hot water

[ken_374409927]

I,m fairly new to caravaning and have a 2004 Sterling Emerald and I hope somone can help,how hot should the water get,also do I wait for 25 mins for the tank to heat up or should it be instant,I can hear the boiler light up when the tap is open.

Also on the same subject how do I know if it is using gas or 230 v mains.

The instruction book is not very helpfull as it is for ALL Sterling vans!

Hoping someone can help

Ken

 

[James_374408700]

Ken,

What kind of water heater do you have. Is it the Truma ultrastore?

 

[ken_374409927]

Hi

Yes this is the heater fitted

ken

 

[ken_374409927]

Hi

Yes this is the heater fitted

ken

 

[Jennifer2]

if you can hear it light up it must be using gas! it can only use what you supply it with, I presume you have a 230v switch, and a gas water heater switch, ours did.

the handbook is bulky and not model specific, but does contain the necessary information.

 

[JTQ]

Assuming your boiler is a Truma Ultrastore???

If so here is a link giving you the details about it;

http://www.truma.com/_anweisungen/Truma-Katalog/pdf_verzeichnis/70_000/70000_94600.pdf
On Gas the boiler heats up water to 70 deg C in 35 minutes, on electricity 70 minutes and combined 20 minutes, but this depends on the input temperature which they don't seem to quote.

On electricity there is no user setting of the thermostat, its pre-set to 70 deg C.

On gas the user can set it between 30 and 70 deg C, by the knob.

Lights on the control unit indicate what is in use, electricity, gas or both. However different indicators and controls have been used over the years, but looking at the link should give you a better idea.

Cheers John

 

[ken_374409927]

John

Many thanks for the info,one other point,is it necessary to drain the heater tank before moving off from site each time?

Thanks

Ken

 

[Damian]

Ken, whilst some may say it is not necessary to drain down, you have 10ltrs of water in a tank held down by 3 screws, and the Ultrastore does not like being subjected to stresses such as sloshing water.

It is in your interests to drain, a further point is why drag 10 ltrs of water around when all it is doing is adding to your tow load.

BTW if the unit is damaged by weight of water when towing that is not covered by a warranty claim.

 

[James_374408700]

Not necessary to drain down each time unless you are marginal on payload/noseweight etc. I normally fill mine up and heat before I leave hopme so its ready when I arrive on site. If you do drain before leaving, please dont scorch the grass!

 

[Rioja]

In 20 years I have never drained the hot water tank once before travelling and I have never had a problem as a result either.

As long as you are correctly loaded and the weight is evenly distributed you'll be fine.

 

[JTQ]

I am surprised by and doubt Damian's assertion :

"BTW if the unit is damaged by weight of water when towing that is not covered by a warranty claim."

I can find no reference in my Truma instructions stating that the unit must be drained in transit or any thing that implies the product has this inherent weakness. Thus as that is not clearly stated I would go as far as saying if a boiler sold for mobile application is not suitably designed to be mobile then its not fit for purpose.

Further the caravan makes handbook implies the opposite. It states the unit should be drained when the van is not to be used for a "long period" of time, or there is a risk of frost, and periodically when in frequent use to clear deposits.

 

[James_374408700]

JTQ,

Couldn't agree more!!

 

[Damian]

I can only go on what I know to be fact, that is of two claims for damage caused by the movement of the Ultrastore when towing, albeit under heavy braking, the claims were rejected.

As with most things, common sense is expected to prevail in application, it would be a very large handbookk to cover every single possible misfortune.

As for being a mobile unit, it is intended to be used on site, not whilst towing.

However, everyone has their own way of doing things.

 

[Surfer]

Damein, if the cylinder is full surely there will be no sloshing around of water. Unless there was an actual impact, it is extremely unlikely that the cylinder will break free udner heavy braking unless it was not fitted correctly in the firswt place.

 

[david_374410346]

i have always been advised to drain down the tank every time better safe than sorry think of the damage a 10 litre tank of hot water could do to your caravan rolling around ripping out pipes etc...

 

[JTQ]

But don't drain 10 litres of hot water on the grass, or you really will do some damage!

 

[Chrisbee]

Most people have a pretty good idea what time they will be departing. Surely common sense prevails and the boiler is turned of sufficiently early to allow the water to cool? If not, just run off the hot water via the kitchen tap without the heater on, the replacing cold water will soon bring the tank temperature down.

 

[Ianofwilts]

Ken,

I have a sterling trekker 2004. Our control for the water heater is above the front television point where I can select gas and water temp. The electric water control switch is in the adjacent wardrobe.

On gas with thermestat on full we have hot water in 10 mins 15 with electric. I dont know if I'm doing the right thing but if the family are all having showers we use both gas and electric and provided were full onboard and aqua outside with water it keeps it hot enough for 4 of us to shower.

 

[James_374408700]

Ken,

I have a sterling trekker 2004. Our control for the water heater is above the front television point where I can select gas and water temp. The electric water control switch is in the adjacent wardrobe.

On gas with thermestat on full we have hot water in 10 mins 15 with electric. I dont know if I'm doing the right thing but if the family are all having showers we use both gas and electric and provided were full onboard and aqua outside with water it keeps it hot enough for 4 of us to shower.

Hi Ken,

I do exactly the same.