CO detectors went crazy

[Kwik]

Had an issue pop up on us on the lake Saturday. We run a generator on the swim deck at night. So I purchased two extra CO detectors to put in the cabin for redundancy/safety. I'm an electrician, machine repairer, industrial maintenance supervisor. I've learned it you can afford it, redundancy is always best. But, back to the issue. We were on a small reservoir in west/central Indiana when I saw the clouds start to darken to our west. I got on the radar and saw a storm building that hadn't showed on radar before. We got our camper top up quick and headed to the docks to drop off passengers. We dropped them off and went for the center of the lake to ride out the storm. I was running about 2000 rpm across the lake and once away from land and other boats, set steering for about a 100 ft circle at 700 rpm. Then, all three cabin CO detectors started alerting. We cracked the bow hatch and opened the windows about half on the camper top until the rain stopped and then opened everything back up before they finally cleared. Any idea why or how we got CO in our cabin while underway?

 

[Espos4]

You were probably circling in your own exhaust, drawing CO in as you continued traveling in the same circle.

Is there a digital display on the detector(s)?

If so, how many PPM were detected?
What is the minimum PPM needed to make the detector go into alarm mode?







Oh, 1 more thing..............others are going to reply here and crush you for your portable generator on the swim platform.

 

[Kwik]

I knew the gene hate would come. But, had to take the chance to come up with an answer.

I didnt have the presense of mind to check the actual readouts on them. The lake had gotten really rough in seconds and had 45mph winds to contend at the helm. The Admiral was too shaken for me to send below to read them. The one is a factory sea ray installed two weeks ago by my dealer.

 

[Little Ducky]

Just like station wagons of years gone by...... when the rear window was open the fumes would get sucked back into the vehicle while it was going down the highway.

 

[Kwik]

Just like station wagons of years gone by...... when the rear window was open the fumes would get sucked back into the vehicle while it was going down the highway.

That is very reasonable. Wish I had thought of it like that. Had a full size bronco back in the day that had the same issue. That answers how it happened. Now I am going to have figure out how to prevent it. I'm certain that wont be the last storm I'm ever caught it. Be it the worst I've seen in three years of solid seasonal boating. Perhaps, I should kill the engine and only fire it back up if I am getting blow too close to shore.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Station wagon effect with your camper top up. You sucked up your own fumes I bet.

 

[Captn TJ]

I've got a Sea Ray sticker on my cabin door to close it when underway - as others have said "station wagon" effect.

 

[Boat Guy]

Some detectors might show the high reading history if it hasn't been cleared....So you might be able to go back and see...

Likely, as others have stated, you circled back into your own exhaust and it warned you as it should...I'm a bit surprised that you got the alarm, but it might mean to make your circle bigger next time...

At least you know they work.