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I've had one in my car for years. My oldest friend's brother died from CO poisoning in his car. A few years ago a local kid was found dead in his truck from CO poisoning. Every car I have owned has developed an exhaust leak at some point. When I'm driving long distance and get sleepy I pull over and take a nap with the engine running if it's below 40. It really makes sense to have one. The only time I ever had it go off was when I was shoveling snow out of the driveway with the engine running. Snow has blocked the exhaust pipe.
Exhaust leak + cabin infiltration is a pretty rare combination. Not that it doesn't happen, but it takes a very specific combination of leak point, airflow and cabin opening to happen.
It would be hard to make a CO detector that could survive automotive conditions without needing sensor replacement frequently.
Don't give the Gov. any ideas because we don't need yet another mandated item to be added to cars that will boost the price by $500 or more.
The main problem is when the exhaust pipe becomes blocked due to snow which by the way can happen in your house too if you have gas heat and the outdoor pipe gets blocked.
Car engines are made much clean today so they are not emitting as much CO2 as they used to. In the old days you could close the door of your garage with the engine running and be dead in 30 minutes but today it could take hours. Still the best thing to do is to crack your windows every once in a while on a trip if you worry about CO2 buildup and if you get stuck in a snow storm make sure the pipe does not become blocked.
Exhaust leak + cabin infiltration is a pretty rare combination. Not that it doesn't happen, but it takes a very specific combination of leak point, airflow and cabin opening to happen.
It would be hard to make a CO detector that could survive automotive conditions without needing sensor replacement frequently.
The ones I get are good for years. I just make sure not to leave it in the car if it's going to be too hot or cold.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cape Cod Todd
Don't give the Gov. any ideas because we don't need yet another mandated item to be added to cars that will boost the price by $500 or more.
The ones I get are good for years. I just make sure not to leave it in the car if it's going to be too hot or cold.
A battery powered CO2 detector costs $15.
How much will the cost if they are made vibration proof, must be left in a car where the temperature may vary from 140 degrees to below zero, must be routinely checked by the on board computer, and are guaranteed to last 5 years?
How much will the cost if they are made vibration proof, must be left in a car where the temperature may vary from 140 degrees to below zero, must be routinely checked by the on board computer, and are guaranteed to last 5 years?
Replace your $15 CO detector every year before winter. Not really a big deal.
The ones I get are good for years. I just make sure not to leave it in the car if it's going to be too hot or cold.
A battery powered CO2 detector costs $15.
Right, but ones designed for in-house residential use are not going to survive long in a car, as you're clearly aware. The sensors are delicate and offhand I can think of several problems with making one that would endure even a year in a car.
Replace your $15 CO detector every year before winter. Not really a big deal.
And summer, from CO detector manual:
WHERE CO ALARMS SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED
• In areas where temperature is colder than 40˚ F (4.4˚ C) or hotter than 100˚ F (37.8˚ C).
And summer, from CO detector manual:
WHERE CO ALARMS SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED
• In areas where temperature is colder than 40˚ F (4.4˚ C) or hotter than 100˚ F (37.8˚ C).
That's due mainly due to the battery. If it's hooked to the car battery it will be OK. I did some googling and found a detector for $90 that says it's reliable in temperatures of -40°F to 158°F.
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