Im setting up a caravan in the back yard for casual accomodation for grandkids and visitors. My thoughts now are about a fire alarm and a gas alarm. Van should be close enough to link into the house Bluetooth connected fire alarms so i will start with another copy of whats already in place, Fire Alarm wise. Have only started research on gas and/or CO alarms and would appreciate suggestions please.
BarneyBDB said
07:18 PM Dec 29, 2025
Are you going use gas in the back yard or just go all electric ?
Izabarack said
04:07 AM Dec 30, 2025
BarneyBDB wrote:
Are you going use gas in the back yard or just go all electric ?
The van has a three way fridge and a gas and electric cooktop. No shower and toilet. It was used by a couple who travelled van park to van park but now deregistered to set up Tiny House style.
Currently connected to 230 Volt power from the house. There are plans to up the Solar panels by 400 Watts and the existing battery bank by 240 Ah. The Air Con is older technology, works well, but seriously considering replacing with one of the latest 12 Volt, 5000 BTU offerings.
The Great Grand kids are keen to sleep in it when visiting and they are involved in selecting fire and gas alarms to go with an agreed evacuation plan if they are sleeping in there alone.
PeterInSa said
10:37 AM Dec 30, 2025
In our Van I have the Carbon Monoxide Detector Warning Alarm Head high
Cheaper units are probably availabel from Aliexpress/Temu.
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:56 AM Dec 30, 2025
Most councils will not allow what you propose. I suggest you don't spend a lot of cash and then have them shut you down. Vans like this are a serious fire trap. I would not rely on a cheap Chinese knock off to save my grand kid's lives. Buy a rated product with long life battery from a reputable supplier and disconnect the gas. 12V air cons have no reliable rating. Better to buy a 240V modern split. Cheers, Peter
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 30th of December 2025 11:00:03 AM
Dick0 said
01:51 PM Dec 30, 2025
PeterInSa wrote:
In our Van I have the Carbon Monoxide Detector Warning Alarm Head high
Cheaper units are probably availabel from Aliexpress/Temu.
Iza, this would be the way to go.
Ineedabiggerboat said
03:57 PM Dec 30, 2025
Id never buy anything from a seller with 90% positive feedback.
PeterInSa said
08:54 PM Dec 30, 2025
Those were just examples of the units I purchased. I did NOT buy from them.
Magnarc said
07:05 AM Dec 31, 2025
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Most councils will not allow what you propose. I suggest you don't spend a lot of cash and then have them shut you down. Vans like this are a serious fire trap. I would not rely on a cheap Chinese knock off to save my grand kid's lives. Buy a rated product with long life battery from a reputable supplier and disconnect the gas. 12V air cons have no reliable rating. Better to buy a 240V modern split. Cheers, Peter
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 30th of December 2025 11:00:03 AM
Im setting up a caravan in the back yard for casual accomodation for grandkids and visitors. My thoughts now are about a fire alarm and a gas alarm. Van should be close enough to link into the house Bluetooth connected fire alarms so i will start with another copy of whats already in place, Fire Alarm wise. Have only started research on gas and/or CO alarms and would appreciate suggestions please.
The van has a three way fridge and a gas and electric cooktop. No shower and toilet. It was used by a couple who travelled van park to van park but now deregistered to set up Tiny House style.
Currently connected to 230 Volt power from the house. There are plans to up the Solar panels by 400 Watts and the existing battery bank by 240 Ah. The Air Con is older technology, works well, but seriously considering replacing with one of the latest 12 Volt, 5000 BTU offerings.
The Great Grand kids are keen to sleep in it when visiting and they are involved in selecting fire and gas alarms to go with an agreed evacuation plan if they are sleeping in there alone.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/376559078735
And the 12V Gas Detector Alarm Carbon Monoxide Gas Detector on the caravan door step ( inside the van)
www.ebay.com.au/itm/406463840977
And the Fire Alarm, Bunnings model on the ceiling
Cheaper units are probably availabel from Aliexpress/Temu.
Most councils will not allow what you propose.
I suggest you don't spend a lot of cash and then have them shut you down.
Vans like this are a serious fire trap. I would not rely on a cheap Chinese knock off to save my grand kid's lives. Buy a rated product with long life battery from a reputable supplier and disconnect the gas.
12V air cons have no reliable rating. Better to buy a 240V modern split.
Cheers,
Peter
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 30th of December 2025 11:00:03 AM
Iza, this would be the way to go.
That is good advice. Get rid of the gas.