Carver cascade 2

[Barry1506]

Hi this is my first post be kind.
I have a carver cascade 2 water heater the gas pipe was disconnected when I purchased the van on inspection I found the fire box completely rusted out so I have replaced it with a new one.
On trying to fire it up the wall switch looks dead there are no lights on when pressing the power on I have removed the switch and can confirm I have over 12v on the multi meter.
Do I get another switch or could it be the main pcb on the heater at fault.
I don't want the start throwing money at it I did get a little fant top led flash once.
Any help please.

 

[GeoffnDee]

It could be worth talking to www.arelectronics.co.uk who repair these units and may be able to advise what to check next.

 

[Phill D]

Hi there and welcome

You may be better off buying a second hand unit and replacing yours completely.
There are lots on line and it could be cheaper in the long run.

 

[Spriddler]

Do I get another switch or could it be the main pcb on the heater at fault.

Is it a simple 12v On/Off switch? If so you could test whether it's faulty by just connecting the two wires together, thus by-passing/eliminating a possible fault with the switch.

 

[Barry1506]

Hi guys thanks for your help I really don't want the spend anymore money on it as it's got to be as old as the van 25 years old .
We have decided to go with a modern gas combination with constant hot water and no need for a tank these units are on ebay at £225 the only problem is i will need to open up the size of the hole at least that's one way to get rid of old sealant.

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[Lenny HB]

Have you got a link to the eBay one as a lot of this type are not suitable for Motorhomes.

You might want to consider the Henry water heater a direct replacement for the cascade.

 

[oldiesontour]

A combi at that price that is room sealed seems far to cheap !
Have you checked the 2 glass fuses in the controler?Remove/check clean holders and fuses ...very prone to poor connections

 

[Terry]

You can get Chinese air/water heaters for £280

 

[Jev88]

Propex Málaga fits same space and is 50% bigger internal capacity.
£500 fitted a few years ago

 

[Raul]

Propex malaga replaces carver and henry with a plate adapter for the flue, to be fitted in the same place, where the old carver was. No mods, just use a carver propex adapter.

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[Barry1506]

There is the ebay item number shows it fits a motorhome.
395928032851

 

[oldiesontour]

There is the ebay item number shows it fits a motorhome.
395928032851



View attachment 986543

Can't see any mention of room sealed also if my personal experience of Chinese tankless water heaters is anything to go buy you will need a lot more water for. a shower than the carver uses to get a suitable flow temperature...I have 1 in my property in Spain and had another in the shower on our CL for over 15yrs,personally I think they are great but not suitable for a camper unless you have a lot of water storage.(and you can get it in writing that they are room sealed otherwise they are not only illegal but are also dangerous) If they are room sealed try one and let us know how it does...

 

[oldiesontour]

Should have also pointed out it's water only heater not combi air and water.

 

[Barry1506]

Yes sorry water only

 

[Barry1506]

Ok in now convinced the the carver is the way to go and will work out a lot cheaper to get repaired and no hole to cut out.
I will start by replacing the wall unit if that is not the fault then it must be the main board in the gas unit in the boiler total cost is about £125 from reputable sellers on ebay.

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[oldiesontour]

I've had AA lot of dealings with these heaters (got 3 for spares in the garage now) Before buying anything else I would remove the heater,remove the tank and check the condition of the tie rod and back of the heat exchanger.It may workout cheaper to buy a fully working unit and keep yours for spares(especially if yours is 240v and gas.
Which controller do you have ...push button or slide switch ?
Stick with it refurb it properly and you'll have a simple reliable effective water heater for years

 

[Spriddler]

I've had AA lot of dealings with these heaters (got 3 for spares in the garage now) Before buying anything else I would remove the heater,remove the tank and check the condition of the tie rod and back of the heat exchanger.It may workout cheaper to buy a fully working unit and keep yours for spares(especially if yours is 240v and gas.

I agree with checking the tie rod whilst the unit is out. It's a known weak point on these, although the one on my 1995 Carver did last for 25 years! All fixed 4 years ago and it's a very efficient unit.
Have a look at my thread here:

Carver Cascade 2 water heater tie rod break.

At 6 a.m. yesterday I switched on the water heater then hopped back into bed with a brew. 20 mins later a mighty thump shook the body, the pump started running and water began to run out from under the Carver heater locker. In short the steel tie rod (Item 23) holding the whole heater assembly...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[oldiesontour]

I agree with checking the tie rod whilst the unit is out. It's a known weak point on these, although the one on my 1995 Carver did last for 25 years! All fixed 4 years ago and it's a very efficient unit.
Have a look at my thread here:

Carver Cascade 2 water heater tie rod break.

At 6 a.m. yesterday I switched on the water heater then hopped back into bed with a brew. 20 mins later a mighty thump shook the body, the pump started running and water began to run out from under the Carver heater locker. In short the steel tie rod (Item 23) holding the whole heater assembly...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

The tie rod is in my experience not steel but is in fact aluminium I replace them with stainless threaded bar,the other common fault is inlet/outlet/drain and pressure relief fittings shearing off I also replaced all of them and then add a cheap Chinese digital controller in the power feed from controller to main PCB with the sensor fixed to the top of the tank this gives 1° temperature control and shows actual water temp as well as adding to the fail safe installed by carver...all for £2 and a few mins work