Replacing old Truma C6003 with 6E

[Tireecamper]

Hi,

Has anyone replaced an old C6003 vertical boiler with a modern 6E equivalent?

Our old boiler seems to be beyond repair and as we use out motorhome a lot in the winter we thought rather than throw more money at the old one it would be better to replace it with a new one. Im thinking of investing in a Truma 6E. Maybe Im being optimistic but it could be a relatively easy straight forward job. All the ducting is in place so hopefully it can be swapped out with this new model. Has anyone else done this and found any pit falls?

Im a reasonably experienced DIY’r and not too phased connecting the gas and 12V side of things but slightly apprehensive about wiring in the 240V side of it (but will probably getting this done by a service engineer at a later stage).

Ive also got a couple of questions regarding the operation of the boiler-

Is it ok to leave it running on electric for prolonged periods to keep the van frost free in the winter?
When running on gas does it create a lot of noise?

Any feedback would be much appreciated as always!

Adam

 

[Lenny HB]

The older C6002 was much better at water heating then the C6, took half the time to heat the water and the 40 deg setting useable it's not on the C6 due to the hysteresis of the thermostat (doesn't switch back on until temp drops to 27).
The C6 is better on the heating side particularly with the CP-Plus controller much better control of the fan speed, once up to temp you would hardly know it was on.

The main problem I can see is the C6 needs a lot more space if your current heater is under the bed or a sofa you are probably OK, if in the bottom of the wardrobe, no chance.

I wouldn't have thought the mains option worth the extra cost and in use it's cheaper to run on gas than mains and the mains elements are only 2 x 900 watt.
I don't see the need to leave the heating on in an empty van, warm air holds more moisture than cold air also the electric elements are prone to failure when used constantly and are a pig to change.

 

[Terry]

It's easy enough to change provided ( like Lenny says) you have room .The control panel / cable may be a little difficult to thread through wall into same position. All other cables / pipes should be straight forward.

 

[Tireecamper]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately the boiler is in a wardrobe! Ive measured the space and looked at how much space Truma recommends and it looks ok. Im assuming therefore that the space they are talking about is to give room around the boiler so it doesn’t start heating up the surround rather than how much space is need to install it.
Im thinking now if space is a big problem I can fit it in the garage below, not ideal but plenty of space.

Many thanks again

 

[Lenny HB]

Just been out and measurer my installation, I reckon the smallest area you will get a C6 in is 21" (534mm)L x 16" ( 407mm)W x 13"(330mm)H. And you will need access for heating ducts, flue, gas & water connections.

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[Terry]

You may have to extend all the pipework and cable's if you move it into the garage

 

[Lenny HB]

Another thing you would need access on at least 3 sides to install it. Manufacturers normally install them then build the furniture around them.

 

[Tireecamper]

Its beginning to sound a bit more fiddly than I had hoped for. I will measure the space available and take it from there!

 

[Martin P]

Hi.
I have just replaced our old upright C4003 with a 4e so a similar project to yours . Ours was under the bed and fortunately there was room so that made things easier.
The new unit is obviously a different shape and all the connections are in different places .

The first thing I would consider is the exhaust/inlet pipe. Our unit came with a 1metre length and was just long enough.
I had to re position the dump valve .
The gas line on ours just needed shortening. The boiler came with a new nut and olive. I am always careful not to overtighten fittings.
Water pipes are all just pushfit. With moving everything around I needed a couple of more fittings
The boiler came with the new digital internet ready control panel.
The new panel has different connectors to the old unit.
Truma do not recommend cutting the old plugs off and fitting the new ones to the old cable.
The new panel needs a bigger hole cut in the woodwork.
The cable for the control panel was not long enough so I ordered an extension. This did not come with a connector so had to get one afterwards
The unit came with a new thermostat sensor . The wire for this is separate from the control cable unlike the previous which is combined with the control cable
Running the boiler to controller cable was by far the biggest job.
The wire ran behind the kitchen, up the door pillar, around the front of the over cab where I had to strip out the entire lining and then through the overhead cupboards on the other side.
The thermostat wire I extended with some good quality speaker cable.
The digital control panel also needs a power feed live and neutral fed from the same circuit as the (existing) power feed to the boiler.
I ran a new live and neutral pair back from the control panel to the boiler feed in the boiler compartment. This needs a 1amp fuse so I put an inline fuse holder just before the connection in the boiler compartment.
All wiring connections were soldered and in heatshrink.
The 240 was pretty straightforward.
The boiler comes with a metre of heat resistant 240 cable. I connected to this with a 20amp plug in connector and ran the cable round to the Calira charger unit our van is fitted with. This unit handles the 240 circuit on the van and is fitted with breaker unit. There are two 240outlets on the unit and only one was being used, so it was a simple matter to plug into the vacant outlet (once I had found the right size plug)

The hot air ducting was fortunately long enough.
The new control panel needs to be set up as per the instruction manual.
One of the water push fits leaked slightly as it was not quite fully pushed home.
I tested the gas with a manometer.

