Truma Carver 1800 Heater Blower Conversion - Swift Rapide 450GXL

[Shane]

Hey everyone, hope you all had a merry Christmas and are looking forward to the new year!

I have a lovely Swift Rapide 450GXL which I have to admit is my first caravan having bought it back in October 2011.

It's in excellent condition and is well looked after by me now

Anyway, I'd like to add the Truma Hot Air Blower that attaches somehow to the back of the Carver 1800 gas fire.

Is this something that can be done easily, any special parts i need to attach to the back of the fire apart from the 62mm tubing I think?

Many thanks

Shane
Oulton Broad

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Shane,

Hope you new year is also good.

The Carver 1800 heater should have been fitted with its aluminium back box, which will have knock out panels and piercings ready to accept the Carver Blown Air systems. The Carver and Truma fixing points should be the same so equipment from either manufacture should fit.

It is perfectly possible to use the 1800 with blown air and it will make a difference, but be warned, it was more normal to have blown air on the larger fires (Carver 3000) which could provide better heat distribution.

Just as a thought, if you could find a Carver Fanmaster then you could also use mains power to heat the caravan as the Fanmaster contains the electric elements. Some dealers may have the odd one left in stock.

As for fitting, depending on the way the heater is installed in your caravan, you may need to remove the gas heater to gain proper access to the back box. I must advise you that for safety, you should refer removal and refitting of gas appliances to a qualified gas fitter. The same applies to mains electrical equipment if you go for the Fanmaster.

Otherwise the fitting of the fan and ducting is within the capability of a competent DIY'er.

 

[Shane]

Hi John,

Fantastic answer, exactly what I was after

I was thinking of using the Carver 1800 just to take the chill off with having only 2 vents that i could run through the seating and have them point towards the back of the caravan, so basically blowing the full length with warm air.

I'll certainly keep an eye out for the Carver 3000 or the Fanmaster.

I'm pretty good with electricals but i'll leave the gas lines etc to a registered gas fitter, I have a gas oven to fit at some point as well.

Many thanks again and Happy New Year to you

 

[RogerL]

Installation details for the Fanmaster here http://www.arcsystems.biz/manuals/Fanmaster.PDF
Gary's website www.arcsystems.biz is excellent for the Carver heaters.

 

[Shane]

Brilliant, I've seen that site before and totally forgot all about it.

Many thanks for reminding me, have downloaded the pdf's