Winter van heating

[Poursay]

Hi
I have completely drained the water system but am looking at putting the heater on in the van( 2019 AutoSleeper Fairford).
Reading the manual, it says “ Heating is possible without restrictions with gas, electrical and mixed operation, with or without water”.
I’m not sure whether that means “ without water in the system “ or “ without heating any water in the system”, which obviously it hasn’t got.
It is a Truma liquid gas Combi 6E warm air heater with integrated hot water boiler.
The van is park on my drive with u/p readily available. The system should allow me to have it ticking over and a low, timed source of heat. Advice would be appreciated.

 

[Poursay]

Just seen the answer in Fun Questions!
yes, can do

 

[Sapper520]

We’ve got the Combi 4 which will work for heating only without the need to charge the water system.

Made the mistake of switching ours on for a few hours, thinking I was doing the right thing.........didn’t put our thermal cover on the screen and side windows.

Warm air inside, cold air outside........windows saturated in condensation.

 

[Phill D]

if you have not already done so, make sure you open the taps and blow out any water trapped in the tap mechanism, they are mostly ceramic and a small amount of water that may freeze will crack the internals. sadly I know to my expense.

also if you have an accumulator make sure that is empty also.
then leave the taps open.

 

[daveandsan]

Hi
I have completely drained the water system but am looking at putting the heater on in the van( 2019 AutoSleeper Fairford).
Reading the manual, it says “ Heating is possible without restrictions with gas, electrical and mixed operation, with or without water”.
I’m not sure whether that means “ without water in the system “ or “ without heating any water in the system”, which obviously it hasn’t got.
It is a Truma liquid gas Combi 6E warm air heater with integrated hot water boiler.
The van is park on my drive with u/p readily available. The system should allow me to have it ticking over and a low, timed source of heat. Advice would be appreciated.

Why not just put a little portable heater on in the Motorhome?

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[wiljoy]

Nearly 22 years ago i had a van and every winter used a timed heater.
I ended up with severe condensation and mould. I now only empty all water, open taps halfway, fit screen over, unlatch some windows and remove soft furnishings.
I've had no problems since then on 9 vans.

 

[filopastry]

We never heat ours, mattress turned on its side to allow air to circulate, cupboards open. Never had a problem

 

[Cheshirecat57]

We are also in the “do not heat” camp
All cupboards and doors open, ‘softs‘ moved away from walls

ALL mickey-snax removed

 

[bigtwin]

Never heat ours; never had a problem.

Never seen dealers heat vans on their premises either.

Ian

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

No heating, just a small USB fan attached via a plug in transformer on a timed 240v socket. 1 hour on off x 3 over night.
I checked with a moister meter at the weekend and it read zero damp. All cupboards left open, and bathroom door. drained system out, taps open. 12v turned off on panel. soft furnishings removed, including the seat cushions over the water tank. It was -2c in the van, but dry.
Yes, if you want/ need to the Truma 6 can run just the blown heating, it heats up in about 10 mins.
Mike

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[Poursay]

Thanks guys for your responses. Will try and ventilate and no heating. Nice day today so roof vents open.

 

[movan]

This could be/probably is a daft question.

If you turn the 12 v off on the panel, does the solar still charge the leisure battery and the leisure battery charge the engine battery through the battery master.. It's just that you can't use lights/fridge on 12v. Or does EVERYTHING stop?

 

[Phill D]

This could be/probably is a daft question.

If you turn the 12 v off on the panel, does the solar still charge the leisure battery and the leisure battery charge the engine battery through the battery master.. It's just that you can't use lights/fridge on 12v. Or does EVERYTHING stop?

mine does with the panel switched off. but it is likely to depend on your charging system Joy.

we need someone who knows your van system for a definite answer.

 

[Lenny HB]

We never hear the van either when it's not in use, our lockers are spaced off the wall to allow airflow so leave them closed.

 

[Phill D]

We never hear the van either when it's not in use, our lockers are spaced off the wall to allow airflow so leave them closed.

ours are vented at the bottom and top so i also leave them closed. i did leave them open the first winter we had it but noted that after a while the springs in the hinges that hold the doors up were beginning to weaken so stopped doing it. it was then i noted then venting slats

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[Dorwyn]

Nearly 22 years ago i had a van and every winter used a timed heater.
I ended up with severe condensation and mould. I now only empty all water, open taps halfway, fit screen over, unlatch some windows and remove soft furnishings.
I've had no problems since then on 9 vans.

I have a small separate house heater on all winter, set at just above frost setting. NO condensation, no moss, and it feels more comfortable when you go to the van to check things. No chance of freezing either. Leave the bathroom door open too.

 

[movan]

mine does with the panel switched off. but it is likely to depend on your charging system Joy.

we need someone who knows your van system for a definite answer.

Phill, do you mean yours DOES keep on charging or it DOES switch everything off?

Sorry, I had asked two contradicting questions in my original post.

 

[Phill D]

Phill, do you mean yours DOES keep on charging or it DOES switch everything off?

Sorry, I had asked two contradicting questions in my original post.

Hi Joy. sorry i did not make it really clear. ours DOES charge the hab battery when the panel is switched off, it also does the cab battery but mine does not need the Battery master to do that.