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Old 01-10-2014, 08:25 AM   #1
jsmith948
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CO Alarm

Our 2012 Cougar came with a 'COSTAR' Carbon Monoxide Alarm installed on the bedroom wall near the ceiling above the roadside window. Changed the 9v battery annually - tested function of alarm periodically.
Recently, alarm began beeping twice every 30sec along with the red led warning light. The instructions say this code indicates "end of life - replace alarm", which we have done.
The expiration date stamped on the alarm was Dec 2019. Anyone else have any experience with their CO alarm dying prematurely? Is there a remedy other than replacement?
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Old 01-10-2014, 09:07 AM   #2
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We had ours go out last summer I did the reset new 9V and still would just set and beep so I just got a new one ay lowes.
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Old 01-10-2014, 09:52 AM   #3
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Mine did that and I took the battery out... problem solved..
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Old 01-10-2014, 10:59 AM   #4
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Yeah, we thought about just disabling the alarm. Never had one in our old p/u camper - but, it didn't have a furnace.

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Old 01-10-2014, 11:37 AM   #5
tileman
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Carbon Monoxide Alarm is there for a reason I for one would not disable it.
But it's you they drag from the rv not me
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Old 01-10-2014, 11:43 AM   #6
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Carbon Monoxide Alarm is there for a reason I for one would not disable it.
But it's you they drag from the rv not me
You are correct... and I drink out of garden hoses too...
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Old 01-10-2014, 11:48 AM   #7
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I would assume ones life is worth the $30.00 to buy a new one
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Old 01-10-2014, 11:51 AM   #8
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Yea the hose is still ok by me.
I have seen a few people die in the Carbon Monoxide and its not so nice to see. If any kids are there well they are depending on us adults to make the right call.
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Old 01-10-2014, 12:58 PM   #9
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Easy guys - I was just curious if anyone had an alarm fail so soon

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Old 01-11-2014, 08:35 AM   #10
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Reset

Ours was beeping just this past week, lucky, changed the three AA's and reset, all normal. Those buggers are expensive.
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Old 01-11-2014, 10:47 AM   #11
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Go out and buy a new one. the ones they put in are cheep. I had to replace ours 6 months after we got our 5er . Haven't had a problem since.
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Old 01-11-2014, 01:26 PM   #12
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Yeah, we replaced the alarm with one from Lowest. Our alarm lasted 2 1/2 years, so, I guess it is what it is. Sticker said Dec 2019
Thanks for the replies

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Old 01-20-2014, 07:08 AM   #13
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I had the same problem last year when the trailer was closed up in storage (in my back yard). I could hear it beep every 30 seconds or so, I changed the batteries twice and it still kept beeping . I pulled the battery out while in storage and put it back in when we started camping in the spring with no problems at all. I'm thinking the problem is: when the trailer is closed up for any time, it gets a build up of formaldehyde. I can smell the formaldehyde after it's closed up for awhile.
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Old 01-20-2014, 10:42 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by AlCorr View Post
I had the same problem last year when the trailer was closed up in storage (in my back yard). I could hear it beep every 30 seconds or so, I changed the batteries twice and it still kept beeping . I pulled the battery out while in storage and put it back in when we started camping in the spring with no problems at all. I'm thinking the problem is: when the trailer is closed up for any time, it gets a build up of formaldehyde. I can smell the formaldehyde after it's closed up for awhile.
I had some pretty "frustrating" issues with my game cameras this year with our early "sub-zero" temperatures. It seems that alkaline batteries cease to function at full capacity below about 25*F. So, if you installed a new battery and it was below that temp, it was probably producing voltage equivalent to a "worn out" battery. That "could" explain why it worked OK once spring warmed things up.... I'm not saying that "was" your problem, but it's a consideration. I take all the batteries out of our detectors in the fall and replace them with fresh batteries in the spring.

But, after the issues with game cameras this year, I'm looking toward LIon batteries for extreme cold weather use.

Just a thought that might explain some of your issues.....
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Old 01-20-2014, 02:33 PM   #15
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Our Costar died at about 28 months. I called the company and they said the warranty was for 24 months, but they had a "special" going where they would replace ours for $25. I bought a different brand at Home Depot for about the same cost.
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Old 01-20-2014, 03:44 PM   #16
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Y'all do know that folks get along just fine without all them gadgets and they been doing it for a bunch of years. If you feel the need, then by all means have fun with them. Me, I ain't gonna bother with them at this late date in life.
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Old 01-20-2014, 06:42 PM   #17
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Ours required replacement after just one year. Covered under warranty.
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Old 01-21-2014, 03:28 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
I had some pretty "frustrating" issues with my game cameras this year with our early "sub-zero" temperatures. It seems that alkaline batteries cease to function at full capacity below about 25*F. So, if you installed a new battery and it was below that temp, it was probably producing voltage equivalent to a "worn out" battery. That "could" explain why it worked OK once spring warmed things up.... I'm not saying that "was" your problem, but it's a consideration. I take all the batteries out of our detectors in the fall and replace them with fresh batteries in the spring.

But, after the issues with game cameras this year, I'm looking toward LIon batteries for extreme cold weather use.

Just a thought that might explain some of your issues.....

From what I've been hearing, you are correct about the sub-zero temperatures issues with alkaline batteries. But this year I forgot to remove the batteries and a few weeks ago the tem. was in the low 50's for a few days and I could hear the thing beeping, went inside the trailer to pull the batteries, the smell of formaldehyde was pretty strong after being closed up.
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Old 01-21-2014, 07:10 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by AlCorr View Post
From what I've been hearing, you are correct about the sub-zero temperatures issues with alkaline batteries. But this year I forgot to remove the batteries and a few weeks ago the tem. was in the low 50's for a few days and I could hear the thing beeping, went inside the trailer to pull the batteries, the smell of formaldehyde was pretty strong after being closed up.
There are two comments you make that cause me some concern.

First you say that when you went into your RV after it was closed for a time that there was a strong odor of formaldehyde. A 2012 model year RV was manufactured in 2011, which is 2+ years ago. If it has been used regularly, there should be very little or no formaldehyde smell remaining. Have you opened your RV and let it sit outside in the sun for any significant length of time to help dissipate the formaldehyde?

Second, most home CO monitors will not detect/alarm with "normal levels" of formaldehyde (whatever that level is). So if your CO detector is alarming (loud continuous beep) it may be malfunctioning. If what you heard is a series of short beeps about 15 seconds apart, that signal is a low battery signal.

Here is some information on what can cause a "false alarm" in CO detectors. While formaldehyde in very strong concentrations can cause a CO alarm to sound, it is not one of the agents that will cause an alarm (continuous beeping) in most home type CO detectors.

"The following is a list of substances that at high levels can affect the sensor and cause temporary readings on the digital display that are not carbon monoxide readings: Methane, propane, iso-butane, ethylene, ethanol, alcohol, iso-propanol, benzene, toluene, ethyl acetate, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxides. Also most aerosol sprays, alcohol based products, paints, thinners, solvents, adhesives, hair sprays, aftershaves, per- fumes, auto exhaust (cold start) and some cleaning agents."


I really wonder why you're still experiencing as much formaldehyde in your RV as you indicate....
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