Dual Propane Question

[SLIMSHADIE]

I'm your typical recreational camper. I only go thru 1 30lb tank a year. Also I only turn 1 tank on at a time until it the end of the season. In case there is a leak I dont want to blow thru both tanks, but my first year I did wake up with a cold camper in the rain. So the end if the season, I do run on both. I didnt know about the odor fading, but always filled the tank in the fall and rotate them just to keep them functional. Also read if the regulator is chirping like a bird, spray a touch of wd40 down the pigtail to lubricate the regulator.
Being at a campsite and the electricity is already paid for, I also supplement with a space heater. When I bought the space heater I thought I could just use it. Took forever to get to temp, finally learned to have furnace get to temp and the space heater holds it the rest of the night, happy wife and kids....pooches

[ReadyToRoll]

Ok, probably a dumb question but if the odor diminishes will the carbon monoxide detector still indicate gas leakage or other problem. I assume it still will and that the odor is for human detection only.

[cant_remember_ID]

Originally Posted by ReadyToRoll

Ok, probably a dumb question but if the odor diminishes will the carbon monoxide detector still indicate gas leakage or other problem. I assume it still will and that the odor is for human detection only.

Your LP sensor will still pick it up. Your carbon monoxide detector is for combustion gasses not being ventilated.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by ReadyToRoll

Ok, probably a dumb question but if the odor diminishes will the carbon monoxide detector still indicate gas leakage or other problem. I assume it still will and that the odor is for human detection only.

There are three "detectors" in most modern RV's. First is the smoke detector and is usually mounted on the ceiling, either "outside the sleeping area" or "within "close proximity" to cooking appliances". It's the "detector" we're most familiar with seeing. The other two are "separate and distinct" and often they are "mixed up" or "not understood" by users. One is the CO monitor (carbon monoxide) and is most often mounted on the upper part of the wall in the main sleeping area. It detects CO, a colorless/odorless byproduct of combustion. There is no smell associated with CO.

The other "detector" and probably the one you're referring to in your question, is the Propane Detector. Propane is a "heavier than air" odorless gas, used as an energy source for heating, cooking and refrigeration in most RV's. The Propane detector is usually mounted in the kitchen area of the RV, low on the cabinets or wall and usually not more than 6-9" above the floor. Since propane is a "heavy, colorless, odorless, explosive" gas, a chemical is added during processing. This chemical, mercaptan, has a "disagreeable, sulfur-like" odor that is easily recognizable. Over time, the oily mercaptan may lose its "pungent" smell and propane may not be easily recognizable to the human nose. Propane detectors do not rely on the presence of mercaptan to monitor for leaks, but use a sensor that detects the chemical presence of propane. Even with no mercaptan in the tank, a propane detector will "sound the alarm" if propane is detected in the appropriate air mixture levels.

So, to answer your question, even if you can't smell the propane, your "properly functioning propane detector" will trigger an alarm. Your CO monitor should not sound in the presence of propane, but only in the presence of carbon monoxide. Even if your CO monitor is a "dual purpose monitor" it shouldn't sound a "propane alarm" because propane stays "near the floor" and the CO monitor should be mounted "high on the wall"...

You can test your propane detector by using a propane grill lighter, blow it out and let the "unburned gas" flow into the air near your detector, it should trigger an alarm. Once the propane is no longer in the air, the alarm should reset. Or, if you don't have a grill lighter, feed your dog something greasy, forget to walk him and if he curls up next to the propane detector, his "methane eruptions" throughout the night will probably be enough to trigger an alarm. Don't ask me how I know....

[Pmedic4]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

You can test your propane detector by using a propane grill lighter, blow it out and let the "unburned gas" flow into the air near your detector, it should trigger an alarm. Once the propane is no longer in the air, the alarm should reset. Or, if you don't have a grill lighter, feed your dog something greasy, forget to walk him and if he curls up next to the propane detector, his "methane eruptions" throughout the night will probably be enough to trigger an alarm. Don't ask me how I know....

You know, they say there isn't any real useful information on the Internet. Not the lighter part, the dog part.

BTW, if my DW reads this, she'll be warning me about setting of the propane detector after a big Ham & Bean dinner.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Pmedic4

You know, they say there isn't any real useful information on the Internet. Not the lighter part, the dog part.

BTW, if my DW reads this, she'll be warning me about setting of the propane detector after a big Ham & Bean dinner.

LOL That was the only night I moved his bed into the bedroom (away from the propane detector)... As "painful" as it was to have him closer, it was better than listening to the "chirping alarm" all night long. My DW and I both "endured the night" with our heads buried in the pillow and the next morning, while she walked Bubba, I learned how to disarm the propane detector !!!!!

[Bowti]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

There are three "detectors" in most modern RV's. First is the smoke detector and is usually mounted on the ceiling, either "outside the sleeping area" or "within "close proximity" to cooking appliances". It's the "detector" we're most familiar with seeing. The other two are "separate and distinct" and often they are "mixed up" or "not understood" by users. One is the CO monitor (carbon monoxide) and is most often mounted on the upper part of the wall in the main sleeping area. It detects CO, a colorless/odorless byproduct of combustion. There is no smell associated with CO.

The other "detector" and probably the one you're referring to in your question, is the Propane Detector. Propane is a "heavier than air" odorless gas, used as an energy source for heating, cooking and refrigeration in most RV's. The Propane detector is usually mounted in the kitchen area of the RV, low on the cabinets or wall and usually not more than 6-9" above the floor. Since propane is a "heavy, colorless, odorless, explosive" gas, a chemical is added during processing. This chemical, mercaptan, has a "disagreeable, sulfur-like" odor that is easily recognizable. Over time, the oily mercaptan may lose its "pungent" smell and propane may not be easily recognizable to the human nose. Propane detectors do not rely on the presence of mercaptan to monitor for leaks, but use a sensor that detects the chemical presence of propane. Even with no mercaptan in the tank, a propane detector will "sound the alarm" if propane is detected in the appropriate air mixture levels.

So, to answer your question, even if you can't smell the propane, your "properly functioning propane detector" will trigger an alarm. Your CO monitor should not sound in the presence of propane, but only in the presence of carbon monoxide. Even if your CO monitor is a "dual purpose monitor" it shouldn't sound a "propane alarm" because propane stays "near the floor" and the CO monitor should be mounted "high on the wall"...

You can test your propane detector by using a propane grill lighter, blow it out and let the "unburned gas" flow into the air near your detector, it should trigger an alarm. Once the propane is no longer in the air, the alarm should reset. Or, if you don't have a grill lighter, feed your dog something greasy, forget to walk him and if he curls up next to the propane detector, his "methane eruptions" throughout the night will probably be enough to trigger an alarm. Don't ask me how I know....

Oh Boy! Now you did it , I know where my Smoke Detector is (Wives cooking), but now I am on the hunt for the Co and a propane detector. Where oh where can they be. Do they need batteries replaced or am I going to hear crickets chirping in the middle of the night. Will I need to keep my shotgun ready?

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Bowti

Oh Boy! Now you did it , I know where my Smoke Detector is (Wives cooking), but now I am on the hunt for the Co and a propane detector. Where oh where can they be. Do they need batteries replaced or am I going to hear crickets chirping in the middle of the night. Will I need to keep my shotgun ready?

C02 is usually high on a bedroom wall and propane is usually low in the kitchen area.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Javi

C02 is usually high on a bedroom wall and propane is usually low in the kitchen area.

Or a combo detector and mounted down near floor level.