www.iFourWinns.com

I have just had a call from my marina informing me that an alarm is sounding on my 98 238 Vista and has been for the last 2 days. They say it can only be heard if walking close to the boat and its a chirp chirp...........chirp chirp...........chirp chirp.........sound. The only thing I have on there as far as I know that makes that kind of sound is a battery operated CO detector that I'm 99% certain that I took the batteries out of before leaving the boat last time I was there.

They said the boat seems to be sitting in the water normally but wondered if it was a bilge alarm. I am not aware that it has a bilge alarm. does anyone know different? I cannot go down to the boat until Friday evening as it's 150 miles away and I am working, it's pointless asking them to investigate as they are not very helpful.

_________________
Regards
Beyond the Blue

"If we improve with age I'm now excellent"


Ex 1998 238 Vista 5.0Gi SX DP
Lexus RX300

Hi

Forgive me!!!! If it was my boat, I would have already gone & and come back!!!!!!!!!!!

I am willing to bet, you don't have the shore power on OR the battery charger is off. The CO2 detector, has warn down the battery, so now it's chirping. I could be wrong, but I hope it's that simple!!!!!

1+ sounds like the CO2 alarms chirping from low voltage. Mine will chirp then go off steady when the voltage gets too low.

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

I am not sure what you mean when you say that you took the batteries out. If you mean that you turned off the 12 volt switch at the battery panel, you would still have power to the CO detectors since they and the bilge pumps are always connected if there is a battery present. It sounds like your battery charger is off and you have a weak battery, hence your CO detector is chirping. This is a common occurrence.

A high level bilge alarm, if you have one, would probably be a constant tone and sound like your low oil pressure alarm. Your boat has not sunk and the bilge pump apparently is not cycling or your marina would probably have reported that. Just make sure that you leave the shore power on with the battery charger activated when you leave the boat in the future. And look into replacing your battery.

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

I don't think I made myself clear. The CO alarm is an independent alarm, it uses a 9v battery it's not a factory fit devise and not connected to the boat system in any way and I'm almost certain that I removed the battery. I hope I am wrong and that is what is sounding. I am sure the last time I changed the battery because it was getting flat it made a single chirp every 5 minutes or so, not like now. The only other alarm I know of is the high/Low alarm of the depth sounder but doesn't that only sound when the ignition is on?

_________________
Regards
Beyond the Blue

"If we improve with age I'm now excellent"


Ex 1998 238 Vista 5.0Gi SX DP
Lexus RX300

You don't have any CO2 alarms wired in the boat??

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

FYI, these are CO detectors, not CO2.

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Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics

My bad. On the road, typing on the phone, driving. Not good combo!

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

Well, I think they are CO detector. I am BAD, but I just had to find out!!!

From Wikipedia---Carbon dioxide (chemical formula CO2) is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure and exists in Earth's atmosphere in this state.

carbon monoxide (CO): an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon.

Sounds like the same, but not.

Paul

Do you have a depth sounder/fish finder? My Garmin makes a beep every time a fish swims under the boat. If you left that on it could account for the noise.

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

Some detectors also have a capacitor that will hold a charge even if the battery is removed and chirp when that power runs low. I have smoke detectors that will chirp after you remove them from the house wiring and take the battery out (in my home). I am assuming the same could be said for certain CO detectors. Not sure if that might be the case.

Paul J is correct, the detector in your boat is for carbon monoxide from boat engine fumes not carbon dioxide which is readily present in our air.

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Pac Winn

First Boat:
2000 Vista 268

I do have a fish finder but it's not left on the boat so not that!



I said in my posts it was a CO monitor, its others that have been calling it a CO2 monitor.

It looks like it will have to wait until weekend before I find out what is sounding, thanks for your suggestions however.

_________________
Regards
Beyond the Blue

"If we improve with age I'm now excellent"


Ex 1998 238 Vista 5.0Gi SX DP
Lexus RX300

As others have said, my initial guess would be CO monitors. Since you have answered that concern ... do you have a fume sensor / alarm in your bilge?

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Not that I am aware of. I have often spilt petrol in the bilge when changing fuel filters etc. and not had an alarm of any kind. There is not much sophisticated kit on this 1998 dinosaur of a boat.

_________________
Regards
Beyond the Blue

"If we improve with age I'm now excellent"


Ex 1998 238 Vista 5.0Gi SX DP
Lexus RX300

Let us know what you find!!!!

Hope all is well when you get to your boat!!!

Paul