Mrs J Johnson Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Hello, I've just read the January's mmm and on page 206 Clive has answered a question regarding the water boiler on a hymer 644. I too have the same problem on my hymerswing in that it is also just a gas boiler and not mains adaptable, ie there is'nt a collar fitted to accept a mains water heating element. What i would like to know is would it be possible to fit a collar to my tank and where could i get the work done. To change the boiler for a knew one with the collar already fitted would cost over 400 pounds+element and i think this a bit expensive. My reason for asking this is because i spend 3 months in France and am finding electric on sites is so cheap,also on aires it is 2 euros for an hour which would boil a tank of water and save on my gas supply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 I believe my answer in MMM is equally applicable to your Truma. The prices I gave for the parts were those tabled by Hymer. You should however take heed of GC,s comment regarding the limits applied to some continental hookups which might temper your desire to spend the money. Your best bet is to find a more sensibly priced tame specialist to do the work for you if you remain adament. Maybe one might pop up on this forum? Good luck Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 Mrs J Johnson: The 230v heating 'jacket' (or, in Truma-speak, "heating collar") mentioned by Clive in the MMM article is an option only applicable to certain Truma C-Series "Combi" combination air/water heaters. To provide mains-electric water heating on Truma B10/B14 Ultrastore boilers a quite different arrangement is used involving a heating-element similar in principle to that of a traditional household electric kettle. As this element is contained within the boiler's 'water tank' and is an integral part of that tank, it is not a practical proposition to consider adding 230v operation to a gas-only Ultrastore boiler. Truma don't offer any sort of conversion kit for these boilers, so, if you want a gas + mains Ultrastore, you need to choose the appropriate appliance to begin with or, if you've already got a gas-only Ultrastore (as in your case), to replace it with a gas + mains version. Although replacing your present boiler with a gas + mains B10 is the tidiest option, it will, as you rightly say, not be cheap (£455.82 in August 2005 Truma(UK) price-list). Somewhat amusingly £449.12 was the price given for a gas-only B10. This tiny price differential between the two units has existed for as long as I can remember and is almost certainly the result of a misprint that happened way back when and has never been corrected. (The difference in the quoted prices of a gas-only 14 litres B14 boiler and the gas + mains version is a much more realistic £85.) Thus, for anyone considering buying a B10 boiler in the UK, it would make sense to opt for the gas + 230v version. Rather than replace your present B10, an alternative strategy would be to install an extra 230v-only boiler and Truma offer the Truma-Therme or the Electroboiler. Truma-Therme costs £132.63, uses 300W and has 5 litres capacity - it's compact, designed so that warm-air ducting can be run through it to assist water heating and is often used in caravans. It's low power requirement means it is usable from pretty much any campsite hook-up. Electroboiler costs £312.14, uses 850W and has 14 litres capacity - it's nicely made and very heavily insulated. At 450mm wide and 292mm high it's not small, but you do get a lot of hot water storage! Besides Truma products, Caravan Accessories (CAK) Ltd (advert each month in MMM) advertise a large range of 230v-only boilers including the Mini-8 (500W and 8 litres capacity) at around £156 (2005 price). This, on paper at least, looks a better bargain than the Truma-Therme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 I agree with all Clive and Derek say, but would just add that for maximum usability across Europe, anything over 500W is best avoided. Quite a few sites limit supplies to 3A (660W) which, with battery charger and, presumably fridge, is about your lot! You'll have to turn the water heater off if you want to boil a kettle, though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 Taking a step backwards and with broader vision and mindfull of the initial costs you could alternatively forget about changing the Truma and fit a bulk gas tank. Initial outlay being in the same ball park. This will reduce your gas costs to less than half, make it easy to fill most places in Europe and not give concerns regarding hookup limits. Also if you fit a "propper" bulk tank bolted securely underneath the chassis you get a free spare locker and a propper gas fuel gauge in the van. No flexible hose to perish either! This was my choice. Good luck with the quest. C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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