I use atmospheric monitors for confined space entry at the place where I work. We have used different versions and manufacturers over the years. All of them have had what is known as a cross sensitivity on the CO detector to Hydrogen. In fact, I've used it to my advantage when looking for hydrogen leaks since the CO detector will start changing long before the lower explosive limit begins to.
Long story short, I don't think you're gonna find a household CO detector that doesn't cross sensitize. To Shawn's point, maybe check that the batteries are not being excessively charged. Then consider added ventilation. Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk 1989 C&C 37+ Solomons, MD On Sun, May 17, 2020, 17:44 Shawn Wright via CnC-List <[email protected]> wrote: > I've also got a household CO detector (mainly for the propane heater which > we no longer have), but have not had any false alarms. It is mounted just > above the outlet in the dinette, so about head level when sitting. We also > have two GC batteries under the nav table seat charging on solar, so should > have a similar issue with H gas, although I have noticed that since > replacing the solar controller, the batteries have maintained water levels, > so the old controller may have been overcharging (or the old manual VR on > the alternators was - it could be tweaked to 16V+ if not adjusted > properly). > > -- > Shawn Wright > [email protected] > S/V Callisto, 1974 C&C 35 > https://www.facebook.com/SVCallisto > > > On Sun, May 17, 2020 at 9:33 AM bwhitmore via CnC-List < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Hello all, >> >> I had put a household, battery powered CO detector on our C&C37/40+ a >> week or two ago, and got on the boat yesterday only to hear it going off. >> Everything was turned off, so I'm reasonably certain we didn't have CO >> building up. We do, however, have solar panels, and I'm sure they were >> happily charging the batteries, and some folks said that the hydrogen >> coming off charging we cell batteries will set of the detector. >> >> So, is there a detector that won't go off when exposed to hydrogen? Or >> if I mounted it in the stern berth where we sleep instead of in the main >> salon would that be far enough away that the hydrogen should dissipate and >> not set off the alarm? >> >> I'm not hugely concerned about CO because the only things on board that >> should generate it are our diesel engine and the propane stove & grill. >> However if cheap and easy enough, I wouldn't mind having one. >> >> Thanks for the insights, >> >> Bruce Whitmore >> 1994 C&C 37/40+ >> "Astralis" >> Madeira Beach, FL >> >> Sent from Samsung tablet. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each >> and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - >> use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> >> _______________________________________________ > > Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each > and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - > use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > >
_______________________________________________ Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
