On a very windy night in Orkney our water heater started making a very strange smell! We turned it off and when we got home realised the wind had blown back the flame and melted the plastic.
What do you suggest to get it fixed? It looks tricky to get part or the whole unit out!
if it was me ,i'd be finding a replacement unit and booking our local mobile caravan fixer man to put it in, maybe not the cheapest fix i know but personally i don't like messing with the gas supply ,other than to put the gas bottle in
------------- no tin tent outings booked as yet ,just another cruise in Sept' booked so far
This is a known fault with the older units, it only happens when the wind blows directly at it.
There is a modified flue cover you can get which combats the problem, but they aint cheap (so I haven't bothered).
I don't actually know how to tell the difference, for all I know mine may have the modified flue on it already (would like to see pics of both for reference).
They're pretty simple units to get in & out, if you are reasonably competent with these things. I've had mine out a couple of times, fitting a new water inlet. I was quite annoyed to find sealant all round the gas connection. It's a compression fitting, so shouldn't have anything on it at all, apart from an olive.
Also the old water inlet had sealant plastered all over it, & that has an O ring, so likewise shouldn't have anything else on it.
Just common plumbing/engineering practice, but surprising how many fitters don't know.
Apart from what said on my website under 'safety issues' the main problem is incorrect fitting of the burner module.
The module is screwed and held under the gas valve on the right hand side, there is slack in the screw holes which allows the weight of the rest of the module to hang down to the left hand side.
This leaves a gap in the seal which allows another source of oxygen from inside the van should the wind block the main source coming through the balanced flue.
Fitting the module correctly blocks off this secondary source, this simply means lifting the left hand end as far as it goes without force and finish tightening the screws, now the seal is as high as it can be and doing it's job
Now under the same circumstances the flame is totally starved of oxygen and goes out, the module will attempt a relight cycle and if it fails after a few seconds and locks out safely.
A similar statement regards fitting is printed on every invoice I send out!
I also draw attention to it while talking to private customers and ask them to refer to the invoice to remind them when fitting, I also tell them to ring me if they are in any doubt.
So once this has happened, the module needs a total check and repair, not fitting a few parts and hoping?!
On that subject and as a matter of policy, I have never supplied spares for burner modules, ie, it's a 'module', a 'unit', and should only be supplied as such.
So, did I get this right, there is actually no need for the (rather expensive) modified flue cover???
What you've said makes sense to me, I only wish I'd found out sooner, as I was at the 'van today doing my spring maintenance jobs. Next time I'm out there I will have a look at mine. Although mine is the very old one, gas only model, so may be slightly different.
Also, mine has lost it's polystyrene jacket, so I had to make one out of a household hot water cylinder jacket.
We have just bought an older van which has had a cascade 2 heater in at some time but is now cold water only. The unit has been removed, leaving just the flue I think? Do you think it is worth looking to get a reconditioned or secondhand one or is the expense not really worth it? New to caravanning and never had hot water so not sure we really need it.
Quote: Originally posted by ladyfidi on 14/3/2012
We have just bought an older van which has had a cascade 2 heater in at some time but is now cold water only. The unit has been removed, leaving just the flue I think? Do you think it is worth looking to get a reconditioned or secondhand one or is the expense not really worth it? New to caravanning and never had hot water so not sure we really need it.
I assume you're talking about the complete water heater??? I've seen this before, where there's just the plastic outer flue cover on the outside of the caravan.
I would look out for a 2nd hand unit, but I am capable of fitting it myself (you can get instructions on line & it's always easier when one's been fitted before).
2nd hand units do crop up occasionally on ebay for reasonable money, but it could get costly if you have to employ a fitter.
I'm the kind of person who loves doing stuff like this, so it's really a personal decision.
I also love my hot water. I bought a caravan as I attend a lot of steam rallies & car shows, which are weekend events with no facilities. I got fed up with all the hassle of setting up & setting down/packing up involved with tents, so when I was looking for a caravan it HAD to have hot water (I even considered buying a real cheapie & fitting hot water).
At the end of the day it's your decision. It can be done, & needn't cost the earth. On the other hand, you CAN caravan quite happily without it. So it's up to you.
No you don't 'need' a new type flue but when something like a gas burner module as fitted to the cascade water heater is removed, then there is usually a reason?.
I'd then think it foolish to try putting another module in and trying to light it, without first knowing that reason and making sure it's safe to do so?!
So in this situation using a competent person to test everything would be the only safe way forward.
I would also doubt any on-line fitting instructions include the above fitting advice I've mentioned, it's my advice you see, Carver did not offer that, or, any other written fitting instructions for that matter.
On the subject of buying second hand, I can generally sort out a burner module to sell out right.
Coming with a 12 month warranty, it will be a far better deal than you'll ever get off ebay! and I doubt it will be any dearer either!!
Quote: Originally posted by arc systems on 14/3/2012
No you don't 'need' a new type flue but when something like a gas burner module as fitted to the cascade water heater is removed, then there is usually a reason?.
I'd then think it foolish to try putting another module in and trying to light it, without first knowing that reason and making sure it's safe to do so?!
So in this situation using a competent person to test everything would be the only safe way forward.
I would also doubt any on-line fitting instructions include the above fitting advice I've mentioned, it's my advice you see, Carver did not offer that, or, any other written fitting instructions for that matter.
On the subject of buying second hand, I can generally sort out a burner module to sell out right.
Coming with a 12 month warranty, it will be a far better deal than you'll ever get off ebay! and I doubt it will be any dearer either!!
Sorry, I think you've misunderstood me. My talk of a 2nd hand unit was in reply to the above post, I was referring to an entire heater, not a burner module. & the same refers to the online instructions I talked about, this was installation instructions for the complete water heater into a caravan.
I have edited my above post, to make things a little clearer.
Of course I completely agree with what you've said though. These units were built to last in many respects (& when maintained properly, which is why I reckon Truma stopped producing them, as they are so obviously a superior design to the Ultrastore) & if one has been tampered with by someone unknown, you should obviously do your best to find out what was done & (perhaps more importantly) WHY???
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Topic: Carver cascade 2 burnt out
