[RFI] CO2 detectors and RFI

[Roger (K8RI)]

On 10/26/2013 6:05 PM, Christopher Brown wrote:
>
> Monox (CO) detectors are important if you have any potential CO sources.
>
> Any combustion fired devices, vehicles, etc. are a potential source.
>

We have them in every room and the basement.  "First Alert CO400"
Expected life, 5 years, uses an electrochemical cell/detector
price $17 give or take.
Battery powered 2 AA, No AC connection.
Check weekly, battery life, 1 year plus.
No RFI yet and not bothered by QRO on 160, or 75. Distance to the 160 
and 75 antennas 40 feet, give or take a tad.    40 is wayyy out.  150 
feet or more.
>

73

Roger (K8RI)



> If you get really, really lucky you might notice a weak source, if you
> are awake and the levels are rising slowly by the fact you are getting
> sleepy and getting a headach...If you are already asleep, or the levels
> rise rapidly...GoodBye.
>
>
> Other fun bits...
>
> As I understand it, the sensors to not have a unlimited lifespan, good
> idea to replace every X years (check with maker docs on lifespan).


>
> Location is important, CO pools in low places, these things need to be
> located _low_.  Normal outlet height is a good place, why most CO
> detectors are made to plug straight in to an outlet.
>
>
> Now...Outlets are not always near the floor, often in furnace
> rooms/utility rooms garages, etc they are much higher.
>
>
> Take a close look at the back of the CO detector...  While some of the
> smaller ones are one piece, many of the ones about the size of a
> paperback or larger have a removable wall-wart.
>
>
> I just replaced a pair of Kiddie Nighthawks (10 years old) with newer
> Kiddie units.  In both the Nighthawks and the new units, power is from a
> wall-ward that is snapped into a section of the case.
>
> If you have low outlets you can just plug in...
>
>
> If you have higher outlets you are supposed to unsocket the wart, and
> remote mount the CO detector (mounting provisions on back).
>
> This is a std wart with a 6ft ish cable, and is perfect for wrapping
> around a toroid.
>
>
> I always place CO detectors in potential sources and connected living areas.
>
> My garage has one, both because it is a garage and because NatGas heater
> and water heater is there.  Outlets are at the 5ft level...  Detector is
> at 18" level on the wall with the wart up at the outlet.  There was
> enough to place a 2.4" type 31 toroid at the wart (with its own support
> so the weight is not pulling on the wart).
>
> There is another in the living area, downstairs hallway where the living
> room, kitched, laundry and garage entrance meet.  Outlets are low there,
> but did the same thing with the remotable wart to put a toroid on it.
> CO detector is about 18" to the right of the outlet.
>
> Key point is to make sure the AC connection is well protected from
> getting tugged/etc.
>
>
> Far as RF trigger...  Both the old NighthHawks and the new ones are
> triggered by conducted RF.  Attic antenna w/ 100watts... 160 - 10 will
> trigger.  Remote antenna, still triggers 160 - 40 if running more than
> 400watts.
>
> The toroids take care of that.
>
>
> Looking at the datasheet for KN-COP-DP-LS, it is the smaller direct to
> outlet type without the removable wart, for use only where you have low
> outlets.
>
>
> You might look at
>
> KN-COEG-3
> KN-COPP-3
>
> These are both larger units with a remotable wart.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 10/23/13 1:10 PM, dalej wrote:
>> Just a heads up.
>>
>> I purchased a Kidde NightHawk CO2 detector model KN-COP-DP-LS, it is
>> designed to plug into a wall outlet plus it has a 9 v. battery backup
>> and LED readout.  While transmitting on 80 meters after a while it
>> starts audible warning, very loud.  I called the company tech support
>> line and they did not have any solution.  As an experiment I plugged
>> the detector into a two wire extension cord and wrapped the extension
>> around a #31 mix snap-on, then tested and it did not go off.  The
>> tech support said not to use an extension cable with the detector.
>>
>> So if you are looking for a CO2 detector be aware of this problem
>> with 80 meter RFI tripping the detector.  I went to strictly battery
>> powered CO2 detector and that works fine.
>>
>> Dale, k9vuj _______________________________________________ RFI
>> mailing list RFI at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>>
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