CO Alarm when Camper is Up.

I have always had a problem with my CO alarms gong off when my camper canvas is up. THis weekend is was very bad, I could only run the generator for about two hours and then had to shut down for two hours.

HAs anybody had this issue? Any thoughts? :huh:

Onboard generator? I have to ask on a 260 DA...

Hellman Huddle said:

I have always had a problem with my CO alarms gong off when my camper canvas is up. THis weekend is was very bad, I could only run the generator for about two hours and then had to shut down for two hours.

HAs anybody had this issue? Any thoughts? :huh:

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You don't provide too much details in regards when does the issue occur (with genny only or while underway or both). Assuming that your equipment is functioning correctly (meaning no exhaust leak in the bilge), then the issue is simple, not enough fresh air circulation.

BTW, do you have only 1 CO detector or several? It's possible that a single detector can give you false reading. So, I suggest to use multiple to verify the situation.

So, give us little more details and I'm sure the problem will be solved.

I'll give you an example of a problem I had sever years ago, so this might help you as well. I was on a 3hr trip in the ocean. Camper always up, we were going against the wind, so I closed up all the front pannels and had only one or two small side pannels rolled up. The crew used the cabin periodically and I didn't watch very closely when the door was open or closed when they were in and out of the cabin. Toward the end of the trip, my cabin COs went off. I knew 100% that I had CO, b/c I had 3 CO detectors (1-OEM SR, 1-9v and 1-110v with battery backup). OEM was silent while the other two went off. The cause of the issue, as I mentioned above, was not enoughcirculation in the cockpit and the cabin. While cockpit was somewhat ventelated via side pannels, the cabin was not, b/c every port was closed. When CO got in to the cabin it had no way out until the hatch was open to force fresh air circulation.

The solution to the issue in my example is simple:
1. I added another CO detector with digital reading in the cocpit, right by the helm so I can easily see it. This alerts me anytime there's a higher CO level in the cockpit, so I control it right away.
2. I make sure that the cabin door stays closed at all times to prevent any CO entering the cabin in case if I have station wagen affect.
3. I always try to keep something open in the front section, wheather it's a rolled up pannel or if all are closed due to cold and strong wind, then I open the electrical vent at least just a little to get some fresh air in the cockpit.

Hope this helps.

Hellman Huddle said:

I have always had a problem with my CO alarms gong off when my camper canvas is up. THis weekend is was very bad, I could only run the generator for about two hours and then had to shut down for two hours.

HAs anybody had this issue? Any thoughts? :huh:

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the following warnings are found in the owners manual and the warning tags mentioned are found attached to my 2006 260's canvas.

Over the years I have seen 3 instances where CO buildup has killed a total of 5 and left another 3 mentally impaired.

I cannot stress enough to only run a generator with plenty of ventilation.

13. C​

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​

​

The Bimini Top or sunshade should not be used
when the vessel speed exceeds 45 MPH. Damage
to the boat or Bimini may occur.
Attached to the inside of the Bimini Top is a DANGER
tag for Carbon Monoxide Gas (CO) buildup and a
WARNING tag for limiting speeds when Bimini Top
canvas is installed. The rear (aft) curtain also has a
WARNING tag stating “The Aft Curtain must not be
used while engine is running or boat is underway”.
If your canvas does not have these tags, they
become lost or are unable to be read, contact your
dealer for replacement labels.
For your safety, decide which canvas pieces you
want to remove or install before you leave the boat
slip or off-load your boat from the trailer into the
water. Removing or installing canvas on the water
can be difficult since rough water or wakes can
cause you or your passengers to lose their balance
while attempting canvas removal or installation.
For safety and ease of installation and removal of
canvas, use at least two people. Know which
canvas piece(s) that you are to install or remove.
The standard canvas set consists of the following
pieces:
Sunbrella​

​

​

​

C​

(F​

BIMINI TOP
AFT SUNSHADE
(WITH ARCH
OPTION ONLY)
SIDE
CURTAINS
FRONT
CURTAIN
AFT
CURTAIN​

! DANGER​

In rainy weather and/or cold weather, fresh air must
circulate through boat to avoid carbon monoxide
poisoning.​

See Section 1.4, Carbon Monoxide, for more details.

Alex F said:

Camper always up, we were going against the wind, so I closed up all the front pannels and had only one or two small side pannels rolled up.

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Unfortunately, opening a side window can actually increase station wagon effect! The air current running over the canvas opening sets up a vacuum affect drawing more air through openings in the aft curtain.

