Hydrocarbon (propane) alarm

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   Living here just north of Pittsburgh, in the Allegheny valley, we have observed two mornings, this week, with mid 30 temperatures.  Because of the threat of an early freeze, I decided to winterize my 'pod now.  (I usually try to err on the side of caution.)
  I drained the water lines and all four tanks, blew out the water lines. and pumped antifreeze through the system, to protect both the system itself and the P-traps.  Just as I was finishing wiping up the splashed antifreeze, the propane alarm sounded.  Even after resetting several times, it would not stop until I opened the door, opened the roof vent, and turned on the fan.

The propane tank has been turned off for about 6 six weeks, no candles, torches, or lanterns were burning anywhere inside or outside of the 'pod.  The black tank has been drained and flushed for about six weeks also, so there was little or no methane gas available either.

Could the "fumes" from the Propylene Glycol an ethyl alcohol based antifreeze have triggered the alarm? I never had this problem before, any guesses?    

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Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Location: Tarentum, PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 138	Topic: Hydrocarbon (propane) alarm Posted: 18 Sep 2014 at 2:31pm
	Living here just north of Pittsburgh, in the Allegheny valley, we have observed two mornings, this week, with mid 30 temperatures. Because of the threat of an early freeze, I decided to winterize my 'pod now. (I usually try to err on the side of caution.) I drained the water lines and all four tanks, blew out the water lines. and pumped antifreeze through the system, to protect both the system itself and the P-traps. Just as I was finishing wiping up the splashed antifreeze, the propane alarm sounded. Even after resetting several times, it would not stop until I opened the door, opened the roof vent, and turned on the fan. The propane tank has been turned off for about 6 six weeks, no candles, torches, or lanterns were burning anywhere inside or outside of the 'pod. The black tank has been drained and flushed for about six weeks also, so there was little or no methane gas available either. Could the "fumes" from the Propylene Glycol an ethyl alcohol based antifreeze have triggered the alarm? I never had this problem before, any guesses?
	Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 18 Sep 2014 at 4:22pm
	My dog likes to sit under the table next to the propane detector and occasionally she'll set it off with a stray fart. But, I've never set off the propane detector with plumbing antifreeze. However, over the years, I've noticed the occasional post on other forums from others who have wondered the same thing as you. I think you're likely correct that Propylene Glycol triggered the alarm.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 18 Sep 2014 at 8:12pm
	I've set mine off after holding the toilet open for a while, usually while filling up the black tank with water so it can be dumped. Even though yours was "empty" it will still have some residue and fumes.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual