Heating System

[woodsieboy]

Looking at Lunar Quasar 674 2017 model, just wondering whether any body has comments /opinions on the Truma Combi system with 4kw output, is it man enough, especially as this is a twin axle van 20'11 internal length, current van still has fire with blown air and separate water heater with 6kw output.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Sorry i know this won't be very helpful but over time newer caravans have had better insulation, so where as 6kW may have been needed a few years ago , these days in a new caravan 4kW may be enough to do the same job.. But its also down to how hot you want the caravan, and how cold it gets outside.

Hers a hint, make teh performance of the heater a particular point with the dealer, so it is part of your contract to purchase.Then if the heater is not adequate, then the items sold is not to contract, and teh seller must make some remedy of either fixing the shortage of heating power or offer some reduction in price to compensate.

Alternatively, if you buy the caravan and then you find the heating is not adequate, then just get a thermostatically controlled fan or panel heater to make up the shortfall.

 

[Martin24]

We have the 4kw Whale system in our twin axle Bailey and it's been absolutely fine, a few more outlets might have improved things even more but we certainly haven't been cold.

 

[woodsieboy]

Thanks for the replies, I had thought about the improved insulation point but noted that the further up the model range the higher the kw rating, even though the insulation would be the same? now wondering if the kw difference is a case where manufacturers justify the point of difference between ranges by increasing the performance, will the 6kw system heat the water and the van quicker than the 4kw system?

 

[Raywood]

We have a 2015 Quasar 564 and the heating is certainly no problem in cold weather. The 674 is rather larger though and if it is the same rating as ours I do feel it might struggle if it is very cold but if you are not using it in Winter probably not a problem.

 

[KeefySher]

We have a Grade Three insulated Sterling Continental 570 caravan with internal length of 19'5" and Alde wet central heating using the 3020 Compact SE heater that we only ever use on electric at 1,2or3 kW. The longer models at 20'11" internal length have the same system.

Alde tell us the system output is 8.7kW, 3.2kW on electric, 5.5kW on gas.

We pitch up, steadies down and put the heating on at 3kW and temp set at 23C if we have a 16Amp supply, if a 10Amp supply we set the 2kW heating so as not to trip the supply. By the time we have connected water and waste, filled the loo, put clothes in lockers the caravan is sufficiently and comfortably warm. We have used the caravan throughout last winter and not felt chilly at all. Once up to temp we by habit put the power down to 2kW in winter, 1kW at other times. We drop the temp setting to 10C overnight in the winter and sleep through!!!

The hot water takes 20 minutes on 3kW to heat the tankful.

The only time gas has been used is on the handover to show us it worked, and at the annual service. As we found when switching it on after it's service and had our routine interrupted by visitors as we set up, unbeknown the temp setting was at it's highest and we returned to a caravan at 39C after a walk round Chatsworth :huh: :huh:

We can, if needed, travel with the heating on, on gas as we have the relevant kit fitted. You may have that option also, worth checking.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

We can, if needed, travel with the heating on, on gas as we have the relevant kit fitted. You may have that option also, worth checking.

Please explain. That sounds dangerous and illegal to tow a trailer with gas lighted (unless it's a tarmac lorry).

 

[KeefySher]

We can, if needed, travel with the heating on, on gas as we have the relevant kit fitted. You may have that option also, worth checking.

Please explain. That sounds dangerous and illegal to tow a trailer with gas lighted (unless it's a tarmac lorry).

As I said above 'You may have that option also, worth checking'.

The valve unit in the gas locker in our caravan is the Truma one specifically for use whilst on the move. Perfectly safe and legal where allowed. The Tyne Tunnel, Chunnel and ferries are known non allowed examples.