Strange question about Carbon Monoxide detector...?

paganmom

I was putting peppermint extract on my countertop (long story=)) and my carbon monoxide detector went off...I quickly wiped up the extract to make sure that was the reason before I wasted time hustling everyone out of the house. When I wiped it up the detector turned off....I then put the extract back under the detector and it went off again.

So my question is, why would my detector go off from peppermint extract? It is a professional detector that you would find in a business....not a cheap one you can buy at Walmart...so I don't think it's a defective product.
Michael,

I own a Safety Siren ProSeries the model number is HS80504...it is also a propane and methane gas detector.

Answer
I am not a student or anybody involved with chemistry but you have peeked my interest, I am a Master Carpenter and work as a consultant to major home builders and I am going to find out if what you claim is true and if other chemical vapors can set off these detectors and if this happens you can bet that I will be addressing the findings to the manufactureres of the detectors that are found to ''go off'' from other vapors/fumes. Thank you for the information, I will post the findings so you will have an answer to your question, but it won't be for at least a year from now if not sooner.

A strange question about Carbon Monoxide detector...?

paganmom

I was putting peppermint extract on my countertop (long story=)) and my carbon monoxide detector went off...I quickly wiped up the extract to make sure that was the reason before I wasted time hustling everyone out of the house. When I wiped it up the detector turned off....I then put the extract back under the detector and it went off again.

So my question is, why would my detector go off from peppermint extract? It is a professional detector that you would find in a business....not a cheap one you can buy at Walmart...so I don't think it's a defective product.

I own a Safety Siren ProSeries the model number is HS80504...it is also a propane and methane gas detector.
I have done it a few times...and yes, of course it emits fumes or a gas, I was wondering what the gas/fumes was.

Answer
I think it's most likely the combustible gas detector in your "Safety Siren". It's supposed to have a different alarm for CO, or methane/propane, so you might be able to check this out.

Your peppermint extract contains menthone which could possibly be confused with methane/propane since it's also a volatile organic compound.

My advice is to unplug your detector next time you put peppermint extract on your countertop. =)

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Why are my CF lights setting off my smoke/carbon monoxide detectors?

Juliebelle

I have several detectors and all of them seem to be set off when I turn on certain lights in my house. Sometimes, if I move the lights slightly to the left or right, they do not set the detectors off. Also, on a few occasions, our tv or a/c unit remote controls have set them off as well.

Answer
It is more likely your detectors need replaced. The ONLY way the lights will set off properly functioning detectors is if the wiring is defective. Either way, you have SOMETHING that needs repaired. and it isn't the CFLs or the remotes.

help! carbon monoxide detector went off!?

Julie R

i am not in the house. i am babysitting 2 young kids. the 5 yr old is next door, me and the 2 year old are outside (laptop). i am 15 and scared shitless. my dad is on his way. we got out of there the minute the alarm went off, but all the windows were open and mutliple fans were on! i want even using any appliances. it went of first about 20 minutes ago but only for a second, so we went outside for 10 minutes or so and we were fine but now that is has gone off again and this time for real, i am scared. no one has gotten the symptoms (headache tired dizzy vomiting ect.) but the kids are okay right!?!

Answer
Everybody is fine. If there is a gas stove in the house, there may be gas escaping. Or the detector may be defective. One never knows.

In any case, you did the right thing, and the kids are not affected at all. Your quick thinking is appreciated by all. You can stop being scared now and appreciate that you acted well under stress. This is a good recommendation for a babysitter.

The parents will take care of the situation.

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furnace thermostat set off carbon monoxide detector?

smileyfish

Can a defective wall furnace thermostat set off a carbon monoxide detector? The batteries went dead in the thermostat, we replaced them immediately. Scared us to death!!!

Answer
A wall thermostat is an electrical switch ( or a set of switches) so no a faulty t-stat will not trip your CO detector. DO NOT HORSE AROUND, if the CO detector is going off you need to assume the worse and call the fire dept, or a furnace contractor and get the furnace and hot water heater checked for a CO leak. CO can kill you , and is tasteless, oderless and invisible.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

Daniel D

I just moved into a new home that is all electirc. In my previous home I had natural gas, so I had a carbon mononoxide dectector. I just unpacked my old detector and plugged it in for the heck of it. It had a high reading of carbon monoxide. Is that possible or is it defective. Can I have carbon monoxide without having natural gas.

