CO Detector End of Life (EOL)

[CaspersCruiser]

The Fireboy-Xintex CMD-4M carbon monoxide detector on my 2012 Ranger Tug R27 recently signaled that it had reached the end of its 5-year life by constant illumination of the red LED and beeping every 30 seconds. That model is no longer produced and has been superseded by model CMD5-MD.

The CMD5-MD has a larger footprint, but the wall mount to which it attaches can use the existing screw holes. That’s good. However, the convenient two-pin connector on the power and ground wires used by the older CMD-4M model is not used on the new model. That’s a mild irritant. The two-pin connector will have to be cut off the power and ground wires and wiring for new model will have to be joined to the power and ground wires either by blade or bullet connectors or butt splices. I used blade connectors. Not a big deal, but it would have been nice if they had retained the two-pin connector to ease installation. Things like CO detectors should be very easy to install to promote their maintenance and use.

Before cutting the wires to the two-pin connector, remove the 3A fuse to the CO detector to avoid blowing it. Don’t ask me how I know this. That fuse on my boat is located on the small PDP (power distribution panel) under the battery switches in the port cockpit lazarette. The wire leading to it is mislabeled “O.C. Sensor”. The the illustration of the PDP in the owner’s manual is similarly mislabeled.

 

[S. Todd]

I had to replace the CO detector on our 2015 model a couple of years ago and discovered the issue with the lack of the two pin connector and had the same feeling as you - why did they change the connector?!?! Because your boat is a 2012, I suspect Jim already changed the detector once before when they still made the older model with the two pin connector. I never had the detector go off with fumes from our boat but have experienced them work when other boat's generator's exhaust was nearby - great little life savers!

 

[CaspersCruiser]

....I suspect Jim already changed the detector once before when they still made the older model with the two pin connector......

...great little life savers!

Yes he did and yes they are!

I added a battery powered CO detector to the cuddy as an independent backup. A nice feature is that it also displays the temperature.

 

[ethanbarnett]

Go with the new battery operated model which is supposed to be good for more than 5 years. No need to cut wires, just push back into the wee hole.

 

[BB marine]

Bill I feel your pain and aggravation. I'm amazed at how manufactures change mounting and wiring configurations from model year to model year. This is not just in the marine industry. We installed all new appliances after doing a complete kitchen remodel . The appliances are now 5 years old. When we got home from our winter away the microwave didn't work. I took it apart tested the internal components to find out what failed. It was the control panel $260.00 part plus shipping $280.00. The "what was supposed to be the same Microwave" was $349.00 on sale normal free shipping. No brainer order a new one. The microwave is delivered, I think it is a 10 minute job to hang it and plug it in. NO !!!!! Bracket for hanging it is different. The backsplash tile is where the new bracket need to be installed !! 6 hours later a small tile job, a custom mounting board and the microwave fits and looks right!! WHY did they have to change the mounting bracket ??? I believe that manufactures put their name on their products. Their products are built by the highest bidder! One year it is made By ________ the next year it is made by _________ but the same name goes on the component. What ever happened to Maytag and the Maytag Man !!!!! I'm getting OLD!!!!