Wallas issue - carbon monoxide

B

Boomer

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Apr 29, 2005
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C Dory Year
2008
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Over the past couple of weeks I've gotten the C Dory ready for spring. This morning I ran the Wallas and it resulted in the Carbon Monoxide detector sounding. The Wallas otherwise seems to be operating correctly. Has anyone seen out there had this same problem?
 
Double check your exhaust. First be sure that all clamps are tight. Then check for obstruction--such as a wasp or dabber nest in the pipe. Also be sure that the windows over the stove is tight. You might want to crack a window on the opposite side, since there is some degree of forced draft with the wallas. Also be sure that fans are running well, and there is complete combustion.

Some of the CO monitors do have digital readouts--that gives you a better idea of what is happening.
 
There are situations in which the exhaust air can be drawn backwards into the cabin instead of the normal flow direction.

The station wagon effect is most commonly encountered when going forward at speed with only the back door open, or even with no window or door open. This creates a vacuum in the cabin. You can reduce or eliminate the vacuum by opening some of the front windows.

Even when proceding slowly, at dockside or anchored, a reverse exhaust draft can be created if the wind is blowing hard right into the outside exhaust port. Some ppl have put a small clamshell vent cover just forward of the Wallas exhaust to reduce that problem. I have heard one should not cover the center opening of the Wallas exhaust fitting with a vent cover due to the great heat.

Also, in the above situations, it helps to keep upwind openings larger than down wind openings so as to keep positive pressure in the cabin.

In my experience, a vacuum in the cabin can easily draw enough exhaust inside to set off the CO sensor.

John
 
Usually the CO sensor is mounted low and at the helm. Often about knee level and underneath the wheel somewhere. My left foot could kick it, when I sat in the helm chair, in my old TomCat. Some boats have it under the dinette, in the "foot" area. You may not have one.

It is a cream colored box about 1 1/2 x 4 x 6 inches or smaller with an LED to show it is working.

It may beep when the power level is low. My boat had a CO sensor and a gas fume sensor. Some have LP sensors if equipped with LP gas stove, heater, etc..

They are not expensive nor difficult to install. Many boaters have lost their lives from cruising under power with a canvas top, open in the back, which provides that "station wagon" effect of drawing the engine exhaust from the stern up and under the canvas/cabin. You really should have one.

John
 
Thanks John

I wonder where it is mounted on Boomer's boat?
May be is mounted to close to the stove.
 
Yeah, Brent,

Over the years, I've seen some posts on here that make one wonder exactly what type of smoke has been getting up into the cabin...


'Course I guess they don't make sensors for all of those things...

John
 
yep, one some types of smoke detectors, Willie is the warning sound!
 
We programmed the alarm of a lab instrument to play a James Brown clip whenever a positive was detected :lol:
 
One thing I would check is whether or not the CO sensor is working well. We had one in our house that started sounding, and we cleared out -- feeling sickly, etc. Called the power company, and they came and checked it out. Results: no CO -- a faulty detector indicating CO. Got a new detector and the problem was fixed.

(not saying that is your problem -- but it is worth checking out)
 
This occasionally happens on Adeline.

When clean my stove starts up silently and then a faint roar is heard as combustion starts.

Over time the Wallas "cokes up" and
the startup behavior changes.


Click, click, click, click, and then, WHUMPF.

Whenever my stove goes "WHUMPF" my combustion-chamber has overpressurized and a small amount of gaseous-kerosene escapes past the combustion-fan into the under-counter area.

This will trip the CO Detector which sits behind my left calf at the helm.
 
Adeline":2umuizmc said:
This occasionally happens on Adeline.

When clean my stove starts up silently and then a faint roar is heard as combustion starts.

Over time the Wallas "cokes up" and
the startup behavior changes.


Click, click, click, click, and then, WHUMPF.

Whenever my stove goes "WHUMPF" my combustion-chamber has overpressurized and a small amount of gaseous-kerosene escapes past the combustion-fan into the under-counter area.

This will trip the CO Detector which sits behind my left calf at the helm.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what my Wallas did yesterday. I also found that the voltage was very low, so I put in a new house battery. After that, I ran the stove for good hour with no problems. Hopefully that the end of the CO issue...
 
Check the exhaust ours slid down causing fumes go under wallas stove pull on exhaust make sure clamps are tight if not retighten also open window so no vacuum in cabin .Somtimes at the dock we get a whiff of exhaust smell . Also check co monitor good luck let us know Jim
 
I was interested to read about your experiences with the CO2 detector.I have 2 of them in my 25. One is located on the starboard wall in the bow bed area and the other is located in the center top front of the cabin.

Ever since I bought the boat, the one in the cabin goes off for no apparent reason. For example, just sitting on the trailer in the parking space at home, or just sitting on the lake with no engine running. I have never felt any ill affects and am always careful to vent the cabin well.

I finally disconnected the one in the cabin. From reading your situations I guess I should purchase a replacement.
Amanda
 
Normally the CO alarms are good for 2 to 5 years--recommendation is to replace after 2 years, but that is just not practical....and often not necessary. There are several Kiddie Night Hawk CO detectors which have digital read outs, and run on AA batteries (a better choice than the marine units)--some are advertised to last 7 years--and cost less than $30 at the big box hardware stores, like Home Depot. This is what I use.
 
What a great and easy suggestion! I'm off to Home Depot to get my battery operated CO2 thingy!
Amanda
 
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