Retro-fit carver water heater

[Oliver_374374311]

Hi folks, hoping someone out there can offer some advice.

I recently acquired a caravan with no hot water fascility and I'm looking into buying a carver LPG water heater and fitting it myself. CAn anyone tell me what the normal setup for these water heaters is in a caravan.

As this is my 1st caravan I'm not sure if normally there would be any hot water storage or the carver heaters just heat on demand.

I'm hoping I can buy a heater, feed it gas, 12V and cold water feed then hook up the output to a tap or shower head via an inline pump and hey presto warm water.

Can anyone confirm or deny my beliefs, thanks.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Oliver,

In essence you have described how the Carver and most other water heaters would be used in an installation, BUT, as it is a gas appliance it MUST be installed by a competent fitter.

A competent fitter would know all the ins and outs, as well as the regulations regrading the positioning of the appliance relative to windows, doors and corners etc.

I have to assume that by asking the questions you have, you do not have the necessary knowledge or legal competencies to undertake the installation yourself.

Please refer the fitting to a competent gas fitter working to the regulations.

I am sorry if these seems hard hearted, but having worked in the industry and seen the results of incompetent gas appliance installations the consequences are not worth the risk.

 

[Oliver_374374311]

That makes sense, I was checking what I would need to purchase in order to get hot water in, I understand very much that the fitting should be undertaken by someone qualified.

 

[Steve L]

Hi Oliver.

I have fitted a carver 2 water heater to our old caravan. The model I had was both gas and 240 volt powered. The actual fitting of the heater has been covered in a practical caravan issue. Perhaps E-mailing Doug King at the mag would get you the relevant info.

I agree whole heartedly with John. If you are not a very cometent DIYer then you should consult a caravan engineer. I did do my installation but as a fully qualified multi skilled engineer, I have the necessary back ground training to guide me.

You have got the basic Idea right of how to plumb the water side of things once the gas and electrical bits have been done.

Steve L.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi oliver

like john and steve have said the gas side is the bit that requires regulation so if you are a competent DIYer there is no reason why you could not install one and have the gas bit done later ps.we hardly ever use gas anyway but it does heat up the water quicker.

the carver2 has an internal hot water resoviour of 10 ltrs so it is cold in hot out if the van does not have any hot water now (I assume it does not)all the taps will have to be changed for the duel ones H&C and of course there will have to be a big hole made in the side of the van for the vent,

it is a big job and not one that should be taken on lightly but it is possible and definitly worth while if undertaken.

good luck and tell us how you get on.

colin

 

[ProfJohnL]

I must correct the misconception that has been expressed by both Steve and Colin. It is a requirement under the gas regulations that the person undertaking the installation and commissioning of a gas system or appliance must be competent to do so.

Whilst touring caravans are exempt from the need for a registered fitter to do the work, the regulations still require the person to be fully conversant and competent with all the regulations, test procedures and methods. It is highly unlikely that anyone other than a practising registered fitter will have all the relevant knowledge and access to the necessary test equipment to comply with the regulations.

The installation of any gas appliance or system is not a job for an armature DIYer. You must fully understand and be able to apply the regulations.

Failure to apply the regulations is a breach of Heath & Safety Law and if detected can be prosecuted under the criminal justice system. Sanctions can include fines, and imprisonment.

I do not write the regulations, but I have had to express a professional view about their interpretation.

 

[Gafferbill]

Oliver

John L has the correct advice.

I personally would look to trade up your current caravan as and when you can.

The addition of a water heater to your current van by a qualified fitter would be expensive.

 

[ProfJohnL]

hi oliver

like john and steve have said the gas side is the bit that requires regulation so if you are a competent DIYer there is no reason why you could not install one and have the gas bit done later ps.we hardly ever use gas anyway but it does heat up the water quicker.

the carver2 has an internal hot water resoviour of 10 ltrs so it is cold in hot out if the van does not have any hot water now (I assume it does not)all the taps will have to be changed for the duel ones H&C and of course there will have to be a big hole made in the side of the van for the vent,

it is a big job and not one that should be taken on lightly but it is possible and definitly worth while if undertaken.

good luck and tell us how you get on.

colin

9 Lt not 10Lt

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi johnL

I think you are misinterpreting what I said I repeate"like john and steve have said the gas side is the bit that requires regulation so if you are a competent DIYer there is no reason why you could not install one and have the gas bit done later"

the emphasis was on having the gas bit done later.

if the heater was fitted but without the gas connected it would not be a gas applience just a electric water heater the gas could then be retro fitted and tested according to the regulations.

ie; the 3way fridge fitted into my old van circa 1985 did not have a gas supply fitted to it only 12v & 240v so it was not a gas fridge just an electric one "get it"

colin

 

[colin-yorkshire]

ps and the carver heater in the bailey def says 10ltr

colin

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Colin,

I can definitely confirm the Carver Cascade Mk2 only has a maximum capacity of 9L. If Bailey have described it as a 10L appliance then the information has been transcribed from Carvers technical specification inaccurately. However this is a small insubstantial matter compared to the issue of who can legally fit the appliance.

The Cascade is type approved as an "LPG gas appliance", with an optional subsidiary electric element. Its CE approval is based and written in that context and thus it is defined as a Gas Appliance. Your fridge would also be covered by the same requirement even though the gas was not connected.

As such and regardless of how it is intended to be used it is subject to the full force of the gas regulations. That includes the immutable requirement that a competent person must install a gas appliance.

It is reckless to suggest an illegal or unsafe practice.

 

[gary]

John is always on the side of safety, not just yours but ultimately those around you!

Given that not only you who asked the question but the many others who will read the replys....he is always in the right to put forward that view.

And yes it's a two gallon heater no matter what that works out at in metric

 

[Willyboy]

Hi guys I have Carver Rapide gas/elec water heater in m y Challenger ..Cant get a peep out of the heater on 240v i understand there is a reset button , can anyone describe where it is i have looked all round the heater but nothing visible ?

 

[gary]

Theres a white plastic box sticking out of the insulation on the inboard end of the tank, the red reset button is toward the bottom of the lid of this box. Mostly it's there to see but sometimes behind a cover that needs spinning out of the way