Carbon monoxide monitor info sought

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Carbon monoxide monitor info sought

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19157 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16482

Lifetime subscriber

#319587 11-May-2025 11:55

Does anyone have experience or knowledge of inexpensive carbon monoxide monitors? I am looking for something low cost but still reliable. Of course there are scores of $10 Aliexpress ones, also on TradeMe, and most probably don't work. How is one to know? I also see a few on Bunnings and Mitre 10 and presumably they do at least meet national standards but I don't want to spend too much on this. It is just for reassurance. Ideally I would like to find something in the $30-$40 range. Don't need bells and whistles, just reliable detection. Recommendations welcome.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
9451 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6334

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3372184 11-May-2025 12:21

Hope this doesn’t cause offence. Also source of amusement for your cat. 😜

Cheep and reliable.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

gzt

19010 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8103

Lifetime subscriber

#3372185 11-May-2025 12:24

I have this one. Bought 8 years ago and still running on the same battery.

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/quell-carbon-monoxide-alarm/p/398989

I bought it when we had a wood fire. We've since installed a heat pump instead.

gzt

19010 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8103

Lifetime subscriber

#3372186 11-May-2025 12:29

eracode:
Hope this doesn’t cause offence. Also source of amusement for your cat. 😜

You'll also need three dogs working in shifts 24.7 trained to bark if the canary dies. Total cost of ownership is going to be high.

SCUBADOO

206 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 65

#3372313 11-May-2025 18:13

In our motorhome we have 2 different $15ish aliexpress CO monitors both powered by AA alkaline batteries. The oldest one is now 7 years and still running on the original batteries.

Do they work? I hope so.

My 6 monthly test involves placing the detectors in the diesel engine exhaust stream. The counters reach about 300ppm in a couple of minutes and scream away.

MurrayM

2509 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 750

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3372378 12-May-2025 09:53

gzt: I have this one. Bought 8 years ago and still running on the same battery.

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/quell-carbon-monoxide-alarm/p/398989

I bought it when we had a wood fire. We've since installed a heat pump instead.

This is the model I bought 18 months ago. It's one of those things that you hope is working quietly in the background. I test it every couple of weeks and it seems ok. I looked at the cheapies on Aliexpress but decided not to penny-pinch when it comes to something that could mean life or death.

tweake

2716 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1168

#3372380 12-May-2025 10:15

Rikkitic:

Does anyone have experience or knowledge of inexpensive carbon monoxide monitors? I am looking for something low cost but still reliable. Of course there are scores of $10 Aliexpress ones, also on TradeMe, and most probably don't work. How is one to know? I also see a few on Bunnings and Mitre 10 and presumably they do at least meet national standards but I don't want to spend too much on this. It is just for reassurance. Ideally I would like to find something in the $30-$40 range. Don't need bells and whistles, just reliable detection. Recommendations welcome

i'll have to come back with some links about this, but its not black and white.

many CO detectors are not sensitive enough. the common problem is many (at best in some cases) only detect down to the unsafe level for HEALTHY ADULTS. not the unsafe levels for kids or unhealthy adults which is lower. part of that is because they are built for certain markets standards and the standards are only for healthy adults.

the other thing is cheap products often use voc sensors then extrapolate co or co2 from that measurement. so its not a true measurement.

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19157 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16482

Lifetime subscriber

#3372398 12-May-2025 12:29

Once again, nothing I can find here for a price I want to pay but something perfectly suitable in Australia. I will try to arrange to have someone bring it over. Otherwise still open to suggestions.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19157 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16482

Lifetime subscriber

#3372406 12-May-2025 13:03

A family member is bringing it for me so no further help needed. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

networkn

Networkn
33022 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15610

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3372419 12-May-2025 13:34

eracode:

Hope this doesn’t cause offence. Also source of amusement for your cat. 😜

Cheep and reliable.

Take my upvote and go sit in the corner and think about what you did! :)

Scotdownunder

233 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 110

Subscriber

#3372577 12-May-2025 21:45

On the testing front, does anyone in NZ provide test spray cans of CO ? My old tenant in UK had a nice business sourcing these and selling them in markets which mandate testing of CO monitors, e.g Eire and other EU countries.

tchart

2398 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 579

ID Verified

Trusted

#3372682 13-May-2025 10:28

We have several Netatmo thermometers which include CO2 monitoring. It sends you a notification if the CO2 is too high.

Brand new they are a bit expensive ($150ish). Keep an eye on Trademe or Ebay as they often come up for around $50.