CO Detectors

[1524J]

It's been a while since this topic was discussed. I found these detectors which appear to very nice for the price of $119. Price drops to $99 for all the CB club members for orders of at least five and drops even more for quantities at +5.

http://sensorcon.com/collections/carbon-monoxide-detectors/products/portable-carbon-monoxide-detector-meter?variant=4193480964

The only comparable option I could find are the CO Experts available on aeromedix for twice the price at $199.

https://www.aeromedix.com/ultra-low-level-carbon-monoxide-detector-co-experts-2016

Other recommendations?

[Jerry 5TJ]

I have one of these Sensorcon CO detectors.  It appears to work well.

One caution - the chemical sensor in the unit is sensitive to temperature and humidity, and can be degraded or destroyed even while off if exposed to high temp and high humidity.   I keep mine in a small plastic case with desiccant when it is not in use.  

For more {than you want to know} about amperometric electrochemical CO sensors, have a look at:

Amperometric Electrochemical CO Sensors and Precautions

[carusoam]

I have an aeromedix device...

it shows readings and occasionally alarms while on the ground during taxi/run-up.

There was a time when I was able to smell exhaust fumes.  The training was, if you smell exhaust, CO is probably in the cabin...

sensors, including the nose, don't age gracefully...

Best regards,

-a-

[Danb]

I have the sensorcon after researching all the devices, my old little stickons fell off in the heat and the small sencorcon is very accurate and only needs to be checked every 6 months after two years, can't beat then for $120.. Also nice and small.

[DonMuncy]

1 hour ago, Danb said:

I have the sensorcon after researching all the devices, my old little stickons fell off in the heat and the small sencorcon is very accurate and only needs to be checked every 6 months after two years, can't beat then for $120.. Also nice and small.

What if it checks bad? Can they fix it, or does it have to be replaced. I had one of the Guardian cigarette lighter plug in detectors, and after a couple of years it started giving false positives. (I cancelled at least one flight).

They (supposedly) gave me a discount on a replacement, which lasted a year or so.

When deciding on which one to get, factor in the maintenance or replacement.

[1524J]

I purchased the standard Sensorcon. It does suggest a 6 month calibration as would any high end detector. The video is impressive, they drop it down a stairwell from at least 2 flights up, submerge in water, ect. You can purchase the pro for an extra $40 and program your own alarm set points. We need to know if we've got CO in the cabin. 

[carusoam]

J,

Siri respelled your CO with CO_2.

Best regards,

-a-

[JohnB]

I'm a big fan of CO detectors in our airplanes.

I bought the aeromedix low level CO detector around 2 years ago. When I first got it, it was perfect. Made me realize how much CO we are exposed to daily on taxi and long takeoff holds. After about 6 months, I noted that it just seemed to be off much of the time, so you have to check it before every flight to make sure it is on and snug in its connector (otherwise it will turn off) so if it were bumped by something, it could disconnect and not sound. So yes it works fine if you remember every flight to check it, make sure it's snug, and if it gets bumped in flight, make sure you re-check it to ensure it still works. Because I feared that it would probably be off the only time i would need it, i wanted something more reliable and I recently installed the Guardian panel mount remote CO detector.

https://www.guardianavionics.com/aero-452-201-remote-co-detector-tso-certified-aircraft

Outputs to my JPI EDM 830 with a blinking warning message on it, as well as a loud audible alarm and FANTASTICALLY obnoxious yellow warning light (very hard to miss), and it appears to be more reliable. Since I had both, I once had some CO on takeoff detected, it detected it perfectly on both devices, but the Guardian light and alarm got my attention immediately, where the aeromedix one was sounding, but on takeoff with my noise cancelling headsets, i might have missed that one if it were the only source.

By the way, this flight taught me that I should also make sure that some of my overhead cabin vents are open during takeoff, as they weren't on this flight (as the prior flight i had them closed on a cool night), as the CO went to 0 on both as soon as i opened them. Would have never known there was any issue without a CO detector in my airplane.

