testing your carbon monoxide detector.
 

have you ever tested your carbon monoxide detector? I wonder how, beside the test button? Pressing the test button, it went off right away, but lighting up my lighter right at front of it, an inc or two, for at least 15 seconds, it didn't goes off. No light, but releasing gas from my little lighter, no sound neither. I blow smoke right at it's face several times, no sound neither. Should I close my eyes to trust the test button?

take it out and put it in front of the exhaust of that 87 911 in your sig line. i bet that thing still burns dirty enough to set it off. if not, find a neighbor with a 70's pickup truck and a V8.

i think i may try this with my ducati, actually. no catalytic converter(s) on that thing.

Any vehicle will set it off

Are the read strips in those things a one-hit item? If it detects CO, do you have to replace it? Just wondering.

I don't think so. I have not read through the manual carefuly. I will do and report.

Usually not Vash. But they do have a 5yr life. then replacement time.

I don't think they work that way. I think its concentration over a time weighted average, not a peak number.

Hugh is right. but holding one next to a car exhaust will set it off.

i remember reading the instructions for out CO alarm. the concentration required to set the thing is (supposed to be) extremely low. i think the 'test' button is intended to ascertain the viability of the battery.

you need a non-clean burn to produce more CO not CO2
most clean bright flames are not near dirty enough
so candles or lighters are out

rnln..you in the bay area? i have a hand held air monitor..i like you stared at my CO alarms and wondered if they are doing anything. i brought in one of our monitors and checked out my heater. all was good.

Vinman..5 years? check. i looked mine doesnt have a date on it..i should sharpie an expiration date on it or something.

ok guys, I came down to my garage for several minutes to read the manual/label. Basically, it says the alarm won't go off with only 70 ppm or below, can't change the setting. Also, the one I got from HD has the AC adapter, with battery back up in case power is out. The test is to test the alarm, not only the battery. The warranty is around 7 years, but before it expired, it will blink, then it's time to buy a new one.
I'll test the exhaust later today when I am off work.

Vash, nice if we are close, but I am not sure if I need this thing or not. I just get it for extra security. Recently, I smell something around the house once in a while, and don't kno what it is. Link for detail below.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/673702-please-tell-me-what-smell.html

CO is odorless. As far as detectors go, the best is a Nighthawk by Kidde.

We go to way too many CO calls where people have crappy detectors.

Really? Nighthawk by Kidde is what I just got. It detects gas too.

Alright, I did the exhaust test. You know how much our old 911 smoke after sitting a long time right? Mine was sitting there for more than a month, or maybe 2. I am working on ride height. The only time I started it is to move it about an inch or two to let the ride height settle.
I put the carbon monoxide and gas alarm right at the exhaust, blowing smoke all over it's face. It showed 456 ppm(?) on the display but does nothing else. After at least 5 or 10 mins, then the display slowly crawed up to pass 999, then it start beeping. I moved the alarm somewhere else, the PPM climb down to 2xx and it still beeped until I reset it. I think the manual says it should start to go off pass 70ppm. If we are sleeping and these alarms wait until smoke at this level all over the place, then we are already dead before it goes off. Anyone know anything else about these types of alarm?

You know they sell cans of gas to test those detectors right?

Here

Bill, thanks. Reading the instruction on the site, sounds like my new alarms work fine. Exhaust test is much cheaper. :D

Like I said in post #7, its a time-weighted average exposure. What that means is an eight hour exposure but they do go off with a peak level.