Lizzie Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 The last time i posted in early February we had problems with heating and leak after getting van back from dealer. It transpired the leak was because they had not connected boiler back up to water so at least that problem was solved. The thermal cut out was replaced (appparently this only goes when heating used without water and this will have happened as water had not been connected when getting fixed) and dealer checked heating was working the next few days as fault had been intermittant. They showed it working when we collected. This weekend was our first opportunity to take it out of storage and away for two nights. The heating did not work - kept cuuting out. Heating came on for varying times, you hear a click or two, power surge and then it cuts out with the red fault light on. New gas bottle, water in system, gas cooker etc all working. What on earth can the problem be? Also, does anyone know of a mobile engineer or caravan/ motorhome workshop near to Gatwick?
Caddies104 Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 Hi Might be worth mentioning what system you have and was you running it on gas, electric, or both..
Robbo Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 What type of gas are you using, butane or propane? If using butane, it will not vaporise well at current temperatures and cause the boiler to cut out. Also, when the gas bottle gets low in contents, the pressure tends to reduce and gives similar symptoms.
Lizzie Posted March 6, 2016 Author Posted March 6, 2016 It is a truma system only works on gas. But also has separate electric switch for hot water only. The van is an 02 Rapido 741f.
Lizzie Posted March 6, 2016 Author Posted March 6, 2016 It is a brand new bottle of gas and using propane. The gas rings and oven are working fine so dont think it can be a gas problem.
aandncaravan Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 Does it still fault when you are on Mains EHU? I just wondered if it was a 12v power issue related to the battery (being drained down by the Blower Motor?). When on EHU it would be charging the battery back up as it discharged so the problem not arise? That might also explain why it is intermittent, and why it worked ok at the Dealers, on presumably a full battery? Maybe they even did the demo to show it was working while on EHU? What do you mean by a 'Power Surge' when you write - "hear a click or two, power surge and then it cuts out with the red fault light on...."
Robbo Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 I live fairly near Gatwick and have used a mobile service technician called Chris. His company is Leisure-Tec who can be contacted on 01737-779619 or 07956-894064. He used to a do a lot of work for Chichester Caravans, Redhill but they have now closed. I don't know if Chris is still operating but it's worth a call. He gave my fridge a service and I was pleased with his work. It sounds as if you may have a problem with the PCB (printed circuit board) located on the Truma boiler. There was a thread circa Dec 15 about a guy who lives in France with a similar problem. I'll try and find it unless someone else beats me to it.
Lizzie Posted March 6, 2016 Author Posted March 6, 2016 The heating only works off gas. The hot water works of electric and gas. Thanks Robbo we will try Chris.
Robbo Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 Found the link http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Traumatic-C-6002-problems/40204/ Hope this helps.
Lizzie Posted March 6, 2016 Author Posted March 6, 2016 By power surge i just mean the noise of the heating gets louder as if it is trying reaaly hard then cuts out.
Robbo Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Other mobile service technicians can be found on the Dometic web site http://www.dometic.co.uk/service/service-partner-network/ The nearest to you is probably East Grinstead. I assume your Truma boiler is a C3402.
RogerC Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 I would be back to the dealer who presumably you paid to fix it to get it fixed properly.
Mickt Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Just seen this tread , I always understood that this heater could be used without water,as this is an air heater. If I would you go back to dealer and get them to sort it.
aandncaravan Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Lizzie - 2016-03-06 9:51 PM By power surge i just mean the noise of the heating gets louder as if it is trying reaaly hard then cuts out. I understand the heat is produced using Gas, but the blower motor or pump will still be using 12v power, as, most likely, will the Electronic control unit?
Robbo Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Since the OP's van is 14 years old it probably has a gas regulator connected directly to the bottle (unless it's since been converted to a bulk head regulator). The Truma boiler consumes a lot of gas in space heating mode, and if it doesn't receive the required amount of gas, it shuts down. Other low demand gas appliances would still work as normal. Over time all gas regulators will become less efficient being subject to oiley residue and other deposits. I suggest the OP addresses the simple things first and replaces the regulator or if possible loans a regulator from a supplier as a test. My 2002 van suffered a Truma space heating malfunction. I replaced the regulator and everything worked again.
Lizzie Posted March 7, 2016 Author Posted March 7, 2016 The regulator, pc board and thermal cut out have all been replaced by the dealer whilst trying to solve the problems.
aandncaravan Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Well that makes me even more suspicious of the 12v power? If the PCB electronic controller (usually with some thermostat control at that age of vehicle?) has already been replaced AND you hear a 'Surge' of some sort, that may suggest either that the Electronics are seeing some kind of Voltage surge and shutting down or that the reverse is happening with a drop in Voltage so shutting down. From your description of a 'Power Surge', I can't see it being a Gas supply issue, but something outside the Heater? Like : Poor connection, malfunctioning power supply, poor battery, etc Is the issue worse or better when on EHU? If it is worse that might indicate voltage regulation issues in the Charger/Power supply giving out random higher voltages affecting the Electronic control unit? If it is better, that might suggest better voltage/current availability helping stabilise the Electronics in the Heater unit? If EHU makes no difference it may be some kind of wiring issue, outside the Heater?
Lizzie Posted March 7, 2016 Author Posted March 7, 2016 We have never tried it without electric hook up as we have only stayed at sites with it because we wouldnt be able to heat van if the gas heating did not work. We are taking it back to dealer on wednesday. Fingers crossed. Trouble is they were so convinced it was working after last fix and they checked it over several days. I imagine they were checking without hook up so will query that.
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