Truma Ultraflow Surge Damper and pressure switch - Is yours noisy?

[redleader]

Truma Ultraflow Surge Damper and pressure switch
Hi All, I'm after an opinion from those who have the above pressure switch installed in the water system. We have a Coachman Pastiche, and since new every time a cold water tap is turned on, there is a groan noise from ythe pressure switch. Not all the time, but just when switching the tap on. If the tap is turned on to full quickly, you dont hear the noise. It is most annoying at night if anyone gets up for a drink or whatever, as the pressure switch is just below the pillow. Happens every time, not intermittent.
I reported it after the first outing. "We'll check at the first service" - Result = no fault found.
Just picked van up again today after second service - Result = no fault found!
I cannot believe that this noise is a design feature of the unit, I do believe I have a faulty unit and after 2 years I'm still trying to get it fixed. The authorised dealer is 70miles away, hence why it's taking so long.
OK, it still works, but the noise is so annoying!! I need feedback to say if this is a one off issue so I can demand a replacement unit, or if they are all like that.
Thanks in advance
Don

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Don,

I'm certain the noise you are hearing is not a design feature but equally its not indicative of a fault.
You probably find that when just crack open a cold tap at home the pressure of the water forcing its way through the partially opened faucett starts to swirl and cavitate. This is comparatively noisy, but if you open the tap more fully the noise diminishes.

I'm guessing that a similar issue arises in the caravan as the pressure in the surge damper is released into the pipe system. It may interact with the non return valve in the pressure switch causing it to flutter.

You may find adjusting the pressure switch setting may reduce or eliminate the problem. Refer to the manufactureres instructions

 

[Surfer]

Ours is annoyingly quiet as you cannot hear it when the barrel runs empty.

 

[redleader]

Thanks for the advice guys and the fact that they should be quiet.
I'll have a fiddle with the pressure switch adjustment tomorrow, see if that makes a difference!
Cheers
Don

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Don
Our Pastiche pump makes no discernable noise when in use,and neither does the surge damper or pressure switch make a noise. On a different topic did you get your shower problem resolved to your satisfaction.?

 

[RogerL]

The pressure switch may need adjusting frequently if you have a mix of EHU and off-EHU trips - the pump pressure varies with the voltage and the pressure switch needs setting accordingly.
When on EHU the battery should be at 13.8v - when off-EHU the battery will vary from 12.7 (fully charged) down to 12.0 (completely discharged) - but high current from the pump or any other 12v device can drop the voltage momentarily below those figures.
An electronic pressure switch is much better than the old mechanical Whale switch and silent in operation - a Truma electronic unit is fitted to some recent caravans, if that's what you have it sounds faulty, pun intended.

 

[redleader]

Thanks again for your advice guys... I adjusted it today,
counted the turns to full on, then back to when the pump stops, then + 5 turns
as per the manual. The result is?? It is exactly back at the position it was!
What is odd is that in the manual it states it should take 10 to 12 turns for
the pump to switch off, in my case it took 22 turns, which seems well out of any
tolerance!

I have recorded the noise that the workshop doesn't seem to
hear on my mobile phone, forwarded it to them and demanded a replacement unit!
The van has had this issue from new and is now coming up to 2 years old. This is
one of the problems with warrantee work when the nearest Coachman dealership is 70+ miles
away.

Woodsieboy, I don't seem to have any luck with caravans no
matter which manufacturer I choose! No, the shower was not repaired to my
satisfaction. The initial repair done by PSS was in my opinion downright rough!!
The sealant used to bond the new base to the walls looked as if it had been
applied with a trowel, there were also sealant marks on the shower wall well away
from any repair, and the vertical edges which should be adjacent to the wood
were splayed out. Plus there is now a gap of 1/8 inch from the floor where
previously there was none. I refused to sign the satisfaction note. I took the
van home and later had a visit from Darren from PSS who I believe is one of the
owners. To be fair, he has made a better job to the finish, removed the black
marks from the shower sides and made the bonding less trowel like. He has
managed to reduce the splaying out to an acceptable level. The gap to the floor
though is still there. He said the only way they could close the gap was to bond
an extra piece of trim, which I didn't want! In the end I gave up as there
didn't seem to be anything else they could do. I do admit I am fussy, but I was
promised the repair would look like new, and it to me it doesn't, although to
someone else looking at it, they probably wouldn't notice!
What about you, did you have better luck?

With all the hassles and expense I don't know why I continue
caravanning! But there is something about it on a nice quiet site with the
freedom of doing what you want that seems to make it all worthwhile!

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Don
Like you we had a repair done on our shower by PSS and we were happy with it,until the van went in for first service and our repairer pointed out yellow marks in the middle of the biggest panel,they looked almost like cigarette burns,PSS came back and replaced the whole panel,saying the marks were caused by the panel touching against pipework behind it. The new panel has a curved shape built in to it and I think it may be a different shape from the original,otherwise we are happy with what PSS have done. We also had the high level rear brake light replaced,our supplying dealer posted a replacement to us and our local service engineer fitted it. Other problems have included gas fire that would't light properly and microwave that jumped out of its mountings,forcing the cupboard door open in transit,and a couple of blinds that lost there tension.None of these things are that serious,but like you we bought a Coachman because we anticpated something more reliable than other brands,and although we enjoy the van each time we go away,it is disappointing when things go wrong.So far we would say that our van is no better or worse than our previous Bailey and we kept that for 5 years,this one has another 3 years to go.I agree with you about the hassles and expense,I have recently had to fund expensive repairs on our towcar,then today somebody has hit it whilst it was parked,not major but will cost to put right,but then next time we go away it will all be worth it again,unless it is raining!