Bailey Senator Wyoming Hot Water Tank Problems

[boulevard]

Hi, we have just bought a 2008 Wyoming and are struggling abit with the hot water.

The caravan has an onboard tank which can be filled or you can use an external aqua roll.

The manual isn't very clear, but by using valves under the seat we can fill the onboard tank with cold water. I 'think' then by switching the valves to 'use taps from onboard tank' & pump to 'run' opening the hot taps one by one then that should fill the hot water tank with 10litres?

The we have the choice of a gas or elec to heat the water. We have tried the elec one for a period between 30-60 mins but never get more than 1 shower & a bowl for washing up - are we doing anything wrong??

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated

Steve

 

[Mike_S]

Hi Steve
We have a 2009 Senator California so I'm guessing that the water systems are identical. You're right about the manual - it is poor on this aspect. My modus operandi is as follows:
We travel with the water tank and the water heater empty to reduce weight - especially nose-weight as our water tank is right a the front of the caravan. Once pitched on site I check that the drain valves are both closed and that the mains switch for the heater is off. The (yellow) drain valve for the water heater is adjacent to it and the drain for the tank is under the van.
The first full aquaroll is used to fill the tank - the positions of the two three-way valves is shown on the drop-down flap. The pump switch on the electric control panel is switched to the "fill" position. The tank will fill up and the pump should stop when the tank is full.
Turn the pump switch to its central off position. Assuming you have a 40-odd litre aquaroll there will still be water left in it. Turn the three-way valves to the "to van taps from aquaroll" position.
Turn the pump switch to "run" and open the kitchen tap in its hot position. Water will start to fill the heater and there will be a bit of "splurting" from the tap. There will not be enough water left in the aquaroll to fill the water heater completely - you'll hear the pump noise change when the aquaroll is empty.
When that happens to the pump switch to off and go and refill the aquaroll.
Once the second aquaroll is connected up switch the pump to "run" again, and by opening the kitchen and washroom taps (both hot and cold) the heater will be filled up - indicated by a steady flow (no spurting) from either hot tap. The electric mains heater can then be turned on.
The mains heater is only 850 watts heating 10 litres of water so heating up is slow. Heating by gas (or gas AND electricity) is much quicker. Enough hot water for a shower and washing up (before it goes to cold) sounds OK to me. Remember as hot water goes out of the heater, it's being replaced by cold water going in. When showering we use water from the onboard tank as its usually a bit warmer that water from the aquaroll. Also you need to adopt the "submarine" style of showering to reduce water use :-ie wet yourself - turn the water off - soap yourself - turn the water back on for a quick rinse!!
Before leaving a site I drain down both the tank and, once cooled to avoid any grass damage (if you're not on a hard-standing) the water heater as well. Open the sink and basin taps in their mid position between hot and cold and turn the three-way valves so their handles point towards the pump to assist the drain-down.
Hopefully the above is of use
Mike

 

[boulevard]

Hi Mike

Thanks for the detailed reply. We are doing the first part in that we fill the onboard tank from the aquaroll, but then we have been switching the valves to 'to van taps from on board tank' and doing the hot tap sequence you describe to try & fill the water heater.
I did wonder about trying the gas/elec combo on the heater aswell and think I next time.

I shall print this out & try it next time we are in the van for bank holiday.

Thanks again

Steve

 

[DeliDave_]

we've got the saame system in an Indiana and fitted a trigger type shower head to help eke out the water,it goes very quickly if you dont shut off the water and doing it using the shower valve seemed to change the temperature by not being accurate when handle is wet and slippery.The gas heated hot water is slightly hotter than electric as the thermostats are different,70 max on gas and 60 on electric iirc

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Steve
Mike is spot on.
Ours is a 2008 Wyoming.
We always fill the on board tank first then as Mike describes bleed the cold then hot taps including the shower.
The Whale pump can be heard but is not intrusive.
Splash and dash shower is very generous. We've never been caught short.
Even using gas you will not increase the hot temp above 7 deg.
Q's hovering from the on board tank gives about 25% more pressure than the aquaroll.

 

[boulevard]

Thanks for the replies - how long would you have the thermostat on for to heat the water up?

Steve

 

[Dustydog]

Both have their own thermal cut out overload device so you can leave either switched on and forget.
70degs is the usual electric cut out temperature, gas the same but can be varied on the inner the inner thermostat.
Do not turn either on until the hot tank has been filled and bled.

 

[boulevard]

Thanks for the replies & advice.