Refilling water heater after winter drain down?

[Euphony]

Hi all,
I have a 2008 Bessacarr E560, I drained the water system and heater/boiler down for winter. I’m here today washing/ greasing/fettling it etc. and have filled water tank and used anti-bac water treatment. I’ve been for a run, emptied down, refilled with clean water and have turned on the pump (which is working), followed instruction re. turn on hot taps except shower to prime the water heater but nothing is coming out of the tap when set to hot, I have cold water aplenty but nothing out of the hot, it’s been about 15 minutes now.
Anny thoughts please?

 

[scotjimland]

have you checked the Truma boiler frost protection dump valve is closed ?

when you run hot tap is there water coming out under the van ?

 

[Riverbankannie]

Check your boiler drain valve not still open......don’t ask me how I know!

 

[Euphony]

Thanks for the replies. Drain valve closed and nothing coming out underneath but I do hear water trickling in the boiler and air coming out of vent hose.

 

[Euphony]

50 minutes gone and I now have a trickle coming out of a tap?

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[Reallyretired]

Mine takes about 5 minutes so sounds as if something is wrong.

 

[nicholsong]

Switch taps to cold and see how good the flow is - just to check the pump is functioning properly.

If the flow from the cold is also weak and you have a submersible pump in the tank, then check that it is fully under water and is not partially sucking air.

I do not know why the instructions say open all except shower. I open all and then turn off each as soon as it gets a good flow and then the pressure reaches up to the shower head.

Geoff

 

[Riverbankannie]

Is it possible that there is not now enough water in your fresh tank if you have been running through the cold taps?
The boiler takes at least 10 litres.
Otherwise could be a leak somewhere or a blockage. Is it still cold where you are, could there be a little bit of pipe frozen?
Sorry cannot help further.

 

[Euphony]

Switch taps to cold and see how good the flow is - just to check the pump is functioning properly.

If the flow from the cold is also weak and you have a submersible pump in the tank, then check that it is fully under water and is not partially sucking air.

I do not know why the instructions say open all except shower. I open all and then turn off each as soon as it gets a good flow and then the pressure reaches up to the shower head.

Geoff

Thanks Geoff, the cold flow is strong. I discovered if I switch the taps off and leave them a few minutes, when I turn the hot tap back on there’s a better flow but it peter’s out quickly.

 

[Euphony]

Is it possible that there is not now enough water in your fresh tank if you have been running through the cold taps?
The boiler takes at least 10 litres.
Otherwise could be a leak somewhere or a blockage. Is it still cold where you are, could there be a little bit of pipe frozen?
Sorry cannot help further.

Thank you, I’ll fill the tank fully in tomorrow and try again, I only had the tank a quarter full as I thought that would do. It’s cold but fully thawed this past week or so.

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[Nirvanauk]

I would suggest letting cold come out of the shower then gradually move it to hot until it starts to splutter a bit then leaving it til spluttering stops then move it a bit more towards hot. It works for me.

 

[Euphony]

Hi All,
Thank you all for your input so far.
I just come back from the MH again and I tried everything suggested above to no avail.
The best I got was a trickle of water out of the hot tap.
More concerning was that I had water trickling steadily out of the vent tube.
In the end I drained down completely again and will refill tomorrow in the hope that it has been an airlock.
Any further suggestion gratefully received.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Hi All,
Thank you all for your input so far.
I just come back from the MH again and I tried everything suggested above to no avail.
The best I got was a trickle of water out of the hot tap.
More concerning was that I had water trickling steadily out of the vent tube.
In the end I drained down completely again and will refill tomorrow in the hope that it has been an airlock.
Any further suggestion gratefully received.

Fingers crossed for you

 

[The Wino]

If you try again check there is a flow of water through the water heater before switching the heat on (gas or electric) it can dammage the heater to run it empty. It does take a while to fill you should turn on a hot tap and hear the pump working until you get a steady flow there will be some spitting.

