Newbie - Truma heating issue

[Jamesi1983]

Hi all. I’ve just got myself a 2008 lunar quasar but unfortunately the electric heating isn’t working. The person/dealer I bought it off didn’t want to spend money fixing it as it could have left it too expensive which I understand. The gas should be working but I’ve no intention of using it anyway.

I’ve been told I’m best just to use a small portable fan heater but wither I use the Truma or not, I’d like to have it working.

My first question is should I get it fixed and use it as opposed to a fan heater and, if so, can it be set gently enough to keep the van warm at night?

Next….back to possibly repairing….is there a systematic approach to finding the problem or do I just start replacing parts/fit a used replacement?

Thanks

 

[RogerL]

Hi all. I’ve just got myself a 2008 lunar quasar but unfortunately the electric heating isn’t working. The person/dealer I bought it off didn’t want to spend money fixing it as it could have left it too expensive which I understand. The gas should be working but I’ve no intention of using it anyway.

I’ve been told I’m best just to use a small portable fan heater but wither I use the Truma or not, I’d like to have it working.

My first question is should I get it fixed and use it as opposed to a fan heater and, if so, can it be set gently enough to keep the van warm at night?

Next….back to possibly repairing….is there a systematic approach to finding the problem or do I just start replacing parts/fit a used replacement?

Thanks

Contact Gary at Arc Systems https://www.arcsystems.biz/ the Truma Ultraheat which your Lunar probably has is known for relay failure.

 

[Buckman]

From the sound of your post, for peace of mind, it may be a very good idea to get the caravan serviced by an Approved Workshop Scheme technician as soon as possible and before it is used. Have you checked the tyres to check the year of manufacture? See https://www.approvedworkshops.co.uk/find-approved-workshop

 

[RogerL]

From the sound of your post, for peace of mind, it may be a very good idea to get the caravan serviced by an Approved Workshop Scheme technician as soon as possible and before it is used. Have you checked the tyres to check the year of manufacture? See https://www.approvedworkshops.co.uk/find-approved-workshop

"Other caravan technicians are available"

 

[otherclive]

I’m assuming it’s a Truma in lounge heater. The ones I’ve had had three electric heat settings 500/1000/2000 watts. So yes you can set it to run overnight on electric using a combination of thermostat and heater power setting with the fan on auto or just at a speed set by you. If doing a service the AWS schedule will not cover repairs to the unit but the technician will charge extra, but best to get it done.

 

[Buckman]

"Other caravan technicians are available"

Would you be so kind as to supply a list of these other caravans technicians to the OP?

 

[otherclive]

Would you be so kind as to supply a list of these other caravans technicians to the OP?

There are MCEA technicians and their location can be found via the link below

In our area they have an enclosed workshop to do work, so they don’t necessarily need to be mobile. They share the workshop with the on site AWS techs

MCEA Training for Motorhome, Camper & Caravan Engineers

MCEA Motorhome & Caravan Engineers, a membership of mobile habitation and service engineers. MCEA are a provider of training for campervan, caravan & motorhome habitation servicing & repairs.

www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk

 

[Buckman]

There are MCEA technicians and their location can be found via the link below

In our area they have an enclosed workshop to do work, so they don’t necessarily need to be mobile. They share the workshop with the on site AWS techs

MCEA Training for Motorhome, Camper & Caravan Engineers

MCEA Motorhome & Caravan Engineers, a membership of mobile habitation and service engineers. MCEA are a provider of training for campervan, caravan & motorhome habitation servicing & repairs.

www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk

MCEA are also used by finance companies if there is a dispute which is why on principal is a reason why we will not use them. Not sure, but they seem to be more expensive than AWS technicians or were when we had to use them?

 

[Mr Plodd]

I would probably just buy a cheap fan heater from Argos or similar. That's likely to work out vastly cheaper than repairing the Truma unit.

 

[otherclive]

I would probably just buy a cheap fan heater from Argos or similar. That's likely to work out vastly cheaper than repairing the Truma unit.

Disadvantage of a fan heater is that it will not work the blown air distribution system, and they can be tiresomely noisy.

 

[Gafferbill]

.....a truma ultraheat has safety cut out components that can trip and stop the heater working on electric should it overheat.
There are two components one of which resets after a short time with the electric supply turned off.
Unfortunately the other one does not reset and has to be replaced.
The fire has to be removed from the caravan to carry this out.
Best to get this done by a skilled technician who can also check to make sure the heating elements are working.

Overheat cut outs.

 

[Buckman]

I would probably just buy a cheap fan heater from Argos or similar. That's likely to work out vastly cheaper than repairing the Truma unit.

We tried the fan heater many years ago, but you needed to be careful when using it. A lot depends on the ampere at the site. It is not in a cupboard as our caravan is a lot more modern.

 

[RogerL]

Disadvantage of a fan heater is that it will not work the blown air distribution system, and they can be tiresomely noisy.

We use a cheap fan heater to supplement the Alde as it's slow to warm up - it's no noisier than the Truma blown air we had in the previous caravan.

 

[otherclive]

We use a cheap fan heater to supplement the Alde as it's slow to warm up - it's no noisier than the Truma blown air we had in the previous caravan.

The OPs question related to heating at night. In my experience the blown air system set at say 500/1000 watts with the fan at a slow speed will be far better than a fan heater as normally their speed is not variable. The blown air system will also give heat throughout the caravan including the toilet/bathroom which a fan heater would not achieve. Whilst I can understand your approach for providing heat whilst an Alde system gets going, but a fan heater for overnight heating isn’t anywhere as good as the blown air.

 

[Dustydog]

The OP wanted to know whether he should fix his Truma ( preferred) or use the fan heater.
Some have steered him to solutions on the Truma. In the right hands a Truma fix is the way I’d go.

 

[Jamesi1983]

Just thinking out loud here but is there such a unit as an all electric blown air system where by you could potentially connect it to the existing ductwork basically bypassing the truma 3002?

 

[otherclive]

Just thinking out loud here but is there such a unit as an all electric blown air system where by you could potentially connect it to the existing ductwork basically bypassing the truma 3002?

Try looking at Propex they are a British company with good quality products. They may offer something.

 

[RogerL]

Just thinking out loud here but is there such a unit as an all electric blown air system where by you could potentially connect it to the existing ductwork basically bypassing the truma 3002?

I think Truma do an electric heater which simply connects to their standard ductiong - not likely to be cheap knowing Truma.

 

[Jamesi1983]

I think Truma do an electric heater which simply connects to their standard ductiong - not likely to be cheap knowing Truma.

I have briefly looked at the truma website and they do one but it’s appears to be to supplement a combi heater so unsure if the fan on it would be adequate but even if it was it is pricey.

 

[Jamesi1983]

What’s your views on fitting a diesel heater in the front locker connected to the existing duct work?

All these ideas I have and the simplest is just to get my truma working.lol

 

[otherclive]

It’s feasible but at what cost and modifications to the caravan. I would have the present one repaired and available on gas or electric. Plus if you sell the van it will be standard. Whereas a diesel heater may not be attractive for a trader or private buyer. Especially if it came from one of the suppliers on the net with unknown provenance. Those fitted in motor homes or boats from Erersbacher or Webasto don’t come cheap. But quality rarely does.

 

[Martin_E]

The op doesn't mention what the heater is doing or not doing, does the green light come on on the selection switch? If it doesnt light up that could be a supply issue or the pcb.
As has been mentioned it could also be the temp limiter