Okay, every now n then a body reads about how someone in an RV woke up dead from Carbon Monoxide poisining due to their Genset runnin throughout the night AND I DONT LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT. Although I do a lot of dry camping its never been so hot I had to run my genset and AC all night but still like to think its safe just in case, so LETS TALK GENERATOR SAFETY.

 

 My Onan 4KW Microquiet is front driver side mounted (bed is in rear with head to passenger side) and the horizontal exhaust is good and extends about 2 inches horizontal past the RV sidewall as I believe it should. I DO NOT, like some bus conversions, have the big vertical exhaust extension pipe that leads above the RV roof level. However I do have a working CO Detector (along with my Smoke and LP detectors)

and I figure if the roof air is running and I have the rooftop vents open I SHOULD BE PRETTY SAFE AND NOT WAKE UP DEAD FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISON

 

  If someone is knowledgeable regarding genset safety, lay some learnin on me....Is it heavier then air?? Would it accumulate under an RV or perhaps the floor level inside an RV or how does it get to where the people are breathing it in anyhow???

 

 Ol John T

Tags: Carbon, Generator, Monoxide, Safety

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Here is some good info on all that . http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html

 

But rest assured , carbon monoxied poisoning is ALWAYS on my mind in the RV . My genny sits right dead under my bed . She's a Onan 6.5 RV Genset . Purrs like a kitten every stroke . But that doesn't mean I am not exactly how well she is able to take my life and me NEVER know it . I sleep with a CO detector literally plugged in right by my head . I can run the genny for any amount of time and smell it a bit right away . There are times I wonder why the detector didn't go off . I'm just no convinced that running any genny is 100% odor free in an RV . But just that odor alone skeerz the fool outta me .

No ! I am NOT a tough guy and think nothing can kill me . Especially CO . I've been CO poisioned once in my life pretty bad while I was asleep . I was absolutely amazed that I wokd up . I was shocked at how poisioned I felt and when I came to , I was even more amazed that I was truly alive . It took me several hours to to get my wits about me . All I wanted to do is fall back asleep and just accept the fact that I was going to die . NOT A FRAME OF MIND I EVER WANT TO BE IN AGAIN from any kind of poisioning .

I guess you were really looking for answers and all I really have for you is little of that and alot of fear of the same . I'm NOT real big on the idea of waking up dead myself .

GEEZ THAT WORRIES ME !

 

Wes

Oh my aching ribs ! lol

Too funny!

My CO detector is mounted at floor level; one of those joint-instruments that also detects propane. I always presumed that, because of where it's mounted, that CO was heavier than air. But if you hear differently, let me know!!!

  Yo William, I think its (combo detector) mounted there cuz thats where propane would tend to settle, however, since I posted, I now believe CO is lighter then air and thats why those custom genny exhaust systems that have the big vertical riser go above the RV roof line so the nasties get clear of the RV n keep rising and DONT sneak into the RV causing the occupants to wake up dead........

 

  John T

I'm now thinking about maybe putting one of those extension exhaust pipes on mine . BUt I;m thinking a little more custom than most . I;m liking the idea of having a " FLOW MASTER " put on mine and one of those tips that make the whirly sound like a turbo deisel does .

WHY BE NORMAL ? roflol

where the exhaust pipes goes into it, make sure there is room for air to go along with it, sorta like a 1/4-1/2" space between the pipe and pipe, this is how natural gas heaters in a home make sure all co2 goes up the flue, they call it a draft hood, the genturi system uses one as well. i have seen folks use aluminum drain pipe from gutters to raise up on the side, and of course 3x2 opening is so much larger than the exhaust pipe it works well. and cost is at most 30 bucks to set it up. much cheaper than the genturi.

From the internet:  "Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air, detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance. Keep the detector out of the way of pets and children. Each floor needs a separate detector. If you are getting a single carbon monoxide detector, place it near the sleeping area and make certain the alarm is loud enough to wake you up."

Oddly enough , I had been watching some online episodes of 48 HOURS MYSTERY and had just seen this one . It of course is a documentary but it is about carbon monoxide poisoning . There is some really interesting conversation about the deadly gas .

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7366782n&tag=contentMain...

 

Wes

what you will find more common now is many events will require exhaust stacks now, especially if your parked next to someone, the stacks provide two things, it puts the noise above the rv which makes it more quiet, and it directs the co2 up and away from the rv, so you and your niegbors won't die from poisening.  it tends to be lighter than the surounding air and the heat of the exhaust air, will carry it father away.

 

if your not next to alot of folks, it pays to have a flex pipe to atleast take it away from the rv, atleast 15ft, co2 builds up with time like a bubble sorta of, and unless the wind is blowing all your tricks won't stop it from coming in not only those open vents but every little place that air can enter, there is no such thing as a rv with no air leaks. the centuri system does work and does save lives. just having the exhaust going a few inches past the edge of the rv does little if there is a slight air movement that makes it go back to the rv or under it where it finds a hole to enter.

many folks think it is heavier than air but it is slightly lighter and will tend to rise, but just a little faster than O2, BUT, humidity, and temperature of the co2 also effects how it acts. high humidity will tend to make it sink a little more, but heat will make it rise more.

 

detectors usually don't go off till its almost too late, and you may be just to tired or a heavy sleeper and miss that few seconds of alert, but they do help in a way, i would also add a propane detector if ya don't have one or a combo set, they can be battery or wired straight to 12volts for rv's.

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