Carbon Monoxide Detector

LaRea

Why bother with hard-wired ... the battery lasts the life of the detector.  

Residential codes require hard-wired so they can link all detectors to each other.  One goes off, they all go off.  I'd do that on a yacht, but not on an express cruiser.  

aero3113

I just feel 12 volt automotive batteries are better then a coupe of AA batteries.

Aqua_Aura

I was considering just doing a battery one as well but I figured the wires are already there so might as well use them. 

reneechris14

I put new battery's in in the spring every year, like dreamInn  I like the digital read out. But now I have to check the expiration date.

LaRea

Detectors with replaceable batteries are dinosaurs.  Get a sealed unit.  

reneechris14

Got cha

Liberty44140

I didn’t even know they had sealed units, thought they were all AA or 9v, will look out for those 

reneechris14

Aqua_Aura

I just put sealed units in my house they would make much more sense. 

TonyG13

Sealed units are the new building code requirement. You probably won't even be able to buy replaceable battery versions in a few years.

Willhound

Hmm...interesting. Code here calls for hardwired with battery back up in case of power outage. Hard wired so they communicate between each other. Latest code also requires voice alert to identify the problem and a flashing strobe for the deaf. About $100 a unit.
But back to boats, there was nothing in my FV270 when I got it so I installed a CO as well as smoke detector, both battery operated. I like that I can remove the batteries in fall while it sits on the hard and I'm a stickler for regular testing and regular battery replacement.

TonyG13

@Willhound - Just to clarify a bit. Hardwired is required (with battery backup) in new construction and/or extensive remodels. The sealed battery units are for older residences that can't easily retrofit a hardwired system.

And back to boats  I agree. I like being able to remove the batteries when not in use, so I'll keep my removable versions until end-of-life.

Spyderweb

My hard wired monitor didn't work when I got the boat.  I bought a sealed battery one, good for 10 years.  Got one with a temp readout too, because I didn't trust the temperature readouts I was getting on the AC system,  so it was a way to get a double check that.  When the new monitor didn't fit where the old one was, I reinstalled the old one (to cover the screw holes) and then installed the new one below it.

This is very similar to what I got.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/first-alert-reg-co710-carbon-monoxide-alarm/1047407374?skuId=47407374&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_outdoorutility_online&product_id=47407374&adtype=pla&product_channel=online&adpos=&creative=223611823417&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&utm_campaignid=71700000037210656&utm_adgroupid=58700004139975780&targetid=92700036264051305&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjwssD0BRBIEiwA-JP5rDQVNTA-va0ROPotgeT1FaQksz5DxPwOJu83fwe1e_0asL09kvVjAxoCzBgQAvD_BwE

LaRea

A 10-year battery ... what they mean is:  "When the detector expires after five years, we give you another five years to live under a false sense of security."

Willhound

The detector "should" give warning codes when the sensor is failing but you are correct, one of the reason's I don't like the sealed battery units is that in 12 years of selling smoke/CO detectors I see them all the time that fail in the 6 to 7 year mark on average, so you're paying for something that may not likely last. The fine print in the warranty weasel's them out of most warranty claims or if you manage to navigate the claim process you get a small pro-rated rebate on buying a new one.
My other concern is that being "maintenance free" people are under the mistaken belief that you don't have to periodically test them.

Spyderweb

Found User's Manual in my Rinker bag for Monitor.  "Guaranteed for 7 years", and "Replace when battery dies or after 10 years, whichever comes 1st".  So yes, likely won't get more than 6 or 7 years out of it, but that a whole lot better than the 2 year expiration date on the original.

aero3113

FYI - looks like they should be mounted at 5’ high.

Black_Diamond

Generally 5-7 years for a CO monitor is the lifespan.

I replaced my hard wired one and added a battery type one in the V-Berth. 

Just picked up a small wearable/portable one too. 

 https://sensorcon.com/

Pat310

Replaced hardwired one as soon as I bought my boat last August. I am adding a seal battery unit this spring for back up. Running generator for ac while in cabin makes me nervous. Heard a few horror stories about people falling asleep with gen running and never waking up

aero3113

How about a combo smoke and carbon monoxide detector all in one as a back up to the hard wire? Seems like a good option.

First Alert ZCOMBO 2-in-1 Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Z-Wave Combo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KMHXFAI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_l4nKEbA64DRTV

aero3113

Some good reading on detectors.

https://www.boatus.com/magazine/2016/december/electronic-detectors-for-your-boat.asp

aero3113

http://www.marinesurveyor.com/articles/smoke.html

LaRea

Interesting quote from the BoatUS article:  "Look for the stringent UL 2034 Marine labeling; household detectors can't stand up to the rigors of boat life."

I need to check mine for age and whether it's a marine device.

aero3113

In the other link it says you want UL217 for marine use.

aero3113

Here’s a link to UL217 info 

https://standardscatalog.ul.com/standards/en/standard_217_9

aero3113

UL2034 info

https://standardscatalog.ul.com/standards/en/standard_2034

aero3113

The 2 in one Detector I posted complies with both UL217 and UL2034.

First Alert ZCOMBO 2-in-1 Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Z-Wave Combo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KMHXFAI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dWAKEb9SE93R0

YYZRC

I installed these in my Four Winns:
https://www.aartech.ca/cm-e1/macurco-carbon-monoxide-co-detector-9-32vdc-2-relays-built-in-buzzer.html

Liberty44140

Well glad to see that my $15 Kidde co detector is UL2034. But I think I’ll buy one of the digital sealed battery units that Renee posted at some point to have two new battery on board. The three hard wired units on board show green lights on them meaning good so I am going to ask the previous owner if he knows how old they are. Could be updated... 

aero3113

@Liberty44140 , mine still has a green light and it was manufactured in 2007. I wonder how reliable the indicator lights are?