Carbon Monoxide detector going off...

[Dseg42]

I just bought a used golf cart with 2021 batteries. The battery charger looks to be the original, from 2006.
My carbon monoxide detector went off at 2am in my garage.
I was charging the cart in an enclosed garage with no ventilation for the first time overnight.
After reading, charging batteries emits hydrogen which can set off these carbon monoxide detectors.

So is this normal? Or do I have something wrong with my batteries or is the charger defective? You can also smell something when the batteries are charging. Smells acidy.
I also checked the water levels on the batteries and the caps are sealed.
I’m thinking my charger is old and is over charging my batteries. I was looking at new ones on amazon for $250 but I also found I could sell my 20year old, 15 amp charger for the same price? Am I missing something with that?

[Scobra1]

Yes CO sensors can be sensitive to H2.

The reason that CO sensors are potentially susceptible to hydrogen (H2) interference is the reaction that is used to detect gas. Hydrogen is actually part of the detection reaction. The relative response to hydrogen depends on the brand and model of sensor. Sometimes the cross sensitivity is presented as an advantage to customers. In some cases the response is so high the manufacturer tells customers the sensors should not be used at all in the presence of hydrogen.

Seems like yours is sensitive to H2.

[Murby]

Raise the detector up a few feet.. Hydrogen sulfide settles to the floor where it causes everything to rust.

[Bobbob]

There has been a lot of posts with smoke alarm going off in garage when charging batteries. Only cure is moving smoke alarm further away from cart. Or could try putting fan to blow across batteries to dilute gas buildup.


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[Dseg42]

Thanks for the feedback. So is there nothing wrong with my battery/charger?

[Fairtax4me]

Nothing wrong with the batteries or charger.
Hydrogen sulfide gas is emitted from a lead acid battery as part of the normal process of charging and discharging.
Hydrogen being flammable, is not something you want to build in high concentrations in an enclosed area, Even though it would take quite a long time to build up a dangerous amount.
The sulfur emitted with the gas can and will cause problems with corrosion and damage to any metal surfaces as well as certain coatings or paints. Hydrogen sulfide can corrode the wall outlets in your garage, causing bad connections for anything that is plugged in that can overheat the outlet and cause it to melt or catch on fire.

You should have some kind of ventilation installed in your garage. There needs to be some way for fresh air to get in and any vapors in the garage to get out. This will keep the buildup of gasses from charging the pack from getting into your home as well.

[_ogre]

why would there be a carbon monoxide detector in your garage?
sounds like it's something i'd not want in my garage
i'd swap it out with a straight smoke detector