Good Morning, my wife and I were awoken last night with the sensor buzzing around 12:30 am. Opening up the vents and putting the fans on I checked and the light was red. After pressing the button and shutting off it did beep off once again. Maybe one minute later everything stopped and light returned to green. Nothing since. Any ideas before I get manual out. Thanks
Try blowing it out with air to see if that helps.
So, you smelled nothing? One thing often forgotten is the oven pilot left 'ON' instead of 'PILOT OFF'. If pilot goes out for any reason, there will be a small propane leak there. Also check what other propane appliances may have been running, or an open window where an outside leak could find its way in...
Steve
"Any ideas before I get manual out."
Do you have any flatulent pets? Or does the wife use hair spray? Both of these will set it off! A good way to test it is with a gas match. Light the flame on the gas match, blow out that flame and hold the tip of the match near the detector. It will trip the sensor into alarm but once removed it should reset. ;)
You might want to get one of these; very handy and accurate to test for propane leaks.
Y201 Propane and Natural Gas Leak Detector; Portable Gas Sniffer to Locate... (https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Detector-Portable-Combustible-Explosive/dp/B07FSVCSSL/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=LPG+detector&qid=1614526037&sr=8-3)
Hi Molly; I notice that you and Greg both have 2017 LD's. So the propane detector sensor time out is 60 months, or 5 years, and you could be approaching that time. It will alarm, once and reset, but come on again after 3 days. You can reset it each time until 30 days, then it won't reset again. If you remove the two screws, there is a sticker on the back with the build date.
I believe this one is the same size and won't require any modifications. Amazon.com: MTI INDUSTRIES 30-442-P-BL Safe-T-Alert 30-442 12V Propane Alarm... (https://www.amazon.com/Safe-T-Alert-30-442-Propane-Alarm-Flush/dp/B00F6EWDU0/ref=psdc_495270_t2_B005GSFTSE)
I prefer the beige one at $46.40, Amazon.com: MTI Industries 30-442-P-BR Safe T Alert 30 Series Propane/LP Gas... (https://www.amazon.com/Industries-30-442-P-BR-Alert-Propane-Alarm/dp/B003D32OK0/ref=sr_1_20?dchild=1&keywords=30-442+safetalert+in+beige&qid=1614534778&s=automotive&sr=1-20-catcorr) You can read the front panel on this picture that details the red, red, green, green End Of Life (EOL) signal. You should probably carry this spare with you. For that matter I need to look at the back of mine to see where I stand. In my TK I carry a spare directly behind the operating one, plus crimp terminals. I always carry a crimp tool in the tool box. RonB
edit: Amazon reminded me I bought one last in 2018, so I'm good for a while longer.
Mine hasn't gone off yet but I do have it on the maintenance list to test it monthly (or weekly when camping). I made a note to replace it next summer.
Do you have any flatulent pets? Or does the wife use hair spray?
Or a flatulent wife? :D ;)
"Or a flatulent wife?"
Uhn uh, not going to bite on that bait! :-[
Are you guys trying to get me in trouble 🤫🤫
I'd suspect a sensor that needs to be replaced due to age.
Every 5-6 years or so I have to replace ours. Failure pattern has been false alarms in the middle of the night.
Rich
“… In my TK I carry a spare directly behind the operating one…” —- RonB
A spare… what? a sensor?
If so, would this age out, even though not is use?
In my TK I carry a spare directly behind the operating one, plus crimp terminals.
The sensors in propane detectors time out, no matter if they are powered up or not. They are contaminated by exposure to the atmosphere. The countdown starts on the day of manufacture, as is printed on the back of every sensor I have looked at.
It might be more cost-efficient to replace the detector on a five-year schedule and forget about carrying a spare.
I continue to use the wire nuts for the detector's power since the detector is sure to go bad again and requires another replacement. Using crimp terminals, after three or four changes, you will run out of wire. LD is very stingy when it comes to providing a service loop, to facilitate future maintenance.
Change a light fixture for a deeper understanding.
Larry
Hi Keith. The new, complete replacement is wrapped in plastic, so not much should get to the actual 'IC' sensor. The timer doesn't run until it is powered up. I get a new one ready a few months before I need it. As Larry said, you don't want it sitting around too long. I usually forget, but if it times out, you get 30 days, Amazon is fast enough that it hasn't presented a problem.
