Shower a bit of a nightmare

Apr 3, 2010
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On the shakedown trip to Devon with the new Elddis Xplore SWMBO decided to give the shower a tryout - we are going to use CL's in the summer. Two minutes in and v loud screams from the bathroom! Water going hot then cold then hot etc. Are they all like this - in the 5 years we had the last van we never used the shower? There was plenty of water and the hot tank was on for quite a while before use. The Elddis has a submersible pump rather than a pump under the front seat as in the Avondale. I noticed that the water from the sink tap tends to die off and then com back on as the pump cuts in. What can I do to improve the water flow? Would it make any difference if I used a fully serviced pitch? Can I buy an uprated pump?
 
Aug 4, 2004
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Grahamh said:
On the shakedown trip to Devon with the new Elddis Xplore SWMBO decided to give the shower a tryout - we are going to use CL's in the summer. Two minutes in and v loud screams from the bathroom! Water going hot then cold then hot etc. Are they all like this - in the 5 years we had the last van we never used the shower? There was plenty of water and the hot tank was on for quite a while before use. The Elddis has a submersible pump rather than a pump under the front seat as in the Avondale. I noticed that the water from the sink tap tends to die off and then com back on as the pump cuts in. What can I do to improve the water flow? Would it make any difference if I used a fully serviced pitch? Can I buy an uprated pump?

There is a possibility that the pressure switch needs to be adjusted however the dealer should have done this on the PDI for which you paid before handing over the caravan.
 
Apr 3, 2010
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The PDI was a bit of a nightmare really as I posted before. They had to come out to our pitch to sort out the front legs and wiring to the lights which had been routed around them. It took 6 hours of use before we could use ther cooker without the windows open. It has to go back for some work so will ask them to look at it. Thanks
 
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Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Graham,

Your water system uses a pressure switch to control the pump. As Surfer writes, it might help to adjust it. You should have the adjustment instruction in the caravan's handbook.

However there is a second possible cause (with a solution). You describe the pump turning on and off whilst the shower is in use. You are describing pump surge and means the pump can deliver more water than is being used so the pressure builds up in the pipe work and the pump is turned off, until the pressure falls. So changing for a more powerful one probably won't actually help and cold make it worse. The first thing is to adjust the pressure switch.

Because the water heater has a relatively large tank and it is designed to have an air cap to allow space for the water to expand when it heats, it means the air cap acts as a spring and will continue to push water out of the tank for a few seconds even when the pump has turned off. The effect of this is to maintain the flow of hot water to the shower or tap, but the cold water switches on and off giving you temperature surges.

You can get a special anti surge tank which is fitted to the cold pipework to mimic the action of the air cap in the water heater, and these cane work very well. But try the pressure switch adjustment first.
 
Feb 6, 2009
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Hi Grahamhm,
Both Surfer and PJL have answered the technical aspects of your questions, but you did also ask:
"Two minutes in and v loud screams from the bathroom! Water going hot then cold then hot etc. Are they all like this - in the 5 years we had the last van we never used the shower?

The answer to this is NO.... this is not typical, and is definitely a fault.

Good luck on fixing it, or getting it fixed.
Regards
paws
 
Mar 14, 2005
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I guess your new Elddis will have Whale pump,inlet connection, water heater taps and shower as does my Avante.

There is no adjustable pressure switch, but a module at the rear of the pump inlet which acts as pressure swith and also to protect the pump against running dry. This module has to be set up in accordance with the instructions provided with it, which you should have with a new van (but given the history of your perhaps not). If not look at the Whale website or contact them directly, I've found them very helpful.

The pump shoud be a Whale high capacity model which has more than enough pressure and flow capability.

When re-filling the Aquaroll jiggle the pump up and down a bit to help dislodge any trapped air. Then whn using the shower, first turn the head towards the wall i.e. away from you, and turn the tap full on in the Cold position. As the water flow stablises, move the control towards the central position and reduce the flow a bit until you get the correct teemperature - the control is very sensitive to small movements.

Once the flow is correct turn the shower head towards you and enjoy - it's easily the best shower we've ever had in a van in 20+ years

The high capacity pump is exactly that and we find we need 20 litres of water per person per shower.

All the above based on 160 nights usee
 
Apr 3, 2010
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Thanks Ray.
Spoke to the dealer and he tells me that there is a reset switch on the back of the water inlet point under the seat. Turn the water on and, after 30 seconds press the reset switch - been busy the last couple of days so havent dug out the instructions and tried - will have to move the van to do it anyway. We are off to Cornwall at the w/e so will try it then. The van is going back to the dealers next week for other work so if the prob persists will add it to the (not very long) list. Sound good from what you say tho so thanks again.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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It,s a little yellow block on the back og the inlet and the reset switch is actually a push button. Ther,s a LED indicator and you need to know what the flash sequence means. Suggest you contact Whale to get exact instructions before your trip. Good luck
 

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