Propane alarm issue

Mark&Elaine · 05-06-2018, 10:56 AM

My propane alarm has alarmed three or four times this past month. My trailer is just sitting in my driveway with no propane bottles in the trailer. I open some windows and start the ceiling vent and can then reset the alarm. In a week or so, the alarm goes off again. Anyone else have a similar issue? 2017 5.0 TA

gbaglo · 05-06-2018, 10:58 AM

Start problem solving by vacuuming the face plate.

nathanj04011 · 05-06-2018, 11:27 AM

I've had the same problem for the past year with our 2016 5.0TA. The only way to stop it from constantly beeping is to open the dinette seat where the alarm is. In my case, its due to the battery off gassing. Pretty sure I'm going to cut the wires at some point soon.

**Donna D.** · 05-06-2018, 11:40 AM

I'm going to add a switch... eventually. I seldom use propane. I got the idea from a Facebook post. There are 15 pics describing how to do it, start to finish here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1470803&type=1

padlin · 05-06-2018, 01:13 PM

Same as Nathan, if the solar controller goes into a high voltage stage the off gassing of the batteries set of the alarm. I put in a set of male/female crimp spade terminals in one of the wires, obviously a switch would work fine too.

Vacuuming as mentioned helps too.

Dave Walter · 05-06-2018, 02:51 PM

Some of the alarms seem to be more sensitive than others. The first two we had in years one and two after getting the trailer both went off frequently. The third alarm has been in the trailer now for about three years and has not gone off at all.

Mark James · 05-07-2018, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark&Elaine

My propane alarm has alarmed three or four times this past month. My trailer is just sitting in my driveway with no propane bottles in the trailer. I open some windows and start the ceiling vent and can then reset the alarm. In a week or so, the alarm goes off again. Anyone else have a similar issue? 2017 5.0 TA

I have the same problem on our 5 TA. Put a marine brand detector in our powerboat and have no issues so may do the same here. Bottom line is that the detector is faulty. Mine went off again today even with the compartment open and just sitting in my driveway.

skiman · 05-07-2018, 11:33 AM

I don't think the flat Gray foam tape ERI supplies really ever sealed the battery box very well. I installed this automotive type weather strip. Last trip no false alarms. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A bit difficult to apply but seemed to do it.

Mike Lewis · 05-07-2018, 12:16 PM

My propane detector was one of those that was faulty, so I replaced it a couple of years ago. I still had problems so I moved it to the opposite side of the trailer to get it away from the batteries. This seemed to help, but a few days after returning from a recent short trip I heard the thing go off again. I opened the propane tank cover to make sure the tanks were shut off and discovered a wasp nest. Life is exciting.

Mike Lewis · 05-07-2018, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiman

I don't think the flat Gray foam tape ERI supplies really ever sealed the battery box very well. I installed this automotive type weather strip. Last trip no false alarms. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A bit difficult to apply but seemed to do it.

Good idea. This is a better solution than moving the alarm as I did, assuming it works.

skiman · 05-07-2018, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Good idea. This is a better solution than moving the alarm as I did, assuming it works.

I'll wait and see. I still installed a switch and carry a spare propane detector.

Mark&Elaine · 05-07-2018, 09:42 PM

So the remedy seems to be threefold: replace a defective alarm and keep it clean, install a switch to turn it on and off as desired, and seal the battery box with a better seal. I think all three are good ideas and will proceed with all of them.. Thanks for the help!!

Mark James · 05-07-2018, 10:20 PM

Lol. That about sums it up. Do all three and it’s bound to work!

gbaglo · 05-07-2018, 10:29 PM

But, I'd start with the vacuum.

AnnHay · 05-10-2018, 02:17 AM

Someone on this forum moved their batteries into the front storage box because they personally had a reaction to the off-gassing. That would solve the alarm problem too. Or you could move the batteries onto the back bumper.

Bobbito · 05-30-2018, 11:47 AM

Yesterday the propane alarm in our Escape 21 went off early in the morning in spite of all propane having been turned off. I was charging the trailer, so maybe battery fumes might be the culprit, but the battery box is really well sealed so I doubt that. And after airing out the trailer it was still going off after the reset. Never had this problem before since we picked up the trailer in May 2015. Because we are leaving on a trip soon I decided to replace it rather than potentially impact our trip. Going online I found prices in Canada were about $100. But on calling ETI I was quoted $39. WHAT? It was Tammy who called me back with the quote and when I asked if we were looking at the same unit she told me that they, as a manufacturer, get the unit at far below what main distributors sell it for. What a huge markup! But rather than make a profit from it they elected to pass the savings on to their customers. BTW, Reace came on the line to clarify something (heard Tammy talking to me). Unfortunately my propane detector is no longer being installed (they have gone to a smaller 3 x 3 inch unit), and they were waiting on an order for these older units to be shipped. I had to pass on this deal because we are leaving before the order might arrive. But what great people they are. Talk about looking after your customers! I bumped into Reace and Tammy at a local restaurant a few weeks ago and based on previous encounters and help they gave us just HAD to greet them and thank them for their great support. They are ROCK STARS of the trailer industry.

thoer · 05-30-2018, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbito

... They are ROCK STARS of the trailer industry.

I couldn't agree more, but for some here on the Forum..... oh never mind, I've said it plenty of times already.

Allan Bornestig · 05-30-2018, 02:13 PM

Hi all.
Yeah, great service at ETI.
I mentioned to Tammy at the Rally that I had mistreated the bathroom fan.She said:Stop by on the way home on Monday and we will fix it.Arrived around noon.Was promptly taken care of by Nigel, the service manager.I told him I also screwed up my awning down in Arizona.Not going to explain , to embarrassing.He said; I will see what we can do.
About one hour later we came back from Tim Horton and he said:Fixed your awning.
I thought I would have to order the part from Dometic with all that entails.
To me their service is beyond the call of duty.Thanks Nigel and crew.
Allan.

tdf-texas · 05-30-2018, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbito

Unfortunately my propane detector is no longer being installed (they have gone to a smaller 3 x 3 inch unit),

I have the newer propane detector and works fine except it seems to REALLY dislike dust - I have had to vacuum it twice so far to get it to shut up after doing some carpentry work in the trailer. Next time I'm putting tape over the front of it until I'm finished.

Oh, I don't think you are going to get any disagreement here about Rease and Tammy; they have set a standard for gold star treatment of their customers.

**John in Santa Cruz** · 05-30-2018, 06:03 PM

thanks for the reminder. on our first trip with the escape over memorial day wekeend, the alarm kept going off randomly. in the middle of the night, I got so pissed, I pulled on my sweat pants and sandals, went out to the truck, got my diagonals, and cut the red wire to the detector.

so I need to replace said detector.

is there a better model I should get? or just the same style, like this?
https://www.campingworld.com/classic...lush-mount-tan

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