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Subject Topic: Avondale Argente 640 /6 MANUAL OR HELP Post Reply Post New Topic
Personsurfsupvw
26/8/2017 at 9:59am
 Location: Cheshire
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Help wanted,Please could any one advise me ,We have just bought a wonderful Avondale 640 /6 caravan and loving it BUT we dont know how to set up the shower and heating system Please could some one send me an idiots guide bearing in mind we are complete newbbies !!!!

Many Thanks and happy camping

x


Personjeff juke
26/8/2017 at 12:25pm
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The shower needs bled the way that you do with the taps.
Once you have filled up your water barrel stick in your pump and plug it into the van.

Give the pump a wee shake in the barrel to expell any air in it then switch on the pump.

Make sure all the taps are closed then switch on the shower.Wait till the water is flowing freely then Do the same to all the other taps.Do all the hot taps one at a time then the cold taps.



-------------
Animals have feelings..

JEFF................


Personsurfsupvw
26/8/2017 at 5:04pm
 Location: Cheshire
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Thank you so much,and easy to understand too BUT how do we get the water to heat up ,we are off grid using solar and leisure batteries.I cannot see where or how the water heater is so far we have only managed cold water on the sink taps,,

Many Thanks,
Ps from a vegetarian of over 40 years,
x


PersonGrampian91
26/8/2017 at 10:17pm
 Location: Midlands
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Your water heater runs on gas or mains electric.

If no mains electric you need a 12v leisure battery and gas.

ALWAYS!!! prime the water system before switching on the water heater. This involves filling your water barrels or onboard tank and then switching on a cold tap until water comes out without spluttering. Then move onto the next tap, after cold water from out of each cold tap without splutter repeat with the hot taps. Cold water must flow without spluttering which means there is still air in the system.

This will take quite a bit of water initially. My heater takes just over 9 litres + more for the pipework etc.

After priming the water connect up the gas and open the valve on the regulator. Then switch the water heater on in the van. Its the gas control not the 240mains switch.

Unlike a home shower the water in the tank gets heated and as you use the hot water it gets replaced by cold water from the barrel. You can use the water faster than it can heat it. So a long shower may end up a cold one. Unless the water in the barrel runs out.


Personsurfsupvw
26/8/2017 at 10:35pm
 Location: Cheshire
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Thank you so much very detailed and informative ,One really stupid question where is the water heater ???
I know you must think we shouldnt even be in charge of a wheel barrow ,we have only managed a long week end so far and the caravan is sited quite a way from home so we cannot just nip in and check the whys and where fores ,we are running off solar,gas and leisure batteries,
Also do you have to do this each time you refill the water ??

Thank you again it really has been a great help.
Regards,
J


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Personboff
27/8/2017 at 7:18am
 Location: N Wales
 Outfit: Hymer Nova 590GL View boff's Profile View Profile   Reply to boff Reply   Quote boff Quote  
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Your water heating system will almost certainly a Truma ultrastore system. Somewhere on the outside of van there will be a rectangular cover this is cowl for the hot water boiler and needs to be removed for gas operation. Inside the van there should be a switch for electric operation and normally a circular knob, that is for gas operation which you can select the water temperature. You simply turn the knob switch the heater on.   If you look online you will find further instructions and there is a knack to removing the cover so it might take a little time.


Personsurfsupvw
27/8/2017 at 9:33am
 Location: Cheshire
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Thank you so much,it actually all makes sense now !!
I cannot wait to get down to the caravan and put all this in to practice,
What a lovely lot you all ,
Happy Camping,


PersonGrampian91
27/8/2017 at 3:18pm
 Location: Midlands
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Dont forget your fridge runs on gas also if there is no mains electric.

It wont run on 12v unless connected to the car and the engine is running and the battery is charging.


Personsurfsupvw
27/8/2017 at 6:24pm
 Location: Cheshire
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Thank you ,that does explain alot,It didnt seem very cold just using the leisure batteries,but when I tried to get the gas to light there was no clicking or signs of life in the little window at the bottom of fridge.I did switch the arrow to gas but to no avail ?? any ideas ??

Many Thanks again,

J.


PersonGrampian91
28/8/2017 at 3:29am
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Is the gas connected? Opened the valve on the regulator?

There maybe a 2nd gas tap for the fridge.


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Personsurfsupvw
28/8/2017 at 8:01am
 Location: Cheshire
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Many Thanks for your reply,the gas is connected from the Calor gas cylinder where would the 2nd gas tap be ??,The oven works fine so the gas is coming through ,so the fridge can only work from hook up electric or gas ??The caravan is run on a solar panel and leisure battery plus gas,

Sorry for being such a numptie this is our first caravan after the relative ease of a campervan !!

x


PersonGeoff48
28/8/2017 at 11:51am
 Location: Bolton
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There should be a gas manifold in your unit to switch on/off the gas supply to the various appliances. It will look something like this


PersonGrampian91
28/8/2017 at 5:08pm
 Location: Midlands
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No the fridge wont run on 12v because it takes a lot of power.

You would need a large bank of batteries to power it overnight.

If you try and power it on 12v, even a large 100ah battery will be dead in about 4 hours.

You will need approx 10 batteries and a solar array as large as the average house uses to stand a chance of charging those batteries.

Its like trying to run your house off a pair of AA batteries.

What size solar panel? Guessing 120watts so thats 10 amps (MAXIMUM) where the fridge will be pulling closer to 15amps. So the panel will be losing even under full sun conditions. But your only going to get that for 4 - 6 hours of full sun, as the sun moves the efficiency will go down.


Personsurfsupvw
28/8/2017 at 7:53pm
 Location: Cheshire
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Thank you,that is really usefull I had no idea ,.So the best scenario is to definetly run it off gas,worst case scenario if we cannot get the gas to ignite just use it as a cool box,we have access to a freezer about a mile away so can keep chill packs .
I have been really touched regarding every one willing to take time to impart there wisdom like you have done,
Many Thanks again and happy caravaning,
x



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