Truma Heater on AC power (Bailey Senator 2002)

[JohnI.Stephen]

Thsi last weekend in the Cotswolds was chilly. What we noticed (this being our first 'season') was that even at 2 kw and bthe thermostat set to 30 (c?!) and the fan set to max, the heat was very poor. We noticed that at 'off peak' times the heat output improved. Does this mean that the site (CC Moreton in Marsh) regulated the supply so that whilst I had set 2kw I was perhaps only getting 500 watts?

We also noticed that, if we swapped over to gas heating, the results we immediate; lots of hot air to heat up the caravan quickly.

What do you advise / think? We plan to use our caravan throughout the winter so it's important that we optimise the heating !!

John

 

[rob_jax]

Hi John,

The only way the site could regulate the current is to let the voltage drop, this could happen if a lot of vans were on site all demanding max power from their heaters.

You would be able to observe any voltage drop if you had a 240 volt mains light and it dimmed - your own sort of brown out - but if you have a battery and your lights are 12 Volt - then you won't see any effect there.

The big difference is that the rated gas (3.8 kW) output of the S3002 is almost twice that of the Truma Ultraheat.

Take plenty of gas or buy an Eriba with 35mm of insulation all over.

Robert

 

[GStockton]

At about 3 years old the common fault with these heaters is the pcb board for the elements.The relay contacts burn out,it needs testing for current draw with a clamp meter should read aprox 2.2a,500w 4.4a,1000w and 8.5a @2000w I have now repaired quite a few of these pcbs for about

 

[Andrewbutcher]

Hi John, we had a 03 senator oklahoma, we found exactly the same problem, once the temperature outside dropped below approx 3c the electric heater struggled.

We used to run the heating on gas for a while, then change over to electric once the caravan was warm, we use our van all year round, so dont let it stop you!

hope this helps, Andrew.

 

[RogerL]

There's a design / installation problem with the Truma Ultraheat. The thermostat is often fitted too close to the heater. Once it switches off it won't come on again until it's very cold. The cure is to fit a Truma Remote Sensor.

Some caravan manufacturers have fitted this sensor as a warranty repair to customer complaints but still produce caravans with the same problem!

If your caravan is still under warranty, complain to your dealer and politely insist that they fit a remote sensor free of charge.

My Bailey was out of warranty when I discovered the problem so it cost

 

[laurieW]

There's a design / installation problem with the Truma Ultraheat. The thermostat is often fitted too close to the heater. Once it switches off it won't come on again until it's very cold. The cure is to fit a Truma Remote Sensor.

Some caravan manufacturers have fitted this sensor as a warranty repair to customer complaints but still produce caravans with the same problem!

If your caravan is still under warranty, complain to your dealer and politely insist that they fit a remote sensor free of charge.

My Bailey was out of warranty when I discovered the problem so it cost

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Thanks :

Rob-Jax (Robert) ; no the power didn't dim on the 240v lights; so that discounts my first hypothesis!

G Stockton; "I have now repaired quite a few of these pcbs for about

 

[laurieW]

Thanks :

Rob-Jax (Robert) ; no the power didn't dim on the 240v lights; so that discounts my first hypothesis!

G Stockton; "I have now repaired quite a few of these pcbs for about

 

[Surfer]

Hi,

Expect this post to be erased by the moderator like mine was when I mentioned problems with the heating system in my 2004 Lunar Lexon. I have exactly the same problem and ended up purchasing a fan heater which heats the van up in less than 5 minutes. I wrote to the manufacturer but to date have had no response although I do realise it is a dealer problem to resolve, but if a manufacturer passes on inferior goods to the dealer there is little that the dealer can do about it.

 

[GStockton]

Wha.t I mean is it cost,s me

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Hello John.On my 2002 Arizona, the remote thermostat was under the pelmet.On my current 2004 Oklahoma it is below the washbasin almost at floor level.

Thanks but what does it look like please? (Sorry if that's a silly question). Not sure what a pelmet is either !! John