Propane Detector Issue

[marsman]

I'm wondering if anyone has had this experience with their propane detector. My 5.0 had been sitting for a couple of days (not plugged in to shore power) in my backyard and i was washing it when I noticed a constant beeping noise coming from the propane detector. I shut off my battery disconnect and reconnected and after couple of minutes it started beeping again. I turned off the battery disconnect and the following day I hooked into my household power and turned the battery back and now everything is fine and detector appears to be functioning well. Comments appreciated, thanks.

[Bea]

About a year after we picked up our 2019 Escape 21, our propane detector started to malfunction (randomly went off) whether the trailer was plugged in or not. It even went off when it was covered in our side yard, with the propane turned off for weeks/months. (Sorry neighbors!) These units can be very sensitive not only to propane but to others things like, low 12V battery levels, aerosol sprays and 'gassy' dogs or their 'gassy' owners and even dust so they say to vacuum it regularly - which we did but it still went off constantly (once or twice a week) and drove us nuts. A fan would eventually quiet it...for a couple days at most....

With some research, we discovered that our propane detector unit was discontinued (go figure) so my husband replaced it with a different brand....and not one false alarm since! (knock on wood) Couldn't find a replacement with the exact same dimensions but it was close enough. If you've ruled out all the traditional triggers, perhaps it needs to be replaced? -Bea

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by marsman

I'm wondering if anyone has had this experience with their propane detector. My 5.0 had been sitting for a couple of days (not plugged in to shore power) in my backyard and i was washing it when I noticed a constant beeping noise coming from the propane detector. I shut off my battery disconnect and reconnected and after couple of minutes it started beeping again. I turned off the battery disconnect and the following day I hooked into my household power and turned the battery back and now everything is fine and detector appears to be functioning well. Comments appreciated, thanks.

I believe you have dual 6V lead acid batteries inside and solar. Is it possible that the batteries hit an equalization stage and you had some hydrogen off-gassing? With the trailer completely closed up we had random false alarms a few times after moving the lead acid batteries inside from the tongue. The vented box wasn't sealed well enough. Finally switched to lithium so the issue is gone but AGM is a more economical solution.

[marsman]

Bea and Rubicon, those are both really great suggestions. I do recall now that when I installed my batteries this spring, had no travel plans (due to COVID) and I had planned on a short temporary install, so I did not pay much attention to enclosing the battery box with that grey putty so maybe some off-gassing. I will try and vacuum it tomorrow as well, Thanks so much for the input.

[CharlesinGA]

I have found that detectors, in my experience smoke and CO, will begin beeping when the humidity is high. I would not be surprised that LP detectors do the same thing.

Charles

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by Bea

With some research, we discovered that our propane detector unit was discontinued (go figure) so my husband replaced it with a different brand....and not one false alarm since! (knock on wood) Couldn't find a replacement with the exact same dimensions but it was close enough. If you've ruled out all the traditional triggers, perhaps it needs to be replaced? -Bea

What brand/model did you purchase?

Thanks,

Perry

[oldwave]

Our propane detector failed at the 3 year mark. It was an Atwood

[Telescopist]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

I believe you have dual 6V lead acid batteries inside and solar. Is it possible that the batteries hit an equalization stage and you had some hydrogen off-gassing? With the trailer completely closed up we had random false alarms a few times after moving the lead acid batteries inside from the tongue. The vented box wasn't sealed well enough. Finally switched to lithium so the issue is gone but AGM is a more economical solution.

You've hit on the problem. Mine went off @ a week ago. Trailer had been closed up. Tried to reset it to no avail. I turned on the overhead fan, the recently installed Fabulous Operating Products SAM-1-81 Range Hood and opened a few windows. Squawking persisted. I opened up the battery compartment. The water level was low in all the cells. Replenished with distilled water - @ one pint per battery. Closed everything up. Propane detector went to green and the squawking went away.

[Bea]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

What brand/model did you purchase?

Thanks,

Perry

My husband installed, MTI INDUSTRIES 20-441-P-BL Detector Propane 12V Black. Was planning on adding a frame around it...but we hardly notice it anymore and almost forgot about it. She may not be a thing of beauty, but her silence sure is! -Bea

[Dcboyd]

Ours would go off after 4-5 month after receiving the trailer earlier this year. I pulled it out of the wall drilled a hole next to the sensor and put a switch next to it. Problem solved. We turn it on when in use.
Off when it’s not.

I believe it’s the off gassing of the new trailer.