Truma Ultrarapid Gas/240V - reliable???

mixedup · Veteran Member

Truma Ultrarapid Gas/240V - reliable???

Radar · Guru

mixedup wrote:
Just looking at gas/240V hot water for van and like the size/weight of the Truma Ultrarapid (https://www.truma.com/au/en/products/truma-hot-water-system/ultrarapid).
Question - Anyone able to confirm these are a good/reliable unit? Any reason not to get one if you bleed pressure value every so often/follow maintenance? I can throw a vote option in...
Background - have read some people have had some issues. Suburban is a little heavier and seems to have better name but they are not available it seems with the gas certification issue.

One of my main reasons for having a Truma was the total weight of the unit, 14 litres of water compared to others with 22 or 28 litres of water. We finded between the 2 of us 14 litres is more then ample. The wife mainly has the first shower and I go second so I can chamois the shower cubical dry. We turn it off at the end of our showers, the water is still more then hot enough to do the dinner wash up at the end of the day.

The common brand in Europe is Truma products and with simple very maintenance will last a long time.

The one rule I have found is not to hook up to mains pressure and turn the tap on full as Truma like low pressure, it may spit the boiler. Our Truma 14 is now 8 years old and if the need happens will be would replace with the same Truma hot water service.

Thank you Mr Truma and no I do not have shares in the company.

mixedup · Veteran Member

Thanks radar-great to get some feedback. Youd prefer this one/system compared to an instance hot water type too no doubt?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

We installed a gas only Truma in the OKA in 2005.
I removed it a couple of years ago when I changed to a diesel HWS/central heating system and gave it to our son. He will install it on the A frame of his little pop top. It was 100% reliable during that time.
Do NOT connect to mains water.
I regret not choosing a Truma with 240V as well as gas because we often have excess solar and can heat the water via the inverter. The new diesel one has a 240V element too, but I deliberately chose a smaller element so as to leave capacity in the inverter for other stuff. We have no external power plug-in capability, only the solar.
Cheers,
Peter

Mamil · Senior Member

Had the 14 litre gas/240V Ultrarapid in my caravan. Very good little unit, and had no problems in the two years I had the caravan. It can use both 240V element and gas at the same time if you're in a hurry to heat the water. If I was doing it again I might go for the Truma Combi instead which does everything the Ultrarapid does plus gas space heater. Only downsides I can see with it is price, and the hot water tank is quite small at 10L. They also do a diesel variant - Combi 6D if that's your preferred fuel.

Combi 4E.JPG

mixedup · Veteran Member

Thanks radar-great to get some feedback. Youd prefer this one/system compared to an instance hot water type too no doubt?

mixedup · Veteran Member

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
I regret not choosing a Truma with 240V as well as gas because we often have excess solar and can heat the water via the inverter.

thanks - dumb question perhaps but can you have the Truma Ultrarapid heating whilst you're driving then? Say turn it on before you get to the next site. I assumed having gas running would not be a good idea, but perhaps using the inverter (which would have power whilst driving from Solar plus car alternator - i.e. which charge our van batteries).

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

mixedup wrote:
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
I regret not choosing a Truma with 240V as well as gas because we often have excess solar and can heat the water via the inverter.
thanks - dumb question perhaps but can you have the Truma Ultrarapid heating whilst you're driving then? Say turn it on before you get to the next site. I assumed having gas running would not be a good idea, but perhaps using the inverter (which would have power whilst driving from Solar plus car alternator - i.e. which charge our van batteries).

Yes, that might be possible, depending on the combined charge rate that you get from the tug/solar and the size of the heating element. That may be a reason NOT to choose the largest output 240V heating element.

With a MH and our current set up, the engine is plumbed through the HWS and heats it while driving, so it is at 85C within half an hour or less. That can then be used for central heating without running the diesel heater.

We have 2 hot air outlets. One is for the bathroom only and we can run that with the bathroom door shut for use as a drying room for the laundry. The bathroom window is sliding so can be left partially open while we drive.

Cheers,

Peter

mixedup · Veteran Member

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
He will install it on the A frame of his little pop top.

I was thinking of putting it on passengers side at floor level re cowl...would make it closer to gas and kitchen sink (on passenger side)? No awning currently, but even if I got one if the output was out just above floor level still should be ok? (i.e. versus putting on drivers side like most seem to be?, but then longer run for gas & hot water pipe back to sink)

Update: just found this: https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/safety/home/gas/gas-flue-terminals

Oh, also I see it comes with the water pressure reducer, so was wondering if you're advice on not connecting to mains was if you didn't have this installed....or whether you know about this reducer and even then suggest not connecting?

-- Edited by mixedup on Monday 5th of October 2020 10:29:28 AM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Water pressure reducers only have to leak a tiny bit for the pressure to increase. I would not connect it to mains at all.
You will need a gas fitter to connect it. He will (should) know the rules. The exhaust must be well spaced from any door or window and can not be inside an awning unless it has a minimum of 2 sides open. Same for a gas fridge.
Cheers,
Peter