When underway, I always have a section of the front curtain open to force fresh air into the bridge. Typically I'll open the bottom part of the centre smilie, even if its raining. Boats are designed to get wet. Folks aren't designed to inhale CO.


Paul

Yes it is a factory installed generator, I have three CO Detectors below, one has a digital readout, and this happens when anchored out. It was very cold and no wind.

I thought maybe the AC was drawing it in somehow. :smt013 urned the AC off and ran a portable electric heater for a while. I did take one of the front flaps and the rear canvas off and still had the problem. I finaly cut the genny off and bundled up good and got a couple hours sleep.

I don't like that this is happening while anchored. Do you run your bilge blowers with the genny on like you're supposed to? If not, please try that next. If that doesn't work, you may have a leak in your genny's exhaust system.

EDIT: Actually it may mask an exhaust leak, come to think about it. At least it may save your life.

Hellman:

We have used our genny with full canvas up and anchored out with no CO alarms (cabin or digital in the cockpit). I do run the bilge blowers while the genny is running. Sounds to me like you might have a small exhaust leak in the engine room or somehow the exhaust was being blown back into the cabin from outside.

Hellman Huddle said:

It was very cold and no wind.

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CO will collect and hang like an invisible cloud around your boat if the air is still. It could be that the CO is leaking into the cabin from something that is not sealed tight -- possibly a window, hatch, etc.

Hampton said:

I don't like that this is happening while anchored. Do you run your bilge blowers with the genny on like you're supposed to? If not, please try that next. If that doesn't work, you may have a leak in your genny's exhaust system.

EDIT: Actually it may mask an exhaust leak, come to think about it. At least it may save your life.

Click to expand...

I tried it with it on and with it off no difference.

Kendall said:

Hellman:

We have used our genny with full canvas up and anchored out with no CO alarms (cabin or digital in the cockpit). I do run the bilge blowers while the genny is running. Sounds to me like you might have a small exhaust leak in the engine room or somehow the exhaust was being blown back into the cabin from outside.

Click to expand...

That is my thought as well, I guess I need to get in there and make sure everything is sealed.

Does anybody know of a CO sniffer device to find leaks or entrance points?

Jackie J V said:

Unfortunately, opening a side window can actually increase station wagon effect! The air current running over the canvas opening sets up a vacuum affect drawing more air through openings in the aft curtain...

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Just to clarify, when I said side pannels I meant those that are part of the front 5 pannels above the windshield, not the side aft pannels.

Hellman Huddle said:

........ It was very cold and no wind......

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I think this is the cause of the problem. While at anchor with no wind this is an inviting sutiation for CO to enter the cockpit or the cabin.

Hellman Huddle said:

........I did take one of the front flaps and the rear canvas off and still had the problem. I finaly cut the genny off and bundled up good and got a couple hours sleep.

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IMO, you did the right thing given the present condition.

So, if we analyzing the situation where all of the equipment function properly and the issue is just no wind at all, other than shutting the genny or moving in to more open area where there's some light wind I don't know of a better solution on how to force the CO away from the boat.

Do not ignore the alarms or disconnect them. You are experiencing what is known as the "Station Wagon Effect" it pulls CO inside more so when you are moving and the canvas it up. It has caused several deaths when pick-ups with camper tops and people ride in the back with the camper top closed. I have seen boaters use a hose (like pool owner use to clean pools) and extend their gen exhaust out away from the hull maybe 15 feet and anchor it there. Especially if they are rafting up with other boats.

While running I like to prop open the front hatch and close the cabin door to pressurize the cabin. That is unless in sloppy water. If it is sounding an alarm while anchored, is it calm with no wind? I can see it happening then but if there is a breeze and the blowers are on it should not get in the cabin unless the wind blows from your aft side. If that's the case I would put out a stern anchor and get the bow pointed into the breeze.

Trust me, I have had CO poisoning and it is not good. My girlfriend passed out and I had to crawl down the dock to get to the paramedics. The headache you get hours later from the toxins is absolutely brutal!

I had a bad experience with CO about 15 years ago. I was using a propane forklift in an enclosed building and without warning I began to see purple and green spots. I knew something was wrong and suspected CO so I got out of there quickly. In about 15 minutes I had the worst headache and threw up. I probablly should have gotten on oxygen to drive the CO off my hemoglobin but I didn't have any. NEVER AGAIN will I believe that propane burns "clean" of CO.
I get the cabin alarm if I run the boat at the dock with the canvas partly up. Never had an alarm while underway as I let the cabin hatches open to force fresh air thru.