Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: alfie on 07 March 2012, 07:35:45

Title: Caravan heater
Post by: alfie on 07 March 2012, 07:35:45
Hi all, Well alfies gremlins have struck again,after my first trip out this season I noticed that the heater control was a bit iffy,it seemed to travel a bit more than it should.
Anyhow checked it out this week,and sod it all,the gas control had dropped through the base plate.Now this base is steel EZ coated but is exposed to the weather/spray underneath the van,and it's going to cost quite a bit of the folding stuff/plastic to put right.I might like to add that this heater is not made in the UK,but in bloodly GERMANY (TRUMA) so much for the master race.
The van is 8 year old,and has been much looked after and serviced,the heater base plate is difficult to see,and thus has not been noticed that fractures had developed.
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: Tonka. on 07 March 2012, 09:04:32
That's terribly bad luck Alfie  :(

Might a caravan breaker be able to help  :-\
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 March 2012, 09:13:45
How complex is the plate, could be easy enough to make up a new one?
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: bored bigyin54 on 07 March 2012, 09:25:51
there is a caravan breaker up near big pit mining museum i have got the adress for it somewhere let me know if you want to go that way :y :y :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: Seth on 07 March 2012, 10:13:14
there is a caravan breaker up near big pit mining museum i have got the adress for it somewhere let me know if you want to go that way :y :y :y :y

These people per chance Rolf?: http://www.caravanbreakers.net/

Whatever, good luck Alfie! ;)
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: geoffr70 on 07 March 2012, 11:39:57
The same happened to mine, it's ancient but easy to fix. Disconnect gas cylinder, take cover off heater then you should see the screws holding it down. Undo them. Disconnect gas pipe fitting, you might also have to take plastic cowling off underneath where vent is. Lift heater out. Replace any corroded pipes underneath with copper in the usual way (usually steel hence the corrosion). You can rub down the base and put red oxide on. New thermo couplings only about £8 IIRC. I also replaced the seal for the baseplate to floor (double sided foam). Cheap and easy
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: alfie on 07 March 2012, 13:22:58
Thanks for all your input,have all ready sourcedthe base,£18 might need a new gas safety valve,£70. Not much room to swing a spanner in there,getting a lot of advice from a bloke on one of the caravanning forums,very very helpful,he reckons that the fractures between the punched out holes are caused by the caravan wheels not being balanced,quite possible that?.
                                                   Alfie,
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: Andy B on 07 March 2012, 14:16:08
Thanks for all your input,have all ready sourcedthe base,£18 might need a new gas  ...... by the caravan wheels not being balanced,quite possible that?.
                                                   Alfie,

Probably. Until I recently had my caravan wheels balanced, the front of the fire would almost always be off its mounts when we ariived at our destination. A local tyre place poo-poo'd the idea of balancing my wheels ...... ''it's only a caravan, why bother?'' .... but I told him to just humour me & do as he was asked  ;) The fire front is now always where it should be when get to where we're going.  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: Auto Addict on 07 March 2012, 14:47:52
First thing I did when I bought my caravan was have the wheels balanced.
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: Seth on 07 March 2012, 22:53:29
First thing I did when I bought my caravan was have the wheels balanced.

Flash git! (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/43954633/rofl.gif)
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: CaptainZok on 07 March 2012, 22:58:02
I'm sure TB could suggest a cracking caravan heating solution with a gallon of unleaded and a box of Swan Vestas. ;D
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: alfie on 08 March 2012, 06:07:29
That was a long time coming,
Title: Re: Caravan heater
Post by: Auto Addict on 08 March 2012, 06:11:24
First thing I did when I bought my caravan was have the wheels balanced.

Flash git! (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/43954633/rofl.gif)

Oi! Less of the flash :o