Carbon Monoxide Alarm with AC on

[pete]

The other day I ran my generator to cool off with the AC. After about an hour, my CO alarm went off. Shutting down and turning on the fan cleared it. I have a 2008 Roadtrek 190 and the generator exhaust comes out behind the driver side rear tire. Is it common to get the CO alarm? I have seen extensions that route the exhaust up above the roof but on the Roadtrek it would actually move it closer to the AC intake where it probably came in originally. I am thinking that a better idea would be to get a 4 foot steel extension from an auto supply and run it straight out from the vehicle. Any other ideas?
Pete

[markopolo]

I wouldn't say that is normal. That is difficult to trouble shoot. I'm sure all of your windows were closed.

Re: the extension - search the web re: Onan and warranty and backpressure etc. if no one here has any info for you.

Basically you shouldn't need to modify anything to run your generator and your a/c at the same time. Maybe the detector is faulty.

[Mike]

You might also try asking Roadtrek Service.
service@roadtrek.com
I'm sure I've read about similar problems on the web somewhere.
Maybe you're not the only one with this particular problem.
Have you tried searching RVNet ? They have a class B RV section.
It's probably what marko suggests, but it wouldn't hurt to inquire.

[Ron J. Moore]

I was wondering if that crank out window is closed securely. The rubber portion on mine was loose and we were getting some fumes; reinstalled and it stopped. I got lucky.

[pete]

Thank you all for the responses. I will check the windows to see if they seal tight and I will try it again. I agree Mark and do not want to do any modifications.
Pete

[Mike]

One of our windows looks like it doesn't quite seal completely, but it neither leaks water
nor fumes, as far as I know. Perhaps there's always been a breeze around us when we've
run the genny for more than a few minutes, I'm not sure, but our CO detector hasn't ever
gone off, for any reason, and we've used the furnace often, and the generator on occasion.
I test it regularly, so I'm pretty sure it's OK.

[pete]

I ran my generator and AC over the weekend for several hours. Also cooked lunch in the microwave and toaster oven but I turned off the AC before using the toaster oven. Anyway I made sure that the windows were tightly closed and had no issue Hopefully that was a one time event.
Thanks all for your suggestions.
Pete

[VernM]

Remember that those CO2 alarms are sensitive too to the propellant in some aerosol cans. Like hair spray and the cooking sprays.

[Mike]

Hair and cooking spray? You an expert on them then, Vern?
Sorry , good points, both.