CO Detecter Recommendations Anyone

[bobk]

I need to replace the CO detector outside the master stateroom. These things seem to have changed a lot since my last installation. Can anyone recommend a good one that is battery powered? I don't have a convenient source of 12V or 120V power.

Bobk

 

[seasalt]

The house models you get at Wal Mart or Home Depot will not work on a boat. They are too sensitive. I would go to West Marine and get a price for a marine unit then go to Amazon and see what the same unit costs from them.

The last marine CO detector I bought was about $100.00. It was a Fireboy Xinex. See this discussion:

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/74344-carbon-monoxide-detectors.html#b

 

[bobk]

Thanks, I already found that discussion. But it is quite old and the units seem to have changed since. There are some that are supposed to be suitable for RV,s which will be closer to marine needs.

Bobk

 

[Capn Rick]

ABYC A24 states: Detectors shall be certified by an independent third party to meet the requirements of UL 2034, Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Detectors and section 72A Carbon Monoxide Alarms for use on Recreational Boats. If you can find one that meets requirements in a hardware or RV store that is fine. They only require them on gas powered boats with accommodation spaces. ABYC doesn't currently require them on boats with diesel engines or generators, but that will change. I recommend them on all diesel boats.

You should install one in each accommodation space (staterooms and saloon). The sensors have a limited service life, usually 5-7 years and the replace by date must be marked on the unit by the manufacturer or the installer. CO has a cumulative effect, replacing the oxygen in your blood. There is about half as much CO in diesel exhaust as in gas exhaust, which means it will kill you half as fast, but you will still be just as dead. Test them regularly.

 

[Fanfare]

I picked up two last year, think they were Fireboy Xintex but don't remember now and they are still on boat. Home Depot. They were entirely self contained, including non-replacable battery. At the end of 7 or 10 years they should begin an expiration alarm, after which you just throw the device away. Seemed a better idea than having to replace 9 volt batteries each year with no sure way to test whether the alarm was still reliable.

I like them on my diesel boat because it won't matter whether it is my CO or someone else's.

I did worry about this before grandchildren, just not as much!

 

[bobk]

To complete this thread, I bought a Kiddie with built in non-replaceable lithium battery. The description is like the marine units from 8-10 years ago in that they have time/concentration alarms and are not supposed to alarm with the slightest whiff of CO. The warranty exceeds my ownership expectancy, so I'm giving it a try.

Bobk

 

[MikeP]

First, apologize but I must do my standard ABYC rant: ABYC can't "require" anything as far as the real world is concerned. They can require something for their OWN stamp of approval but they/their stamp of approval have absolutely no authority whatsoever and the USCG/local law enforcement couldn't care less about an ABYC "approval." However, to be fair, most everything they recommend meets or exceeds USCG requirements. But, OTOH, if something on the boat does not meet USCG standards but DOES meet ABYC recommendations, the USCG inspector won't be impressed. I ran into that some years ago on Long Island sound though I can't currently remember what the specifics were.

With that minor rant out of the way, I will confirm that home-type CO detectors will trigger in some cases where there is no actual CO danger. The most typical thing I have seen on our boat - CO detectors courtesy of Home depot - is that anytime I perform an equalization charge on the batts, the CO detector will trigger. Apparently it gets confused between CO and H. I have no idea if a "marine" detector does or does not since I have never owned one. But the important thing about the CO detector is whether it will protect YOU. So one could argue that too sensitive is a lot better than not sensitive enough.

 

[TROUBLE]

Just a question:

Why a co 2 monitor on a diesel powered boat. Is it for the gas powered guy next to you?

Thanks
Art

 

[MikeP]

"Why a co 2 monitor on a diesel powered boat. Is it for the gas powered guy next to you?
"

Maybe it's for battery EQ-ing so you don't Hindenberg-ize your Hatteras!


Just kidding. I have read that it is, in fact due to "the gas boat next to you." I don't believe that the USCG requires CO detectors on recreational boats - at least I have never seen such a reg and I searched for it a few years back. They DO recommend having detectors and recommend ONLY marine versions.

We have the Home depot versions in all cabins - the one in the forward cabin is the one that always alarms at around 30 minutes into battery EQ-ing. Scared the crap out of me the first time it happened.

 

[bobk]

Just a question:

Why a co 2 monitor on a diesel powered boat. Is it for the gas powered guy next to you?

Thanks
Art

Art, it is a CO detector, not CO2. Big difference. And yes, if you anchor near or raft with a gas boat with a generator, there is a risk which the CO detector will warn about.

Bobk