www.iFourWinns.com

When I bought my boat the carbon monoxide detector was unplugged. When I had the boat summerized, no one connected it. I was a bit concerned, so I tried plugging it in.

The detector appears to be working propetly since the green light is on; however, after a few minutes it becomes warm. Is this normal? I was afraid to leave it plugged in at my slip since I live about 25 minutes away.

Is it necessary to leave the CO detector on all week while my boat rests in the slip, and will it drain my battery? Or should I only reconnect it when I am using the boat? (Of course, that would require me to remember to plug it in each and every time.)

Thank you,
Kevin

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2003 Sundowner S205, 5.0 GL/DP 220hp
Long Island, New York
My Boat: http://www.edcr.us/boat/

Hey Kevin - the primary function of the CO2 detector is to warn occupants of the boat of the presence of C02 so it is perfectly safe to have them disconnected when no one is aboard. But please be certain that it is connected and working properly when you are using the boat. If you are concerned that you will forget to reconnect it you should either come up with a fail-safe reminder system or sufficiently troubleshoot or replace the detector so it can be left plugged in all the time. I would have to believe the draw is sufficiently low that it would not drain your battery but I would defer to others with similar setups to confirm that. I would be concerned that it gets warm although, again, I defer to others as perhaps the older units do get warm.

You no doubt have heard the horror stories - C02 is nothing to mess with and taking whatever measures necessary to be certain you have a functioning detector that is working and always on when you are using the boat is essential. This cannot be overstated.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Kevin,

The CO detector on mine is (or rather, was) wired via the battery switch so it only drew current when the switch was on. Mine started being a PITA with random alarms ( someone wrote they take a lot of time to warm up and become stable, much longer than my boating days allow, so it was basically useless for me !). I have replaced it with a battery operated one; on all the time, no random alarms, the batteries last more than a season but I change them at the start of each season anyhow.

Graham

I am not sure if ours "gets warm" to the touch, but I do know that if the battery is shut off the CO detector is shut off. Not sure if you have any reason to leave the battery(s) on at all when your not there. I know on ours the bilge pump is wired hot and will run even if the batteries are off.

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Thank you for all your replies. I like the idea of using a battery operated detector, as that would alleviate my fear of draining my battery.

Have a nice weekend, all.

Kevin

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2003 Sundowner S205, 5.0 GL/DP 220hp
Long Island, New York
My Boat: http://www.edcr.us/boat/

Any idea if a battery operated one will fit the mount for the hard wired one?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

The standard CO monitor mount is just screwed onto the bulkhead; most of the battery operated ones as slightly bigger, so once the original mount is removed and the new monitor fitted, there is nothing visible to remind you of the original one.

Graham

Sweet. Think it would be possible to reinstall the original at a later time, and no permanent marks be shown from the battery operated one?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Possibly, but if the battery operated one is larger, when the old one is re-installed, the mounts/holes from the battery operated one will show. Just make sure your current one is hooked up through your battery switch, that way you can just turn off your switch and the detector will not drain your battery. Why change it ?

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I changed mine because it was giving false alarms, possibly due to it taking ages to settle down after the battery was reconnected. It's very rare for us to be on the boat for more than 4 - 5 hours., I needed something I could trust to be working all the time we were on the boat.

If you want to retain the original mounting holes etc, depending on the unit you fit you could make up an adapter/ spacer with the original's geometry, so the new unit doesn't press up tight against the vinyl and mark it permanently. On mine I didn't bother, as the original is not going back on ever!

Graham

Same topic, but different question. Is there a lifespan on Co2 detectors? Both mine are hardwired, and I was thinking of replacing them cause they are going on 9 yrs.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

Bringing this back to the top. I've heard they should be replaced every 5 years. First Alert warrants theres for 5 years.

I just purchased one of these for the new boat. $39.99 at RadioShack, battery operated, and has a LCD display showing PPM if it detects it.



While at Wal-Mart, I noticed they have this, same thing, but no LCD display, for half the price, $19.99, and its not a special order item.



Both run off two 'AA' batteries. What are your thoughts on these for use in my cabin?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

i called fireboy, they suggest sending them in every 2 years. when i sent mine in they said they were bad, so i bought new ones. the interesting thing is that the new ones consume a lot less energy.

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republicans, working hard so you dont have to.

To be honest, if you can buy a new one for $20 and have to stick in a couple of replaceable AA batteries in the second year, I see no point in paying to send back a factory fitted one to be checked/ repaired. Hence my decision to fit a replacement CO detector

Graham

Very true. Is it worth double the money for the LCD display?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225