Propane Alarm prematurely reaching End of Life

[wileyAZ46]

I have replaced the MTI 20-441-P in my Imagine 2800BH twice in less than one year since I bought it new last September 2018. Both times it had the Red-Red-Green-Green lights and beeped every 30 seconds or so, so I am sure it was the End of Life alarm. I’m not sure what the manufactured date was on the first one I replaced but the one in there now (which is alarming End of Life) has a 9/2018 date on the back. Is there possibly something wrong with the wiring or something else in my camper that is causing them to fail prematurely? I live in Arizona so the camper gets very hot when not in use and in storage (~100deg F)…can’t think of anything else strange.

[JCR GD]

I think I would try and contact MTI and see what they think. If nothing else they may send you a new one.

Edit: Mine lasted 5+ years in very hot storage conditions.

[JCR GD]

More thoughts...

Do you remove or completely disconnect battery during storage? It may not like having no power for periods of time.

[boyscout]

More thoughts... Do you remove or completely disconnect battery during storage? It may not like having no power for periods of time.

Another thought - non-expert in my case - but I wondered the opposite: maybe the alarm doesn't like being powered in 100-plus degree temps.

@wileyAZ46 please let us know what the manufacturer says / does.

[wileyAZ46]

More thoughts...

Do you remove or completely disconnect battery during storage? It may not like having no power for periods of time.

Yes, I typically throw the battery disconnect when it’s in storage. Maybe I’ll stop doing this??

I emailed MTI, will keep y’all posted with their response.


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[JCR GD]

Yes, I typically throw the battery disconnect when it’s in storage. Maybe I’ll stop doing this??

I emailed MTI, will keep y’all posted with their response.


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The battery disconnect typically does not kill the alarms but they are not terribly consistent with the wiring.

[Eric Cope]

After a few weeks in storage I found the alarm would consistently go into an alarm status, chirping with red light. I aired out the RV well, no good, removed it from wall and cut the power to it, re powered, still no good. I contacted MTI and they told me it to replace it, out of warranty. New unit has been fine for weeks. Premature failure I suppose. 2017 model.
MTI Industries 12V 25 Series Safe-T-Alert Mini RV Dual Carbon Monoxide/Propane Alarm

[boyscout]

Yes, I typically throw the battery disconnect when it’s in storage. Maybe I’ll stop doing this??

As @JCR GD noted the battery disconnect switch doesn't usually disconnect the alarms so they'll run until the battery is dead. Did you hear back from the manufacturer?

After a few weeks in storage I found the alarm would consistently go into an alarm status, chirping with red light. I aired out the RV well, no good, removed it from wall and cut the power to it, re powered, still no good. I contacted MTI and they told me it to replace it, out of warranty. New unit has been fine for weeks. Premature failure I suppose. 2017 model. MTI Industries 12V 25 Series Safe-T-Alert Mini RV Dual Carbon Monoxide/Propane Alarm

Is there a chance that the "chirping with red light" was related to low battery? I've experienced and many others have reported that the trailer's "standard" battery can be killed after only weeks in storage because as mentioned above the alarms don't get disconnected when the factory "battery disconnect" switch is thrown. Removing the connection at the battery preserves the battery.