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Panel mount co 2 detector

Bodmer

By Bodmer
in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models)

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Igor_U Mentor

Igor_U

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, kortopates said:

I replaced my clock with this multi-function CO monitor.

https://www.guardianavionics.com/aero-553-panel-digital-display-multi-function-co-detector-tso-certified-aircraft

 

Paul.

it says it has 5-7y TBO for CO sensor. Do you have any details on that, who can do that and how much? I have a 2 1/4" hole on my copilot panel I can fill in...

Thanks

kortopates Grand Master

kortopates

Posted
Posted
44 minutes ago, Igor_U said:

 

Paul.

it says it has 5-7y TBO for CO sensor. Do you have any details on that, who can do that and how much? I have a 2 1/4" hole on my copilot panel I can fill in...

Thanks

Yes, the CO sensor needs to be replaced periodically on that schedule. They're not cheap either - about $500 from memory and then you'll be good for another 6 or 7 years. Otherwise very reliable unit.

  • Like 1
PT20J Grand Master

PT20J

Posted
Posted

Go to the Gaurdian product page and click on the Recalibration tab...  BTW, all CO sensors require periodic recalibration including the Sensorcons.

Because of their sensitive nature, all carbon monoxide (CO) detector sensors require replacement after a period of time to remain accurate. All Guardian Avionics / CO Guardian aviation CO detectors feature a self-test at power on for each flight. If the unit shows a failure of the CO sensor upon power up, you must send the unit to Guardian Avionics for replacement or overhaul. Depending on level of use, storage environment, and flight environment, most CO sensors have a usable life of 5-7 years. Though our units have a required Time Before Overhaul (TBO) of Seven (7) years from point of installation regardless of self-test results, we recommend sending in your unit for replacement / recalibration every 5 years during your annual maintenance inspection to assure safety and accuracy of your unit. 

The procedure for recalibration is as follows:

Remove component and note full model number and unit serial number.
Apply for an RMA Number at: https://www.guardianavionics.com/rma-request or call 520-889-1177 (M-F, 8am to 5pm MST) - the RMA number will be emailed back to you.
Order a recalibration or new replacement at https://www.guardianavionics.com/recalibration.
Send unit in under RMA number to: Guardian Avionics, Attn: RMA #___, 1840 East Valencia Rd, Suite 216, Tucson, AZ 85756
Once unit is received by Guardian Avionics, the recalibrated or replaced unit will be shipped within 3-5 business days unless specified. Core charge will be refunded.
Upon receipt of the recalibrated/replaced unit, a fresh 1 year limited warranty applies and the unit has a fresh 7 year TBO.

  • Like 1
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philiplane Mentor

philiplane

Posted
Posted (edited)

Guardian CO detectors are used in Cirrus aircraft and they have a very good track record. The company is easy to work with, and all their products are excellent.

I have the 452 series remote unit in my Aztec, it displays cabin pressure, and cabin temperature, in addition to CO levels on my GNS480. It can drive an indicator that reminds you to use oxygen when above 12,500 feet. It can also display on the EI CGR30 series displays. Or you can get one with its own display. No matter which one you choose, the Guardian CO detectors are a great value to have active CO monitoring and alerting in your plane. The portables like Sensorcon are better than nothing, but they require some pilot interaction, which is not assured if you are already hypoxic.

Edited by philiplane
  • Like 1
apriav Enthusiast

apriav

Posted
Posted

I have had a Guardian in my last two aircrft.

They have a 5 year recertification, as I remember around $300.

They work, if the door is open and the wind blows the exhaust in, the detector goes off.

Anoys my wife, makes me feel safer.

canamex Enthusiast

canamex

Posted
Posted

Might be a silly question but why would one spend that kind of money on a CO2 sensor when you could tack up one of those cards with the magic color-changing dot?

Hank Grand Master

Hank

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, canamex said:

Might be a silly question but why would one spend that kind of money on a CO2 sensor when you could tack up one of those cards with the magic color-changing dot?

Because they don't work. Just ask Dan-- @DanM20C--about his experience.

Sensorcon isn't a horribly expensive unit, a little over 0.1 AMU, and you can mount it wherever you want to.

