Truma water heater

[Ginge@72]

Hi All
Looking for some advice. We have a 2006 swift challenger 530, on the last few outings the hot water side of the system continues to air lock/spit & splutter after each use, every time we want to run the hot water tap we have to continuously pull through again and again until the water flows freely again. I have changed the hot water valve on the tank (red & white one with breather pipe) but still not solved the issue…

Any advice would be much appreciated if someone knows a trick or two to solve it.

Many thanks
Chris

 

[ProfJohnL]

The symptom you describe suggests the contents of the hot tank is emptying . but the water must be going somewhere. Is there any evidence of a leak under the caravan?

If there is no obvious leak, then it suggests the content of the hot tank is flowing back through the pipe work probably to the cold water barrel. For this to happen there must have been two non return valves fail. Has the caravan been left with water in the pipe work over winter? if so its possible that the NRV's may have been damaged by water freezing in them, causing them to fail.

 

[Ginge@72]

The symptom you describe suggests the contents of the hot tank is emptying . but the water must be going somewhere. Is there any evidence of a leak under the caravan?

If there is no obvious leak, then it suggests the content of the hot tank is flowing back through the pipe work probably to the cold water barrel. For this to happen there must have been two non return valves fail. Has the caravan been left with water in the pipe work over winter? if so its possible that the NRV's may have been damaged by water freezing in them, causing them to fail.

Thanks for this. The van has a full drain down for winter and is stored inside over winter so frost probably not the issue. I will check for leaks under the van, not evident inside. I will replace both valves on the tank too see if this works, so they are both non return?

Many thanks for your reply!

 

[ProfJohnL]

As you haven't told us the exact model of water heater you have (Truma have made several different models over the years) I will assume it is an Ultrastore 10L gas and electric heater. You will find a set of operating and installation instructions here

Having drained over winter, did you close the floor mounted safety /drain valve? The lever should be horizontal for closed. If its upright then it will be constantly draining leading to the symptoms you describe. You may also have damaged the heater if its been run up whilst little or no water is in it.

If the valve is closed, and there are no obvious leaks, then the water must be draining back into the cold water pipes, and possibly back into your cold water tank. If this is happening then it means the NRV in the cold pipe work where the water enters the caravan is not working.

 

[Ginge@72]

As you haven't told us the exact model of water heater you have (Truma have made several different models over the years) I will assume it is an Ultrastore 10L gas and electric heater. You will find a set of operating and installation instructions here

Having drained over winter, did you close the floor mounted safety /drain valve? The lever should be horizontal for closed. If its upright then it will be constantly draining leading to the symptoms you describe. You may also have damaged the heater if its been run up whilst little or no water is in it.

If the valve is closed, and there are no obvious leaks, then the water must be draining back into the cold water pipes, and possibly back into your cold water tank. If this is happening then it means the NRV in the cold pipe work where the water enters the caravan is not working.

Thanks, heating up well no issues with getting hot water and always check we have a full tank before switching water heater on. Drain down lever is always closed obviously when we arrive on site and fill the system. I will check as the drain down valve isn’t failing a still allowing water to drip out, we’ve had failure in the past when the tap wouldn’t close and has been replaced.

I will change the cold water NRV to see if this is the issue which I suspect is….
Will let you know when we’re home to replace next week.

Thanks again!

 

[Ginge@72]

As you haven't told us the exact model of water heater you have (Truma have made several different models over the years) I will assume it is an Ultrastore 10L gas and electric heater. You will find a set of operating and installation instructions here

Having drained over winter, did you close the floor mounted safety /drain valve? The lever should be horizontal for closed. If its upright then it will be constantly draining leading to the symptoms you describe. You may also have damaged the heater if its been run up whilst little or no water is in it.

If the valve is closed, and there are no obvious leaks, then the water must be draining back into the cold water pipes, and possibly back into your cold water tank. If this is happening then it means the NRV in the cold pipe work where the water enters the caravan is not working.

Ps it’s the old 10L gas & electric tank.