propane sensor battery

[JeffO4297]

Hi all,
Our trailer is just about put up for the winter. But, when I passed by the other day I noticed a chirp from the propane sensor. The green light is blinking instead of steady.
I'm assuming that there is a battery inside that needs to be changed. Can anyone direct me to a thread (which is almost sure to exist) on how the batteries are changed?
Thanks
JeffO

 

[C&G in FL]

There is no battery in the propane detector. It is hard wired. If it is chirping it has reached “end of life” and needs to be replaced. The best thing you can do when you replace it is to ignore the legalese statement lawyers require manufactures to include with their product and install it with an on/off switch in a location it will not get accidentally turned off. You can always verify it is on by looking at it to see if the lights are illuminated. Turning it off when in storage will greatly extend its life before another replacement is needed. When not powered on, the “active ingredients” are not depleted.

 

[Donna D.]

When I replaced the alarm in my trailer, I used spade connectors. Since this detector is probably going to be replaced every five years or so, I decided to make it easy on myself the first time. I could easily pull off the wires if the alarm goes off and it won't shut off, I've heard where others cut the wires! I use the battery disconnect switch when the trailer is in storage, it shuts the propane off at that time too.

 

[JeffO4297]

Interesting. Thanks for the news. At least it lets you know when it is dead.
Better than some other things we have!
JeffO

 

[Ron in BC]

and install it with an on/off switch in a location it will not get accidentally turned off.

I used spade connectors.

Yes and yes.

If it only saves you the annoyance of having to deal with a false alarm in the middle of the night once it's worth doing.

Ron

 

[C&G in FL]

The annoyance of a false alarm in the middle of the night (actually, 3 nights in a row) is why I installed a switch in the first place!

 

[JeffO4297]

Can I assume that there is a little wall space above the detector that would be sufficient for a switch?
It make sense that there should be but I haven't taken this one out yet.
JeffO

 

[Ron in BC]

Lot's of empty space there. I just used a plain toggle switch beside it.

Ron

 

[C&G in FL]

Depending upon where your propane detector is located should be considered in locating a switch. Mine is located on one of the dinette bench’s sidewall. I located my switch as close as I could to the corner to keep it from being accidentally switched off by the leg of someone sitting at the dinette. It is a toggle switch, but I might replace it with a push on/push off switch as it is unlikely a leg movement could actuate it.

 

[JeffO4297]

Depending upon where your propane detector is located should be considered in locating a switch. Mine is located on one of the dinette bench’s sidewall. I located my switch as close as I could to the corner to keep it from being accidentally switched off by the leg of someone sitting at the dinette. It is a toggle switch, but I might replace it with a push on/push off switch as it is unlikely a leg movement could actuate it.

A great point. I'm lucky enough to have mine below the fridge/cabinet area. I'm thinking that I will have space for a switch nearby. I was thinking slider switch would be least likely to be accidentally turned off.