First weekend out…weekend from hell

[Pennee]

So it was our first weekend out. (Rollerteam Autoroller 400 2010). Wanted to stay localish just in case and the sun was set to appear. All good
Bought this van in January from an established dealer, gave him a fantastic van in exchange it was just the layout wasn’t for us long term but this weekend was a nightmare and it didn’t help because I left the suitcases at home and they had to be emergency dropped off
Last week I had it looked at as only two lights working out of 9…some fears there’s a PCB issue and the technician managed to sort as a temporary fix but thinks we needed a board after the summer was over and van out of regular use.
Hooked up on arrival and then it went downhill.
If anyone can top this weekend or find me a PCB I’ll buy you a pint
On the plus side, what a wonderful site Gaerhyfryd in Corwen is Highly recommended. Beautiful location, very quiet and lots of lovely walks.

1)the toilet does not flush at all. No power to the flush button

2)no heating or hot water. The Truma controls light up temporarily if you wiggle the fuses. After 20 minutes the power to the control goes. The combi is warm so power obviously getting to that.

3)water pump is running continuously again when you turn it on. I cannot run it to see if it’s pressure or air lock related because the truma combi dumps the water again all inside the van. The dump valve remains in the closed position when this is happening, therefore there is no water either as I can’t have the pump on. Should the water even go into the van because if as they instructions say it dumps at 3 degrees, there is going to be water dumping when we aren’t there to look at it and it floods the whole van. Should there be a pipe leading outside even from the dump valve and currently there isn’t, hence it just flooding the van?

5) the van is on hook up and the noise from the batteries under the seats is quite loud. Constant whirring like a fan. This does cut off for about twenty minutes then kicks in again for a few hours.

 

[Pennee]

Also apologies if I have posted this in the wrong sub~ forum, I’m learning!!

 

[Riverbankannie]

Please don’t apologise, it sounds like you are having a horrible time. I cannot answer all your questions, but no, the boiler drain should not dump into the van. However it sounds as if a loose/leaking connection in the water system rather than the boiler dump.
The batteries will not make a noise like a fan is running. Is there possible an inverter fitted (they have fans), and not turned off? Check your batteries are not hot and it is not a fizzing noise, if that is the case, you need to get them disconnected.
I hope you can get these things sorted. Are you a long way from the supplying dealer? They should be the ones fixing these things.

 

[Pennee]

Riverbankannie thanks for your reply. Yes there’s an inverter-that will explain it! Noisy thing it is.
Miles away from the dealer unfortunately but I’m hoping he will do what he did with the last issue and say get your own man and bill me.
Luckily I’d pre empted with my daughter there may be issues so this weekend was a learning one not a jolly
She’s a good girl who just took the dog for a sniff whilst I mopped out over and over!

 

[DavidG58]

Last week I had it looked at as only two lights working out of 9…some fears there’s a PCB issue and the technician managed to sort as a temporary fix but thinks we needed a board after the summer was over and van out of regular use.

I presume the technician mentioned is part of the supplying dealer, can’t think why they need months to sort that problem

Get it back to them to sort

I don’t think the water into the MH relates to a dump, more likely a broken joint somewhere , any dump would be to outside, or should be

Good luck

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[Pennee]

I presume the technician mentioned is part of the supplying dealer, can’t think why they need months to sort that problem

Get it back to them to sort

I don’t think the water into the MH relates to a dump, more likely a broken joint somewhere , any dump would be to outside, or should be

Good luck

No he’s a local to me guy but think he’s concerned it will take ages to get a PCB.
The dealer is miles away sadly.
I need to take a picture I think but basically the dump valve is an open outlet which just churns the water out under the sink. It’s not fixed either so I can pick it up and actually block the outlet with my finger as it’s free flowing under the combi

 

[Swifter]

Let’s try and prioritise the problems .
I know it seems like everything is going wrong but try and keep calm .
For instance . No running water isn’t a huge problem as the site should have washing up and shower facilities and you can use bottled water . Is the gas working ? As for the flush not working , this will improve your aim

 

[pappajohn]

need to take a picture I think but basically the dump valve is an open outlet which just churns the water out under the sink. It’s not fixed either so I can pick it up and actually block the outlet with my finger as it’s free flowing under the combi

It doesn't sound like a dump valve to me.
Dump valve is normally next to the boiler and screwed to the floor. It has three pipe stubs ....water in on one side, water out to taps on the other side and the dump pipe at the bottom......like a letter T.
Pictures of the 'dump' valve would help identify it for what it is

 

[Pennee]

Let’s try and prioritise the problems .
I know it seems like everything is going wrong but try and keep calm .
For instance . No running water isn’t a huge problem as the site should have washing up and shower facilities and you can use a bottled water . Is the gas working ? As for the flush not working , this will improve your aim

I kept saying let’s focus on the fact the tv is working and the new heater we bought is great!
We will look back and laugh one day I’m sure!

