Heating problem (1 Viewer)

Kanberlingo

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May 18, 2009
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Merry Christmas all.

We are on a small private site in the Midlands, with all facilities. On Monday night the dump valve operated & dumped the boiler water. No problem there, I simply turned the onboard heating on low overnight to maintain the temp to avoid that situation again. We arrived on site (Monday) with 2 full 6Kg propane bottles, apart from cooking & the low heating only setting (overnight, Tuesday & Wednesday) on the control dial, this morning we were out of gas ?????? Then we realised the domestic hot water, which had not been selected & which is on the same dial was boiling hot. Logic tells me that the switch is wired up wrongly. The settings are, from off, 1 turn anticlockwise gives water temp @ 40 degrees, one further click anticlockwise gives 60degrees. According to the book, these are "summer settings" So back to the off position, 1 click clockwise gives heating blown air, a further click gives heating & water @ 60degrees. (Winter settings) Now plainly, the heating has to heat some water to provide the heat to disperse into the living area, but set at a minimum, to maintain a moderate heat for the dump valve & then to end up with the water boiling hot & therefore no gas after just 2 days is, to me, a problem, or am I missing something. During the day & evening, before beddy byes, we use a 2Kw electric heater, which was left on at a low setting overnight on the Monday we arrived, hence the dump valve operating, because it's in a position not to get any heat from the electric fan heater. And therefore the reason the gas heating was applied on the Tuesday & Wednesday nights.
Any thoughts ???


BeeJay
 

Wall-E

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Jan 21, 2009
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Hi,
You have not mentioned the central dial setting 1 to 9?, if this was set to 9 it would perhaps use a lot more gas?. Not sure if this dial comes into play if only heating the domestic hot water side of things?. will have to read the destruction book!!. Not had this problem with our Chausson 94.
cheers Wall-E.
 

david price

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Sep 28, 2008
383
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Bridgenorth
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MH
coachbuilt
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5 years
Have you checked the bottle to see if it is empty.Have my heating on most time in winter and lasts well over a week on 24/7.Also any blockage in regulator will reduce pressyre so heating will not work.
Dave

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Kanberlingo

Kanberlingo

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May 18, 2009
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Hi, the centre dial was only on 3, & the "destruction book" is pretty useless when it comes to explaining how things actually work.

Have you checked the bottle to see if it is empty.Have my heating on most time in winter and lasts well over a week on 24/7.Also any blockage in regulator will reduce pressyre so heating will not work.
Dave

The bottle is well & truly MT, I've just removed it to get it swapped. There is no blockage etc. as the heating is okay, but your comment regarding 24/7 has really peed me off. It seems that all the gas has been used to heat the water even though it wasn't called for. Looks like another visit to the dealers when we get back.

BeeJay
 

Heyupluv

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Oct 7, 2008
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I'm not an expert on the heating/water but if it's the same system as ours then when the heating part of it comes in to play it also heats up the water whether you want it or not (it has to). Our motorhome is a McLouis 2008 but not sure what the heating system is because the books are in the motorhome which we don't keep at home but we did find the instructions a bit confusing. We go up 1 or 2 blobs for just the water and go down 1 or 2 blobs for the heating/water which we believe is 40 or 60 degrees and the variable control 1-5 just increases or decreases the fan. We believe there is a thermostat on the boiler which regulates the boiler temperature and we have another thermostat in the motorhome above the door which operates the variable fan (1-5) as necessary. We think this is how it works but we can say for certain that our hot water comes on with the heating too. Hope this helps a bit.
Mel.
 

steles

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Sep 2, 2007
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What system do you have ?
Is it a truma 6000

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Kanberlingo

Kanberlingo

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May 18, 2009
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We go up 1 or 2 blobs for just the water and go down 1 or 2 blobs for the heating/water which we believe is 40 or 60 degrees and the variable control 1-5 just increases or decreases the fan. We believe there is a thermostat on the boiler which regulates the boiler temperature and we have another thermostat in the motorhome above the door which operates the variable fan (1-5) as necessary. We think this is how it works but we can say for certain that our hot water comes on with the heating too. Hope this helps a bit.
Mel.

Hi Mel, from the sound of it, your system is the same set-up as mine. But as I only had the temp set very low to benefit the dump valve, yet all the gas was used over a few hours, it would seem that the temp control knob is at fault, allowing the water to attain a far greater temp than is required.

BeeJay

@ steles, Your question came in as I was writing the above. The book says it's a C4002 which corresponds with the label on the heater.

