What's a good carbon monoxide (CO) alarm specifically for campervans, MHs, caravans etc?

CamperJack

CamperJack

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Hi all.

I've started fitting a diesel heater today. Obviously fresh air intake and exhaust go to through the floor of the van to the outside, and the pipes point in opposite directions. The pipes fit their holes quite snugly and I will tomorrow seal them up with exhaust putty as well.

However it goes without saying that, in the interest of safety, I want to fit both a carbon monoxide and smoke alarm.

I would like one that can be hard wired into the 12v fuse panel so it runs off my leisure battery. (Not powered by AA batteries or similar small batteries.) In addition it should be one designed specifically for use in a campervans, MH, or caravan etc. For those that don't know a household one will probably say somewhere that it is unsuitable for campervan use. I think this is because they aren't made to withstand the temperature fluctuations and rattling of a van being driven.

Obviously having a good CO detector could save your life. I hope never to hear it go off but I bloody want it to if it should do. So I thought I'd ask you knowledgeable people with more experience which you have.

I urge everyone to check theirs while we are at it!

Thanks in advance.

Jack. 👨‍🚒
 
Go for a brand name, honeywell, kiddie or fire angel for example, something you know and can trust. You will find that the alarm (sensor) will have a lifespan of 5, 7 or 10yrs, depending on which brand and price. Test it on every trip and then dispose of it after its expiry date as you can no longer trust it to save your life. It will likely still produce a test beep when tested after its expiry date but don't be tempted to think that means its ok, it only means the batteries are still working

Some will have a sealed battery unit and some will have replaceable batteries. Dont bother with hard wired.
 
I have always used a well known brand for smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide CO alarms. Preferably the long life 10 year version. Positioning is everything and essential that you follow the instructions fully. With a big van, with the batteries one end and the cooking/heating the other, I fit 2 of each. CO detectors will also detect hydrogen from bad batteries
 
Ours is a 12v one produced by CBE similar to this, we also have their lpg alarm . Both are fitted low down. We then have a smoke detector on the ceiling.

CBE Carbon Monoxide (CO) Gas Detector - Rainbow Conversions Ltd

Buy a CBE Carbon Monoxide Gas Detector (232802) online with Rainbow Conversions UK - camping, motorhome and caravan equipment shop. CBE 240v 3 pin mains socket, CBE 12v switches, CBE 12v TV Satellite sockets, CBE 1-way, 2-way, 3-way support frames in various colours. CBE fresh water and waste...
www.rainbow-conversions.co.uk
 
Our original CO alarm decided to throw a wobbly, so I replaced it with a Fire Angel CO monitor which has a readout of the CO level as well as an alarm.

www.toolstation.com

FireAngel Digital & 7 Year Life Carbon Monoxide Alarm CO9D Sealed in Battery | Toolstation

Advanced electrochemical sensor with a loud, clear, alarm. LCD screen shows past 4 weeks peak CO level & room temperature. Large test button and low power alert. Powered by: 7 yr sealed for life battery.
www.toolstation.com www.toolstation.com

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Riverbankannie said:
Ours is a 12v one produced by CBE similar to this, we also have their lpg alarm . Both are fitted low down. We then have a smoke detector on the ceiling.

CBE Carbon Monoxide (CO) Gas Detector - Rainbow Conversions Ltd

Buy a CBE Carbon Monoxide Gas Detector (232802) online with Rainbow Conversions UK - camping, motorhome and caravan equipment shop. CBE 240v 3 pin mains socket, CBE 12v switches, CBE 12v TV Satellite sockets, CBE 1-way, 2-way, 3-way support frames in various colours. CBE fresh water and waste...
www.rainbow-conversions.co.uk
Click to expand...

That's the sort of thing. Thanks! One that can be wired to the battery. Does that on light stay on all the time though? Would drive me mad at night!
 
bridgedino said:
Some will have a sealed battery unit and some will have replaceable batteries. Dont bother with hard wired.
Click to expand...

Any that are not hard wired but are motorhome specific out there?
 
Seems from the link posted by rb62 what we should all be looking for in our homes on wheels is an alarm that has BS EN 50291-2

A quick Goolgle shows this... "specifies general requirements for the construction, testing and performance of electrically operated carbon monoxide gas detection apparatus, designed for continuous operation in a fixed installation in recreational vehicles and similar premises including recreational craft."

I'll be shopping for one with this number on it tomorrow!

Thanks.
 
pappajohn said:
Any will do.
It's no different in your van than in your kitchen at home.
Click to expand...

Quite a few for houses don't operate below 0°C and it might get that low in winter inside a van? Also my home doesn't shake like my van does while I drive it down a dirt road.

BS EN50291-2 don't appear to be any more expensive than any others. As these meet the kite mark standards for MHs I think I'll get one of those. :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
 
We have this one Amazon product ASIN B00M1Q70K4 - as others have said best to buy a well known brand from a reputable seller & buying one targeted at motorhomers isn't necessarily better.
 
CamperJack said:
Quite a few for houses don't operate below 0°C and it might get that low in winter inside a van? Also my home doesn't shake like my van does while I drive it down a dirt road.

