CO Detector Replacement

[donaldN01]

My CO Detector was chirping 3 times indicating it was in need of replacing. It was coming up on 8 years old, so I was OK replacing it. On the back of it was model "CO250RVA". I went on Amazon and could not find CO250RVA but found CO250B, so I ordered that. Soon after I did find the Model listed as CO250RVA. It was listed at $10 more than the 1st one I ordered but figured that was due to the RV compatibility. Note: all were made by BRK. So I canceled the CO250B and ordered the CO250RVA. When it arrived today it was Model CO250B not CO250RVA. I called BRK/First Alert and a customer rep said, "I think CO250RVA was an older model and I think the owner's manual says that CO250B is approved for RV use". I am not too assured when a rep says, "I Think..." so I read the manual, fine print and all, and it does say it can be used in "Mobile Homes". In my opinion Mobile Homes are stationary and not bouncing down the road. I also went to the BRK/First Alert website, and they did list Model CO250RVA, but when I clicked on "More Details" it said "Page not Found". Does anyone know more about this issue? Is there a Model CO250RVA? Is CO250B ok for use in an RV? Did I just spend an extra $10 for an "RV Approved" model when it was really the basic model?

 

[bobbecky]

A CO detector is not RV specific, and will work in a stick and bricks house as well as an RV or a mobile home, assuming the power source works. Our rig came with a battery operated CO detector and have replaced it twice, the second time with a different model, as the original model was no longer manufactured.

 

[donaldN01]

According to my research they do, or at least did, make a model for RV's. I found a spec sheet for Model CO250RVA and it says...

"Model CO250RVA has been fully tested
and complies with CSA 6.19-01. It meets codes where battery
operated carbon monoxide alarms with silence are required
specifically for RV use in the US and Canada."

I am just not sure if it still made, or they updated the model CO250B to be RV compliant. The spec sheet was dated 12/20 so it is not that old.

 

[bobbecky]

The last CO alarm device I installed was the replacement for the no longer available unit that was originally installed in our rig, and this was what the manufacturer provided as the replacement. SAFE-T-ALERT SA-339 CO Alarm

 

[Viper02]

At 8 years of age it was past its service life .. I would find a Dual Mode LP/CO detector that is hard wired to battery and install that.. When I replaced mine I simply found one that more or less matched the original and installed it...

Service life "Begins" the minute you apply 12 vdc ( if hard wired ) and typical useful life varies depending on the manufacturer... Most seem to be around 60 months...

Safe-T -Alert by MTI is a good unit, Atwood makes several, etc...

 

[triplethreat]

I just replaced mine last week on a 5 year old trailer. Same brand...Safe-T-Alert, but the model I had in mine is no longer made, so I went with a different model number of the Safe-T-Alert that is also Propane/CO and is hardwired. It didn't fit the same mounting holes as the original, but I made it work....now I'm back to "peace and quiet" and no chirping.

 

[donaldN01]

I will stick with battery operated as there is no 12v wiring in the wall where it is located. I did not know they made an LP/CO Detector as CO Detector should be on the wall or ceiling and LP Detector needs to be near the floor.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Mine died (chirped) about a year ago. It was held on the wall by a frame, quite obvious originally designed so it could be replaced without having to unmount and mount the frame into the wall (a cabinet low to the floor in my case). It snapped out of the holder ok and I unwired it (12 volt DC from the house battery), and took it to my local dealership expecting to get a replacement.

They didn't have any more. They quit making that specific model. He sold me a different one completely, the size was much smaller and it could be mounted with a new frame for even without the frame. I purchased it. I opted to use it with no frame. Wired it back up, the module covered the existing hole where the wires came through just fine, and screwed it back in place.

It's much more flat and actually, smaller than the original. The "test" button works just fine and I've had no more chirping.

So, bottom line, the model you purchased is probably just fine. Wire it in, see what happens. It will probably work just fine.

 

[donaldN01]

Finaly got some answers from First Alert. Model CO250, which is the one I received, is "Not" approved for use in RV. It is not designed to take the vibration of traveling. The only model "approved" for RV use is CO250RVA. Also model they said CO250RVA is only sold to RV Dealers not to the Public per say. That being said will the CO250 work? Yes, it is just not "approved" and if for some reason you have an inspection, for the sale of the RV, or if insurance requires it (mine did not) etc. It could fail the inspection because it is not "RV approved"

 

[jasin1]

The ones I buy for our boat are marine specific and I was curious what the difference is and this kinda makes sense. Boat cabins and Rv interiors are much smaller then most rooms in a traditional home the CO detector goes off with lower ppm because it could overwhelm a small enclosed space much faster

 

[LHaven]

Going cheap on safety equipment is a disregard for your family's lives.

ISO 9001, ISO 15001 Lead auditor, Maritime ISM Auditor

Wake up before you kill someone over a $35 safety device.

Not really fair to rank on the OP for this. He did order the approved one, they didn't make it anymore, and sent him an unapproved one. He's not having any luck finding the approved one.

My advice is that if you can't find an approved model from that manufacturer, try another. There's no shortage of suppliers, they all work pretty much the same way, and there's no guarantee your new one will be the same shape as your old one even if it's from the same manufacturer.

 

[GlasNav]

Not really fair to rank on the OP for this. He did order the approved one, they didn't make it anymore, and sent him an unapproved one. He's not having any luck finding the approved one.

My advice is that if you can't find an approved model from that manufacturer, try another. There's no shortage of suppliers, they all work pretty much the same way, and there's no guarantee your new one will be the same shape as your old one even if it's from the same manufacturer.

Readily available on Amazon, that's where I got the price. RV model $10 more than the one without the anti vibration adhesive on the critical connections.

 

[LHaven]

Readily available on Amazon, that's where I got the price. RV model $10 more than the one without the anti vibration adhesive on the critical connections.

Read the OP again. OP ordered the +$10 one. He got the other. The manufacturer then double-talked him. So maybe not so "readily available?"

 

[JRTJH]

Camping World has them in stock and on the shelf at most parts stores. I'd suspect that every RV dealership with a parts department either has them hanging on the racks or on the shelf behind the parts counter....

Here's the link to what's available at CW: https://www.campingworld.com/inside-rv/safety