Water heater

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  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited January 2016 #32

    next one, only 100litres

    more trips to the water point, may need to socialise more!

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited January 2016 #33

    Thanks for your answers. I was more concerned about legionaires than the extra weight.

    legionelle only multiples to a level of concern in recirculating or standing warm water, and then is only a problem in high concentrations, atomised in air, then inhaled. Usual culptit is commercial air conditioning cooling towers. Showers are often cited
    as potential atomisers but cases are rare and often unproven.

    Don't worry about legionaire disease.

    But sterilise your system periodically to get rid of all bugs.

    Just drain down anyway, for all the other good reasons mentioned above

  • MrGarval
    MrGarval Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited March 2016 #34

    I personally always drain down and cannot see any reason why not too as it is so simple. I only see benefits but I guess it is personal choice.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited March 2016 #35

    swings and roundabouts, possibly depending on MH/caravan or frequency of use.

    as a caravanner wont/cant carry a full aquaroll back with them, they will leave thier 'water tank' behind, emtying prior to departure, leaving only the 10 ltr in the boiler and pipework to drain.....some do this on the pitch.....

    motorhomes have permanent large fresh water tanks and unless these are run down towards the end of the trip, there may tens of litres of fresh unused....

    now, of your next trip is immimenet (as usually for us) its a waste of water to drain it on the drive (and the boiler) and then fill again.....

    if we were having a break, or there was a risk of heavy sustained frost then i might drain down....

    we will be leaving site this morning but will only drain the waste tank and then go......

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #36

    I was always 'taught' to drain down the boiler/heater as it could affect nose weight and my heater is right at the front though. Also any frost damage is not covered by the warranty.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited March 2016 #37

    obviously, we dont have the same weight issues as a caravan might have, but youre right about the warranty issues on boilers..

    we had a leak a few years ago while in Spain. we managed to work around it but when we got back, it was sent to Truma and we were told that, if it were foind to be frost damage, we would not be covered...

    well, we had left for Spain, via France in September and hadnt seen frost for months....

    the inspection revealed fault in the internal welding and the unit was replaced without question.....

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #38

    If you have an Alde system it tells you in the manual it should be drained once a month in any event, in order to re-establish the protective air cushion. So draining down between sites fulfills this. However, we would do this anyway, it is what we were
    taught.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #39

    obviously, we dont have the same weight issues as a caravan might have, but youre right about the warranty issues on boilers..

    we had a leak a few years ago while in Spain. we managed to work around it but when we got back, it was sent to Truma and we were told that, if it were foind to be frost damage, we would not be covered...

    well, we had left for Spain, via France in September and hadnt seen frost for months....

    the inspection revealed fault in the internal welding and the unit was replaced without question.....

    just out of interest I don't suppose you have to drain down your flush water tank or toilet holding tank, again 'taught' to to do that with caravans to avoid probelms with weight and stability probelms with water sloshing about while towing.

  • Catsize
    Catsize Forum Participant Posts: 73
    edited March 2016 #40

    This is a brilliant thread as I have no idea what you are tallking about! This wasn't explained in handover and I haven't picked up in it from elsewhere. Have had a new compass corona caravan since July and have never done this draining down thing and wouldn't
    know how to. Hoping next time we go (this weekend), the manual will help me, but probably not! There is a yellow valve switch under the offside bench seat. Is it something to do with this?

  • Catsize
    Catsize Forum Participant Posts: 73
    edited March 2016 #41

    Nor did the club beginners' course touch on this!

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #42

    This is a brilliant thread as I have no idea what you are tallking about! This wasn't explained in handover and I haven't picked up in it from elsewhere. Have had a new compass corona caravan since July and have never done this draining down thing and wouldn't know how to. Hoping next time we go (this weekend), the manual will help me, but probably not! There is a yellow valve switch under the offside bench seat. Is it something to do with this?

    Yes it is the yellow valve (at least it is in our Bailey) this should be opened along with the taps at the mid position. I hope you have heated the van this winter, or kept it in inside storage, otherwise given the temperatures we have had, there could well be some  damage. Where did you buy the van? I am rather appalled they did not mention it at hand over.

  • Catsize
    Catsize Forum Participant Posts: 73
    edited March 2016 #43

    Thank you Steve. Just really grateful to learn this. So, do the valve every time we leave the site and leave it like that (including in storage) until we get to the next site and before filling up with water? Another good tip I got from this forum was leaving
    the taps as though They are 'on' to avoid water freezing in the tap (hopefully).

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #44

    well maybe it's an old fashoined thing to do and not necessary these days while towing with modern caravans. However my instruction manuel for my Swift does state you should drain down to aviod frost damage which won't be covered by the warranty by Truma.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #45

    Thank you Steve. Just really grateful to learn this. So, do the valve every time we leave the site and leave it like that (including in storage) until we get to the next site and before filling up with water? Another good tip I got from this forum was leaving
    the taps as though They are 'on' to avoid water freezing in the tap (hopefully).

