VW Gatcombe replacement heater?

[oonagh]

Hi all

My heater has broken, both gas and electric, and I really dont know what to do! You cant buy the parts anymore. My son says its going to cost around 1k to buy a new heater (which I cant afford). I will need to sell her one day, so want to know if anyone can give me any helpful advice? I can make do with a plug in heater till I sell it. Has anyone got any wonderful suggestions for me???

Many thanks

Oonagh

 

[tonyidle]

What make/model of heater?

 

[oonagh]

Hi Tony

Its a Carver 5500 Turbo Fanmaster.

Thanks for taking an interest!

Oonagh

 

[oonagh]

My son saw one on eBay but they were asking 400 quid for it and it was 20 years old! Im reluctant to spend that much or even close to that amount for something that could break down again before I sell her! Difficult decision.

 

[tonyidle]

This it?

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[ambulancekidd]

Parts are relatively simple to get for these heaters, where have you looked for parts & what do you think is broken?

 

[Jev88]

What has actually broken? I know the overall cost is high for a whole unit but there are only so many parts to go wrong.
The PCB's can be refurbished by ARC (I think thats his company name) and the Blower/fan part can be picked up refurbed on eBay for about £85. The burners too can be refurbed and people still specialise in this.
I am assuming there can't be much difference to my Carver/Truma gas/electric unit for which I had to replace the fan part of the Fanmaster where you need three elbows to get to a few screws. I also had to replace the automatic spark generator at a cost of £60 for a new one.

On the flipside if ever mine packs up it will be pulled out and replaced by a Diesel heater (£125) and might pay a professional to fit it (£65) and then remodel the opening to incorporate the blower outlet and use the existing holes in the floor (for vent pipework) to exhaust.

 

[oonagh]

Thanks Tony. No, that cant be it because my son said there was only one on there and it was 400 quid they were asking. But would that one do?? I haven't a flipping' clue myself...

 

[oonagh]

Hi Jev88
Apparently they dont make the parts anymore, so my son says. So I'm snookered. The element had broken on the elec bit. Not sure what was wrong with the gas bit, my son did take it all apart and just said it's knackered.

 

[oonagh]

Jev88 thank you SO much for your advice! I will copy and paste it to son!! You are a star!

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[Jev88]

Strange coincidence but this literally just listed on fleabay....

Carver heater