Truma Heater

Pippah45
Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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edited December 2017 in Caravans #1

Any tips anyone - my Truma heater is working perfectly well on 500w setting but won't go on either 2kw or 3kw settings which I needed last week! Could there be separate fuses for the different settings?  Thanks in advance.

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  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,431 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #2

    when you mean won't go onto 2kw? On electric btw? and how can you tell? Is there a drop in temperature or some other indication? does the blower still work? If your thermostat is set low it won't matter if you set it to 2Kw if it thinks you have achieved your desired temperature? 

    Do you have a 3Kw on electric setting?

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2017 #3

    I know because I get cold! cry The other night it was running on 500 w and it wasn't warm enough so I threw the switch to 2 kw went back to bed and the heater was cold next time I woke up.  So I tried 3 kw and left it for a couple of hours - still stone cold. Switched back to 500w and it warmed up again.  And yes Electric. 

  • ForestR
    ForestR Forum Participant Posts: 326
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    edited December 2017 #4

    Is your heater a Truma Ultaheat if so it could be faulty relays in the heater that switch to allow the power on higher settings to pass to the elements. I do not have this heater in my present caravan but did have in earlier caravans. If you search on the internet there is a much longer explanation to the same question on the forum www.touringandtenting.com from 2011.

    Just to add we have always carried a 2kw fan heater for emergency use. Lidl  are selling them for £9.99 from Thursday!

     

     

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,431 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #5

     ok thanks sorry to hear that, will it work on gas?

  • ForestR
    ForestR Forum Participant Posts: 326
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    edited December 2017 #6

    Just found same question on this forum from Mike Brace 7th November 2016 who had same problem.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2017 #7

    Thanks everyone - I have now put the emergency heater in there!  Yes it works on gas but the night in question I had the gas turned off!  I have never had any good results with the blown air bit. 

    Faulty relays makes sense - I will search.  I wish I could remember if I have ever used the higher settings and I see I made a mistake with the OP - it is of course 1 and 2 kw - not 2 and 3.  I am pretty sure I have used the 1kw before - but not the 2. 

  • Hakinbush
    Hakinbush Forum Participant Posts: 286
    edited December 2017 #8

    If you do ever use the heater on gas don't forget to take the cover off the outside vent..

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited December 2017 #9

    you may be attempting to give advice for a truma water heater,It is quite clear that the original question relates to a space heater!

  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
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    edited December 2017 #10

    Pippah,

    The symptoms you describe is the classic failure mode caused by one or more of the (3) relays failing on the Ultraheat circuit board. You may still be able to hear the relays 'clicking', but usually the contacts on  the relay will have 'welded' in one position.  The original relays used were underrated for the task.

    The circuit board is in a plastic box low down at the back of the heater. Removing the board is not difficult (apart from any access problems).....just be careful to note all the connections.

    The relays themselves are standard items and are about £1.50 each from somewhere like CPC/Farnell, (and you can choose better rated ones).  Replacing them is easy if you have experience in soldering, or know someone who does.  (If you want further details about the parts, ask).

    Alternatively, a brand-new board from Truma will be £100++.  There is also at least one provider on Ebay who will supply a fully reconditioned board with new relays in exchange for yours for about £50.

     

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2017 #11

    That is brilliant Vic and everyone thank you very much.  I have a new neighbour who is willing to help so I will pass on advice!  In the meantime I have booked the mobile service man to visit in January for annual service and anything else not working!  This forum really is great - thank you very much. 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2017 #12

    Thank you everyone - all done and dusted - quite a job to take it apart and put it back together!  My friend did a pretty good job with a bit of help from me remembering where some of the bits went!  I found it fascinating!