Let’s talk carbon monoxide poisoning

[SDHNTR]

How is a diesel heater in an enclosed space any safer?

 

[svivian]

Another vote for a diesel heater. I’ve had the vevor brand for almost a year now that I picked up Black Friday for $109.

I’ll never go back to a mr buddy

 

[svivian]

How is a diesel heater in an enclosed space any safer?

Exhaust is outside

 

[Billy Goat]

Yeah that’s the real answer, but I’ll probably spend some time in the back of the truck meme'n before bed so nobody thinks I'm the looser I am

Fixed

 

[*zap*]

Yeah that’s the real answer, but I’ll probably spend some time in the back of the truck hanging out before bed.

Falling asleep after a hard day while relaxing with the heater on would not be good.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Falling asleep after a hard day while relaxing with the heater on would not be good.

Yep! Safe than sorry comes to mind.

 

[SDHNTR]

Exhaust is outside

Ahh, of course.

 

[BCsteve]

CO is heavier than air, so the CO detractor should be mounted close to the floor. The Kidde CO detectors in my house are sensitive to CO and seem to work well. I’d suggest buying a battery powered Kidde CO detector. Even with a CO detector I would be leery of using a LP heater in an enclosed space.

According to the internet:
"Carbon monoxide is lighter than air. It also rises with warm air, so the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends placing a carbon monoxide detector on a wall about five feet above the floor or about eye level. You can put them on the ceiling, too."

In my converted cargo trailer I have Dickenson fireplace (sealed with fresh air intake and exterior exhaust) but for peace of mind I have a propane detector low to the ground and a CO detector on the wall about a foot from the ceiling.

 

[Robobiss]

Zero chance I’m sleeping with a Buddy heater, I don’t care what the marketing says. Burning propane makes CO.

Well, “kinda”.

I vaguely remember from AP chemistry way too long ago, combustion reactions like burning diesel, propane, etc, very simplified essentially create either CO2 and water vapor, or CO and water vapor.

CO2 and water vapor is produced by perfect/complete combustion where the carbon atoms are completely oxidized and each bind with two oxygen atoms.CO comes from less perfect/incomplete combustion where the carbon atoms aren’t completely oxidized and only bind with one oxygen atom.

In a perfect world where the heater was functioning as designed and had perfect combustion, CO would not be a concern. That said, you wouldn’t catch me sleeping with one, I’m bringing my big sleeping bad and saving the heater for the mornings.

 

[*zap*]

Set up with a small wood stove or a small gennie and electric heat. Electric heat is the safe play, to e~z to fall asleep just chillin before bedtime.

 

[Billy Goat]

 

[Ucsdryder]

@Billy Goat I’m not going to die while beating it to be found 4 days later frozen in place!

 

[Rossn5]

Carbon Monoxide Meter | USA NIST Calibration

This is our hot selling portable and handheld carbon monoxide meter. The CO meter is perfect to detect CO with 1ppm resolution. The CO tester works like a CO sniffer and shows the CO ppm levels.

www.forensicsdetectors.com

Good detector for camping

 

[taskswap]

The installation manual for my CO detector says CO sinking is a myth:

There’s a myth that carbon monoxide alarms should be installed lower on the wall because carbon monoxide is heavier than air. In fact, carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and diffuses evenly throughout the room.

According to the carbon monoxide guidelines of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 720, 2005 edition), all carbon monoxide alarms “shall be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms,” and each alarm “shall be located on the wall, ceiling or other location as specified in the installation instructions that accompany the unit.”

[B]Why CO alarms are often installed near the floor[/B]

Standalone carbon monoxide alarms are often placed low on the wall because they need to be plugged into an outlet that’s near the floor. CO alarms can also have a screen that shows the CO level and needs to be at a height where it’s easy to read.

As Wellsdw said, its specific gravity is 0.97 and air is 1.0.

I think a common reason for this myth is that in RVs and campers, which is where the vast majority of these units get installed (every camper has at least one as standard equipment), they detect not only CO but propane as well. Propane DOES settle and is even more dangerous than CO. Since CO diffuses but propane does not, it makes sense to put them near the floor in those cases.

 

[Billy Goat]

@Billy Goat I’m not going to die while beating it to be found 4 days later frozen in place!

Movement makes energy/heat.....


You won't die if you know what you are doing

 

[IDVortex]

@Billy Goat going to die while beating it to be found 4 days later frozen in place!

Man, i hope this will make national headlines. Be known as the beat off man.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Movement makes energy/heat.....


You won't die if you know what you are doing

Yeah but think about all the oxygen being used…

 

[z987k]

Exhaust is outside

You still need a CO monitor. The exhaust can leak and the burn chamber can crack.

 

[grappling_hook]

Well, “kinda”.

I vaguely remember from AP chemistry way too long ago, combustion reactions like burning diesel, propane, etc, very simplified essentially create either CO2 and water vapor, or CO and water vapor.

CO2 and water vapor is produced by perfect/complete combustion where the carbon atoms are completely oxidized and each bind with two oxygen atoms.CO comes from less perfect/incomplete combustion where the carbon atoms aren’t completely oxidized and only bind with one oxygen atom.

In a perfect world where the heater was functioning as designed and had perfect combustion, CO would not be a concern. That said, you wouldn’t catch me sleeping with one, I’m bringing my big sleeping bad and saving the heater for the mornings.

Not a chemist, but as I understand it the issue arises when you use it in a small enclosed space like a tent without the vents open or a sealed up truck camper. In that environment, where you and the heater are both eating through the available oxygen, the burning becomes inefficient and CO levels rise. Like you, I wouldn't sleep with one.

 

[SDHNTR]

You still need a CO monitor. The exhaust can leak and the burn chamber can crack.

Yeah, and how exactly do you vent it to the outside? Is there like a flexible exhaust hose you stick out the tent door and zip up around it?