Ultrastore rapid question

Blakeys7
Blakeys7 Forum Participant Posts: 26
edited November 2020 in Caravans #1

Hello

Caravan is a 2012 Challenger sport 554 and is new to me.

Reading the instructions for the water heater it states that it should never be operated without water in the tank.

It says to fill tank first then switch on gas, electric or both.

So my question is....

If I am not connected to mains water and just using my water drum, what damage can be caused if in the middle of a shower etc, the water runs out ?

I assume I would immediately turn of the water heaters asap, however is there not a safety feature that turns off the heating when there is no water detected?

Thanks in advance (my first of many newby questions)

Blakey 

Comments

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
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    edited November 2020 #2

    Generally speaking (as I'm not familiar with your specific caravan) the water pump takes water from the barrel and into the water heater. If the barrel runs dry it means no more water will be pumped into the heater but what is already in the heater (usually somewhere in the region of 9 litres) will stay there so no need to worry. You wouldn't need to turn off the heater either as once the water in there is up to temperature the thermostat will do its job and stop trying to heat it any more. The heater will not empty until you operate the drain-down valve located near the heater before travelling on. To effectively drain down open the taps in the kitchen and washroom to allow air to get into the system.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2020 #3

    John is quite correct ,

    ,one more tip if you do not know already when you fill your water barrel always disconnect the pump from your inlet and put the pump in the barrell then reconnect pump to water inlet ,it will normally stop air locks in the system when drawing water

  • Blakeys7
    Blakeys7 Forum Participant Posts: 26
    edited November 2020 #4

    Thanks for the advice

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2020 #5

    I'd disagree. The two different manufactures pumps I've used both have somewhere to place the pump head for when you remove it from the barrel which suggests that you should leave the inlet connected. Also, when I remove the pump from my caravan there is always some water that drains out ... that can only help introduce air locks.

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2020 #6

    I agree with JVB - I have the Whale High Flow pump in my van and that has the clip on the top to put the hose in whilst filling the barrel, but if I fail to disconnect the pump from the inlet before putting the pump back in the Aquaroll, I will almost always get an air lock.

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
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    edited November 2020 #7

    It's not a matter of air being introduced into the caravan pipework in general, that will get pushed through when the pump is running and a tap open. Unplugging the pump from the inlet is to prevent an airlock being produced in the pump itself. Having the pump disconnected allows the water to pass through the pump when it is replaced in the barrel. Any air remaining in the pump hose will be pushed through by the operating pump. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2020 #8

    I never disconnect the inlet end & my pump doesn't cavitate afterwards ...