faulty co detectors

[woodman]

I have a 2006 40 DA. We have have continual problems with the CO detectors activating at times when no engines or genset were on. We have had this problem since we got the boat. There is no common thread of time of day, amospheric conditions to link. Batteries are charged. Nobody, including our MarineMax dealer or SeaRay have been able to figure out the problem. Has any other SeaRay owners had the same problem? What to do about it other than unpluging them?

 

[CKL]

I have not had this problem, but have they tried replacing the suspect detectors? If so, did the problem persist?

Also, you might want to buy on or two plug in models and track whether they activate at the same time.

Just a thought, good luck.

 

[330DA]

The unit would be 4 years old. The sensors can give a false positive and alarm when they go bad.

 

[jpk33]

You could try putting in a standard "home" CO detector to confirm/deny the presence of CO (as a temporary test) to see if it alarms as well. I believe marine units are calibrated to alarm at a different point (setting) than UL Listed home units. But sensors DO NOT LAST FOREVER (allthough 4 yrs may be a little soon).

 

[ABEJO23]

If the co monitors have been soaked with fumes in the past sometimes they require replacement. also some of the co monitors that have the genset tied into them have a 24 hour cleaning cycle that will restart everytime the battery switches get turned off/on and become super sensitive to calibrate themselves. A seperate monitor is a good idea as well.

 

[Alex F]

Also, you might want to buy on or two plug in models and track whether they activate at the same time.

I had exact the same thoughts. Over the time of ownership different models I've learned not to rely SR CO detectors alone. For this reason I added 2 more (one powered by AA batts, one 120ac with 9v backup) and last season I also added one in the cockpit. In my 240 the SR detector could go off with the false signal, in my 320 it stayed silent while other two reported CO reading. So, as with mojority things I follow the rule #1 "always have a backup". In case of CO deterctors it's a life saver.

In the event if your detectors are linked together and possibly connected to the genset iIt's possible that there's a short somewhere that triggers all of them. A short in a single unit also might trigger the others.

So, in summary my approach would be:
1. install other types of CO detectors and observe how the react when your SR detectors go off. If the non-SR detectors remain silent, you clearly have an issue with SR CO detectors system.

2. Try procees of illimination by disconnecting one at the time. Assuming that the linked system doens't require all of the units to be in place, I would take one out and see if the issue comes back. If it does, I would take unit #2 out, and so on.

3. If nothing from step #2 helps I would disconnect it from genset and see if that helps.

4. If the units are original replace all of them.

5. Lastly, if nothing else helps you'd have to trace all the wires from where the linked line begins to the very last connecting point.

I really hope you won't need #5.

Good luck,
Alex.

 

[jollymonsrv]

CO detetectors have life of 5 to 7 yrs max depending on mgg.....ck. out website of mfg. with unit model to determine yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bmac]

I had the same boat with a similar problem, however, mine was always related to low battery voltage when the kids left all the lights on and the battery charger was off.

 

[CKL]

BMAC - I had the same boat with a similar problem, however, mine was always related to low battery voltage when the kids left all the lights on and the battery charger was off.
As I worked out tonight I recalled that I also had a past event with the co detector sounding an alarm and it was due to a battery going bad - similar to BMAC's issue.

Amazing what increased blood flow to the brain can do.

 

[kellertb]

i have had to disconnect my co detector in the master stateroom of my 2005 390 sundancer since it kept going off. no problems since.

 

[woodman]

Thanks for the reponses.
CKL-They have replaced the CO's 3 (three) times I have been told. Each time same problem. I have purchased a std. home CO detector (Walmart) but don't think that is right on a half a million dollar boat.
330DA & JPK-Prolem arose when boat and detectors were brand new. Haven't had a set of detectors over a year yet. They keep replacing them.

