Truma Ultrastore rapid - gas problem

[Pinto]

The last two years our caravan was serviced the engineer had problems with the gas lighting on the water. It was at the end of the winter and blamed condensation using a hairdryer on the PCB board- it lit then. This year as we are going away before we can get it serviced we tested all the kit ourselves - same problem. We heated the water up on electric and then the gas worked ok, so seemed like the same problem, But where we are going doesn't have hookup - how can we cure this ? I've googled a replacement board and they are expensive !!!!

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Pinto,
I am not familiar with the detail of the heater you have, but I am really suprised that Truma woudl have a design that is so suseptable to condensation. This suggests it may not have been properly installed, but without being able to see the installtion and the instructions it is difficult to be acurate about that point.
Condensation occurs when warm moist air comes into contact with a cold surface, So the only time it is likley to form on the PCB, is when the heater has been off for some considerabale time and it has bee able to get really cold (Many hours or longer). In normal use throughout the day even if you turn teh heater of when you go out for teh day, there is likley to be more than enough residual heat in the heater or caravan to prevent condensation on the PCB, so it is my guess that whilst you are using the caravan, the problem is not so likey to arise.

I have to say that if it does have the probelm when you are using the caravan then there is more going on than you have suggested.

Also a replacement board will not cure the problem, and in fact it is likley to suffer in exactly the same way, so the root cause needs to be addressed.

 

[Damian]

With the position of the PCB on the Ultrastore it is very unlikely that condensation can accumulate on the PCB, and this is the first time I have ever heard of that as being a cause of lighting problems.
The PCB is situated outside the main tank area and is in its own enclosure which is almost sealed from the surroundings.

 

[Pinto]

This only happens after the winter - the enigeer picks it up when it is serviced. This year though we are going away before our service so trying to sort it ourselves. Once we start caravanning it seems fine even though there are often several weeks between trips. Last year he used a hairdryer on it and it was fine - we went away about 3 weeks later and it was still ok.

 

[Damian]

Following your last posting, that would suggest insufficient ventilation, or damp within the van.

 

[Dustydog]

Pinto
See this for the manufacturers "fault finding" procedures.
http://www.swift-owners-club.com/support/oem_handbooks/truma/ultrastore_rapid_2004.pdf
PCBs do break down usually because of a dry joint or poor electrical connections. With all power switched off have you tried using some electrical contact spray on the PCB and its connections?