LP Detector Lifespan

[WNY Bullet]

Question: It's recommended to replace the LP Detector every 5 years and I own a 2015 trailer, so it's at least 5 years old, but the "Replace" indicator light is not lit. Replace or wait for light?

[NH_Bulldog]

It depends on what you feel is safe for your family. Replace at the stated interval when it is convenient or wait until it may or may not tell you it is time to replace In the middle of a trip and you can’t find one anywhere and you have to disable it to keep it from beeping at you.

Just like at home, CO detectors and smoke detectors have a lifespan and require battery changes. Do you follow the guidelines or wait until it beeps at you to replace?

For me personally, the safety and peace of mind for my family and pets will always fall on the “better safe than sorry“ side of the argument.

[sourdough]

Personally I'd replace it instead of waiting - it will have to be replaced no matter what at some point. When it goes bad, if like mine, it will begin an annoying chirp that drove me up a wall and that was at about the 4 year mark.

[JRTJH]

Most LPG detectors have a lifespan expiration date stamped on the front of the unit. Actual lifespan is also monitored on most/many models and the unit will start "periodically beeping" when the useable life has expired.

Factors affecting the lifetime include many things such as animals sleeping near the alarm and "passing gas", cleaning supplies used near the detector that can deteriorate the detector coating, number of "actual exposures to LPG or other types of gas. They all play a part in detector lifespan.

For me, if the "replace date on the front" has passed, I'd replace it. If that date is approaching, but not yet here AND the unit is functioning properly, I'd start looking at a replacement, but I wouldn't buy one until the unit either stops working/sounding a replacement signal or a couple of months from that expiration date.

[WNY Bullet]

Actually after taking a picture of it this morning, mine states replace after 84 months, so I guess I'm still ok for now... But wondering why most are 60 months and this one 84?

Thanks for all the responses!

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by WNY Bullet

Actually after taking a picture of it this morning, mine states replace after 84 months, so I guess I'm still ok for now... But wondering why most are 60 months and this one 84?

Thanks for all the responses!

Lots of RV LP/CO detectors are 84 month. I don’t know why.

[bobbecky]

Our original LP detector failed at a little over two years, and I replaced it with the same model. That detector failed this past January, at almost six years of age, while outside of Quartzsite, and I was able to purchase a new one and install it. Even the outgassing of all the new materials in these rigs can affect the lifespan of the detector.