CO detector went off while at idle

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Waynepj4

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
RO Number
30904
Messages
398
HelloAll

I took advantage of Pittsburgs 1.99 gas and made the 13 mile trip from Martinez to Pittsburg fuel docks. I noticed my CO detector went off a bit while at idle and also a bit underway. THe alarm did not sound on the way back for some reason.

What is the firs thing I should check?

Also, I turned on the forward and aft bilge pumps and they kicked out water for about 45 seconds. Where is this water coming from?
 
You really do not give enough info to answer questions.
The CO detector will go off if the bimini is up and the cabin door is open. This is called the station wagon effect.
Try keeping the cabin door closed when cruising.

Bilge water can come from rain or leaks. You have to look to see!
 
We usually run with all doors and windows closed, or all open, including hatches.
If we run with just the door open, we always get an alarm, especially when going slow.
Wind direction also can push the fumes into the boat.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rduhon

We usually run with all doors and windows closed, or all open, including hatches.
If we run with just the door open, we always get an alarm, especially when going slow.
Wind direction also can push the fumes into the boat.

Click to expand...

Thank you. THis is probably what happend. Alarm has never sounded before but today it was a bit breezy. It could also explain why I did not hear the alarm on the way home.
 
You probably already know this, but pay attention to the alarm. Carbon Monoxide is very difficult to detect - oderless - but a highly toxic gas. Initially you will experience flue-like symptoms, and if it is not reversed with fresh air, can lead to serious health problems including death. People tend to underestimate it. It could easily have been a good head or tail wind that made it alarm, but CO was there!

Jim
 
Last weekend I ran my engine up to temp in the slip. Because it was cold and foggy, I didn't have any forward hatches open as I normally do. The CO alarm went off big time. Just to be safe, I am replacing the unit so that it is at zero going forward. Keep the air in the cabin circulating with the outside whenever you run the engine and/or the genny.
 
Wayne,

Nice catch on that under-$2 on-the-water gas! That's gotta feel good.

Regarding your water in the bilge, I assume your bilge pumps are not on a float switch so that they kick on if water is in the bilge. If so, adding auto pumps might be a good project for extra protection from sinking. Auto bilge pumps can save a boat when you're not there to throw the switches.

I agree that the water could be from rain water, but it's good to check your engines while running to make sure they aren't the cause. Clear cold water could be rain or freshwater leak. Clear and warm = water heater leak. Green or red tint = coolant leak, murky with fish in it means you've got a hull breach. ;)
 
Or the bellows might be leaking. That one needs to be fixed right away---especially if you do not have float switches on your bilge pumps.
 
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