 

[scotjimland]

More concerning was that I had water trickling steadily out of the vent tube.

that is the pressure relief valve that is passing.. shouldn't be any water from vent pipe when it's cold.. sounds like the valve is broken

Truma PRV https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARAVAN-...370895928318?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

Truma heaters can be run dry.. except old models .. as advised by Truma

Truma Boiler Running ‘dry’

Early versions of the Truma combination air/water heater (designated C3400 and C6000) had a water jacket with vitreous-enamelled inner surfaces and these appliances must NEVER be run empty of water.

The C3402, C6002 (and the latest C4002) models have a completely revised construction with a stainless-steel water jacket. As the manual says, it is perfectly acceptable for these to be run 'dry'.

As confirmed by Truma
Thank you for your email, I can confirm that the following heaters can be operated on the space heating function with no water in the tank:

C3402

C4002

C6002

C6002EH

If you require any further assistance do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind Regards
Nicky Price

Customer Services Advisor

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[two]

I think the non-return valve may be stuck. It's there to stop hot water returning to the cold side but might be reluctant to open properly. Not sure where it is on your model, but could be just inside the 'in' port of your boiler, which can be unscrewed for access. A tap (strike) might dislodge it if you're lucky.

 

[scotjimland]

I think the non-return valve may be stuck. It's there to stop hot water returning to the cold side but might be reluctant to open properly. Not sure where it is on your model, but could be just inside the 'in' port of your boiler, which can be unscrewed for access. A tap (strike) might dislodge it if you're lucky.

the NRV is usually just after the pump, not in or near the boiler, it prevents hot water from running back to the cold tank.. if stuck there would be no water from the cold taps.

The OP has said he has seen water coming from the pressure relief line

 

[Euphony]

that is the pressure relief valve that is passing.. shouldn't be any water from vent pipe when it's cold.. sounds like the valve is broken

Truma PRV https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARAVAN-...370895928318?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

Truma heaters can be run dry.. except old models .. as advised by Truma

Truma Boiler Running ‘dry’

Early versions of the Truma combination air/water heater (designated C3400 and C6000) had a water jacket with vitreous-enamelled inner surfaces and these appliances must NEVER be run empty of water.

The C3402, C6002 (and the latest C4002) models have a completely revised construction with a stainless-steel water jacket. As the manual says, it is perfectly acceptable for these to be run 'dry'.

As confirmed by Truma
Thank you for your email, I can confirm that the following heaters can be operated on the space heating function with no water in the tank:

C3402

C4002

C6002

C6002EH

If you require any further assistance do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind Regards
Nicky Price

Customer Services Advisor

Thank you very much for this info, it’s very gratefully received.

Hopefully it’s something as simple as this, unfortunately I’m off to Arran on Tuesday morning so may have to do without hot water for the week we’re away. No real hardship as we’re on a nice site so can use the showers there and heat water for washing dishes etc in the kettle.

 

[Euphony]

I think the non-return valve may be stuck. It's there to stop hot water returning to the cold side but might be reluctant to open properly. Not sure where it is on your model, but could be just inside the 'in' port of your boiler, which can be unscrewed for access. A tap (strike) might dislodge it if you're lucky.

Thank you, I’ll check that out tomorrow, I have the manual so will hopefully find it.

 

[Euphony]

the NRV is usually just after the pump, not in or near the boiler, it prevents hot water from running back to the cold tank.. if stuck there would be no water from the cold taps.

The OP has said he has seen water coming from the pressure relief line

Yes, you’re right that I have good flow from the cold side in both kitchen and bathroom taps.

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[Speve]

Have you got the boiler switched on? If no try that a bit of hot water will help shift any stuck valves or blockage.

 

[Euphony]

Have you got the boiler switched on? If no try that a bit of hot water will help shift any stuck valves or blockage.

Hi, no I didn’t switch it on as I was concerned it might damage something. Would it be okay to switch it on?

 

[Speve]

Hi, no I didn’t switch it on as I was concerned it might damage something. Would it be okay to switch it on?

