only a 7-yr life and the manufactured date sticker was 2-28-2022. 
However, I decided to keep it when I realized that the lifetime depends on actual usage time (I read that this may be due to an internal rechargeable battery).  Moreover, in 7 years I'll be 80, so not sure I'll still have the strength & flexibility that it takes to maintain & use our T@B (or the memory? ).
TIPS:
⚠️ Beware that upon completing installation & restoring power, expect to see a flashing green power light that may make you think there is a problem and want to reconnect the old still-working unit (which did the same thing!).  Just give it a few minutes, and it will return to the normal steady green light.  I'm guessing this may be due to the rechargeable internal battery needing to acquire some initial level of charge before all systems are go.
⚠️Removal: 
To remove the mounted alarm, first "remove cover flange from alarm by inserting a flat blade screw driver into the middle slot at the top of the flange and pry down to lift the flange off the alarm."  Then remove the 4 screws at corners.

glesieutre

This thread was very helpful. My original Atwood model must have reached end-of-life, thankfully in my driveway and not on the road. I also ordered the Dometic and received the Atwood. Fairly straightforward installation, I should perhaps have shortened the wires more than I did, but secured the extra length with cable ties. 

BrianZ

So, what are people using these days to replace their T@B's original LP/CO detectors? 
Seems like the newer ones found on Amazon aren't made to fit our T@B's cut-out in the cabinet, and are mostly smaller.

Emy

Following. Mine is chirping. 

Grumpy_G

Here's what I used: https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/15825/replacement-for-atwood-co-propane-alarm#latest

bergger

I recently replace ours.  It had been sporadically chirping and going off.  On a recent camping trip it was getting worse and kept waking us up.  I replaced it with the exact same model that was in our trailer from the factory.  I stopped by a local RV shop and picked on up.  Literally took me just a couple of minutes to replace and it fit perfect. 

Capt_KLR

These detectors have a shelf life as mentioned above. They chirp and light flashes at their end of life. Replaced mine and are easy to do.

Will need to be replaced in 5-7 years regardless depending on make or model. Nature of the beast.

Just replace it, not worth the alternative.