Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Truma Water Heater Element Replacement Post Reply Post New Topic
08/7/2013 at 1:27pm
 Location: Wales
 Outfit: Vw T5 california
View mervynedmunds's Profile View Profile   Reply to mervynedmunds Reply   Quote mervynedmunds Quote  
Joined: 20/4/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   1

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Is there instructions for replacing the heater element in a Truma Ultra water heater.


08/7/2013 at 2:32pm
 Location: Near Alton Towers
 Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H
View Pickled Onion's Profile View Profile   Reply to Pickled Onion Reply   Quote Pickled Onion Quote  
Joined: 23/2/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3042

Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 5
Site Nights 2020: 9
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 1

I feel sure that I saw someone ask the same querstion on here within the last couple of months, it basically said that it wasn't too difficult tho.  I will try a 'Search' for you, welcome to the forum BTW.

Try looking at this link

Dave



08/7/2013 at 5:01pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   23517

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

its just like a kettle element to replace if you can get at it easy.

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


09/6/2014 at 10:26am
 Location: Darlington
 Outfit: Santa Fe & Bailey Unicorn Madrid
View Albourneboy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Albourneboy Reply   Quote Albourneboy Quote  
Joined: 05/5/2006

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   34

Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Just resurrecting this old post to relate what happened to me when I replaced our heater element on Saturday.

The electric element stopped working last year for some reason. It was only about 1 year old at the time - had been replaced by Catterick Caravans to replace one that had blown.

Don't know why it had stopped working. Power supply to it was good, nothing was tripping and a test with a multimeter showed the element wasn't shorted out. I suspect there was something wrong the thermostat but I'll come to that.

Firstly a tip - don't rely on the drain valve on a Bailey Pegasus water system to drain the tank sufficiently. Use the pump to pump out the hot water tank otherwise you'll get a lot of water out of the hole when you withdraw the element!

Removal should have been easy but I discovered that the thermostat was only being held on by one nut and as such, it wasn't being held firmly against the side of the tank. Also, the solitary nut that was holding it on looked as though it had been tightened when it was very hot as it had melted the plastic lug on which it sits. In fact, it had melted into the lug and I had the devils own job trying to get a socket on it.

After a 30 minute struggle, got the thermostat off and removed the nuts securing the element. Pulled the element out a bit then spent the next 10 mins mopping up all the water that followed it .

Next I found that the element would not pass through the hole - had to resort to brute force in the end to get it out. Compared to the new one, it was quite badly bent and distorted. Is that normal? Is that what happens to them after they have been used a bit?

Anyway, swapped over the electrical connection, fitted the new seal then inserted new element into the tank. It went in dead easy and was soon secured in place by the new nuts supplied.

However, you don't get new nuts for the thermostat which is crazy as they are the ones you are most likely to lose with them being so small. I dug the old nut out of the old thermostat and used that to secure the new one but it's not really secure and needs the other nut in place so have bought some from B&Q that look the right size for the stud. Will fit it next Saturday and hope all will be well.

So, if the thermostat is not being pressed against the tank enough, it won't be sensing the temperature correctly. Could this cause it to fail and prevent the heating element working?


09/6/2014 at 3:57pm
 Location: Near Alton Towers
 Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H
View Pickled Onion's Profile View Profile   Reply to Pickled Onion Reply   Quote Pickled Onion Quote  
Joined: 23/2/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3042

Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 5
Site Nights 2020: 9
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 1

I suspect that you are correct, the element has overheated because the temperature control was poor, hence the distorted shape of the element. You mentioned it was about a year old, I hope it was covered by warranty as it sounds to me like poor assembly from new. Well done

Dave



-------------
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.


Advertisement



09/6/2014 at 4:03pm
 Location: Darlington
 Outfit: Santa Fe & Bailey Unicorn Madrid
View Albourneboy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Albourneboy Reply   Quote Albourneboy Quote  
Joined: 05/5/2006

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   34

Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

This particular element was about a year old but the one it replaced was the one that had been in from new. The Heater itself is over 4 years old now so not under warranty anymore


26/6/2014 at 10:55pm
 Location: Wirral
 Outfit: Abbey Vocue 418 GTS
View davewk80's Profile View Profile   Reply to davewk80 Reply   Quote davewk80 Quote  
Joined: 01/9/2011

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   30

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I've just posted an account of my experience with Truma Ultrastore water heater on another thread (Caravans and Motorhomes maybe). Paid £65 through eBay for new 450 watt element, cheapest I could find on the net. Easy to fit, just two nuts on the flange studs. The overheat protection on these is built in, no pop-out red button as on my previous van. General view is that the element will be fried if it operates more than five or six times. Trouble is my water heater and room heater mains switches are hidden at the back of the wardrobe and they don't even have red neon lights. So easy to plug in on mains when the water heater is empty.
2004 Abbey 418 GTS Vogue.
What about my Dometic fridge which doesn't have any warning lights or even a window to check the flame when on gas. Phoned them to ask why and the nice lady said that the design was probably to avoid keeping people awake at night. I said it was more likely to save them threepence.

-------------
DaveK


01/5/2015 at 2:03pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View drpeej's Profile View Profile   Reply to drpeej Reply   Quote drpeej Quote  
Joined: 01/5/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   1

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I have burned out one element by draining water with power connected and when I thought I had done it again (fortunately the cutout worked and reset on this second occasion) I thought I should do something about it.

What I have done is to add a latching relay to the element power supply.

I used a small 12v latching relay circuit board that I purchased off eBay. This drives a double pole mains relay in the element power lead.

The latching relay is set using an illuminated momentary press switch which I have fitted next to the Truma gas control. This switches on and illuminates when pressed once and switches off when pressed a second time.

When connected to mains power, the heater element is not powered unless the button is pressed to latch the relay.   If the 12v power is switched off in the motorhome, the relay resets to the off position automatically and needs another button press to switch it on.

I have also added a neon indicator to the element side of the relay so I can see when power is actually applied.

If anyone wants more detailed construction details I can post them here. It wasn't a difficult project. Most of the work was in sourcing appropriate components (mainly from Maplin). Access was a bit awkward. Everything is safely protected in two plastic boxes (one for the low voltage latching board and the other for the mains relay)



02/5/2018 at 10:56pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View Keefers's Profile View Profile   Reply to Keefers Reply   Quote Keefers Quote  
Joined: 02/5/2018

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   1

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Drpeej I know it's nearly three years since you posted this reply, but if you're still around then I'd be really interested in doing something like this.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














9051 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder