www.iFourWinns.com

I own a 2006 278 vista. It seems that whenever we are docked or at anchor with gen set running I cant keep the carbon monoxide out of the cabin. This happens with the encloser on or off. I have set a fan on the sink to blow at the cabin door and this has seemed to help some but after a few hours the alarm will sound. Has anyone eles has this problem and had any luck fixing it ?

I would look for exhaust leaks on the genset.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

How are you anchoring? Reason for asking is, for example, if you are using both a bow and stern anchor, and your boat is not allowed to turn with the wind, then, if the wind shifts and starts blowing at the cabin, that could be source for your issue. Have you or someone else, done any major wiring or stereo work that could have disturbed the blown insulation or whatever media your boat may have between the engine compartment and the cabin area in the conduits and what not? Another thought, is the CO detector going bad? Suggest you get another unit from your local hardware store or where ever, or borrow one from your home, and put that in your cabin, to see if it alarms as well..

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

Thanks for the input. Havent done any stereo upgrade or anything like that and the boat as far as I know has never had any kind of major work done on it.

Where is the genset exhaust outlet situated?

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

Those standard fit 12v CO monitors are pretty unreliable and voltage sensitive; mine was forever giving false alarms when nothing could possibly have being generating CO. Chuck it away and buy a standalone one; I recently bought a Kidde one, it indicates suitable for a marine use . 5 year service life (with replaceable batteries) from Amazon for about 20 USD,

That's my plan too. It only works with the battery on. Stupid. I had a kiddie in my other boat that gave levels and history. $25.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

It is on the starboard side at the rear of the boat. I will try a different detector and see how that goes.

My carbon monoxide detectors will give a false alarm when the battery voltage drops pretty low.

Maybe check the battery charger breaker/fuse on the generator?

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2000 Vista 328 Volvo DP 7.4Gi
2010 Avon 310 RIB Mercury 15hp 2-Stroke

Two things. One is check the battery level when the alarm goes off. It it's low then the alarm will sound. Because if it doesn't have enough power then it can't do it's job. But if you've got the genset running and it's properly charging the batteries this shouldn't happen. But check anyway. Could be an issue with your charger that's affecting the situation.

Second is replace the detectors. They do have a limited lifespan, and being in a marine environment doesn't make it any longer.

As has been suggested, we keep a battery operated one on board as well. One with an LCD readout on it so I can see the detected levels. CO is a cumulative issue, so a low level over a long time is potentially as much of a problem as higher levels for a shorter time. Best to see the numbers to know for sure.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista