Carbon monoxide detector, modding?

I bought this Honeywell detector recently, and noticed some selling on Ebay that are due to expire in three years (this one is meant to last 6-7 years).

Anyway, it seems wasteful to throw away when you can buy new CO detector and replace the lithium cell. They’re described as tamperproof, but I wonder, why not just replace the parts? Has anyone done this?

Buying parts for a life saving device on DX? I don’t know Chloe… >.>

I thought they use to make CO detectors with replaceable sensor modules. Probably realized they could be making more money, discontinued them and demoted the guy who designed those models.

edit
Heres the one I was remembering First Alert sensor-pack. Discontinued of course.

It seems other companies still make detectors with replaceable sensors tho. Newlec Carbon Monoxide Detector, Battery, Replaceable Sensor

According to an overzealous gas engineer I need one. :zipper_mouth_face: There may be better quality parts on Mouser etc.; I haven’t looked yet.

I did find these articles:

http://www.element14.com/community/groups/energy-harvesting-solutions/blog/2013/04/24/carbon-monoxide-detectoralarm-necessary-hack

I may mod mine anyway to quiet the alarm because I hate loud alarms.

Thats kind of the point though Chloe: loud enough alarm to be annoying so you get up and do something about it and dont sleep instead. :wink:

But I’d hear it anyway. I am a light sleeper, unfortunately. ;_;

Your saying you are only getting a CO detector because a gas engineer is forcing you?

Get a new gas appliance?
Looks like CO alarms are required when new boilers or gas appliances are installed in the UK. If you rent it might be your landlords responsibility.
BBC says “At least 50 people die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning in the UK.”

Do you live with anyone else? They might need the louder alarm if your away from home.
I’d try adding a pot to adjust its volume. How much lower would you need it? Tape over the buzzer hole cuts it down more then you would think.

If you have CO leaking into your living space you wont be a light sleeper anymore.

Those things shriek like crazy because the CO is first going to make you feel ill (very much like flu symptoms) and then tired.

A leak that's bad enough could just give you a headache that you try to sleep off...

(<---Gas technician)

Haha :smiley:
You can’t escape these gas technicians. Resistance is futile.
Just give up any hopes of dieing quietly in your sleep.

He said I should get one. He wanted to disconnect my cooker! The crazy thing is after many safety checks it’s the first time an engineer created a fuss about the installation, so it would be nice to know for peace of mind.

Hmm… could that be why I’m so tired? :stuck_out_tongue:

Around here a gas cook top and/or oven just need to have adequate exhaust ventilation (a powered hood fan).

They do not require an CO detector (laws do vary greatly by region).

The only time CO detectors are required is in a home using an older heating boiler.

Your risks will depend on lots of factors.

What size of place do you have? A larger space will mean more dilution air and lower CO ppm (parts per million)*

How old is your place/how well is it insulated? Draughty windows and doors mean better dilution.

Other things like how long you're cooking and the quality of the flame will have an impact as well.

*I beleive I am allowed to be exposed to a maximum of 10ppm for a maximum of 10 hours. A modern home heating boiler can easily have 100ppm in its exhaust.

In the end if you really dont want to get one I'd call the company the guy works for and ask if it is required or just highly suggested.

I personally think they should be standard and required just like smoke detectors here.

BTW if you have old smoke or CO detectors check them for an expiry date.

Thanks, Shur. It is something I was meaning to get before I moved but I forgot and have not needed one, until now. I think it is not a requirement.

I considered one that showed ppm but they had poor UI so opted for the Honeywell (simple, reliable).