Truma Control Panel CP 25-UK

[Montrose]

Hello,
Can anyone help me locate to purchase a digital Truma Control Panel - Ref CP 25-UK.
It was produced for 2012 & 2013 Coachman Caravans (and I believe some Swift Group) that
were fitted with the Truma 4E or 6E Combi boiler.
Mine failed while in Holland recently and as it was a UK item, Truma NL could not supply a replacement.
After contacting my dealer back in the UK, I have been advised that Truma UK no longer make this 'special customer' item. Truma NL cobbled up an old grey round combo panel for me to make the heating and hot water work, but I am left with the space where the original panel should be and a heath robinson switch screwed in loosely. Any pointers please.

 

[Raywood]

I would try caravan breakers but it is a long shot. Even longer Magnum Motorhomes in Hull buy up the remaining stock from manufacturers. Beyond that the only thing I can suggest is make up a frame for the replacement control unit that will fit over the hole to disguise that.

 

[Thingy]

Justa thought, Truma may no longer make the item, but an awful lots of caravans were fitted with it, so there has to be some stock around for warranty issues.

Why not contact Truma UK direct rather than go through your dealer. Is it the panel itslef that failed or the PCB?

 

[Montrose]

Hi again,
My thanks to you Raywood, will contact them this week.
and to Thingy, that was going to be my first call tomorrow
as its a BH today - but again my thanks, will post a follow up.
The panel started to show 'connection error' and Truma NL
connected a Truma diagnostic computer to it, which then made
the boiler operate in all modes, so its def the panel thats faulty.
I have the panel off now, but what is actually the problem, I don't know.
(funny though, how the old round switch coupled up and worked
the basic on & off, as long as gas was available to operate in tandem
with the lecky !

 

[nik]

HI
I have just looked on ebay and following a search for truma control panel, half way down the page is this item
381442713322. search using this number.
Sorry but this is my first post so hope I have done it right.

nix

 

[Hutch]

Don't worry too much, most folk on here are amicable, there are always problems when your learing your way around the Forum. Just hope you get the help you need.

 

[Thingy]

With the control panel, did you by any chance get the message
"COMMUNICATION ERROR"
I had real problems with the same unit two years ago, many of the guys here will remember it. Thats the message I got, and as the unit is controlled via data cable, my initial question to my dealer was whether there was a joint in the cable. Having spoken to my dealer, Swift and Truma, they all assured me it was one cable. After waiting for parts for three weeks right through my summer holiday, a local engineer finally turned up with all the parts. Changing first the control panel/PCB we still got communiation error. He then changed the PCB at the boiler end and still the same problem. He decided it was the data cable, and when he took it out the box, Stevie Wonder could have told him it wasnt long enough. Immediately realising there must indeed be a joint, a quick search found it and all it needed was pressing togther to cure the problem. As you didnt specify what the actual problem/error was, I thought I had better give you a heads up on this.

 

[Montrose]

Thanks Thingy,
No not 'communication error' but 'connection error'.
It is not the cable as it is currently wired to a makeshift old truma combo controller
(the round grey one) and presently works from that, so the cable must be OK.
I have since looked again at the back of the controller and four screws hold the
PCB, so if perhaps i can get just that part from Truma or elsewhere I may have a solution.
will keep you posted.

 

[Thingy]

Many many Swift Vans have this panel fitted. I have asked the question for you on another forum that is frequented by the manufacturers of the caravan and Truma themselves. As I have had my own problems with this unit, Im greatly concerned in case of failure.

 

[Thingy]

I have a reply from Swift on this. It would appear to correct, these panels are no longer made and stocks are very low. Swift themselves state that it is possible to use a different control panel for the system, however, it would also require the PCB at the heater end to be changed also.

All in all, I think its bad form that Truma have manufactured so many of these and then stopped supporting them. It pretty much leaves us all in limbo.

 

[Montrose]

Hello Thingy
Had a call now with Truma and they confirm the unit is no longer made, since Coachman and Swift
now take another type of controller. There are no spares of either the PCB board or the controller as
a complete unit. While they offer to have a look at it, if I get it to them, but they make no promises, so
no joy really with them. Nicky at Truma also confirmed that any newer controller need the PCB on the boiler changing, so it becomes an even more tangled web, so am not going there.
I am hoping no one else has this unit fail, as there is no repair or replacement available.
Will try tomorrow to find a second hand unit, or the only other way out for me is to manufacture
a plinth to cover the original panel hole and install the very early round controller that I have from
Truma NL. Your input is appreciated however.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Montrose

Have a chat with http://www.apuljackengineering.co.uk/product_pages/product_page_PS276.html

He may be able to rebuild / repair your unit for you.