 

[trit21]

This is directly from the owners manual of a Fireboy/Xintex CO Detector. For what it is worth:

Nuisance Alarms
Although the CO Sentinel will detect only carbon monoxide in a normal environment,
studies have found that unusually high concentrations of chemicals and/or vapors will
affect the sensor.
The device may be triggered by any number of hydrocarbons at very high levels. These
include toluene, isopropyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, mica, and many adhesives.
Many of these chemicals are the result of outgassing in new boats. While these may be
considered nuisance alarms, levels high enough to create an alarm condition are also
hazardous. Treat these “nuisance” alarms as an actual carbon monoxide alarm
condition. Evacuate and ventilate the area. Before, during, and immediately after
working with any chemicals, make sure enough fresh air ventilation is available.

 

[jpk33]

I had a similar problem with CO alarm activation - the salon CO unit would go into pre-alarm (chirp every 20 seconds or so) but the forward stateroom CO detector would not. I have access to industrial CO detectors, so I used one to determine the actual presence of CO, and low an behold found levels up to 30ppm and below on multiple occasions (starting engines with cabin door open and wind across the stern, neighbors boat running, etc. But when the CO monitor (portable unit) was tanken into the forward stateroom the level dropped (even with the door stateroom open). So to be safe I found one of these industrial detectors on ebay and I have a piece of mind as to the actual level of CO. I believe that these on-board monitors are set up to alarm at a exposure algorithim (CO level/time) and sometimes at lower levels they end up clearing themselves out before they alarm. But like it was posted above some chemicals (and their vapors) may interfere.

 

[magredoak]

The cabin CO alarm on my '08 310 has gone off enough times that I began to doubt its capabilities. I bought a battery CO monitor from Lowe's to use as a backup. Today I let the engines idle in the slip for a while, with the cabin door closed, and the canvas all up. After a few minutes, the cabin alarm sounded. The portable was above deck, and did not go off. I put the portable near the built in alarm, and in a few minutes, it went off. I was running the AC/heater, and the fan was on, so perhaps the fan is contributing to the circulation of CO. I'll try this again, without the heater on, and be a little more scientific in my experiment.

 

[JV II]

I had to replace a few in 2 boats. They tend to have a high failure rate. Not sure if it is poor quality, quality control, or the environment. Once replaced with a durable unit, the problem is resolved. The problem: what you are experiencing AND my genset shutting down for CO, without a CO alarm.

 

[katricol]

trit 21..good post I remember reading that in the manuel....Ric hopefully woodman read it

 

[330DA]

Please let us know what ultimately was the problem when you get it fixed. Good luck.

 

[jff]

Not saying anything that hasn't already been said but in my view of it and to summarize:

- I would not disconnect and forget about it, they are there for a reason and can save your life
- these units typically are programmed to alarm at 30 ppm, that's not a level that would not kill you but a level where you need to know it's there (prolonged exposure would potentially cause headache and dizziness)
- I bought a commercial meter with reading, so I always know if they are working or not, I highly recommend this and many times when we've tied up people have asked to borrow it (which goes to show you it's probably a necessary accessory for boating)
- I've had to replace the units that come in my various Sea Ray's 3-4 times, I don't think (unfortunately) this is abnormal and agree with the post where someone said they only last 5 or so years
- several times I've found with my meter that someone complaining that their detectors kept going off (and had one replaced, similar circumstances to yous) had the detectors going off for a reason. ie. they in fact had > 30ppm in that area even though they didn't realize or suspect that was the case. And if you've got that level in your master stateroom for example, you really want to know that.
- fyi, wikipedia has a good page on CO that also shows the various levels and their prolonged exposure effects

Regards,
Jason

 

[Moose]

Had the same issue about a year ago. Unit would go off(not for low battery) but had to unplug. Contacted Fire Buoy, the manufacturer, and it had to be sent in for recalibration. Did that and it now runs like a charm! Testing with a battery version is wise before you do this.

 

[Bottom Line]

Woodman..welcome to the site. We are also on Table Rock. What are the condition of your batteries? Since your detectors have been replaced, I wonder if your batteries may be causing the problem.