Is it a Truma combi? If so it will be ok but just check in your manual what you have before doing so.
If it's not working properly it will come up with the red fault light flashing.

 

[Euphony]

Is it a Truma combi? If so it will be ok but just check in your manual what you have before doing so.
If it's not working properly it will come up with the red fault light flashing.

Just checked and it’s the 6002 so should be okay as you say. Thanks.

 

[Neil Bedwin]

How long are you on Arran for? We are up there from next Thursday (12th) onward. Staying at Lochranza. Happy to cast an eye over it......

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[Speve]

Just checked and it’s the 6002 so should be okay as you say. Thanks.

If as you say you are not getting water from hot taps don't leave it on to long but check the dial for fault light if it's empty it will give a red fault flashing on dial if that's the case switch it off, you will then need to find the fault flash code on the circuit board on the boiler.
Suspect if that's the case you need a Truma engineer to check it out.
Good luck with it.

 

[Speve]

Taken from Truma boiler operating instructions.

Troubleshooting guide (water supply)

Fault

Cause / Remedy

Water taking an extremely long time to heat up.

Water running away – boiler cannot be filled.

Boiler cannot be drained, even though the safety/drain valve is open.

Water dripping/flowing from drainage socket of safety/ drain valve.

After the heater has been switched off, the FrostControl opens.

The FrostControl can no longer be closed.

Water container furred. / Descale water system (see maintenance).

Safety/drain valve open. / Close safety/drain valve.

Safety/drain valve drainage socket blocked. / Check open- ing for soiling (slush, ice, leaves etc.) and remove if necessary.

Water pressure too high. / Check pump pressure (max. 2.8 bar). If the boiler is con- nected to a central water sup- ply (rural or urban connection), a pressure reducer must be used that will prevent pres- sures higher than 2.8 bar from occurring.

At temperatures of less than approx. 3 °C the FrostControl opens automatically / Switch heater on / Without heater op- eration the FrostControl can- not be closed again until the temperature reaches approx. 7 °C / Use heating element for FrostControl.

Temperature at FrostControl less than approx. 7 °C / Switch heater on / With-
out heater operation the FrostControl cannot be closed again until the temperature reaches approx. 7 °C.

Rotary switch is not set to “Operation”. / Turn the rotary switch of the FrostControl to “Operation”, then press the pushbutton until it engages.

If these actions do not remedy the problem, please contact Truma Service.

 

[Euphony]

How long are you on Arran for? We are up there from next Thursday (12th) onward. Staying at Lochranza. Happy to cast an eye over it......

Hi Neil, hope you’re ready for a week of snow and rain.
We’re up until Sunday and staying at Bridgend. Thanks for the offer I truly appreciate it. I’m hoping our dealer is open tomorrow and if so I’ll dash up there after I’ve refilled and tried again if it fails.
If not, it’ll keep until we get back. If we’re up the top end, I’ll buy you a pint!
Edit: we come home on the 7th Neil, so I’ll have to owe you that pint!

 

[Neil Bedwin]

That's no problem. Have a good time on the island and I hope you get the leak sorted.

 

[Euphony]

Hi All,
Crisis averted!!!
Having phoned my dealer and a nearby motorhome specialist this morning to see if someone could have a look at it for me, my dealer said “no technicians in today”, which is fair as it’s Easter Monday but I had to try. The specialist said “I’m fully booked until June, you should have made an appointment in December”; I had just explained the nature of the COMPLETELY NEW problem.
Anyway, I drained the system down entirely again and refilled the FW tank and waited until The display said “full”, I switched on the pump and opened the hot water sides of the kitchen and bathroom taps and after a short period of “tap gurgling” there was a rush of fast flowing water from one then the other. I check FW tank level and it was down to just below 3/4 so the heater is, I presume, full.
Tried the taps again multiple times throughout the next hour and still working perfectly.
So, off to Arran for a while with snow and rain forecast for a week or more, but at least we’ll have hot water, I might be home by Thursday............

Very many thanks to the few that took the trouble to offer assistance, it is very much appreciated.