CO detector end of life

Just like clock work Bill, they'll start chirping within months either side of 5 years. Lots of talk on prior posts about replacement options. We choose original equipment.

Jim F
 
Yes replacing with exact same model makes the install super easy
 
now that original equipment is brought up, it seems Fireboy-Xintex has stopped manufacturing the old type installed on our boats.

There are still some available thru some re-sellers; West Marine and Defender have stopped carrying the old ones.

And a friend active in Power Squadron and Auxiliary says this:
"We talked to a Rep from Fireboy/Xintex earlier this year and he said the life of the new ones are longer than the old ones and that they have a new algorithm to reduce or eliminate false alarms. It is based on concentration versus time before it makes an alarm and he said they are a giant improvement over the previous generation."

Fireboy-Xintex published this upgrade instruction:
http://www.fireboy-xintex.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Upgrading_CMD5-MD_CO-Alarms.pdf

All that to say is that CO monitoring is important, and due care and attention should be paid to maintaining the CO detector systems.

Here in Georgia, we recently had 2 people succumb to CO on Lake Lanier, so the subject is still fresh.
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/family-heartbroken-after-couple-found-dead-on-boat-in-lake-lanier/85-559908409
 
I ripped the dying one in our cave out and replaced it with this:
Kidde Battery Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Digital Display KN-COPP-B-LPM
Cost $23 on Amazon. Self contained 10 year battery. Holding up well in marine environment.
Bought second one for the v-berth and installed right behind my head. Very easy install. Very easy to test which we do every overnight trip.
Bought a third one for my airplane and installed where I could easily read the numbers.
 
Mine is 8 years old now and has never chirped. All indications are that it seems to still be functioning. I disconnect its power supply in the off season. Would that extend its life?
 
Mine is on 7 years and still going. I did install the 10 year battery operated one in the v-berth as additional safety.
 
Carbon Monoxide is so dangerous and gas incursion is fairly common on boats.

We ave 3 CO detecters installed.

One day, we were running the air conditioning on a Honda 2000 generator mounted off the stern when ALL 3 CO detectors went off at once.

The boat was tied to the dock with almost no breeze. What little there was, was going in our direction.

Diesel generators put out roughly 10% the CO of gasoline generators - but gasoline is becoming more common with outboard boats.

We installed more than one brand incase there was a defect.

Now that all three tripped, I guess this adventure in staying alive cost us an extra $100 or so.
 
Very helpful to know that these CO detectors need replacement after 5 years. We got the beeped warning and were worried, but now we know they just reached end of life and need replacement. Thanks!
 
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