These detectors are not instant on devices. Typically they are wired to be
powered on constantly. They should be on the same fuse (branch circuit) as
interior lighting so that if there is a power supply issue it will be
obvious. This is the same for RV's as well as home installations of smoke
detectors. RVs will often have a house battery disconnect for long term
storage. The power consumption of these appliances is very small. If you
have proper power converter/battery charger and you store the van connected
to shore power just leave it connected full time.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dennis Jowell
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2015 3:18 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Install CO and Smoke detector

Good morning listers ,
I wanted to install a co and smoke detector in my 1988 Westy. The detector
is from Amazon :
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005GSFUWE/sbw/

Hard wire it off the aux: battery but am a little confused on the wiring set
up.
I wanted to add a toggle switch to shut power off to the detector when the
Westy is down for some time. Didn't want to run the battery down.
My thought process is :
From battery, Red wire to +, then to fuse, then to toggle switch, then to
detector.
Black - to ground. Will the toggle work and save the battery in this
configuration?
Thanks for any suggestions

Dennis Jowell
Scotch Hollow Farm
Newbury, Vermont