Hot Water System

DMaxer · Guru

Hot Water System

MarkAC · Veteran Member

sounds like the element has failed. Check the fuse first but be careful with 240v power when checking. need a sparky

patrol03 · Senior Member

The 2 obvious causes would be a failed element or a failed thermostat. Element failure is not a common occurrence but you can check the element with your multimeter
after switching off your 240v and pulling the plug for total safety. Remove the wires from the element and test. For a serviceable unit the resistance should be in the vicinity of 40 Ohms. If it checks out OK then the problem is most likely the thermostat. I have repaired mine on a Suburban but I am not familiar with the Truma.Suggest you check the parts diagrams on Caravans Plus website prior to ordering. If you are not confident, then I suggest you engage an electrician.

Tony Bev · Guru

Happened to my Truma B14
From memory, I think that the thermostat was built in to the element

After removal saw one small, (smaller than a match head) rusty area, assumed electrolysis was the reason for failure

The new 240 volts element came with a plug on the lead, but the original element was hard wired

I had the Electrician fit a GPO double pole (I think it was called), so that I can do it myself next time
Due to the awkwardness of actually getting to the boiler, in my vehicle, I shall only be using gas to heat the water from now on

DMaxer · Guru

Thanks for the replies. Is it the case that I have to engage a gas plumber and not a licensed electrician?

iana · Guru

That's all pretty traumatic smile , get it Tony!

Santa · Guru

DMaxer wrote:
After many happy hot showers in my van I woke to a cold one the other morning. My heater is a Truma and for some strange reason will heat the water whilst using the gas but now refuses to work using the mains power. It has been faultless in the past but has decided to go on strike, but only when using mains power. I can't see what I may have done to burn out an element yet this must be the reason.
Has anyone else had this problem. Look forward to your replies.

The heater is fitted with an excess temp cut out, if this has activated switch the unit of at the power point and turn it on again after 10 minutes.

May be worth a try.

Happened to me a few months back, this bought the unit back to life.

Here's a link to a PDF of the manual. smile

https://manualzz.com/doc/7356212/truma-b14-hot-water-system-user-manual

DMaxer · Guru

Thanks everyone. Thanks for the download Santa, much appreciated.

Santa · Guru

DMaxer wrote:
Thanks everyone. Thanks for the download Santa, much appreciated.

Hope you get it sorted out without too much drama. smile

Pariss · Veteran Member

I'd say either the fuse or element has died. If your not able to do the job yourself, call a MOBILE Caravan repairer. So many highly trained guys around these days, starting up their own caravan repair / upgrade & servicing business.

DMaxer · Guru

Thanks Pariss. I wouldn't attempt to do it myself as I don't feel like cooking myself. I am headed further north on Thursday and will seek the assistance of the electrician at Casino that fixed up my last disaster.

Thanks once again to everyone for taking the trouble to post your advice. Much appreciated.

Tony Bev · Guru

Hope that you get it all sorted in Casino, DMaxer

If you could let us all know what the problem was, it may help others in the future

DMaxer · Guru

Will do. Here for a week or two over school holidays so will let you know when it is sorted.