Trauma heating gas to electric
Comments
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What sort of Truma heater are we talking about? Is it the Truma S type witch usually sits in front of the wardrobe or is it the Truma Combi which is usually under on of the bunks? Obviously it will depend on the external dimensions of the heater. Most Truma's seem to be either gas or gas and electric so it would be the latter you would need. I think you would be best served discussing it with a local dealer or mobile service agent. Whether it could be a DIY job will very much depend on the competence of the installer!
David
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I think there will be plenty of pre-loved gas/electric versions available from the various caravan breakers around the country.
If you find the manuals on the Internet you can check if the two models have the same external sizes. Then it would be an easy swap - BUT - you really must have the gas connection, and the working of your new heater, checked by a certificated gas engineer.
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just to raise the economic angle a bit....
the difference when ordering a Combi E as opposed to a gas only Combi on most European vans (where the Combi is std) is around £500 in round numbers.
with pump LPG at (say) 50p a litre, that's 1000 litres of gas for your money.
thats 45 full tanks of an 11 kg Gaslow refillable, or the equivalent of 90 6kg Calors....
just have a think about haow much gas you use in a year, and compare it to the numbers above....
however, to convert a unit over to electric/gas will be far more and may require a unit swap at £2k ish...
heres a tip, spend £150 on a 11kg refillable Safefill system and use the gas unit.
it heats up faster, will also give you cheap gas for your cooker and hob and you can save £10 a night (according to Merve) by using nkn EHU sites or not taking up,the EHU option where allowed.
perhaps a blessing in disguise?
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Or you can get a lekky fan heater in Aldi for about a tenner.
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Just bought a low wattage oil filled heater for use in the caravan whilst parked at home.
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Have a look at this, or similar, can pick them up for as little as £40. Can even use on a plug as its only 2kw. Just a question of finding space in the cabinetry. It comes with a remote control too!
https://www.screwfix.com/p/winterwarm-wwfh20-plinth-mounted-fan-heater-2000w/42217
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Most electric heaters in vans are around 2kw, some are 3kw, but they can be turned down to around 1kw.
I would think it better to retain the gas heating as suggested by BB, but to buy a 1/2 kw fan heater to use if/when required as suggested by TW.
Always good anyway to have a back up system should the fitted equipment fail.
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My Hobby is gas only, not a problem. I use a small halogen heater for early chilly evenings. The gas is much better tho' as it blows warmth throughout the 'van, and is better in cold weather than electric heater. Not worth spending any money.
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I too would leave gas heater as backup. Reviews about plinth heater suggest caravaners have used these successfully, I first saw one in a very nicely home converted camper van.
We frequently use our heater on 2kw setting, and rarely on 3kw. Never had issues with supply, just been aware and switched between appliances when on those few sites with restricted provision. That's what many of us do anyway. Here is the instruction manual which explains workings. Good to see that the thermostat is controlled on th unit too.
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We carry a 1-2 Kw back up fan heater as well. I had a caravan without mains electric at the time that the CC started including electric in their pitch fees. I fitted electric as I saw no point in running fridge on gas when it had an electric facility as well and also used a thermostatic fan heater. More recemtly I remember being on site in December when there was a power outage through most of 48 hours, glad to have gas available then
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As has been previously suggested, go for a refillable gas bottle. If you are determined to "go electric", there are other makes available. Whale produce an underslung dual-fuel blown air heater unit which need not encroach into your internal space.
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power cuts are not unknown, even on CCsites....id keep the gas system as you never know. also, think about when selling on if you've ripped out the heating system.
also the gas gives you the versatility to camp away from EHU on (say) small CLs or on the many lovely THS sites...
best to keep options open I reckon.
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You don't make it clear if you intend to DIY, but my take by the nature of the enquiries is not.
Therefore, if you add thermostats, controls and wiring also to the expensive labour bill it will be a totally uneconomic option.
BB has outlined some realistic cost factors and there have been some good advice re fan (noise) or radiators, which although a little inconvenient are a much better/ practical cost option
My van has gas only separate heater and boiler units so we use a fan heater or small oil filled radiator (overnight & milder weather)
One owner did fit an element to the water heater - if you knew how much work involved!
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