Truma automatic dump valve problems

[royandsharont]

We never had this on our old van but it will be fitted on our new one. A friend was always loosing his fresh water when we camped in April and only recently did he discover it was this valve dumping it!

Having read it mentioned in many threads I understand what it does but I have never seen anyone explain how they prevent the valve dumping the water when there is no risk of freezing. Can anyone please explain how to prevent it?

My new Adria Twin is designed to be used in well sub zero temperatures so how do they keep water in the inboard tank if this valve wants to dump it I wonder.

Any help appreciated
regards Roy

 

[tonyidle]

It won't dump if the heating is on.

 

[Phill D]

The valve needs to be I believe below 4'c to auto dump, that is normal fridge temps..
Once it dumps its a manual reset in the majority of cases.

 

[royandsharont]

The valve needs to be I believe below 4'c to auto dump, that is normal fridge temps..
Once it dumps its a manual reset in the majority of cases.

Thanks but 4C is not cold and to dump all the water seems a bit extreme. I take it it is the temp at the valve, which is on the floor in any case, that has to drop to 4C

 

[Phill D]

Thanks but 4C is not cold and to dump all the water seems a bit extreme. I take it it is the temp at the valve, which is on the floor in any case, that has to drop to 4C

Correct on temp at floor and 4c is normal fridge temps so it is a preventative measure.

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[Phill D]

PS, you could bypass it but that might be a bit unwise.

 

[tonyidle]

Thanks but 4C is not cold and to dump all the water seems a bit extreme. I take it it is the temp at the valve, which is on the floor in any case, that has to drop to 4C

It depends on the pump system. If pressure sensed it will pump out all the water. If it is a microswitched system it'll empty the boiler. 4C is pretty chilly and the sensor, not being a precision device, will play safe. If the van is in use it is likely the heating will be on. If it isn't in use you'll have drained down. The valve is easily defeated if you're confident you can keep an eye on the temperature .

 

[theapples]

If we are out in the winter or cold weather we always keep the hot water on this gives enough heat in the boiler area to stop dumping.

 

[royandsharont]

Thanks for all the replies, I get the gist of how to do it now & it seems to be have the van warmed up, if cold, before filling in readiness for setting off and then hopefully in normal conditions the valve will be over 4C whilst the van is in use.

I was envisioning problems as when we head to Croatia at the end of April we have been in -5C in Austria with 15cm icicles hanging from the cab, so didn’t want to loose the water too.

My friend used to fill his Burstner at the storage compound then set off for perhaps up to a 2 hour drive in April and when he got to the campsite he had lost his water. I guess he didn’t read the manual, unlike me who wants to learn all even before delivery , it was only when I learned of this issue I asked him if this was the problem. It was & he had just learned of it too.

 

[Spriddler]

Thanks but 4C is not cold..........

Maybe not for you Yorkshire folk but it ruddy well is for this soft Southerner.

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[Landy Andy]

Thanks but 4C is not cold and to dump all the water seems a bit extreme. I take it it is the temp at the valve, which is on the floor in any case, that has to drop to 4C

But this is 4 degrees INSIDE the motorhome, and I know my wife wouldn’t last long left in the fridge

 

[Phill D]

Thanks for all the replies, I get the gist of how to do it now & it seems to be have the van warmed up, if cold, before filling in readiness for setting off and then hopefully in normal conditions the valve will be over 4C whilst the van is in use.

I was envisioning problems as when we head to Croatia at the end of April we have been in -5C in Austria with 15cm icicles hanging from the cab, so didn’t want to loose the water too.

My friend used to fill his Burstner at the storage compound then set off for perhaps up to a 2 hour drive in April and when he got to the campsite he had lost his water. I guess he didn’t read the manual, unlike me who wants to learn all even before delivery , it was only when I learned of this issue I asked him if this was the problem. It was & he had just learned of it too.

That sounds more like his floor around the valve was not properly insulated.

 

[Vanderek]

royandsharont you could fit a "truma frost control " simply plugs into the valve and boiler, keeps the dump valve above 4° deg
Not sure why so many people have problems yet do not fit this

 

[Madmag]

Vanderek have you any more details of the above. Does it act like a heater? Sorry just trying to get to grips with all the water system both fresh and boiler as have lost both types of water on seperate occasions. We often are in lower temps and would like some kind of preventative measure. Thanks

 

[Silver-Fox]

My friend used to fill his Burstner at the storage compound then set off for perhaps up to a 2 hour drive in April and when he got to the campsite he had lost his water. I guess he didn’t read the manual, unlike me who wants to learn all even before delivery , it was only when I learned of this issue I asked him if this was the problem. It was & he had just learned of it too.

Maybe the valve on your friends is already stuck open and he doesn’t look under his van

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[Mikeco]

We never had this on our old van but it will be fitted on our new one. A friend was always loosing his fresh water when we camped in April and only recently did he discover it was this valve dumping it!

Having read it mentioned in many threads I understand what it does but I have never seen anyone explain how they prevent the valve dumping the water when there is no risk of freezing. Can anyone please explain how to prevent it?

My new Adria Twin is designed to be used in well sub zero temperatures so how do they keep water in the inboard tank if this valve wants to dump it I wonder.

Any help appreciated
regards Roy

You can either put a peg on it to stop it dumping or change it for a manual one.

 

[wiljoy]

Did my head in so binned it. How the he'll I've managed for 35 years in proper vans I'll never know.

 

[Vanderek]

Vanderek have you any more details of the above. Does it act like a heater? Sorry just trying to get to grips with all the water system both fresh and boiler as have lost both types of water on seperate occasions. We often are in lower temps and would like some kind of preventative measure. Thanks

This does act like an element to keep the boiler dump valve at about 4°. Easy to plug in, I moved mine from one motorhome to the next.

 

[Madmag]

Thanks. Where did you get yours from? Looks like something we were talking about.

 

[Vanderek]

Thanks. Where did you get yours from? Looks like something we were talking about.

The item is Truma Frost Control Element 70070-01, searching Google comes up with a variety of prices between £35 and £52 !!!! And not all have stock. I bought mine some years ago for about £30, from Whispaire

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[Madmag]

Thanks. Will have a look.