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20 08 CONTESSA
PROPANE SYSTEMS — 7
PROPANE DETECTOR
The propane detector is required safety
equipment in RVs. American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) 1192 - Fire & Life Safety,
6.4.8, Propane Detectors states:
“All recreational vehicles equipped with a
propane appliance and electrical system shall
be equipped with a propane detector listed as
suitable for use in recreational vehicles under
the requirements of UL 1484 and installed
according to the terms of its listing.”
Propane is heavier than air and will settle to
the lowest point in the motorhome. The propane
detector is also sensitive to other fumes, such
as hair spray, which may contain butane as the
propellant. Butane, like propane, is heavier than
air and will settle to the oor level. Sulfated
batteries (rotten egg odor) will also sound the
alarm. When this occurs, reset the detector to
stop the alert sound.
About the Propane Detector:
Be aware of the difference between a leak versus
propane escaping from an unlit, open burner.
Pure propane vapors from a leaking pipe or tting
are heavier than air and will build up heaviest
concentration at the leak and oat down to mix
with air. If a burner is left on, the area around
the burner, range and adjoining counter space is
combustible and can cause injury and damage
when ignited. This condition will exist for an
extended time. Eventually, propane will reach the
detector’s location and cause the alarm to sound.
NOTE:
The propane detector indicates the
presence of propane only at its sensor.
Combustible levels of propane may be
present in other areas. The detector is
intended for detection of propane only.
The propane detector is not designed to detect
other types of gas. However, some products may
cause the detector to alarm, such as alcohol,
liquor, methane, kerosene, gasoline, deodorants,
colognes, propellant used in spray cans and
cleaning solvents. In some cases, vapors from
glue and adhesive used in the manufacturing
of the motorhome may also cause the detector
to alarm for several months after the date
of manufacture. If it is determined that the
detector has false alarmed because of the above
mentioned nuisance gases, reset the detector and
ventilate the motorhome with fresh outside air.
Take precautions to ensure one of these cases has
not masked an actual propane alarm condition.
The propane detector draws less current than
one instrument panel lamp and will detect gas
until the battery is drained down to 7.0 Volts. A
voltage higher than 7.0 Volts is needed for the
detector to operate properly. If the power source
is disconnected, or if the power is otherwise
interrupted, the detector will not operate.
The propane detector has a self-check circuit
running at all times while the detector is
powered. In the event that the circuitry fails,
a failure alarm will sound and the operating
indicator will cease to light.
Propane Detector Operation:
Upon rst application of power the LED will
ash yellow for three minutes as the detector is
stabilizing. At the end of the start cycle the LED
will turn green, indicating full operation. If the
detector senses unsafe levels of propane it will
immediately sound an alarm. The propane detector
draws power from the chassis batteries at a rate of
less than 1/10th of one amp.
CAUTION:
The detector will not alarm during the
three minute warm up cycle.
Testing
Press the TEST switch any time during the
warm up cycle or while in normal operation.
The LED will turn red and an alarm will sound.
Release the switch. This is the only way to test
full operation of the detector.
WARNING:
Test the operation of this detector after
the motorhome has been in storage,
before each trip and at least once per
week during use.
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030646b
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