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p r o p a n e s y s t e m s - 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, most of which
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
period. Eventually, the 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, 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.
The propane detector is wired to the house
batteries. This allows reliable protecting by
alerting the build up of potentially dangerous
levels of propane.
WARNING
If the motorhome is unplugged
from shore power, the house battery
disconnect switch must be ON for the
propane detector to operate.
Propane Detector Operation:
Upon rst application of power the LED
will ash yellow for three minutes while 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 operates on 12 Volt DC
with a current draw of less than 1/10th of one
amp.
CAUTION
The detector will not sound an alarm
during the three minute warm up
cycle.
Typical propane detector
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