BS EN50291-2 don't appear to be any more expensive than any others. As these meet the kite mark standards for MHs I think I'll get one of those. :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Click to expand...

Do you plan on being in a van when it's below 0 C inside? Any detector will be fine.
 
Two on Tour said:
Our original CO alarm decided to throw a wobbly, so I replaced it with a Fire Angel CO monitor which has a readout of the CO level as well as an alarm.

www.toolstation.com

FireAngel Digital & 7 Year Life Carbon Monoxide Alarm CO9D Sealed in Battery | Toolstation

Advanced electrochemical sensor with a loud, clear, alarm. LCD screen shows past 4 weeks peak CO level & room temperature. Large test button and low power alert. Powered by: 7 yr sealed for life battery.
www.toolstation.com www.toolstation.com
Click to expand...
Always fit that one in our vans and have two in the house.
Recommended by the Fire Brigade, a lot of domestic ones fail their tests.

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XxAnthxX said:
If it gets that cold inside your van your obviously not using any heating appliances so won’t need to detect co2 or smoke surely 🥶 🥶 🥶
Click to expand...

Eggs said:
Do you plan on being in a van when it's below 0 C inside? Any detector will be fine.
Click to expand...

I mean it will be that low when I leave it parked between trips and it may break it. Or I may get in the van when it's that cold and think blimey lets crank the heat up and may start producing CO before the alarm warms up and starts working.

Both perhaps unlikely. But I think, personally, if I have to buy one I'd be a total moron not to get one that meets the British Standards for the application I will be using it for when there is literally no difference in price!
 
CamperJack said:
Both perhaps unlikely.
Click to expand...
What would be even more unlikely would be that an installation of a monitor meeting any standard in your van could comply with BS EN 50929:2013 ....for several reasons.

I think you might be overthinking this.
 
Last edited:
One with a display is my recommendation, we use Kidde

CO is seriously under estimated, but at low levels could cause undue panic

a good monitor works on a time weighted reading , hence the need for a display abd an understanding of the numbers

6A7CBE2F-2824-4616-843A-E025CE87C786.png
 
Riverbankannie said:
Ours is a 12v one produced by CBE similar to this, we also have their lpg alarm . Both are fitted low down. We then have a smoke detector on the ceiling.

CBE Carbon Monoxide (CO) Gas Detector - Rainbow Conversions Ltd

Buy a CBE Carbon Monoxide Gas Detector (232802) online with Rainbow Conversions UK - camping, motorhome and caravan equipment shop. CBE 240v 3 pin mains socket, CBE 12v switches, CBE 12v TV Satellite sockets, CBE 1-way, 2-way, 3-way support frames in various colours. CBE fresh water and waste...
www.rainbow-conversions.co.uk
Click to expand...
Whoa. CO detectors and smoke detectors need to go high, gas detectors need to go low. For years I thought CO was heavier than air but then I read the instructions :giggle:

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TDub49 said:
Whoa. CO detectors and smoke detectors need to go high, gas detectors need to go low. For years I thought CO was heavier than air but then I read the instructions :giggle:
Click to expand...
Yup, if your carbon monoxide alarm is low down, you might be dead before it goes off
 
Just to add what I found out when my CO detector fell off the ceiling when I went over a really nasty pothole in the Lakes...
Btw, it's a Kidde CO alarm model 7CO factory fitted by Elddis to the ceiling.
It needed a new backplate - I rang Kidde and they sent one, no charge - great service - but I got talking to them (as you do!) and they said:
1) this one must not be fitted to the ceiling - the batteries are heavier than a smoke detector's. In fact they were a bit fed up - they keep telling the motorhome manufacturers not to but they keep right on doing it. If you have a look at m'homes at shows, yes, they're still doing it.
2) so I asked them where to put it (seriously), and they said wall mount about waist height is best. Apparently CO rises very slowly, but by the time it gets to the ceiling it's at dangerous levels. So if you look into the molecular weights (hey, I'm retired, what else am I going to do), it comes out as:
Air is: Nitrogen 80% N2 mol.wt. 14+14 = 28
plus Oxygen 19% O2 mol.wt. 16+16 = 32
plus Carbon Dioxide .4% CO2 mol.wt. 12+16+16 = 44

and Carbon Monoxide is CO mol.wt. 12+16 = 28, ie exactly the same as Nitrogen.

Only thing is, if the CO comes from combustion with insufficient oxygen, it's going to be hotter than the surrounding air and rise. Also waist height's a bit impractical in a small m'home, so I fixed mine about shoulder height on the wall opposite the hob. And I was thinking if the space heater comes on in the night it'll churn all the air around anyway.
Well, hope that helps, and hope I haven't offended anyone (!), and anyway, just passing on what Kidde said, so blame them!
cheers all...
 
I fitted a new CO detector a few months ago, the instructions (yes I did read them) said to mount at shoulder height.
 
Kidde, good kit.

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I have been told Honywell are the best as they give fewer false alarms the info came from British gas
engineers and corgi registered gas fitters all the co alarm i have in my home and rentals houses are fitted on the wall following the instructions in the box
 

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