Answer
If there is no gas or fireplace in your home, I would look into the box that you moved it in. There are many chemicals that the fumes will mess with the sensor.
Take outside if possible and turn on, let set for a half hour to fresh air the sensor.
Also with the cold weather many people use fireplaces, if the humidity was high and no wind, many times the smoke or smoke by products i.e. CO will stay low to the ground and enter your home.

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furnace thermostat set off carbon monoxide detector?

smileyfish

Can a defective wall furnace thermostat set off a carbon monoxide detector? The batteries went dead in the thermostat, we replaced them immediately. Scared us to death!!!

Answer
A wall thermostat is an electrical switch ( or a set of switches) so no a faulty t-stat will not trip your CO detector. DO NOT HORSE AROUND, if the CO detector is going off you need to assume the worse and call the fire dept, or a furnace contractor and get the furnace and hot water heater checked for a CO leak. CO can kill you , and is tasteless, oderless and invisible.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

Daniel D

I just moved into a new home that is all electirc. In my previous home I had natural gas, so I had a carbon mononoxide dectector. I just unpacked my old detector and plugged it in for the heck of it. It had a high reading of carbon monoxide. Is that possible or is it defective. Can I have carbon monoxide without having natural gas.

Answer
If there is no gas or fireplace in your home, I would look into the box that you moved it in. There are many chemicals that the fumes will mess with the sensor.
Take outside if possible and turn on, let set for a half hour to fresh air the sensor.
Also with the cold weather many people use fireplaces, if the humidity was high and no wind, many times the smoke or smoke by products i.e. CO will stay low to the ground and enter your home.

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My carbon monoxide detectors wont stop beeping they go off every 40 secs or so can you help?

carbon monoxide detector defective image

Stizz84

Well there is one in the front room and one close too the garage im pretty sure its a problem with the detectors but its also got wires in them.. how would i go about replacing them or possibly dewire them as well?
the wires Are electrical ones so they are hot
I am very comfortable working with electricity as i have worked with 480 before so the house power is also dangerous will i need to replace them or could i fix the ones I got

Answer
What are the odds that they are all defective?

It is one of 2 things.

1. Carbon Monoxide.
2. Something in the power.

Go buy a CO detector with seperate power to test with.

Why are my CF lights setting off my smoke/carbon monoxide detectors?

Juliebelle

I have several detectors and all of them seem to be set off when I turn on certain lights in my house. Sometimes, if I move the lights slightly to the left or right, they do not set the detectors off. Also, on a few occasions, our tv or a/c unit remote controls have set them off as well.

Answer
It is more likely your detectors need replaced. The ONLY way the lights will set off properly functioning detectors is if the wiring is defective. Either way, you have SOMETHING that needs repaired. and it isn't the CFLs or the remotes.

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Exhaust leak in my 1997 ford escort.. How do i fix it ? i belive its coming from my catalytic converter?

carbon monoxide detector defective image

Marissa

I can not find any pictures online to see if it is my c.c .. it looks like a weaved basket texture almost. I would like to know if anyone knows what this is and/ or how to fix it without paying a million dollars for a new one!!!!???!!!
Could it possibly be the resonator?? i tried finding a diagram of what it looks like and nothing looks like it.

Answer
To find the leak, make a soapy solution and spray it on the connections along the exhaust pipe. Leaks will show up by making bubbles. Auto parts stores sell adhesive tape to be a band aid fix. Best fix is remove and replace defective parts. Cannot stress enough how dangerous exhaust leaks are. Warm carbon monoxide filters up into the car's interior. Odorless, colorless, impossible to detect without a smoke detector made for monoxide. Deadly, especially in winter when we have the windows closed. Could also put the driver to sleep and cause accident that way.

help! my smoke alarm keeps going off, there is no smoke around and i tried changing the battery?

kim h

this isnt the first time it has happened but i just moved into a new apt in may and several times my smoke alarm in my room goes off. usually i just change the battery and it stops but i tried that already and it is still continuously going off. help! what do i do??? i dont want to have to wait until the morning to call maintanenece!

Answer
You may have a alarm that also detects poisionious gasses such as carbon monoxide etcetera..a gas you cannot smell..not all alrms just work on smoke detecting alone but also hazordous vapors..I would have someone check that out..it could be deadly..tyou could have a defective alarm..but I would see if this is a dual purpose alarm first...carbon monoxide can overcome you and family in the sleep mode without never knowing it..The fire department will usuall bring a detector in your apartment and check it for free..

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