Damian
Moderator
Quote "yea right 2 inches all round you havent seen where the flu pipe is on the abbey vogue 215 have you"
Actually yes I have, as I have seen the flue setup on most makes of caravans, and very few conform to the installation requirements.
Is that right? no of course not , but until something very drastic happens, nothing wil change, but the manufacturers will stil issue Certificates Of Conformance.
Actually yes I have, as I have seen the flue setup on most makes of caravans, and very few conform to the installation requirements.
Is that right? no of course not , but until something very drastic happens, nothing wil change, but the manufacturers will stil issue Certificates Of Conformance.
i guess if there is no other way to route cables then this would have been an obvious way when my van was being made, i have noticed in newer vans they have had some thought in there design and have access for cables, i have also noticed that new vans have also got heat shields around flu pipes, shame its not helping me tho, maybe i should buy a new van haha the other half would love that.
I find it hard to understand why there has been so much correspondence on what is a pretty cut and dried situation. Hot ducts and electrical wiring should be kept apart-Period.
It is a sad fact that some caravan manufactures ignore several installation instructions and codes of practice, and as Damain states they re likely to continue to do so until someone is injured and its shown that the manufacture is responsible because they have taken a short cut.
It is a sad fact that some caravan manufactures ignore several installation instructions and codes of practice, and as Damain states they re likely to continue to do so until someone is injured and its shown that the manufacture is responsible because they have taken a short cut.
Not as hot as we think it seems. I've just taken some measurements with a laser thermometer along the length of the flue pipe, after the fire had been on at maximum for 15 minutes. At the exhaust flange the temperature was 154C. Three inches along the flue the temperature dropped to 104C. By the time it was level with the fan motor at the back of the fire temperature was down to 70C. Just below the worktop it was 62C. Below the overhead lockers it was 55C and at ceiling height was 31C. But how many of us leave the gas fire full on after an initial ten minutes, so at that point I turned the fire down to position 5. After time to stabilize, temperatures were 112C; 90C; 56C; 46C; 40C and 28C. Fortunately my panneling is removable so it's easy to check the temperatures. And yes - I also have wiring running alongside the flue.johnandrew70 said:
nice one John thanks for that that has put my mind at ease a bit now, what van do you have and how does the panneling come off?
My van is an Avondale Rialto of 2001 vintage. The panel between the worktop and the bottom of the overhead lockers I discovered is held with two magnetic catches.
i am not that lucky, ours is solid and cant see any way of gaining access without stripping the lockers out. i might have a closer look at the weekend, i dont suppose you took any notice as to what cables were behind your panneling? 240v??
Yes - I've just been out to have a look. There's the alarm wire from the PIR sensor, also the wire from sensor to fire thermostat and a 7mm diameter flexible which could be 230v or TV lead.
i was chatting to an electrician who is rewiring our showroom at work today he had the same problem with his motorhome when trying to run a 240v feed to a locker, he said he used the flu panneling to run the cable up through as it was the only way other than using trunking on the outside, he said he used ordinary 3 core flex in a conduit inside the panneling and it works a treat, he also said it already had cables running up through it loose. so i cheekily asked him if he could spare a bit of conduit and 3 core flex
. i will feed the conduit up through the boxing and put the fire on for 30 mins then check the conduit before putting my cable in it. to be fair if i did ever use it on gas it would only be for 20 mins to half an hour until the van warmed up then switch it over to mains as we never go anywhere without EHU and if i ever sell the van i will strip it out.
I have made it clear that it is not recommended to have standard electrical cables running next to a flue, and whilst the way you use your heater may not actually damage the cable, just consider what might happen if you forget to turn the heater off, or when
when you sell your caravan. If the new owner uses the heater differently, and the cable is damaged and some one is injured then you might be held responsible as you did the work on the wiring.
It seems all too often good sensible advice on safety matters are deliberately ignored because others have got away with it. don't become a statistic.
when you sell your caravan. If the new owner uses the heater differently, and the cable is damaged and some one is injured then you might be held responsible as you did the work on the wiring.
It seems all too often good sensible advice on safety matters are deliberately ignored because others have got away with it. don't become a statistic.
its ok after looking last night i have found another way, it means the cable will be showing about 6 inch or so but will use the conduit to hide it, but it means drilling holes in cabinets
something i didnt want to do never mind,
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