Escapees November-December 2023

generator, or even your neighbor’s, can still enter your RV through small cracks or waft into your rig through an open window. As the above NIOSH test proves, just because the windows in your rig are open doesn’t necessarily protect you from poten tially dangerous concentrations of carbon monoxide. I hope all of the above has convinced you to protect yourself by installing a CO detector. They are not terribly expensive, and even the best ones will set you back less than a tank of fuel. Easy Installation Detectors are easy to install, operate and will give you peace of mind along with serious protection. I believe the best detector to purchase is one with a digital display. That lets you monitor even lower levels of CO that may be too low to cause an alarm but high enough to be dangerous with long-term exposure. Most detectors with digital readouts also capture and hold the peak CO reading since the last reset. This is worth keeping an eye on, too. There has been a recent move by some manufacturers to combine a CO detector with an LP gas detector in the same unit. I was of the opinion that this was a bad idea, because I thought CO was lighter than air. Well, it is, but only slightly (three percent at room temperature). Studies show that CO tends to diffuse equally throughout an enclosed space, so a combination detector mounted near the fl oor is as effective as a CO detector mounted higher on the wall. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21536403 detector solely on the basis of cost; do some research on the different features available. Carbon monoxide detectors should meet Underwriters Laboratories Inc. standards, have a long-term warranty and be easily self-tested and reset to ensure proper functioning.” I have been using the Kidde Battery Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Digital Display, part # KN-COPP B-LPM for years. I have them in the RV and the house, and they are solid units with great features. From the manufacturer: The Kidde KN-COPP-B-LPM battery operated The National Safety Council (NSC) states: “You should not choose a CO

“A single detector placed centrally in your rig will provide reasonable pro tection, but you may want to place one in your sleeping area as well.”

CO alarm provides continuous monitoring of CO levels, even during power outages when many CO incidents occur. The digital display feature allows for easy viewing of carbon monoxide levels from 30-999 PPM (parts per million). It will also detect and store CO concentration levels as low as 11 and up to 999 PPM with its peak level memory display. This alarm has a 10-year life and a 10-year limited warranty. Kidde also offers this alarm with a sealed, 10-year battery at a slightly higher cost. CO alarms do have a service lifetime, and should be replaced at least every 10 years. Are you back from the store? Do you have your new detector in hand? Let’s install it. • Read the manual and install the batteries. • Locate and mount the detector as recommended in the manual. Make sure the detector is not behind curtains or furnishings. • CO must be able to reach the detector for the unit to work. Avoid installing the detector close to the kitchen stove or propane heater and keep it out of moist bathroom areas. A single detector placed centrally in your rig will provide reasonable protection, but you may want to place one in your sleeping area as well. Follow the instructions in the user manual that comes with your unit. Test it regularly and keep it free of dust and dirt, and it will continue to provide you with peace of mind for years. In1997, MARK NEMETH quit his job, sold his house, bought an RV and joined Escapees. He has been the club’s technical advisor for 22 years, and served as director of both the SmartWeigh and Boot Camp programs. He is a regular contributor to Escapees Magazine and other RV industry publications. Mark maintains an RVer’s resource website with technical articles, tips and information at: www.marxrv.com.

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November/December 2023 ESCAPEES Magazine