I've just re-checked the book & at the setting I selected just for heating, it clearly states, Winter service mode. (heating without hot water request.) As I've stated in my OP obviuously the water has to heat up a little? to attain a heating temp. But the wording is contradictory.
Also I could have brewed up with it, as it was that hot.
 
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Heyupluv

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Hi Mel, from the sound of it, your system is the same set-up as mine. But as I only had the temp set very low to benefit the dump valve, yet all the gas was used over a few hours, it would seem that the temp control knob is at fault, allowing the water to attain a far greater temp than is required.

BeeJay

@ steles, Your question came in as I was writing the above. The book says it's a C4002 which corresponds with the label on the heater.

Or it could be your thermostat at fault.
 
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Kanberlingo

Kanberlingo

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Or it could be your thermostat at fault.

It's looking very much like it, but which one? The one above the door or the one on the boiler. Answers please on a postcard.:Doh:

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steles

Free Member
Sep 2, 2007
240
61
Kent
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210
MH
Panel Van Conversion
Exp
Since 2005
Truma 4002
Gas consumption 4 outlets Max 287M3Hr
To keep valve shut turn on but set stat to min you will use no gas. Position D or 1 clockwise from off.

Position D heats water and air at same time so if stat is set to min no gas will be used no water or heat.
Position E heats van to stat setting and then water to 60deg

You may also note that it is not necessary to have water in boiler for heating.
You should have been issued with truma manual with van, the info in most motorhome manuals is poor to say the least
This is my understanding but you must check with your dealer.
Steles
 
Oct 29, 2008
5,024
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If the truma combi is on air heating only, the water will still heat up over time and will get upto full temperature if the heating is left on overnight.
 

Heyupluv

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Oct 7, 2008
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Our thermostat is above the door (like a little black button) now if your door does not shut tight as many motorhomes do not, mine included, there will be a cold draft coming through the door...surely this will keep the boiler/ heating running to compensate the heat loss...and now it is winter with very low temperatures into the minus "C", could this be the problem why you have used so much gas.( I must say you have used quite a bit of gas although it is very cold, and a lot of people are having problems with there gas).......was the gas bottles full..when fitted.....was the gas bottles fully empty when you changed them...was it a faulty valve on the bottle.......me I would always look for the obvious, start at where the gas comes in, tick boxes and work your way through as you test things.......hopefully it is nothing major ........

Bit late now but maybe in BQ(as shops are closed)...At the builders merchants you can buy a red liquid for gas testing it comes in a small polythene bottle with a brush inside....brush it over all your joints (it should have little tiny bubbles if there is a leak there) I suppose you could use a washing up liquid mixture with water ??? but it would be better with correct solution.....just to see if you are loosing gas!!! check all your connections, and where the pigtails join to the gas bottle for leaks

start at the easy things ....most of the time it is that what is the problem...and work your way to the boiler parts

Mel

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Kanberlingo

Kanberlingo

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Truma 4002
Gas consumption 4 outlets Max 287M3Hr
To keep valve shut turn on but set stat to min you will use no gas. Position D or 1 clockwise from off.

Position D heats water and air at same time so if stat is set to min no gas will be used no water or heat.
Position E heats van to stat setting and then water to 60deg

You may also note that it is not necessary to have water in boiler for heating.

Steles

By jove steles, I think you might just have it. When I first got the MH I read through all the literature, as you do, it struck me as odd that the heater was used to enable the dump valve to be held shut in cold weather. Which meant that the heater would be on without any water in the boiler. Now your explanation makes it all make sense, especially the centre temp control. I was under the mis-apprehension that that control, controled the water temp, but reading your explanation has made me realise that I wasn't reading the manual correctly, ie the water temp is either 40 or 60 degrees. But one final thing, when the water was dumped by the valve, it was only the water in the boiler that was released, there was still a tank full of fresh water in the onboard tank. But there was no pressure in the tap when trying to draw cold water off?
I would like to get hold of a schematic diagram of the entire system. That's the only way to fully understand the workings of on-board facilities. But would Chausson supply one, if indeed one exists?