John

[Yetti]

one of the battery powered digital display ones from Homer Dan velcroed to the floor between the seats.   It beeped once, I may have hit the test button.  The sensors seem to be the life limiting factor.  Can probably buy a 3  or 4 replacements and not be up to the price of one certified that will have to be replaced.

Edited June 20, 2016 by Yetti

[Danb]

14 hours ago, DonMuncy said:

What if it checks bad? Can they fix it, or does it have to be replaced. I had one of the Guardian cigarette lighter plug in detectors, and after a couple of years it started giving false positives. (I cancelled at least one flight).

They (supposedly) gave me a discount on a replacement, which lasted a year or so.

When deciding on which one to get, factor in the maintenance or replacement.

Yep Don, they have a procedure  in the manual, either I can check it or send it back in and they will calibrate it. Nice thing is its small size and its extremely sensitive compared to others. Plus the good thing is its rather inexpensive.

[Andy95W]

2 hours ago, Yetti said:

one of the battery powered digital display ones from Homer Dan velcroed to the floor between the seats.   It beeped once, I may have hit the test button.  The sensors seem to be the life limiting factor.  Can probably buy a 3  or 4 replacements and not be up to the price of one certified that will have to be replaced.

Homer Dan?

[Yetti]

I think there used to be a builders supply store called Handy Dan or something....  So Home Depot becomes Homer Dan.

[Andy95W]

Duh.  I was naive enough to actually do a google search for Homer Dan!

Which CO detector do you have?  I really like the idea.

[1524J]

http://www.avweb.com/news/aeromed/186016-1.html?redirected=1

A good article from Mike Busch on CO detectors and comparisons between different types. Copied from a previous post by Chrisk.

[Andy95W]

1 hour ago, 1524J said:

http://www.avweb.com/news/aeromed/186016-1.html?redirected=1

A good article from Mike Busch on CO detectors and comparisons between different types. Copied from a previous post by Chrisk.

Great article, thanks.  

For people that use one of these 'over the counter' CO detectors, any recommendations?

[Marauder]

38 minutes ago, N1395W said:

Great article, thanks.  

For people that use one of these 'over the counter' CO detectors, any recommendations?

I remember this topic came up before and I ended up buying a First Alert CO1210 unit. It has a 10 year battery and is small in size. I stuck one of them in my plane. Never had it go off in the plane but did have it go off once a couple of weeks ago. I removed the unit when my annual was due. I put the unit on a shelf in my garage. We had a guy hit a pole near us and the power was slated to be out for a number of hours. I had my portable generator running in the driveway and the garage doors closed with the power cord to the freezer and refrig in the garage running under the closed door. About 30 minutes after starting the generator, I hear an alarm in the garage. Go out and find the CO unit beeping away. It showed the PPM level was 200 in the garage. Yikes!

 

[amillet]

I have had this unit for 8-10 years and test it occasionally (push red button and it beeps after test cycle). After reading this thread I decided to run my own test today. I stuck the unit in the exhaust pipe of my Tundra, perfect fit, and ran it for about 2 minutes.  Nary a peep from the unit. I think it's time to replace it with a digital sensor.

[DonMuncy]

The only thing worse that false positives are false negatives.

[Jeff H.]

This topic came up at the MSF PPP in Denver.  Guidance was max 5 - 6 years effectiveness for even the most expensive, high-tech super detector.  The detection element degrades naturally over time.

While I can appreciate the common sense factor with regard to "stick it in the exhaust to test" method, not really sure what to make of that one . . . :-)

[Browncbr1]

I got the pocket CO a few years ago and like it. Had to replace the battery a few times.  It calculates ppm across time and has sound, light, and vibrate alerts.  I clip it to my collar.   Usually picks up around 3ppm on taxi.  I think I paid around $150, but I've seen the prices went down since then.  

[Bob_Belville]

I have had this detector in the plane for 1-1/2 years. Works fine, the only issue is that it is not on full time. Turn it on, check that plane is safe, and it turns off after 15 minutes. 

https://www.zoro.com/uei-test-instruments-carbon-monoxide-detector-0-to-999-ppm-utlc11/i/G7609996/?q=G7609996