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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> installing a CO detector
Post Info TOPIC: installing a CO detector
The Crumps


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We just bought a carbon monoxide detector for our class A.  The instructions make it difficult to determine where to put it because it's not supposed to be within 20 feet of the furnace which is in the middle of the RV.  Where are they placed when they come with the RV?  I thought maybe we should put it by the LP detector?  Can you please advise?



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The Crumps

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53 Merc


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Most CO detectors are mounted in the bedroom, near the ceiling. Propane detectors are mounted low since propane vapors are heavier than air. CO is really close to being lighter than air, so a high mount is desirable. I don't understand the caveat about 20 ft of the furnace though. Hard to get 20 ft away from anything in an RV. Since the furnace is forced air it is kinda circulated all over the RV, or am I missing something here?

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Ken and Fran 2006 Sunnybrook F250 SD CC PSD
We2RV


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We have our detector mounted at mid level by a window that is open most of the time about 10'
from our furnace. It has been in use for over 5 years now. and no problem with location.
The reason for placement by the window is, that is where any CO entry into the unit will be.
The RV next to us with a generator or engine running would be the most likely source.

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Terry and Jo


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Wouldn't a generator be putting our carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide?  Or, am I mixed up on my gases?

Terry



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Terry and Jo

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Luvglass


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Carbon Monoxide is CO and Carbon Dioxide is CO2. Monoxide is the killer.

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Fred Wishnie

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53 Merc


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Terry and Jo wrote:

Wouldn't a generator be putting our carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide?  Or, am I mixed up on my gases?

Terry

 Terry, I am sure you know that carbon dioxide is the result of perfect combustion (rapid oxidation of a carbon molecule) and carbon monoxide is the result of sub-stoichemetric combustion of a carbon molecule (incomplete oxidation of a carbon molecule). 

In that vein, a generator exhaust is mostly carbon dioxide, heat and carbon monoxide, as well as some nitrous dioxide, nitrous oxide and hydrocarbon.  All the above except carbon dioxide are considered pollutants.  Well, now it seems the EPA has determined that carbon dioxide is harmful??



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Ken and Fran 2006 Sunnybrook F250 SD CC PSD
NorCal Dan


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I was told that CO will not be found near the ceiling. California now requires CO detectors as well as smoke detectors, so I bought combo units. Then I found out that CO detectors should be mounted mid-way between floor and ceiling. I can't win for losing...



-- Edited by NorCal Dan on Wednesday 7th of September 2011 11:21:07 AM

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Luvglass


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Dan, it should rise. Here is what Wikipedia says.

Carbon monoxide (CO), also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas which is slightly lighter than air.

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Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
Terry and Jo


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53 Merc wrote:
Terry and Jo wrote:

Wouldn't a generator be putting our carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide?  Or, am I mixed up on my gases?

Terry

 Terry, I am sure you know that carbon dioxide is the result of perfect combustion (rapid oxidation of a carbon molecule) and carbon monoxide is the result of sub-stoichemetric combustion of a carbon molecule (incomplete oxidation of a carbon molecule). 

In that vein, a generator exhaust is mostly carbon dioxide, heat and carbon monoxide, as well as some nitrous dioxide, nitrous oxide and hydrocarbon.  All the above except carbon dioxide are considered pollutants.  Well, now it seems the EPA has determined that carbon dioxide is harmful??

That, Sir, is exactly why I wondered whether I had my gasses wrong.  I've had one chemistry class in my life and that was way back in 1965.  Suffice it to say that my memory isn't that good.

Oh, and that part in bold above made a whistling noise as it went right over my head.

But, thanks for the explanation and straightening me out on gasses.

Terry



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Terry and Jo

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2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

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53 Merc


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Terry, all I was trying to point out is that combustion is no more than the rapid oxidation of carbon gasses. We all know that solids won't burn, they have to vaporize before the oxidation starts. In other words, the fire triangle requires heat, oxygen (air) and the chemical degradation of the fuel into gas.
In a past life, we had to know all them thar fancy words to explain that fahr was dangerous.

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Ken and Fran 2006 Sunnybrook F250 SD CC PSD
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