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Will H2 Register On CO Detectors?

B

BroJack

Jan 1, 1970
0
A sump system with backup batteries was installed. Charger was
plugged into AC wall socket. A day later the CO sensor alarm sounded
with a reading of 75 PPM in a remote room. In the room with the
batteries, the reading was 256 PPM. Fire dept. found no evidence of
combustion.

Is it possible that the battery overcharged, released H2, and the CO
detector picked it up? If so, is there a ballpark formula from the CO
reading that can be used to estimate H2?

Thanks,
Jack
 
M

---MIKE---

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a small room where I keep two deep cycle batteries. I also have
a propane detector at floor level near this room. When I charge the
batteries in the summer (when humidity is higher) the propane detector
will "chirp" after a while. It probably isn't H2 because H2 rises so
there must be some other gas emitted from the batteries. My CO
detectors are located mid level and don't react to the charging.at all.


---MIKE---
 
M

Mark Tarka

Jan 1, 1970
0
A sump system with backup batteries was installed. Charger was
plugged into AC wall socket. A day later the CO sensor alarm sounded
with a reading of 75 PPM in a remote room. In the room with the
batteries, the reading was 256 PPM. Fire dept. found no evidence of
combustion.

You can't always rely on the Fire Department's
assessment. Their training is in more obvious
combustion events. Overheated electrical wiring
and perhaps spontaneous combustion is about as
subtle as it gets, AFAIK.

You really need to consider whether or not the
CO sensor itself, or the battery charger, was the
source of the reading. This would involve taking
the units apart and making a visual inspection.
Even then, you might miss a clue like a slightly
discolored resistor.
Is it possible that the battery overcharged, released H2, and the CO
detector picked it up? If so, is there a ballpark formula from the CO
reading that can be used to estimate H2?

Of course this is possible. Without knowing
just what the exact technology is, other than
a canary in a cage, ruling out H2 triggering
is foolish.

As far as estimating the H2 conc. from the CO
detector's reading ... this is a DIY project,
unless the manufacturer has the answer.


Mark
 
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