CO alarm beeping '05 340 inactive boat

[BON DIA]

Slip neighbor called this evenng saying she could hear alarm beeping in my boat. Boat is in a covered slip, windy location, locked with these 120v breakers on; Refrig, AC Converter & Air Condi on Dehumidify. Only 12v breakers on; Cabin lights, no lights on. CO alarm is original factory unit. I talked her thru entry where she discovered CO alarm beeping (4) times per cycle...a true CO alarm, not low battery. She smelled nothing supisious, said her CO Alarm was same model & at times it would being beeping for no reason & had to be reset by un-plugging momentarily. When she assured me the boat appeared normal I had her reset the CO alarm. Has not beeped in 4 hrs.

Do CO alarms sometimes go off for other reasons other than CO?

Do CO alarms fail due to age?

Going to the lake noon Friday, will inspect boat bow to stern for any irregularities.

Thx, Philip

 

[fwebster]

A weak battery or one with the plates exposed will also set them off. They sense hydrogen gas and a weak cell/exposed plates left on charge gives off excess hydrogen.

The noise is a bother, but maybe it is better to find out about a weak battery before you get out on the water.

 

[Alex F]

I wouldn't trust a 4yr old CO detector. My did fine during the test by pressing the button, but didn't sound when there was a true CO present. So, I suggest to replace it with newer unit and have one or two backup units. I have total 3 in the cabin (1 SR, 1 120ac with 9v bkp battery and 1 aaa operated)and 1 in the cockpit. You won't believe that $20-$30 AAA oparate unit will perform much better than that crappy OEM $130 unit. One of them is now 3 yrs old and still kicking. Some people migt think that this is an overkill, but we anchor out a lot and I sleep well knowing that we're protected from CO.

 

[BON DIA]

Thx Frank, Scott & Alex...batteries are sealed, 5 yrs old & showing signs of weakness. There goes another thousand.

 

[jpk33]

Keep in mind in addition to the causes listed above - errant CO (neighbors running engine or someone running a genny @ the dock) could all be sources of real CO giving a sense of a false alarm (that might linger in a closed-up boat). I have a industrial CO meter (small battery operated digital readout) and those onboard CO monitors are pretty accurate when compared to it.

 

[Dave S]

This is taken from the user manual for the CO dectector which is available for download at this site.

http://www.fireboy-xintex.com/co-detectors.html

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.

Fireboy also has a recertification and renewal program at a cost of $25. You may want to consider sending your unit off to them.


FACTORY RE-CERTIFICATION AND
WARRANTY RENEWAL PROGRAM
Because of the unique sensor and circuit design characteristics of a carbon monoxide alarm, it is
not possible to field test the CO Sentinel. The Xintex Recertification and Warranty Renewal
Program provides peace of mind by offering factory re-certification and a new one year warranty.
Return the CO Sentinel to the factory, prepaid, along with your check or money order for $25.00*
at any time to take advantage of this program. This service includes complete testing of circuitry
and sensor. Repairs, re-calibration, or sensor replacement are included. In addition, you will
receive an additional 12-month limited warranty. This offer does not include replacement or
repair of units that have been damaged through misuse, carelessness, misapplication, altered or
otherwise been destroyed as a result of fire, collision, or sinking. Should the returned CO
Sentinel require repairs from misuse as described above, you will be notified of the cost prior to
repair.
Include your return shipping or mailing address and telephone number along with the CO Sentinel
and mail to:
Re-certification Department
Fireboy-Xintex, Inc.
PO Box 152
O-379 Lake Michigan Dr. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534

 

[fwebster]

Are they gell cell or AGM batteries?

You may have sealed tops, but gell cells still vent gas to the atomsphere. AGM's are completely sealed, so much so that you can mount them upside down.

 

[skolbe]

My neighbors bbq sets mine off at the dock.

 

[BON DIA]

Probably sealed...certainly not AGMs. I'm going to buy another CO alarm, battery type as backup, send factory back to manufacture & buy new batteries.

Thxs all

 

[papertrail]

I switched to optima D-31M blue tops (4) 19 months ago, and they are still just as powerful now as when I put them in. Was able to use the windlass, stereo, and chartplotter (I always forget to turn the damn thing off when anchored) and fire up both engines all at the same time, with no noticeable loss of voltage. Impressive how you can abuse a boat's electrical system, huh?

You fire up both engines at the same time? I would think its better to start one at a time? or does it matter?

 

[BON DIA]

I replaced the (4) original Deka group 31, deep cycle maintenance free batteries with the same. Got 5 yrs out of the originals, bought replacement from SR dealer for $125 each. Since the 1st episodes of the CO alarm going off it hasn't happened again. We've spent 5 night aboard & will leave it buttoned up for the next 14 days so if it goes off again I suspect it not the batteries off gasing.