 

[Thingy]

I have just been having a look at the Truma UK webiste, under their combi devices page there is an item with the following description:

Top recommendation
Retrofit kit Truma CP plus - iNet ready

Digital control panel for existing Truma Combi devices produced from 2007 on.

Included in delivery: LCD-Display Truma CP plus including a 12 V connection and a 6 m control panel cable

For the retrofitting of vehicles with older Combi systems (grey case) the CP plus control panel has to be mount and the control unit PCB of the heater has to be exchanged. The PCB is not included in the package, but is replaced directly by the Truma dealer or service partner.
Suitable for: Combi heaters manufactured 2007 or later

Looks to be around the right size and shape for the plinth and they seem to be saying it will work with older systems. Swift told me that to use a different CP, the PCB at the heater end would need changing, but looking at this, maybe not. Im not sure if Im reading this right, I cant decide whether they are saying its only for grey case models, or if its only the grey case models that need the heater PCB changing.

 

[Thingy]

Just heard back from Truma

Dear Mr xxxxxxxxxx

Thank you for your email, the CP25 panel is no longer manufactured, but alternatives are in place if there should ever be an issue with the panel. Please let us know if you are having an issue that needs to be resolved.

If you require any further assistance do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind Regards

Nicky Price
Customer Service Administrator

Tel: 01283 586020
Fax: 01283 586029
Address: Park Lane, Dove Valley, South Derbyshire, DE65 5BG

Visit: www.trumauk.com

-----Original Message-----
From: contact@truma.com [mailto:contact@truma.com]
Sent: 03 May 2016 21:04
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Contact Form

I believe you are no longer making the CP25-UK and after having previous problems with mine, I am a little concerned as there does not appear to be a reserve supply of these for repair. On you website, you mention a retrofit kit for combis from 2007 onwards. My caravan is a 2013 Swift, black heater case. Would this retrofit kit fit. If not, where do I stand for a replacement CP25?
Many thanks
Ian xxxxxxxxxx

Mr
Ian
xxxxxxxxx

Great Britain
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hope this is of some help.

 

[Montrose]

Hello Thingy,
I cannot thank you enough for the troubles you have taken on my behalf. I have had a couple of chats with Nicky at Truma. I have to say that their solution only involves purchasing more parts and/or more changes.
It is true they have alternatives to the CP25UK panel, its a CP plus, but it does not help anyone changing over to that system, it'll still leave a hole in the caravan where the CP25 used to be, as its a smaller unit, and does need
a modified pcb panel onto the boiler, and new leads, which the normal user/owner cannot possibly route
through the vans internal furniture without some disassembly. After exhausting enquiries with Coachman (who have none) but who have promised to seek their own answer, as they know many users have the panel which could fail at any time. Swift, I am afraid to say will not or cannot help, unless you have a model and a chassis number, their customer services will not progress my enquiry further, thanks Swift!
I have decided to have a panel made for me to cover the hole in aluminium that will be anodised in
the coachman grey ( like the bed legs) so when the rotary panel is inserted, it will look in keeping with
the interior van colours. As an aside I have heard from other owners who display anger that Truma are no longer supporting an item that made just for caravaners not so long ago.

 

[Thingy]

I do agree, its a bit of a pain. On my particular caravan, I can get the cable through fairly easily and having had problems in the past, changing the PCB is no biggy either. But what angers me most is the point you have already raised, the replacement LCD panel is much smaller than the original and they dont seem to be making allowances for that. I feel its possibly better for my van to replace the actual plinth and recut for the two panels mine holds.

All in all, its very shoddy on both the part of Truma and Swift.

 

[Dustydog]

As an aside why are Coachman not responsible for the failed component under their three year warranty

 

[Thingy]

Dusty, as I understand it, and i may be wrong, these control panels were fitted to 2012 and 2013 models and of course these vans are now running out of their warranty. Mine is out at the end of May.

