boiler in winter (1 Viewer)

May 19, 2015
258
146
Surrey
Funster No
36,453
MH
Burstner
Exp
6 years
We are mainly going to use our motor home for day trips until around February half term and were not planning to fill it with water for each day trip but leave the tank empty. I thought this would be easier as it is in a storage place and we can just drive in and drive off. However, it has only occurred to me that the boiler has an automatic thing on it (technical term, I know) which dumps the water in it when the temperature gets low. I presume the last couple of days would be low enough for this to happen?? So presumably the next time the boiler needs to go on it will need water. Will we be better putting some water in the tank for each day visit then? I am not sure what would happen to the boiler if we accidentally put it on and there was no water in it. I'd be grateful for any advice - had no idea there were so many things to think about!
 
Feb 22, 2011
9,634
19,803
Newcastle under Lyme
Funster No
15,397
MH
Hymer B544 A Class
Exp
Since 2015
I believe I can run my boiler without water in it Traumatic C, but you better check your handbook.
What boiler do you have ?
 
Upvote 0
OP
OP
Lizi
May 19, 2015
258
146
Surrey
Funster No
36,453
MH
Burstner
Exp
6 years
I will need to check in the hand book. Not sure. It is Trauma heating but not sure how that relates to the boiler.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0

Allanm

Free Member
Jun 30, 2013
5,431
9,191
Cotes d'armor, France
Funster No
26,730
MH
Burstner Harmony TI 736 G
Exp
Since 1987
We have a Truma 4e combi boiler. It runs without water in it. We also have a dump valve ( operates at about 3 degrees C).
The problem is, if the temperature is below 3 when you try and fill the system with water, the dump valve won't close till the temperature around it rises to above 3.
So, we had a preheater fitted on the valve that raises the temperature so we can fill the system in cold weather.
That all sounds good, but we never empty the water out and keep the heater on low when it's cold, which keeps the valve warm. Obviously, we use the van all the year round and the water us replenished regularly.
 
Upvote 0
OP
OP
Lizi
May 19, 2015
258
146
Surrey
Funster No
36,453
MH
Burstner
Exp
6 years
We have to keep ours in storage so just worrying about not being able to get to the van for perhaps a week at a time. We intend to use it for days out in the winter and some weekends when time allows. Our first extended trip will be February half term.
If you are in the van and the temperature outside drops, presumably the dump valve won't operate if you keep the van warm??
 
Upvote 0

JeanLuc

Free Member
Nov 17, 2008
3,304
2,199
Warwickshire
Funster No
4,952
MH
Hymer B630 Star-Line
Exp
Since 2007
Our first extended trip will be February half term.
If you are in the van and the temperature outside drops, presumably the dump valve won't operate if you keep the van warm??

Correct!
If it is very cold and we have a hook-up, we run an electric frost-watcher heater overnight to keep the chill off. On sites without hook-up, we have left the Truma running all day and night on tick-over when the outside temperature has been well below zero. Amazing how fast the gas goes though: we have used an 11kg bottle in a weekend.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0

DanielFord

Free Member
Jun 1, 2013
3,020
3,086
Funster No
26,287
We have a manual dump on our boiler, which requires me to flick a switch to drop the water. The coldest weekend so far, we were actually using the van, so no problem.
Last year when I saw that cold weather was on the way, I would do the following:
Dump the boiler,
Dump the fresh
Open all taps, and leave the shower head on the floor
Open the grey waste tap

It did mean that when we came to use it, I had to re-fill the fresh tank, but a small price to pay I felt. It is worth remembering that the taps are open. The number of times I switched the water pump back on and had water spraying around the van was incredible! :D
 
Upvote 0
Jul 12, 2013
3,849
5,225
The City of Henlow
Funster No
26,906
MH
Adria Supreme
Exp
Since 1980
As it really only takes a few minutes to refill the fresh water tank, I am in favour of the complete dumping of any water for if things can go wrong, like a power cut on the coldest day preventing using an electric heater, they will. I have also found that leaving the system primed for an extended period, the water begins to develop a bad taste. For this reason I totally drain the system, ending with an airline attached to the shower hose to clear out any remaining drops.
Alan
 
Upvote 0

sdc77

Free Member
Jan 28, 2013
3,244
4,550
Weardale, Co Durham
Funster No
24,456
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
since 2011
As it really only takes a few minutes to refill the fresh water tank, I am in favour of the complete dumping of any water for if things can go wrong, like a power cut on the coldest day preventing using an electric heater, they will. I have also found that leaving the system primed for an extended period, the water begins to develop a bad taste. For this reason I totally drain the system, ending with an airline attached to the shower hose to clear out any remaining drops.
Alan
We never drink the van water so taste isn't an issue. We don't drain down over winter as we use the van

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
Apr 11, 2015
5,353
54,331
hull
Funster No
35,812
MH
Laika Ecovip 300
Exp
since 1988 with breaks until 2009
We drain the van down in the winter, We are going away for one night, site has toilet and showers, so will take a 5L container of water with us, for tea making, washing hands and flushing the loo. We fill the tank when going away for longer periods though and drain down before leaving the site. Always carry some drinking water with us though.
 
Upvote 0
Feb 18, 2009
573
247
Guisborough North Yorkshi
Funster No
5,677
MH
Malibu T410
Exp
Since August 2008
Hi Lizi - As you are only going to use for odd days or trips - perhaps to give yourself an easy life - Drain everything down now. Carry water in a couple of containers.
Use onboard tanks in spring when you start using again.
Your boiler should be fine running the heater without water - just check in manual-but can,t see why there would be a problem?
Simples
 
Upvote 0

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top