At 07:46 -0400 990417, Dianne L Gigler wrote:
| I am considering installing a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector
| (a First Alert home model) in my '88 Westy.  Does anyone have any
| experience with this type of product in a Vanagon?  Is it an acceptable
| solution or is there a specific product for the smaller space inside a
| camper?  Thanks in advance for any assistance anyone can provide.
|
| Dianne

I'm surprised there aren't any pilots that have spoken up. AvWeb, which is
a great online aviation publication, reviewed the NightHawk and a
little-known detector from AIM Safe-Air. These guys make the high-dollar
sniffing equipment that HVAC technicians use.

The review ( http://www.avweb.com/articles/codetect.html Free registration
required ) basically goes through the history of chemical and electronic CO
detectors, and tests the Nighthawk against the AIM.

The AIM won hands down. It's a sealed, battery powered unit. Hard wiring to
the van isn't a big deal, since the sensor will wear out after about five
years anyway, and the batteries will last at least that long. (They're
warranted to last 3 years, and will shut themselves down after 5.75yrs,
whether they have battery or not.)

The AIM has an interesting advantage. Once every 24hrs, it actually
generates a tiny amount of CO internally, and makes sure that it can detect
it.

You can buy one online from AeroMedix, an AvWeb sponsor that was formed to
sell "the good stuff" in flight-related medical equipment that wouldn't
ordinarily be available. Their URL is
http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/aeromedi/ . It's a little more than the
FirstAlert/NightHawk/etc., but I thought it was worth it.

Usual disclaimers...I'm just a customer.

-Zandr
 '85 Westy "Thumper"
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Aleksandr Milewski                                              N6MOD
n6mod@amt.org                               http://www.amt.org/n6mod/