Yellowboat.
Auburn, WA
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Joined: 05/27/2008
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About 3 days ago our LP gas leak detector alarm made by CCI Controls sounded three times.
I immediately turned off our LP gas and I checked the amount of gas in the tank. The tank was 1/3 full.
The alarm sound two more times. I thought about what could cause the alarm to sound and I decided it was possible for my black tank to make methane but I don't know if methane could set off the alarm. I remembered that I had forgotten to add chemicals to our black tank when I last emptied it. I emptied the black tank and added chemicals.
The next morning when my wife mentioned we didn't have any hot water, I turned the LP gas back on and we haven't had another alarm.
Any ideas on what may have set the alarm off?
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deandec
El Dorado Hills, CA
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Joined: 09/26/2001
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My CCI alarm sounds when the 12v power is turned on and off.
If it alerts, it will stay on until the air is clear or it is turned off.
You might have had a series of brief 12v power interruptions?
It might be helpful to do the recommended test for your CCI meter to be sure it is functioning properly.
Dean
95 CC Magna Jeep GC
(Vietnam Vets may be eligible for medical care and disability compensation. Contact the VA if you have prostate cancer or type 2 diabetes.)
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Clay L
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Joined: 07/01/2002
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There are a lot of common household cleaners and other products that will set the LP alarm off.
Low dc voltage will set some off also.
I find that it helps to blow the dust out every few months.
Clay (WA5NMR), Lee,(Wife) Codi, Brandi (Shelties) and Damncat (damn cat)
Full Timing in a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N, Workhorse chassis, Honda Accord toad
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vosks
Washington
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Joined: 01/30/2006
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Exhaust gasses can set it off too. Mine will go off every time I leave the entry door open with the engine running.
1990 Pace Arrow
502 GM Crate Motor
Gear Vendors
Stan's Headers, 3" mandrel bent exhaust and Magnaflows
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dturm
Munster, IN
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Joined: 01/29/2001
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We had a recent thread in the Pet Stop Fourm where members reported their dogs passing gas setting off the alarm. It has happened to several.
Doug
Doug & Sandy
Megan (14 yr old Golden)
2008 Southwind
2001 Honda CRV
Check out blog.rv.net
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rkcg@concentric.net
Dunn, NC 28334
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Joined: 11/26/2007
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My LP detector would go off if the wife sprayed alot of hair spray on her hair. Went nuts for a while until we figured out why it was going off.
Clubmagic
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wagonmaster2
northcentral oklahoma
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Joined: 02/18/2005
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Mine will go off if there are any onions setting very close to the unit, if either of us use any cologne then walk by it (usually will go off about 30-45 minutes later just as we get to sleep), if any air freshner is used in the bathroom, etc. All we get are false alarms. I begin to wonder if these detectors are really worth having, kind of like the little boy who kept yelling "Wolf".
Wagonmaster2
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Mandolin Guy
West Central Georgia
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Joined: 10/10/2007
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All of the "ane" gases (butane, propane, methane, etc.) will set off an LP gas detector. Gaseous pet emissions contain methane. Many aerosol sprays use butane as a propellant. Cigarette lighters use butane and many people use them to test the detector. The spectrum of gases that set it off is wide enough that other things may cause it to react. Unlike a CO detector that is designed only for a single chemical compound, there could probably could be false positives with an LP gas detector.
When I was on the bomb squad, we used to conduct training exercises using Ben-Gay because our equipment would detect it as Sarin gas. It was simply an unusual combination of molecules that created a false positive for Sarin. (Sarin is the nerve gas that was used in the Tokyo subway station attack by Aum Shinrikyo in 1995. Twelve people died.)
David
There are three kinds of people in this world: those who can count and those who can't.
Retired Cop, 31 years
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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There are several things.. First you said "It sounded 3 times"
Like this
Beep........(long pause)............Beep............(long pause).........Beep?
or this
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.. BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP... BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP
On my detector (not the same as yours) those mean different things RTFM to find out (Read The Fine Manual) ... (ok.. I know what it really means)
As for methane.. Though we call it a Propane Detector
it is truly an explosive gas detector
Propane, Methane, Butaine, Alcohol fumes, Dog passing gas, and several "+++ANE" type products are detectable by an explosive gas detector
It can not tell the difference
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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RVGeekMonkey
Vancouver, Wa
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Joined: 03/31/2007
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My detector's alarm went off the same way. Tried all the above reccomendations - same issue. Called the manufacturer, they stated that they the unit may be bad. Replaced the unit - No more issues.
I was on the road, I could have sent the unit back to the MFG for warranty - the unit was 4 years old, on a 2 year old MH. But with all the hassle, shipping, paperwork, ect. It was easier to buy new -$50.
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