When to Replace Your RV Gas Detector
Every RV gas detector has a hard 5-year service life. After that, the sensor degrades silently and may fail to alarm at the proper threshold. Here's how to know when yours is due.
The 5-year clock
Both propane and CO sensor elements degrade over time. Catalytic and semiconductor propane sensors slowly poison; electrochemical CO cells exhaust their electrolyte. After 5 years, the sensor may still appear to power on and self-test green — but it can no longer reach proper sensitivity at the alarm threshold. This is the worst possible failure mode for life-safety equipment: it looks like it's working, but it isn't.
How you’ll know it’s time
SENSYX SRC2000-S and PRC2000 detectors continuously self-check the sensor. When performance degrades to end-of-life, the display shows FAULT — that’s your signal to replace. This self-diagnostic end-of-life signal is tested and verified as part of UL 1484 certification, not just an early-warning guess.
Keep your order confirmation or receipt as your record of purchase date — that's your 5-year reference point, separate from the display. For older detectors without this self-check (Safe-T-Alert, Atwood, Briidea, original PANGAEA PRG1000 / PRC2000), check the back of the unit for a manufacture date or sensor-expiration sticker if present. If you cannot find one, assume the unit is at end-of-life and replace.
Other replacement triggers
FAULT indicator is on
Sensor self-diagnostic has detected a problem. Some faults are recoverable (power cycle, dust on the sensor inlet), but a persistent FAULT after troubleshooting most often means the sensor has degraded to end-of-life — this is the same self-diagnostic signal verified under UL 1484 testing.
False alarms with no smell or symptom
Sensors becoming over-sensitive as they age is a known degradation pattern. If you're getting alarms with no propane smell (mercaptan is added so leaks are detectable by nose) and no CO symptoms (headache, nausea), the sensor is likely failing.
Failure to alarm during cooking / heater test
Some RV owners do a yearly "test" by holding a low concentration of butane or propane near the detector. If the unit fails to alarm during a known-positive test, replace immediately.
Physical damage
Water ingress, impact, or chemical exposure (cleaning solvents, bug spray sprayed near the sensor inlet) can permanently damage the sensor element. Replace the unit; do not try to recalibrate.
What to replace it with
If your existing unit is Safe-T-Alert / Atwood / Briidea / PANGAEA — direct-fit upgrade
SRC2000-S Surface → · PRC2000 Flush →
Want to identify the right model first?
Don't wait
An expired gas detector is worse than no detector — it gives you false confidence. CO is odorless and propane leaks settle silently. The 5-year clock is conservative for a reason. Replace on schedule.