I prepare by putting terminations on the wire to match the power cables. My TK has long leads by LD standards. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-1-4-in-Fully-Insulated-Wire-Disconnects-in-Blue-15-Pack-15-153M/202522092 I get paired female and male connectors. Blue for 14-16 gauge and red for smaller gauges, yellow for larger wire. Go for quality tinned copper, not aluminum. If you use wirenuts, you don't lose any length of wire either. RonB
My detector timed out recently. $50 from the Mothership plus shipping. $65 total cost.
When I removed the old one I snipped it’s wires close to its box and soldered the new one in place. LD had done their usual best to tuck the wire harness deep into the neighboring harness. Good job folks.
I wasn’t sure if wire nuts would insure the best connection so I took the added step of soldering the wires. At least I picked up the extra few inches of wire by scabbing the wires together. In 5 years, I’ll gain a few more inches. 🥴
Kent
Kent, the wiring does not carry a signal, just power. So, the connection does not need to be super good. Wire nuts should be fine. The only risk would be if vibrations from traveling were to cause a wire nut to come loose. In that case the green indicator light would go off, and you would know the unit had lost power.
Mine has just begun the "End Of Life" beep and lighting. I ordered a replacement this morning, and will use wire nuts to install it.
Ken F in NM
This happened to me twice...the house batteries needed replacing. I talked to Vince our guru he told me.
Hi Betty Jean; The propane will alarm with low battery voltage, to let you know that you may not have 'protection' if it gets any lower. But the EOL flashes the red twice, then the green twice, a definite sequence to tell you to replace the detector, and that it isn't repairable. You still have propane detector ability for the 30 days. If the warning happens while it is in storage, well it might just be defunct already. That price from the factory plus shipping, that Kent mentioned, sounds like a really good deal. RonB
My detector timed out recently. $50 from the Mothership plus shipping. $65 total cost.
$65/5 = $13/yr or about 3 $tarbuck$/year
Joel
Hi Molly; I notice that you and Greg both have 2017 LD's. So the propane detector sensor time out is 60 months, or 5 years, and you could be approaching that time. It will alarm, once and reset, but come on again after 3 days. You can reset it each time until 30 days, then it won't reset again. If you remove the two screws, there is a sticker on the back with the build date.
LP and CO detectors typically have a 5-7 year lifespan. Smoke detectors 7-10 years. The sensors definitely age-out and compared to the alternative if one were not to detect a real issue due to age, the cost to replace should not factor in.
We have a 2017 LTV and replaced our LP detector a couple of months ago due to similar alarm behavior.
My propane detector has started to beep for no reason so I'm thinking it's time to replace the (2017) original. The existing unit is black but I didn't see a black one on Amazon. The one that Ron links to in Reply #5 is no longer available. I think this white one will drop right into the existing mount but I noticed the model number is slightly different. Thoughts?
Amazon.com: Safe T Alert 40-442-P-WT Propane/LP Gas Alarm - 12V, 40 Series... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AMBHGE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1)
Greg,
I called the Mothership and they knew exactly what I needed (if in doubt the model # is printed on the back along with the manufacture date). $65 + shipping. Less than any on Amazon. Amazon didn’t have the matching model.
Kent
Greg, I don’t know if newer LD models use a different LPG detector configuration, but (what was) my 2003 uses a 30-series MTI, not a 40-series; the “442” is the same. The MTI website lists all of their available products; I didn’t look to see if Amazon still sells the 30 series in any color.
Thanks Joan and Kent. I called the Mothership and they are out of stock and suggested looking online. I went ahead and ordered the 40 series flush mount (in white), even though the part number isn't exactly the same. Hopefully it will fit ok . . . we will see!
Propane/LP Gas Alarms | MTI Industries (https://www.mtiindustries.com/product-category/products/for-your-rv/propane-lp-gas-alarms/)
I'm not sure why I avoided the MTI ones when I replaced mine (think they got bought out by someone?)... but this is the one I used in my 2003 RB and it was a direct fit and so far works just fine ($43.90):
PANGAEA RV Propane Gas Alarm, 12V, Digital LP Gas Detector for Trailer, Motorhome, Motorcoach, 85dB Loud Alarm (Flush Mount - Black)
PANGAEA RV Propane Gas Alarm, 12V, Digital LP Gas Detector for Trailer,... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BLKSF38/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1)
Hi Greg; Your original 2017 detector would be timing out about now. The picture you provided says on the front, two red blinks, followed by two green blinks and so on is the 5 year signal. The Pangaea fits the same holes as the MTI. That appears to be the model 30.
