Credit card sized CO detector?

John R. Hall

I saw this story about a little credit card sized CO detector that turns color in the presence of CO. I am embarrased to admit that I've never heard of this before and couldn't find any info about in on the Web. Can anyone enlighten me?

http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.1303336.0.family_in_carbon_monoxide_horror.php

Chris_82

I'v seen em but the only place off the top of my head is Sportys pilot shop, they are easy to find on the web. They also have severe limitations regarding their use, the company plane has em but they havent been exchanged in years. They have been around for years and use the same chemistry that the less expensive co testers used, the ones you had the little suction thing to draw the gasses into the measuring tube. Which by the way is still a great way to measure co in a pinch for 25 bucks

John R. Hall

Thanks

I just found it:

http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&Product_ID=7926&DID=19#desc

I think I'll study it a little more.

Alan R. Mercurio_3

John, I have also seen such an item in small air crafts and I also remember in PA there was a hardware store that sold something similar. You would stick it to the wall somewhere in your home and if the dot (about the size of a dime) turned brown that would mean (according to the instructions) CO was present, you should open your doors and windows and emergency services should be called to inspect your home.

Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

J.C.A._3

John,

As Chris said...they've been available to small aircraft pilots for years. I think it was the first time I learned about CO... was when my old boss took me up in his plane for a short ride to where the rest of the crew was for the day...N.H. International Speedway. (It's name now...but back then it was simply known as Laconia)

I wouldn't want it in my home as the only device....that's for sure! JCA

Chris_82

On another note,... avoid the saftey places for this they sit on their shelves for a long time and are twice the price. And on another note, with the relaxing of trade with the new soviet republic there are these combo radiation co units about the size of a pack of cigaretts that the ruskies have been flooding the market with. They work great and were avalable for purchase thru some London company and via e-bay. We actually found some radioactive waste the other day with an obsessive maintenace man who didn't like what some nurses were doing with something that, well lets just say they had to replace the water closet and some piping. And when the feds get thru with them...but belive it or not for 20 bucks the guy trusted it more than the standard radiation badge.

John R. Hall

I suppose

It could be useful for people who leave their hotel room for an extended period of time and return to check out the card. But I'd rather have my hand-held monitor while I'm working or sleeping in the room.

Unknown

I remmy them...

As Alan, described, its was a 2" X 2" card with a dime sized "sensor" in the middle... When it turned color... U were suppose to call the numbers on the card... Was told by other heating guy, if the dot turned color, when did it happened?, how high was the Co? By that time, its too late.... Canary were better indicators....

Jim Davis_7

The Quantum Eye was probably the most known detector of this type. I actually use to buy some of these from another company called American Gas & Chemical. They had little pills that could detect all kinds of gases. Based on how long it took the tablet to change colors determined how high the concentration. There was a big push back in the 90's where TV station were offering these by the thousands for $4.95 each, their cost. I was buying them for about a buck a piece. This of course was before good electronic alarms were available. They told peop;le to stick them on their refrigerators. Then you were supposed to put your refrigerator in your bedroom and keep a light on all night. They only had about a 3 to 4 week life after they were opened with the exception of the Quantum Eye which was good for 6 months. Yeah like anyone remembered how long they had them. Most thought if they didn't change colors that they were still good.

Plumdog_2

Sexauer Supplies

used to have them. They are suppliers for facilities maintenance departments (schools, hospitals). I tried a big stack of them and found they were not very sensitive. That was in about 1988 or so.