A further half a day to put the van back together and job done.

The heating is much better than the old unit and the water heating is also much faster. Altogether very happy.
Van is a 2007 6.7 metre coachbuilt

Hope this is of help to you
Martin

 

[Martin P]

Another thought for you.
As you look at the new unit with the basic tube running right to left
If the circuit board and electrical conections are facing you
The gas and water connections are on the left hand end towards the back
The exhaust duct is left end coming towards you.
The four hot air outlets are right hand end, two towards two away from you.

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[JockandRita]

Our old boiler seems to be beyond repair

Tireecamper, are you sure your C6002 is beyond repair, ie, have you been in touch with Truma workshops at Derby?

Address: 2000 Park La/Dove Valley Pk, Derby DE65 5BG
Broken Link Removed:
Closed ⋅ Opens 8:30AM
Broken Link Removed: 01283 587900

In the summer of last year, I took our 20 year old Hymer to Truma Derby (by appointment), to have our boiler seen to. They said on the phone that they didn't do repairs, so I indicated that it had a gas ignition problem, which I felt was becoming a possible danger.
I stayed overnight outside their entrance, ready for my 09.00 appointment. The unit was completely overhauled including new burners, a new top cover, and a new flue, all of which had almost disintegrated, (they showed me the dodgy parts), and I was advised that the work carried out would give the unit another 10 x years, at least.
I can't remember the exact cost, but it was in the region of £400.

The new owner has the benefit of it now. lol

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Tireecamper]

Hi Jock,

Is that the main truma dealer repair shop?
I will contact them and see if they have a branch in Scotland, Derby is a bit far away!

Martin,

many thanks for all the pointers, if it comes to it Im sure all your information will be handy.

Thanks again guys and girls.

Adam

 

[JockandRita]

Is that the main truma dealer repair shop?
I will contact them and see if they have a branch in Scotland, Derby is a bit far away

Yes Adam, the only Truma workshop in the UK that I am aware of.
You could incorporate a visit with a long weekend away, or a week's holiday.
£400 compared to a replacement of around £1300 plus, makes sense to me.

Good luck whichever route you choose to go down Adam.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[ianp]

JockandRita
Hi Jock
Did you request an overhaul or did they just do that as a matter of course and will they do this normally? That is to say if I give them a call will they overhaul our currently working unit which is now 15 years old do you think?

 

[JockandRita]

JockandRita
Hi Jock
Did you request an overhaul or did they just do that as a matter of course and will they do this normally? That is to say if I give them a call will they overhaul our currently working unit which is now 15 years old do you think?

Hi Ian, not if it is in working order.
As posted above, I explained that there was a problem with the gas ignition system, and that I didn't consider it safe, which then prompted them to accept me for an appointment.......as in their words, "they don't do repairs".
As there were a few components requiring replacement, they did overhaul it for me after chatting with me first, and producing the worn/faulty parts. The term "shocking", would be an understatement TBH
New burners, igniter, flue, and something else which I can't remember.

How they operate during these Covid times, I don't know, but I certainly don't think you'll be invited into their customer lounge (as was the norm), and offered bacon sarnies and coffee.

Tireecamper. How did you get on with your enquiries re Truma Derby?

Cheers,

Jock.

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[ianp]

Thanks for the reply Jock! The bit I don't understand is what is the function of the place if they don't do 'repairs' ? What do they do?

 

[JockandRita]

Thanks for the reply Jock! The bit I don't understand is what is the function of the place if they don't do 'repairs' ? What do they do?

You'll need to ask them, but make out you have a problem of some sort, that needs investigating.

The main function of the place is supply to the industry and warranty work, but they did retain a large number of C type boilers for spares, before those models became obsolete.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[ianp]

Thanks Jock!