Carver Rapide water heater - advice please

Hedgehurst
Hedgehurst Forum Participant Posts: 576
100 Comments
edited July 2017 in Caravans #1

We have a Rapido caravan made in 2000, with a Carver "Cascade  Rapide" water heater, presumably from the same year.


I realise this is practically Roman History by now, but please, if anyone out there knows about these, I'd really welcome any advice!

 The only trips we've had so far have been on EHU, when it works perfectly, and thus haven't been using the gas side.

It ignited straight away, and heated well last time I tried it, but that was some months ago.  I hadn't realised you have to keep reminding these things to work even if you don't need them at the time!
Now we'd like to use it again to go off-grid, and it's not playing. I have the book of words but it doesn't cover the display I'm getting.

The control panel has three lights: green shows all's well and working. Yellow shows insufficient battery power. Red shows it hasn't ignited. There are various  two-light options given in the troubleshooting section for displays, but nothing for all three at once.

I'm getting all three!

I've run the gas cooker, lit the gas in the fridge, made sure there's water coming through to the hot tap, and the battery's charged fully. I've tried repeatedly, with the prescribed minutes between attempts.

So - any comments, please?
It's not a complete tragedy if it won't, we can kettle-heat washing water if need be, but it's nice and more convenient to have things working.

Thanks,


Richard

Comments

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2017 #2

    I often forget to remove the outside cover on my gas water heater - which doesn't help! 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited July 2017 #3

    Yes the outside cover removal has got us before 😆. Have you removed yours? Ours is only a couple of years younger than yours. I reckon were among the better off having read the horror stories with some new vans.

  • metz
    metz Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited July 2017 #4

    Hi There is no removable cover on a carver cascade water heater, from your description sounds like you have a problem with the electronics either the switch or module. Try a search for Arc Systems, i think Gary is still operating if so he will be able to help.

     

     

  • crusader
    crusader Forum Participant Posts: 299
    100 Comments
    edited July 2017 #5

    Richard, I know it might it might sound like a stupid question but have you checked that the gas supply tap for your boiler is on ? If want I have a instuction book for it as my daughters has one fitted. my email is in my profile 

    Paul

  • crusader
    crusader Forum Participant Posts: 299
    100 Comments
    edited July 2017 #6
  • Hedgehurst
    Hedgehurst Forum Participant Posts: 576
    100 Comments
    edited July 2017 #7

    Not a silly question at all, Paul! And yes, it was on :-)  Thanks for the offer of the book - we have the original book of words with it.

    Thanks also those who mentioned Gary. I've called him by phone, and he gave me an incredibly detailed description of how to reach the plug he thinks might be the problem - all from memory, too!

    I confess I've not yet attacked it, between weather and other things.

    I also confess to being a bit intimidated too.... I gather one crucial thing is getting the now rather old seals back in place exactly just so. Since it functions perfectly on the electric version, I'm weighing my chances of just ending up wrecking that while I'm at it!

    Thanks to all,

    Richard