Running out of hot water

[Tbone12]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone here can offer some advice. I've seen so many helpful posts on this forum, so I thought I’d ask for your input.

We're relatively new to the caravan life and currently have a 2017 Compass Casita 840 with a Whale Intelligent Control panel. Our issue is that the hot water only lasts about four minutes. We’re on a serviced pitch with a mains connection, so the water supply itself isn’t the problem—it’s just keeping the water hot that seems to be an issue.

Previously, we had a 2004 Abbey caravan for a few months (our first van), which just had an Aqua Roll with a mains connector. With that setup, the hot water was constant and never ran out. I would have expected things to improve with a newer van, not the opposite!

Does anyone have experience with this or any suggestions on how to resolve it? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Woodentop]

You need to increase the heating power - to 2kw or 3kw depending what your van has. Then (assuming you are talking about showers) you mix cold water with the hot to give you a warm shower, and you use it ONLY when you need it, most definitely NOT continuously!
It also seems to help if you have an air induction shower head - such as the Ecocamel unit - which draws in air to reduce water consumption.

 

[Mr Plodd]

What you are experiencing is 100% normal.
A caravans water heater only holds about 10 litres (roughly 2 gallons) and, if showering, that doesn't last very long at all.
You need to adopt the wet/soap/rinse regime!
VERY few caravans have a continuous water heater so just maybe your first one was so equipped. But that's a rarity

 

[otherclive]

Hi welcome to the Forum. I am puzzled wrt your comments on the 2004 Abbey with Aquaroll. I cannot understand why your hot water never ran out. Surely as you use hot water cold water from the aquaroll enters the water heater to replace the hot water used. But the rate of usage exceeds the rate of hot water replenishment, as the water heater cannot heat the water at a rate as fast as you are using it.

In your newer 2017 caravan what type of hot water system do you have and how are you using water?

 

[birdman101]

As said hot water flow will not last for ever as a domestic set up. You need the water heating set at the highest level and if only a still a small amount of hot water until running out,it possible one of the heating elements have blown.

 

[Mr Plodd]

As said hot water flow will not last for ever as a domestic set up. You need the water heating set at the highest level and if only a still a small amount of hot water until running out,it possible one of the heating elements have blown.

If one of the elements has "blown" the water will still get to the same temperature, but take longer to do so, and that amount of hot water within the heater will still last the same length of time.

 

[Andy Norfolk]

Does the hot water have a boost function? Our Aldi system has. I put the hot water on normal in the evening. Turn it off over night. When we get up I put it back on normal whilst we have breakfast. Once we've finished with the toaster and kettle I put it on boost. I shower first as I'm quicker leaving it on boost. Wife showers with it on boost. When she's done turn it off. Seems to work as a routine. I agree with all the other practical comments people have made.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Modern caravans are almost like living at home with all the mod cons, unfortunately that concept is shattered by the fact that in a caravan all normal supplies are limited, and you have to be more frugal and diligent in not wasting the resources you have, use things for the minimum amount of time, just be economic.

It doesn't really reduce the luxury, but it helps with the economy.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Does the hot water have a boost function? Our Aldi system has. I put the hot water on normal in the evening. Turn it off over night. When we get up I put it back on normal whilst we have breakfast. Once we've finished with the toaster and kettle I put it on boost. I shower first as I'm quicker leaving it on boost. Wife showers with it on boost. When she's done turn it off. Seems to work as a routine. I agree with all the other practical comments people have made.

Boost just increases the amount of heat (full power electric plus gas) that goes into the water in the heater. The water heats up quicker, but the volume of hot water remains the same, so it will still run out just as quickly.

 

[Andy Norfolk]

Boost just increases the amount of heat (full power electric plus gas) that goes into the water in the heater. The water heats up quicker, but the volume of hot water remains the same, so it will still run out just as quickly.

Yes but it reheats quicker. So whilst I shower it's reheating for OH quicker than if you don't use the boost function.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Yes but it reheats quicker. So whilst I shower it's reheating for OH quicker than if you don't use the boost function.

100% correct, but the original post was querying the fact that the available amount of hot water ran out after about four minutes.
Even on full boost the water heater cannot supply a constant stream of hot water, so, after about the four minutes mentioned by the OP there will still not be any more hot water until the boiler has heated up again will there? Hence my post.

 

[Dustydog]

A few ?s for the OP.

Have you read the Whale manual ?
Yes I am sure you have , so are you using the boost control plus gas and electricity together?
According to Whale your hot tank holds a maximum of 8 litres and should reach a max temp,of 70 degs C.
Is this temperature adjustable?
70 would scold you. So you must be adding cold water ?

All the other comments explain “ splash and dash”. We find we have more than enough shower temperature water to be fully cleansed.

You also need to consider the flow rate you are using?
Woodentop’s suggestion #2 about the Ecocamel shower head will certainly help.

In essence I would like to understand exactly how you are using the system ?

 

[IanB1485]

Many forget that when on gas the heat input is a lot greater ie a truma combi 4E is 4kW on gas and only 1.8kW on electric (EL2) . The olde truma ultrastore 850W on electric ( 1.3kW wattage versions are available) and 1.5kW on gas. The whale water heaters are about as powerful on gas as electric - approx 1.5kW . the Alde 3020 is 5.5kW on gas and only 3.15kW on electric . Compare those figures with domestic electric showers - quick search about 8.5kW-10kW, My domestic 'gas' shower run from the Worcester condensing boiler has a potential of 20kW . as the members say , you have to be frugal and quick( or use the onsite facilities)