BeeJay :thumb:

 

cyclingdoglucy

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Apr 27, 2009
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"keep cool"

hi.
our m/h switch & thermo setup for the heating is the same as yours.
for a experiment prior to going to bed ? turn the switch clockwise to the hot water & blownair system (2 clicks) for 20 mins untill the domestic water gets hot.
then turn it back (1 click ) anti clockwise :thumb: with the thermo on no2 for the" airblown system only," i think then the domestic hot water in the boiler will or should not freeze through the night & also you will be kept warm in the night ?, especially if you have the electric fire on.
also if all fails the dump valve will still open .

the hot or blownair only mode "DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY WATER IN THE BOILER "on the first switch clockwise on MY BOILER , PLEASE CHECK that yours is the same before trying , it will say in the manual .

as a ex fireman i am not keen on leaving a 2kw fire on at night , but if its a mounted one in the m/h , then should be ok.

regards.
brian
 

steles

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Sep 2, 2007
240
61
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210
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Simple explanation to loss of pressure(flow).
Boiler contains approx 12l of water,opening any tap causes pump to start but before water reaches tap the boiler will have to fill, cold feed to boiler is teed off cold supply to taps, before water will flow from hot tap boiler will have to fill completely and all air must be expelled.
Hope that makes sense.
Steles

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M&L

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Jan 26, 2008
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1
North Lincolnshire
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6
As the Truma boiler dumps at what I would say is a fairly high temperature of 8 deg. I amongst with many others put a peg on or in my case mole grips on the valve to stop it dumping.
If you have heat on in the van the boiler will stay above freezing point anyway as it is inside the van.

Mike
 
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Kanberlingo

Kanberlingo

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Can't think why 8 degrees is the figure used for this particular operation. More like 3 or 4 would be a more obvious setting.

steles, if I remember correctly, I'm sure the pump was running before any tap was turned on when we realised that the water had been dumped.
 

steles

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The dump valve allows the water to discharge at 4deg C
8deg C is the reset value
There are 2 different systems installed in European motorhomes.
System 1 has the pump switched by a micro switch fitted to each tap.
System 2 is a pressured system. A pressure switch installed in the line monitors the pressure and runs the pump as necessary to maintain the set pressure. I guess that, if the pump was operating as you say, you have a pressurised system and the pump was running to maintain pressure. The dump valve is effectively just another tap.

It is of course difficult to diagnose remotely especially without specialised knowledge of your motorhome.

Steles

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david price

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Sep 28, 2008
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Kanberlingo are you anywhere near bloxwich,walsall?If so i have some leak detection fluid on my work van,could soon test your joints for any leaks.
Dave.
 

Terry

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Dec 27, 2007
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Hi & merry Christmas :Smile: A simple way to test for a gas leak is to turn everything off, then turn your bottle on and after a couple of seconds turn off :thumb: wait about five mins then turn a cooker ring on, you should hear (listen carefully ) the gas escape :thumb: that then tells you your pipes etc, are holding pressure :thumb:If no hiss then you have a leak :Eeek:
terry
 
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Kanberlingo

Kanberlingo

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It is of course difficult to diagnose remotely especially without specialised knowledge of your motorhome.

Steles

@ steles.....Oh! I don't know, you've done pretty well up to now.:thumb:

@ David & Terry......I'm happy there is definately no gas leak, I can smell a .... at a hundred paces & propane is pretty pungent. But thanks for the offer Dave, much appreciated.

Have a good Christmas. :winky:

BeeJay

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Nov 18, 2011
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Truma combi boiler

Hi , when I first experienced my truma combi boiler the instructions were very hard to follow, being used to a normal water and convector fire, my first thoughts were if the batteries go flat no heating, the particular problem I had was the blower was either blowing hard or not at all it eat the gas big style, the problem was found to be the little black button thermostat, works perfect now, but the gas usage isnt the most economical, you only have to go to feel the exhaust gasses they are red hot, wasted heat. Hope this helps. Ronboyracer :ROFLMAO:
 

MikeandCarolyn

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Mar 18, 2008
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and we have another thermostat in the motorhome above the door which operates the variable fan (1-5) as necessary.
Mel.

Eureka !! This 'black button' is by our door-have been wondering what it was since we got the van.:Doh: Is it the Thermostat ?
Or ,rather,is it the sensor. Mike
 

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Wildman

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Hi , when I first experienced my truma combi boiler the instructions were very hard to follow, being used to a normal water and convector fire, my first thoughts were if the batteries go flat no heating, the particular problem I had was the blower was either blowing hard or not at all it eat the gas big style, the problem was found to be the little black button thermostat, works perfect now, but the gas usage isnt the most economical, you only have to go to feel the exhaust gasses they are red hot, wasted heat. Hope this helps. Ronboyracer :ROFLMAO:
Hi if you check the date this is a 2 year old thread and the op not a subscriber.:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

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Oct 14, 2007
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Hi if you check the date this is a 2 year old thread and the op not a subscriber.:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

Well spotted Roger, them old mince pies are still working good:ROFLMAO:

It would be helpful if old posts were marked in some way as it's easy to fall into the trap of adding when someone else has picked up the thread again
 

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