What I do know is that certain items, although the caravan is supposedely under a three year warranty, are under their own manufacturers warranty of 12 months. I fell foul of this when the fitted Sharp Microwave failed in my previous van after 14 months, and same as the Truma issue, that particualr model had been withdrawn.

Swift compeletely washed their hands of the Microwaves and insisted I source my own. They did pay for it but their help was minimal, and finding one that would fit the brackets and surround and also met the installation regulations was near impossible.

 

[Montrose]

Hi Dustydog,
Yep, I'm out of warranty, its a 2012 VIP.
That was Truma's first question, when I first called, ' It s out of warranty, you know'
with a start like that you know you are on an uphill battle.
But to you and al else who have contributed - my thanks

 

[ApuljackEngineering]

People

Can you all please tell us what the original symptoms were that you were having?

We have just repaired a CP25-K1 which is a Knaus special but I would think that the CP25-UK is probably similar.

Paul

 

[Damian]

Just a note regarding the above posting by Paul from Apuljack Engineering.

If you have problems DO get in touch with Paul as he is probably the very best person to deal with and has gone out of his way on several occasions to help forum users.

If a unit is repairable he WILL do it, and in most cases the cost is a lot less than a new item.

 

[ApuljackEngineering]

Damien

Thank you for your kind words. We have grown a lot recently and we now have a staff of 7 at our Somerset location with 2 others (on the design side) at remote locations. We are all very friendly and helpful - try us out!

With regard to the CP25. Currently, we have very little technical information on these but already have a good level of understanding of the low level circuit design. This will mean that the repairs and upgrades are non standard for us and not currently subject to our usual 5 day turn round. However, we are keen to find a resolution as there seem to be quite a few people out there that have been left in the lurch!

Regards

Paul

 

[Dustydog]

Thanks Paul.

Montrose ,Please answer Paul. He may well be able to help you if not others in the future

 

[Thingy]

My incident wasnt one of a failed unit. It was due to lack of knowledge on the part of the dealer, backed up by a complete lack of usefull customer service by both the caravan manufacturer and the heaters manufacturer.

What I had was communication error. My first thought was the data cable and straight away I asked if there was a joint along the cable, and hwere would it likely be. I was told it was a six meter cable and there was no joint, and all three agencises insisted it must be either the panel or the heater PCB. After weeks of waiting for an engineer, and then the parts, its turned out to be a joint in the data cable that simply needed pushing back together.

My only concern in this is that if my unit fails, Im in the same boat as Montrose.

 

[Montrose]

Hello Paul (Hello everyone else too)
I confess I saw your post, but was not sure if I should reply as you were a company and I know some
other blogs dont encourage that, so after reading recent posts, I am sorry for this late reply, here goes. The CP25-UK was manufactured in 2012 & 2013 for some Swift (lower market end - higher end had Alde) and Coachman (higher and mid end, lower had Truma 3000 & blown) While in Holland recently, heating was operating normally one evening and as it chilled, we went to change the temperature control. On first touch we got the three bleeps and the unit displayed 'Connection error' I tried a reset, both 12v and mains off for 30 seconds, and did a re-try - same result. I tried the obvious fuse on the Combi boiler, on top with the connections, but due to its location, I could not access the multi coloured slow burn 10 amp fuse lower down inside the boiler casing. Next day, I consulted the Truma website and located a dutch Truma repair company. They arrived the next day and with a 'Truma Diagnostic Computer' connected, ran through a long but quite thorough check programme - the result was that both the heating and hot water could be made to work from their computer keypad ! So neither the boiler or wiring was faulty. They then isolated the CP25UK and connected that up - unit displayed 'Connection Error'. They then made many phone calls to Truma NL but could not locate a CP25UK panel, it was made for the UK market only. I would have to make enquiries upon return to the UK. After the BHol, I contacted Truma at Derby (Nicky in customer services) and learned that there were none in stock, no spares, no back up, nothing. After considering the replies I received on here, I decided to take an early suggested solution from here and have an aluminium panel made up to cover the CP25UK hole and have fitted the old grey rotary control into it. I can now make the heating and hot water work.After much time spent contacting Coachman and Swift and a couple of suggested (on here) possible sources, I drew a blank, but seem to have reached a solution that satisfies my needs, but is possibly a source of service that you can maybe offer to the many others who will sooner or later have a u/s Truma CP25UK unit.