  • Like 2
LANCECASPER Grand Master

LANCECASPER

Posted
Posted
9 hours ago, canamex said:

Might be a silly question but why would one spend that kind of money on a CO2 sensor when you could tack up one of those cards with the magic color-changing dot?

Save even more money and just paint a dot on your panel, it will be just as effective.

  • Like 3
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carusoam Grand Master

carusoam

Posted
Posted
10 hours ago, canamex said:

Might be a silly question but why would one spend that kind of money on a CO2 sensor when you could tack up one of those cards with the magic color-changing dot?

Fair warning…

CO2 is a harmless gas we exhale on a regular basis… sure, having too much CO2 can make you feel crummy… and your beer seem fizzy…

CO is a gas that is really harmful, and has been known to kill aviators, and people sleeping in their houses…

 

People miss the point of how dangerous this gas is…

OWTs for years have trained pilots that you will recognize it coming on in several different ways….

Realistically, as humans… our chance of recognizing it depends on how slowly we get exposed to it…

 

Dan’s near death experience… proved that the source of CO can start unrecognizably, and become overwhelming in the amount of time it takes to climb to altitude…

 

So…

A CO monitor is an incredibly important device…

There are really good and low cost portable devices that work reliably in airplanes…

The chemical dot stuck to your instrument panel is known as a placebo, it will make you feel as though you have done the right thing…. It is great for companies that rent airplanes out… they don’t get poisoned when it doesn’t really work… 

The usual home protection devices don’t offer the same level of protection…

 

Read up on the basics of CO poisoning…  and how many hours it takes to get the CO out of your system….  And how your cognitive capacity declines as your CO level increases….

Know that a common source of CO delivered right to the cabin comes from worn/broken heating systems… our usual annual exam doesn’t always catch the pattern of wear and tear that leads to breakage…

Our best defense is to have an alarming, sensitive, CO monitor… with a nice display of the CO reading…

 

This discussion is a common occurrence…  there isn’t enough education on the topic…  pretty much an ownership 101 kind of topic… stuff that doesn’t really get taught in aviation 101….

 

Out with the goofy dots… they don’t work in a timely fashion… they don’t alarm… they get stale… they aren’t part of the instrument scan…

Recognize by the time you own an airplane… your ability to smell tiny amounts of exhaust in the cabin, has gotten away…. Your hearing has declined and your eyesight has changed as well… :)
 

About once a year… somebody posts a thank-you note to Dan Bass… because their Sensorcon CO monitor alerted them to CO finding a way into the cabin…

Find Dan’s story… he has been sharing it widely for a few years…

If you feel buying a real CO monitor is a waste of money…   Buy one anyways… clip it to your seat belt… you can keep an eye on both of your useless devices at the same time…. :)
 

PP thoughts only, not a teacher…

Best regards,

-a-

 

 

  • Like 1
carusoam Grand Master

carusoam

Posted
Posted

Welcome aboard Bodmer!

Great first post!

See how important it is to discuss this topic with the proper use of CO vs. CO2…  one will really ruin your day… the other is just a breath away… :)
 

PP thoughts only, not a chemist…

Best regards,

-a-

  • Like 1
Jim Peace Grand Master

Jim Peace

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, PT20J said:

But if they disagree, which is correct? Think you need three. ;)

It is amazing how accurate these  detectors are. I see them at the same number all the time. Now that I know how precise they are I would only use one going forward. But it’s nice to have the redundancy. 

  • Like 1
A64Pilot Grand Master

A64Pilot

Posted
Posted (edited)

You can test a good CO meter with your breath, yes we breathe out CO2, but also a small amount of CO, my sensorcom will show I think about 1 PPM from my breath and that’s about what I see on takeoff as well.

Not surprisingly smokers exhale more CO than non smokers, I’d guess they are eliminating what they absorb smoking?

found a reference

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0954611104000034

Edited by A64Pilot
A64Pilot Grand Master

A64Pilot

Posted
Posted (edited)
8 hours ago, PT20J said:

But if they disagree, which is correct? Think you need three. ;)

Now your thinking like a rebreather diver, they usually have three O2 detectors, some have four.

Edited by A64Pilot

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