CO detector

jenkinsez@yahoo.comjenkinsez@yahoo.com
in Show and Tell: Say Hello and Show Us What You Fly

What is the best electronic Carbon monoxide detector out there?

Comments

  • jacobsjajacobsja

    The front runners are Forensics and Sensorcon AV8. If not already aware, these things are life limited where:

    - the Forensics is good for 3 years from the date of manufacture, which means less than that when factoring-in time to sit on the shelf waiting for a sale. Operation is simple: turn it On, and leave it On as the batteries last ~8 - 12 months.

    - the AV8 also has a service life, but it allows for a manual re-calibration when it needs to check the sensor; this should reset the timer for another 6 months. In theory the AV8 should last more than 3 years, but it comes down to when the system senses that it is done.


    I had a Forensics which recently expired. When the unit triggers, it is definitely noticeable above the engine noise.

    Based on Forensics' hard date driven expiration, I decided to switch over to the AV8 which costs a bit more, but in theory should last longer.


    Even with the higher cost and limited life, I still see the expense of an electronic monitor as more valuable than the cards and have no plans to ever go back to the cards.

  • empanninempannin

    i have the AV8 for similar reasons. I use it to check my furnace and fireplace at home too - it is sitting on my desk now reading zero ;)

    Eric Panning
    1981 Seneca III
    Hillsboro, OR (KHIO)

  • jenkinsez@yahoo.comjenkinsez@yahoo.com

    thank you guys.

    I am actually looking at MY-CO by CostAero.com

    MY-CO-Carbon-Monoxide-Detector-USB-Powered-1.jpeg

    but not sure how good this will be.

  • empanninempannin
    edited December 13

    For almost the same price you can get a unit with a display. My rule is if it is safety system I don't want it dependent on another system. The one you linked too is only USB powered and I think it only has flashing lights vs tone. I also cannot find a manual for ther my-co unit but I can from AV8. (I have no connection to AV8 other than a happy customer)


    https://sensorcon-sensing-products-by-molex.myshopify.com/products/av8-inspector-co-av8-co-01-carbon-monoxide-monitor-for-aviation?srsltid=AfmBOoqLMg7JNifc7wBQqIn2QpHcgKjWYHxOZgOp7K65wd6IPkTUpSNp


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    Eric Panning
    1981 Seneca III
    Hillsboro, OR (KHIO)

  • jacobsjajacobsja
    edited December 14

    In addition to Eric's inputs, have four more regarding the MY-CO device. Not bashing, just observing.

    There is no apparent statement on the sensor's life. From what I know, all CO detection systems have a functional life, even the home use devices.

    This looks like a polar On-Off device and unable to relay severity or trend of the hazard as there is no display to indicate the level. Granted that in side-by-side comparisons of units from different manufacturers, there is never a consensus of the actual CO level, but there is consensus in terms of trend and magnitude. Actually, this is an amplification of one of Eric's comments.

    There is no statement about changes in light patterns based on intensity of CO measurement.

    How do we know if the device is working normally? For all we know, it is sitting there as dead weight and we are presuming that no flashing lights is good news. Ok, I guess this is another amplification of a previous comment based on lack of available operating manual.


    In amplifying another of Eric's comments: what happens if the plane's electrical system fails? According to CostAero's implicit statements, the device goes silent.


    All this leaves me wondering how much more it costs to post a PDF of the POH, and to engineer a backup power supply to the casing.

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