Your picture appears to be the more square'ish model 40 and Amazon does still have that in white. Amazon.com: Safe T Alert 40-442-P-WT Propane/LP Gas Alarm - 12V, 40 Series... (https://www.amazon.com/MTI-Industries-40-442-P-WT-Professional-Propane/dp/B000AMBHGE/ref=pd_bxgy_sccl_1/142-5232507-2067735?pd_rd_w=lGAXW&pf_rd_p=6b3eefea-7b16-43e9-bc45-2e332cbf99da&pf_rd_r=N5JHA658ZGQ8WNERGZAX&pd_rd_r=291fad23-3147-497a-be06-c937ce73500c&pd_rd_wg=aNelW&pd_rd_i=B000AMBHGE&psc=1) RonB
Ron, I went out and measured mine and it is somewhat squarish, matching the dimensions on the MTI website:
40 Series Flush Mount | MTI Industries (https://www.mtiindustries.com/product/40-series-flush-mount/)
Case Size: 4.8’W x 3.4’H x 1.4’D
I ordered the one from Amazon (in white) that you linked to, at a significant cost savings. Not sure what I'll receive as the Amazon photo and dimension description do not match. I'll update this thread when received.
Hi Greg; It is interesting to know that Lazy Daze switched to the smaller, type 40 size, instead of the longer rectangle of the type 30 size. All of the LD's sold since 2017 will be coming up for renewal, so this information will be pertinent. I don't imagine that LD would be putting different LP monitors in different floorplans.
I shy away from the combined CO and LPG detectors, because I don't want to have to decide which alarm it is. With location specific detectors it is easier. I already have the holes in ceiling and walls anyway. My smoke detector is just a foot away from the CO monitor. Since we sleep on the king bed pullout, I can view the green and red blink of both of those detectors (TK floorplan) at night. RonB
Ron, agreed about combining the propane and CO alarms. In my 2017, the CO and smoke alarms are a combo unit.
Thanks Joan and Kent. I called the Mothership and they are out of stock and suggested looking online. I went ahead and ordered the 40 series flush mount (in white), even though the part number isn't exactly the same. Hopefully it will fit ok . . . we will see!
Propane/LP Gas Alarms | MTI Industries (https://www.mtiindustries.com/product-category/products/for-your-rv/propane-lp-gas-alarms/)
Finally received the detector and, other than color, appears to be an exact match.
Finally got around to swapping out the propane detector. As usual, Lazy Daze doesn’t give you much wire to work with so I actually spliced into the old detector wiring, after cutting it off, instead of the factory wiring as this will need to be done every five years. When you do the swap, make sure you disconnect the coach batteries and pull the solar fuse to eliminate all power sources. I think the white looks better than the black so I’m happy with it!
Greg,
Indeed those wires are short. Did the same thing with mine. Soldered the extra 3” between the new sensor and the LD OEM wires. Tucked everything in and buttoned everything up.
Good to go for another five years.
Kent
Replaced my propane alarm today, after two separate sessions of chirping.
Would have preferred black again, but went with brown. Since the alarm would have timed out by the time I got home, had to be a field swap, accomplished by ordering one from Amazon five days ahead of where I’d be, sending it to a locker.
Was tempted to clip the wires right at the old alarm but decided I’d be better off cutting right after the Lazy Daze crimps. Used the cut wire to figure out that white goes to black.
Was the perfect time to use my new Wago 221 connectors, stripping all the wires to 11mm, as per instructions, trivial to connect up, should be able to use them again in five years.
I tripped my 120V breaker while turning the power back on, took me a while to figure the reset process out, but it was a good learning process.
My first electrical work in the TK, and everything is still working 🤓
Replaced my propane alarm today, after two separate sessions of chirping.
Thanks Dave for posting the pictures of replacing the propane sensor. My sensor has started the out-of-life countdown on our 2017 MB. What is interesting is that in the 15 years we had our 2002 MB, there was no out-of-life alarm countdown. I wonder if it ever worked. Hmmmmm. Oh well, time to replace this sensor.
When I recently swapped mine out, I used twist-on connectors. Since then, I’ve purchased Wago connectors so need to redo the connections.