Carver 1800 heater too hot on lowest setting. Thoughts?

[Tassle]

Hi all,
I have a 1993 Swift Challenger with a Carver 1800 air heater.

I was hoping to be able to use the caravan off-grid in winter and spring by running the heater the lowest setting overnight. (Don't worry, I have carbon monoxide and fire alarms!). To my surprise, I found that even in temperatures approaching zero, the lowest setting on the heater heats the van until it is uncomfortably hot. If I turn it off, I'm freezing by morning!

Does anyone know of a solution to this? Or can anyone who recommend a replacement gas heater with a thermostat that can turn it on and off to maintain a set temperature? I know many heaters can do this on electricity, but I'm not aware of one that can do this on gas?

Thanks for your thoughts!
Tass

 

[otherclive]

Hi all,
I have a 1993 Swift Challenger with a Carver 1800 air heater.

I was hoping to be able to use the caravan off-grid in winter and spring by running the heater the lowest setting overnight. (Don't worry, I have carbon monoxide and fire alarms!). To my surprise, I found that even in temperatures approaching zero, the lowest setting on the heater heats the van until it is uncomfortably hot. If I turn it off, I'm freezing by morning!

Does anyone know of a solution to this? Or can anyone who recommend a replacement gas heater with a thermostat that can turn it on and off to maintain a set temperature? I know many heaters can do this on electricity, but I'm not aware of one that can do this on gas?

Thanks for your thoughts!
Tass

The more modern Truma have thermostat control and run on gas and/or
electric. Would be a complete replacement plus rewire. Have a look at Propex a UK company they do a gas heater which would be easier to install than Truma 3000 series units.

https://www.grasshopperleisure.co.uk/gas-heaters-59-c.asp

 

[toad a caravan]

Tassle,your lucky I've an 92 Abbey GTS 212 fitted with a carver 3000,,in winter covered in snow we have a couple of windows cracked open 🙂.. Gary

 

[toad a caravan]

I've got a wiring diagram if you need one for your caravan

 

[RogerL]

Carver/Truma used to sell a thermostat for the 1800 heater but it only modulated the heater between maximum and minimum - if minimum is too warm it would have the same effect as the OP is experiencing.

To achieve the OP's requirements, it would need a modern heater with automatic ignition.

 

[Tassle]

The more modern Truma have thermostat control and run on gas and/or
electric. Would be a complete replacement plus rewire. Have a look at Propex a UK company they do a gas heater which would be easier to install than Truma 3000 series units.

https://www.grasshopperleisure.co.uk/gas-heaters-59-c.asp

Thanks Clive, that's really helpful advice!
I'd be tempted to retrofit a secondhand Truma, as I don't think my budget will stretch to a brand new unit + installation. I did a little scouting about on ebay, but I only seem to be finding the Truma S3002, which looks like its capable of cycling on and off on electricity, but only has a low/high numbered dial for gas? (or I may have misunderstood!) Would you know of another Truma model that can hold a chosen temperature on gas?

 

[Tassle]

Carver/Truma used to sell a thermostat for the 1800 heater but it only modulated the heater between maximum and minimum - if minimum is too warm it would have the same effect as the OP is experiencing.

To achieve the OP's requirements, it would need a modern heater with automatic ignition.

Thanks Roger
Do you have any suggestions of which model you might go for if you were buying second-hand? I'm happy with my water heater, so I'll likely avoid combo units

 

[IanB1485]

Thanks Clive, that's really helpful advice!
I'd be tempted to retrofit a secondhand Truma, as I don't think my budget will stretch to a brand new unit + installation. I did a little scouting about on ebay, but I only seem to be finding the Truma S3002, which looks like its capable of cycling on and off on electricity, but only has a low/high numbered dial for gas? (or I may have misunderstood!) Would you know of another Truma model that can hold a chosen temperature on gas?

The truma S3002 has a room 'bulb' sensor located at the bottom of the fire( where air gets sucked in and and over the heat exchanger and out the back by the fan ), this is part of the gas valve and when it warms up it will start to close the main gas valve to a minimum flame, The numbered dial sets the initial flame level 9 so sort of sets the heat up speed. Its not a true constant temperature control but does provide room temperature feedback The carver 1800 may not have the room 'bulb' valve ( only worked on the Truma units ( which look so much like the carver-in many respects) so I would suggest Truma improved the control of gas valve . Note the Truma normally vents the exhausts out of the top of the caravan , whereas the Carver vents through the floor, Don't see venting the Truma through the floor.If the Carver gas valve has the 'bulb- highlighted in red on attached photo, it may be covered up or broken(capillary damaged) , so its not picking up the room temperature, so the gas valve stays fully open. It may also be possible ( by a qualified gas engineer) to fit the Truma gas valve into the original Carver assembly

 

[RogerL]

The truma S3002 has a room 'bulb' sensor located at the bottom of the fire( where air gets sucked in and and over the heat exchanger and out the back by the fan ), this is part of the gas valve and when it warms up it will start to close the main gas valve to a minimum flame, The numbered dial sets the initial flame level 9 so sort of sets the heat up speed. Its not a true constant temperature control but does provide room temperature feedback The carver 1800 may not have the room 'bulb' valve ( only worked on the Truma units ( which look so much like the carver-in many respects) so I would suggest Truma improved the control of gas valve . Note the Truma normally vents the exhausts out of the top of the caravan , whereas the Carver vents through the floor, Don't see venting the Truma through the floor.If the Carver gas valve has the 'bulb- highlighted in red on attached photo, it may be covered up or broken(capillary damaged) , so its not picking up the room temperature, so the gas valve stays fully open. It may also be possible ( by a qualified gas engineer) to fit the Truma gas valve into the original Carver assembly

Both Carver and Truma of that era had a variety of exhausts - underfloor, sidewall or roof

 

[toad a caravan]

Correct Rodger I've a carver 3000 in my 1992 Abbey that vents through the roof...

 

[toad a caravan]

Tassle,hope these are of use..