An RV carbon monoxide detector is an essential item for your RV. Whether it’s a camper, trailer, RV, or campervan, don’t leave home without it.
The risk to both humans and pets is from the inhalation of harmful carbon monoxide (CO) gases. These rapidly build up to a toxic level. The gas is silent, doesn’t have a detectable smell, and when breathed in excessively, can be deadly.
Over 400 people die from CO inhalation annually and over 40,000 require the ER due to CO poisoning. If you have general confusion, vomiting, dizziness, or a headache (flu symptoms could be another indicator), you may have CO poisoning. Contact 911 without delay. Also, get outside the RV!
CO poisoning is preventable by owning one or more reliable RV carbon monoxide detectors. Then check their batteries periodically by performing a quick alarm test.
RV Carbon Monoxide Detector Keeps Going Off
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Going Off in Camper
A carbon monoxide detector goes off in the middle of the night in a camper? It happens…
If you own a camper, fifth wheel, or another type of motorhome, you may discover your RV carbon monoxide detector keeps going off. Even when you press the button to turn the alarm off, the alarm reactivates soon after.
Why is my camper carbon monoxide detector beeping in RV? Here are some reasons for it:
Carbon Monoxide is in Your RV
When your RV CO detector keeps going off by beeping repeatedly – usually accompanied by either an always-on red LED light or a flashing one – it suggests carbon monoxide has built up inside the camper or RV.
Usually, the RV carbon monoxide detector beeping 4 times in a row and repeats on a cycle every 4-6 seconds. Never ignore this warning!
Assume there is CO gas inside your camper/motorhome/RV. Follow the protocol below to stay safe:
- How to reset carbon monoxide detector in RV? Hit the ‘Test/Reset’ or ‘Mute’ button to turn off the alarm. The wording and function vary depending on the CO alarm. Doing this completes the RV carbon monoxide detector reset procedure to turn off the carbon monoxide alarm. If it won’t turn off, it’s likely a faulty CO device, and get a replacement.
- If you live with other people and pets, get them together, and exit. Verify the health of everyone and pets, too. Look for anyone throwing up, feeling dizzy, and having a persistent headache. These are all symptoms of CO poisoning. In this case, immediately contact the emergency services to seek treatment. Also, don’t forget to examine your pets’ behavior too.
- Get air circulation going in the camper or RV. Given enough time, this vents any remaining CO gas outside.
- Disable any gas-fed generators, furnaces, refrigerators, water heaters, or other appliances. Any of these could have a bad valve and a gas leak.
- Allow time for the CO gas to dissipate. If it hasn’t and the alarm is still going off, contact an RV specialist to have the appliances checked for bad valves and an ongoing gas leak.
A different beeping sequence is indicative of other potential problems like an RV carbon monoxide detector fault.
An online manual for your CO detector will confirm the range of sounds that it can emit and what they each mean.
However, as explained in this article, there are some commonalities across different CO detectors to help everyone understand their meaning more easily.
RV Carbon Monoxide Detector Fault
The most common reason an RV carbon monoxide detector keeps going off and won’t cease is an RV carbon monoxide detector false alarm.
Malfunctioning CO alarms have indicator LED bulbs shining green or red (or cycling rapidly between the two colors). Alternatively, it’ll make audible sounds alerting you every half minute or minute.
Both indicators are not the same as the camper CO2 detector going off, having detected CO gas.
To resolve a malfunctioning CO detector, it’s necessary to either:
- Change the battery.
- Refer to the product manual.
- Replace the CO detector with a new product.
If your RV carbon monoxide detector goes off in middle of night, it’s a shock at first.
Honestly, when a CO detector begins to play up, it should go in the trash. You rely on it to keep everyone safe! For the small expense of replacing it, it’s not worth taking the risk.
Our recommended CO Detector is the Kidde Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Detector. It is AC connected with a battery backup. Additionally, a digital display, test/reset button, peak alarm button, and an 85-decibel CO Alarm provide all the essential features in this highly regarded model:
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Alternatively, if you want a replacement combination CO detector and propane alarm, then a Safe-T-Alert 35-742-BL Dual CO/LP Alarm is a good pick. It has different indicators for the alarm, a carbon monoxide detector fault, and to confirm when it’s at the end of its life:
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End of Life Indicated on the CO Detector
Why is my RV Beeping?
An RV carbon monoxide detector has a built-in End of Life (EOL) feature. It confirms either a carbon monoxide battery low warning or when the detector is too old.
Furthermore, when the EOL indicator light pattern triggers, it cannot be permanently disabled.
The visual indication is usually two red lights followed by two green lights. Most CO detectors with the EOL feature also beep periodically, roughly twice a minute. Most CO alarms are resettable, which lasts for 2-3 days. After that time, the same EOL alert reappears.
After about a month, the CO alarm doesn’t allow the EOL feature to be disabled.
Once the EOL feature has come on, it’s time to replace the CO detector with a new one. Reset it until the replacement arrives and then replace it.
Here is the recommended Kidde Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Detector below:
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Alternatively, if the issue is your Safe-T Alert RV carbon monoxide detector beeping, then this combined LP/CO detector from the same brand is worth a look too:
ⓘ If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Unclean CO Detector
A dusty or clogged-up CO detector can trigger the RV co2 alarm going off in the camper. Covered sensors might trigger the co2 alarm beeping as a false alarm. A careful cleaning usually resolves this.
Be aware, do not use sprays to disinfect detectors. It clogs or covers the sensors worse than before. Aerosol sprays set off CO alarms too.
Instead, wipe off any dust or debris with a wet cloth or a simple duster. After cleaning, be sure to dry any remaining moisture.
Other Factors Causing the CO Alarm to Activate
Other items in the RV or campervan can cause the CO detector to see red.
These include the following:
- Low charge on the 12-volt house batteries.
- Cleaning chemicals for the carpeting.
- Hair spray.
- Sunscreen is sprayed onto the skin.
- Air fresheners.
- The pet is feeling gassy today (yes, really!).
- RV fridge carbon monoxide from old refrigerator leaks.
Safe-T-Alert RV Propane Alarm Keeps Going Off
The advice for owners of a Safe-T-Alert RV propane alarm that keeps going off is similar.
The pattern with Safe-T-Alarm systems includes an illuminated red light on the alarm – not a flashing one – which does confuse or catch some people out. It means the same thing, so avoid any uncertainty there.
Otherwise, the steps to keep your family safe are the same as in the section directly above this one.