    I do and I leave it open while towing so that any water in the system will shake its way out. However don't forget to close the drain valve when you arrive - I've forgot a few times, there's no damage but you stand there wondering why its taking so long
    to fill the tank.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #46

    Thank you Steve. Just really grateful to learn this. So, do the valve every time we leave the site and leave it like that (including in storage) until we get to the next site and before filling up with water? Another good tip I got from this forum was leaving
    the taps as though They are 'on' to avoid water freezing in the tap (hopefully).

    As well as the drain valve, our previous van also had two bungs that had to be removed to drain the lowest reaches of the water system in winter. These were under the van close to the side and red and blue in colour. You had to slide the collar on the pipe
    back to pull out the bung. Didn't do this once and water froze in the pipes, no damage fortunately but reprimanded by service department, who had to thaw them out when servicing van. Our current Bailey does not have them, so yours may not. They were however
    mentioned in our handbook under winterisation.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #47

    Not water heater post but as its wandered slightly to draining, 'Catsize' may want to think about draining the flush tank if its full'ish before leaving site and also to 'winterize'. I only drain to 'winterize' and the pipe is usually in the cassette compartment,
    but others mention it adds to weight at the rear and the slopping around could leak over.

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #48

    We always drain down everytime we leave a site.  That's one of Carols jobs and she does it as a matter of habit.

    David 

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #49

    obviously, we dont have the same weight issues as a caravan might have, but youre right about the warranty issues on boilers..

    we had a leak a few years ago while in Spain. we managed to work around it but when we got back, it was sent to Truma and we were told that, if it were foind to be frost damage, we would not be covered...

    well, we had left for Spain, via France in September and hadnt seen frost for months....

    the inspection revealed fault in the internal welding and the unit was replaced without question.....

    just out of interest I don't suppose you have to drain down your flush water tank or toilet holding tank, again 'taught' to to do that with caravans to avoid probelms with weight and stability probelms with water sloshing about while towing.

    Corners, we dont have (and nor do many, i believe) have a separate flushing tank, all done from the one fresh water tank.

    we also dont have issues with sloshing water, despite sometimes travelling with over 100 ltr in the tank.

    I guess it would defeat the touring ease/ ability ethos/raison d'etre of a MH if it had to be drained after a couple of days on site (or on an aire) prior to moving to the next stop.

    we dont have 'pink' or anything like that in our loo...just the Lidl gel tabs these days and our SOG. 

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #50

    Thank you Steve. Just really grateful to learn this. So, do the valve every time we leave the site and leave it like that (including in storage) until we get to the next site and before filling up with water? Another good tip I got from this forum was leaving
    the taps as though They are 'on' to avoid water freezing in the tap (hopefully).

    Catzize, MH or caravan?

    definitely not necessary to drain tanks between sites (on the same trip) in a MH.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #51

    well maybe it's an old fashoined thing to do and not necessary these days while towing with modern caravans. However my instruction manuel for my Swift does state you should drain down to aviod frost damage which won't be covered by the warranty by Truma.

    Corners the tip mentioned is in addition to draining the boiler, it allws and residual water deep in the pipes 'room' to expand if it does freeze....

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
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    edited March 2016 #52

    We always drain down everytime we leave a site.  That's one of Carols jobs and she does it as a matter of habit.

    David 

    Write your comments here...Snap......have done for years and years.Result, less weight and better stability we think.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #53

    We always drain down everytime we leave a site.  That's one of Carols jobs and she does it as a matter of habit.

    David 

    Write your comments here...Snap......have done for years and years.Result, less weight and better stability, we think.

    What about the caravan.....?WinkHappy

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #54

    We always drain down everytime we leave a site.  That's one of Carols jobs and she does it as a matter of habit.

    David 

    Write your comments here...Snap......have done for years and years.Result, less weight and better stability, we think.

    What about the caravan.....?WinkHappy

    Write your comments here...Dam, I knew there was something missing.Wink

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #55

    lolHappy

  • Catsize
    Catsize Forum Participant Posts: 73
    edited March 2016 #56

    Hi Bolero, it is a caravan. Used in the winter too.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #57

    Thank you Steve. Just really grateful to learn this. So, do the valve every time we leave the site and leave it like that (including in storage) until we get to the next site and before filling up with water? Another good tip I got from this forum was leaving the taps as though They are 'on' to avoid water freezing in the tap (hopefully).

    Would suggest, for next winter when heavy frost is expected, that you don't leave the shower in the upright position but leave it lying in the bottom of the shower tray. Better still remove the shower head too.