I am on a university design team and we are considering designing an integrated alarm clock, smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm for use in RVs. We’d love to get your feedback on the idea!
Do people think this would be a good idea?
What do you think would be most important to the design for such a device?
Ideas:
Different sounds for different alarms.
+ Light or storbe for somke/CO detection.
My current alarm clock's LCD changes from Green to Red when the alarm sounds - pretty good idea.
While you're at it - how about adding NOAA stations to it.
Backup battery power must be rechargable - the current 9v backup system in alarm clocks is completely insuffucient for someting this important. Also remember, a lot of times RVs operate off 12v systems, so a dual mode operation would be a big benefit.
And lastly - make it affordable. Not too many people are going to pay an inflated price for it if they can all of the operations in separate systems for less.
Mark & Tammy
'01 Excursion Limited, 4x4, V10, RoadMaster Active Suspension
'01 Prowler 31G
Equal-i-zer Hitch - Prodigy Brake Controller
Thanks for the ideas guys - there are some great ones there we wouldn't have thought of on our own. Technologically, all the suggestions seem feasible at reasonable cost which is encouraging.
I look forward to getting more thoughts!
I'm assuming the product life expectancy is ten years.
Multiple mounting options. Most RVs are compact and your cooking space is close. How many of us use the smoke detector to indicate dinner is ready? counter space is limited, wall mounting (Velcro) might be an option.
What power source will you use? In our RV the 120v sockets are not placed well & some are used or over used. The 12v plugs are few and far between, nice for boondocking use. Batteries can be a pain to recharge or replace on appliances, and something that you are gonna bet your life on HAS to work. Is dividing the power in the device an option? Say, a ten year lithium battery for the detector portion that switches when you hook it to another power source (battery, commercial or 12v)
What basic size or shape are you shooting for? Smaller is better in most cases; except for those over 40 who can't see as well, and need bigger buttons (I have fat fingers), and decent size numbers on the face.
Ultimate cost is also a consideration, but I might pay a little more for a multifunction device that replaces two or more other devices and is something that doesn't add to my clutter.
I am not so sure the concept is appropriate. CO is heavier than air. If you look at the CO detector in most RV's it will be close to the floor, where the CO is likely to be if it exists. Having said that, reading the clock may be a bit of a problem as it will be close to the floor to accommodate the efficient and effective operation of the CO detector. Also, the smoke detector should be ceiling mounted as smoke is usually warmer than the ambient air temperature and therefore rises to the ceiling.
Vic
Actually, most CO detectors in RV's and at home are mounted on the wall, about 1' down from the ceiling. In my new RV, both CO detectors are mounted on the wall near the ceiling, just as the installation instructions say it should be.
In a RV, the usual device mounted near the floor is the propane detector. Some propane detectors also have the CO alarm incorporated as well, but many are a separate unit.
CO is NOT heavier than air and it has been noted here and in other discussions, that CO has pretty much the same density as air.
The previous post from Vic is accurate for propane but not for carbon monoxide.
Also, since you want the smoke detector on the ceiling for the best performance, a integrated clock would be useless IMHO.
Steve
2007 Springdale 291RKL
2003 F150 King Ranch
2001 Dodge Van w/Wheelchair Ramp
1991 Palomino Mustang PUP
Eureka Timberline Tent
Yamaha IF2400isc
Yamaha EF3000iSEBC "Politically Incorrect And Proud Of It"
vic46 wrote: I am not so sure the concept is appropriate. CO is heavier than air. If you look at the CO detector in most RV's it will be close to the floor, where the CO is likely to be if it exists. Having said that, reading the clock may be a bit of a problem as it will be close to the floor to accommodate the efficient and effective operation of the CO detector. Also, the smoke detector should be ceiling mounted as smoke is usually warmer than the ambient air temperature and therefore rises to the ceiling.
Vic
Actually that's not entirely true.
The detector near the floor is a LP Gas detector - LP Gas is heavier than air. CO on the other hand weighs almost exactly the same as ambient air and therfore can be mounted anywhere at any level. A smoke detector should be mounted hi becuase smoke does rise, so the highest point is the best place for it.
Maybe this new device shuold use a remote smoke detector and local (installed in the clock) CO detector.
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