Water Heater - Strange/dangerous Problem? (1 Viewer)

[jennymaywright]

:helpsos:
Hi, We have a 2001 Autocruise Stargazer fitted with a Truma Ultrastore gas only operation water heater. Last weekend it started doing something odd. We had used it to heat water one morning as usual then switched it off. Later in the day we noticed that the water was still very hot but the heater was not switched on. We tried switching it on then off again and this seemed to turn the heater off ok. Dodgy switch no doubt. That night we were woken by that sort of low humming-type sound you get when water is beginning to warm up or a fan is running, but the heater was not switched on. Another symptom of a dodgy switch maybe. Anyway, to play safe we turned the gas off. However, on seemingly random occasions we could still hear the low humming sound coming from the heater as if it was switching on and off but without the clicking sound you usually get. We have been told there isn't a fan in this heater and without gas getting to the heater it shouldn't be doing anything presumably. We can't fathom out what is going on. We called into our local service place on the way home but they seem befuddled by it too. Does anyone have any idea what could be happening and is it dangerous? Also, on the same day our kitchen tap started to leak badly. Can't imagine that the two problems are linked but have no idea really.

 

[vwalan]

are you sure its the heater . could be its the water pump. if a tap leaks on a pressurised system you might be hearing the pump kick in . water can stay hot in warm weather.

 

[JeanLuc]

Since you are in Shropshire, I suggest a call to Dave Newell for advice and if he recommends action, then he is in Telford and should be able to sort out any problems.
http://www.davenewell.co.uk/

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[jennymaywright]

No, its not the pump. Its not the usual pump sound. The sound is definitely coming from the water heater - its right under our heads and we can hear it clearly at night. Also, when you stand next to the cowl outside you can clearly hear it too.

 

[rainbow chasers]

I would say your burner is rusted out. Remove the vent, and you will see the burner - check for carbonisation around the burner itself, as this will be a giveaway of bad combustion.

When the burners rust out, a 'flash' flame licks under the seal, and eventuially heats the control board, resulting in malfunction/fire.

 

[Mr Colpot]

Is it definately not the blown air heater? In my experience having the blown air on has heated the water in the boiler to an extent that it seemed like I had the hot water on.

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[jennymaywright]

No, its not the blown air heating. We turned that on too to compare and that sounds a lot louder. We'll look at the burner and see if it has rusted.

 

[jennymaywright]

Thanks everyone for you suggestions. Hopefully we can resolve the problem quickly. :thanks2:

 

[mitzimad]

Do check its not the pumpby switching it off next time you hear the noise ours sometimes runs but with a different noise its very strange as weve checked for leaks an nothing also the pump when it makes the strange noise will run indefinately

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[jennymaywright]

Water Heater Update

Earlier today we plugged the MH into the mains hookup as we needed power for a bit of maintenance only to find a couple of hours later, that we have hot water in the tank! Not just warm water but hot enough not to be able to keep your hand under it. So now we're wondering if the Truma boiler ISN'T a gas only boiler but has an electrical heater in it and was never set up to operate on 240V but, perhaps by some shorting out on wiring somewhere, is making a connection when we're on hookup and is switching on. There is no switch anywhere to be seen and (four years ago nearly) we were sold the MH as it having a gas only boiler. We have it booked in with the local service people but thinking we will not be using hookup until this is sorted. :Confused:

 

[g8ysn]

g8ysn

had problem with my truma 6e blew heating elements ,check main switch should show gas/ga
s& elecrtick, look at 12 volt mother board ,that controles gas:,if their is another that will be your 230 board
take unit out take cover of and see if you can locate the elements,it may sound scarry but i have just overalled mine myselfe, saved a lot of ££

 

[g8ysn]

g8ysn

go onto truma page put in make model and download operating/maintainance instructions

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[Merle]

Hi, we have an 03 Autocruise Wentworth fitted with a Truma Ultrastore with both gas and electric heating, the switch for the electric is under the cooker in the drop down storage.....same moho converter, just a possibility yours is the same

 

[jennymaywright]

Mystery solved!

Hi Merle

Yes indeed!! There is a switch hidden away beneath the knee roll on the side seat for operation of the electric water heater. This had been inadvertently turned on so whenever we plugged into hookup the water heater came on. We were sold the MH by a large dealer near Shrewsbury as having gas only water heating and space heating hence our confusion. You do wonder just how well dealers really check their stock over before handing over to customers.

Very many thanks for helping to solve our problem and thanks to everyone else who came up with ideas and suggestions. :thumb:

 

[Tootles]

Just a thought.....you are sure it's a gas only water heater?????? Quite a rarity unless its a German fitted Truma. AHHHHHHHH, thats what you get for posting without reading page 2!!

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[gasman2008]

the switch for the electric heater on my boiler is under the cooker, a long way from the boiler, see if you have a switch in a hidden corner.

 

[pappajohn]

the switch for the electric heater on my boiler is under the cooker, a long way from the boiler, see if you have a switch in a hidden corner.

you didnt read the whole thread either....

see posts #14 and #15 above.

 

[gasman2008]

you didnt read the whole thread either....

see posts #14 and #15 above.

Life is too short for thatoh:

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