Unsure why CO alarm is going off

Buckster
Buckster Member Posts: 62
in Camping & Travel
I came home from work to find the CO alarm going off in our camper.  According to the booklet, the red light and beeps indicate that it had detected propane.  The camper was locked up and closed off. The valve on propane tank is securely closed.  I opened the door and windows, turned on the fan and it took at least 25 minutes before the alarm subsided.  It's a brand new T@B so I know the alarm unit isn't anywhere near the end of life.  Any ideas on what may have set off the alarm?  I'm not aware of any additional propane sources.
2022 T@B 320 CS-S Boondock
2018 Nissan Frontier 4x4
SW Ohio
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+

Comments

  • Tabaz
    Tabaz Member Posts: 2,421
    This may not be the answer to your problem, but I once rented a brand new Class C motorhome (I was the second renter).  At 2:00 am, the CO detector went off.  I immediately opened all the windows and then reset the alarm.  Shut the windows and went back to bed.  Alarm went off again 1/2 hour later.  Without boring you to death, it turned out to be a faulty CO detector (even though it was brand new camper).
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • VictoriaP
    VictoriaP Member Posts: 1,496
    Brand new Tab = possible outgassing. Outgassed chemicals may set the alarm off.

    As Tabaz noted, could also be a faulty alarm. 
    2019 320s BD Lite, white with blue (“Haven”)
    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
    2020 Subaru Outback XT
    Pacific NW
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,530
    Low battery status will also set the alarm off.  What is the battery state of charge?  (Outgassing is probably the cause!)
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • Buckster
    Buckster Member Posts: 62
    VictoriaP said:
    Brand new Tab = possible outgassing. Outgassed chemicals may set the alarm off.
    Outgassing? Do you mean from the cushions and other items within the camper?  We've had the camper since March but this is the first hot day (mid 80's) we've had since bringing it home. Perhaps the heat build up inside increased the outgassing?

    @pthomas745: The camper is plugged into an outlet so the battery is fully charged.
    2022 T@B 320 CS-S Boondock
    2018 Nissan Frontier 4x4
    SW Ohio
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • VictoriaP
    VictoriaP Member Posts: 1,496
    @Buckster Yes, all the materials, glues, etc. are subject to outgassing, as with a new car or new carpet. And yes, heat will absolutely exacerbate that. Leave a window or two cracked.
    2019 320s BD Lite, white with blue (“Haven”)
    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
    2020 Subaru Outback XT
    Pacific NW
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • ChrisFix
    ChrisFix Member Posts: 743
    edited May 2022
    @Buckster
    My 2021 T@B 400 had a bad CO detector from the factory - which would go off randomly at least weekly, usually more like twice a day.
    Replaced it under warranty and it has never false alarmed again...So my vote is you have a bad CO detector and should replace it for your own sanity. Nothing is less restful than that alarm waking you up when it shouldn't!
    2025 T@B 400 Boondock Black Canyon with 400Ah Battle Born and Victron Multiplus 3000
    2025 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition with Redarc Trailer Brake Controller
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+

Categories