 

[Pennee]

It doesn't sound like a dump valve to me.
Dump valve is normally next to the boiler and screwed to the floor. It has three pipe stubs ....water in on one side, water out to taps on the other side and the dump pipe at the bottom......like a letter T.
Pictures of the 'dump' valve would help identify it for what it is

I’ve just taken some pictures for you but thank you because I went in the van to take the pictures and found it under water again, this time from the water pump so just drained the system now.
We were driving home and heard a bang and I thought it was something not secured but now know it was the pump going bang
So the third picture of the dump valve just sat there. Not screwed in. The first you can see you can see the small blue tube coming out and water churns out of that and into the circular hole in the wood, then out the base of the sink unit.

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[RedFrame]

Dump valve is open, press in blue button and turn blue toggle on top 90 degrees

Cheers
Red

 

[Pennee]

Dump valve is open, press in blue button and turn blue toggle on top 90 degrees

Cheers
Red

I had it in that position and button in, but it still churns out and the instructions say To have it in the position it’s in now for operation. However whichever position you have it in the button jumps out with the pump on and then the drainage begins into the van.
I’m leaving it to the experts now as there’s water everywhere from the two issues and can’t put the pump on now to toggle the switch in the valve.
Thank you for your help

 

[Pennee]

RedFrame i have however gone out and changed the position again and pushed the button in, in case the temperature drops overnight and off it goes again

 

[RedFrame]

All your water related issues are down to the dump being open.

The waste just needs routing outside, heat up the valve using a hair dryer, close it, put water in then bleed the system using the taps, up to you.

Cheers
Red.

 

[lunarman]

I agree with RedFrame the dump valave is open. The valve should be fixed to the floor through the holes in the flange on the bottom. There should also be a tube fixed to the small blue tube that extends it thorugh the floor and dumps the water to the outside.

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[Pennee]

I will get a pipe sorted to route it outside and then get it fixed to the unit.
It has been in both positions and still water was coming out but now in the right position thankfully!
The water pump is the issue now I suppose with water coming out of the pump unit itself so I’ve drained it all down for now and when that’s been checked I can get water in and try it all again.
Obviously no power to the controls is another issue also so need someone who knows what they are doing I think.
Thank you all for all your help.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

If i were you i would return the van and tell them to ring you when all the faults are rectified.

 

[Pennee]

Simon Meadwell i know. It’s a pain in the neck all round

 

[Lenny HB]

The electrical problems could be down to a duff battery. The inverter fan would normally only run under high load, the fan noise is more likely to be the fan in the charger which again would only run under high load. That would point to a battery constantly drawing power, when the batteries are charging check the batteries are not getting hot, if they are disconnect them for safety as you don't want them getting charged by mains or solar.

 

[Pennee]

Definitely wasn’t under load as it was the middle of the night and only a spot light in the loo on and the fridge. Will ask him to check this also.

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[pappajohn]

Whoever fitted that needs a good arse kicking.
No screws and no pipe....unforgivable, the converters should stop the dad's bringing their young school kids in to help out.

 

[Pennee]

I’ve seen better jobs pappajohn

 

[Just smiffy]

Doesn’t the dump valve open up if the power to it fails…? Sounds like all your troubles are electrics but that dump valve fitting is incompetence…

 

[Lenny HB]

Doesn’t the dump valve open up if the power to it fails…? Sounds like all your troubles are electrics but that dump valve fitting is incompetence…

Your living in the past Garry, they have been mechanical for many years.

 

[Just smiffy]

Your living in the past Garry, they have been mechanical for many years.

Haven’t had a motorhome for nearly two years now Lenny…. Starting to forget what they look like…

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