Carver Caravan Heater

[brian_c]

Hello all. I am after a bit of advice.
Whilst making my annual excursion into our loft for the christmas tree etc. I came across a box containing a caravan Heater.
I must have put the box in the loft 15years ago and ignored it ever since.
I acquired the heater when we bought a Sprite Alpine caravan. The previous owner had intended fitting it but never did.
Anyway the heater is a:- Carver trumatic S.B. 1800.
The heater doesen't actually owe me anything, but it is new having never been fitted I am reluctant to dump it so I am thinking of putting it on one of the "Sales " sites ie E Bay
What I need to know is if the heater should have any form of fitting kit. I know they must be fitted flat to the caravan floor and the base has a substantial cork gasket but I don't have any other fixing plates etc to hold it down firmly to the floor.
I am aware of the dangers of heater exhaust etc so feel a bit concerned that anyone buying it has it fitted properly.
any information or advice would be most welcome.
regards Brian

 

[RayS]

I fitted one of these to an Eccles Topaz many years ago. Everything needed was in the box. From memory you cat a hole in the floor using a paper template provided (and first checking there's nothing like pipes or wire in the way). The unit was held down with about 4 bolts passing downwards trought the bottom flange. (I think that's how it was - the alternative would be blend threaded holes in the underside with studs put up from the underneath - whichever way it was, it was a very straightforward job, and actually the cork gasket is not in contact with either gas or exhust fumes as I can see)
There is no exhaust flue pipe or terminal for the roof like more modern Carver units. It's a balanced flue unit with the flue integral inside the case and sichargeing dwon under the van. The thermostat is a capillary type and thus can only be mounted within the length of the capillary. Tis is a closed system unit and care must be taken not to kink the capillary - it obvioulsy cannot be shortened or lengthened.
Apart from cutting a hole in the floor and mounting the unit and thermostat the only other thing to do was to connect a gas supply, which I suppose in this day and age should be done by a 'gas safe' qualified person. At the time I fitted my unit I was well accustomed to making joints in small bore pipework and had built my own leak testing kit, which I still use occaisionally.
I suggest you get all the bits out of the box - hopefully the instruction book and template will still be there and check to see if all present and correct. Will be interesting to see what it makes on e-bay; it was not a cheap unit back then.
The performance was excelling - first push lighting every time and no fumes or condensation inside the van. What an improvement over the old open flame heaters - particularly for an asthmatic.

 

[brian_c]

Hello Ray. Thank you for the reply. Unfortunatly the heater was in the box I received it in but it wasn't the actual box for the heater nor are there any instructions or loose parts.
I suspect the reason it wasn't fited by the guy I got the van from was because he was short of these items. I have probably missed the boat with regards to selling it by just dumping it in the loft and forgeting it all these years. I could probably have aquired a fitting kit those days quite easily, although my first post is the only enquiry I have made, perhaps I still could although I don't think it would be worth it just to sell it.
I will hang on to it and if I come across anyone with one of these still in use I perhaps could offer it to them for spares. I am not sure when Carver stopped producing them.

Thanks again for the reply.
Brian

 

[RogerL]

Contact Gary at Arcsystems http://www.arcsystems.biz/ he's THE guru on Carver Caravan products and can advise how to get best value.

 

[brian_c]

Hello Roger thank you for the advice. I have contacted Gary and he comes across as a great guy.
Quite happy to spend time and talk to me about the heater. He tells me they were quite a good heater in their day and with what I have told him mine should fetch a reasonable price on E bay. (Although I think it would be awkward and pricey to ship)
He also explained that the heaters were fitted to the floor using scews through pre-drilled holes in the baseplate I hadn't noticed these due to the protective shrink wrap. so I presume that mine is intact. He mentioned a few of the component parts that he had had to purchase over the years and the costs so my heater would be usefull to someone if only for spares. Anyway I shall give it a go on E Bay perhaps in the spring when people may be looking for caravan related items. Again thank you for your advice.

regards Brian

 

[ProfJohnL]

Just a bit of general information:-

The Carver/Truma SB1800 is a 1.6kW LPG powered convector heater, using a room sealed heater using underfloor air intake and exhaust terminals. it had a Flame failure safety device and uses push button piezo ignition system.

Originally the product was supplied with a template for preparing the floor cut out, as Ray points out care must be taken to avoid pipes and wires, but also ther must be no floor ventilation ports within 2ft (60cm)of the heater.

A floorplate clamping strip is supplied and is used to locacte the rear edge of the heaters floor plate. The front edge is secured with screws.

It requires either a UB installation box or a reflective back plate to protect any wood work around or behind the heater.

There were several Carver models that used the same heat exchanger
SB1800 Non thermostat model
SBT1800 Thermostat controlled model
SBE1800 which had full sequence electronic control of ignition and thermostat temperature control (this also had a different case style). The SBE1800 was also available in a marinised version with fan assisted flue for inland waterways boats.

All these models could be linked to a blown air system for heat distribution.

SAFETY NOTE.
Due to the construction regulations concerning the temperature of gas pipes passing through working surfaces both the SB and SBT 1800 models all used coated steel gas supply and burner feed pipes, and these were subject to corrosion and should be checked and replaced when corrosion is detected.

The installation instructions can be downloaded from arcsystems.biz at

http://arcsystems.biz/manuals/SB1800 Installation.pdf
These include the dimensions of the floor cut out template.

Only a gas competent fitter should install this appliance.

 

[brian_c]

Thanks for that Prof John.
I will file that information and pass it on if I manage to sell the heater. It looks as if I am short of the template and the wall shield. However I suspect anyone who buys the heater will probably want it for spares or perhaps to replace an existing one, I would then presume they would not need the template etc.
It's a shame for it to be wasted if it can do someone some good I do however agree that repairs - installation - re-fitting of gas appliances should always be carried out by someone who is qualified and has the knowledge of all the safety requirments.
Thank you again for your reply.

 

[david_rachel]

Hello Brian - I would be interested in the heater for spares for my classic caravan. You might like to email me: davidrachel66@gmail.com

Many thanks,
David