Using Gas Heating while Driving in a Motorhome

Blue Moon

Blue Moon

Joined
Oct 25, 2022
Posts
204
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215
Location
Infinity and beyond
Funster No
92,092
MH
Burstner Lyseo I 726
Exp
A very long time
Evening all,
We’ve had Moho‘s of various guises for many years but never really used them in anger during the winter months. We now have an A class that we are planning on using extensively over the coming months. The std Fiat cab heater is ok, sort of but I don’t think it’s up to the job of warming such a large space. I’ve read that if I fit a gas crash valve (Truma Duo C) we can have the rear gas heating on whilst driving. Is this correct or not advisable? Will the gas fumes escape ok whilst driving? Please don’t shoot me down if that’s a stupid question 🤪
 
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Basildog said:
We have had 2 vans with rear heating that was on the engine coolant system, one was a Laika the other was the Winnebago, I am always amazed how few manufacturers actually think about rear heating, the Swift Kontiki tag we had was freezing in the back when the kids traveled in it 😂
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That's why I installed my heater, to stop the complaining from the back 😊
 
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Widge said:
I would be concerened that the balenced flu on the trauma would work properly, especially at any real speed.
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Not a problem.
IMG_0511.jpeg

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Thanks all for the replies, as always it's appreciated. I've ordered the required Truma crash valve and hoses. I've a neighbour that is gas safe approved installer that'll fit it for me. So I'm going to give it a try.
Thanks again everyone 👍🏼
 
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Blue Moon said:
Thanks all for the replies, as always it's appreciated. I've ordered the required Truma crash valve and hoses. I've a neighbour that is gas safe approved installer that'll fit it for me. So I'm going to give it a try.
Thanks again everyone 👍🏼
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Glad your sorted, although the heat exchanger would have given you free heat (which otherwise would have been lost through the engine radiator). Now you will be using more (expensive) gas.
 
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L' Hobo said:
I have found, in 50yrs of wandering, a simple thick blanket or curtain, between the cab & hab area, works wonders!

Hab area can be heated later! 🙂
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Wot he said!

That said, I find when driving, in a modern (Mercedes) van, the cab area heater puts out enough heat to warm the cab area when driving.
You don't need heat behind you.
When we stop, we put on the hab area heating, it may be a bit chilly initially, but it's never freezing.

However I don't remember ever travelling long distances in winter with passengers in the back, so maybe different if you do, on a regular basis. If it's a one off, give the passenger in the back a duvet!
 
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Blue Moon said:
Evening all,
We’ve had Moho‘s of various guises for many years but never really used them in anger during the winter months. We now have an A class that we are planning on using extensively over the coming months. The std Fiat cab heater is ok, sort of but I don’t think it’s up to the job of warming such a large space. I’ve read that if I fit a gas crash valve (Truma Duo C) we can have the rear gas heating on whilst driving. Is this correct or not advisable? Will the gas fumes escape ok whilst driving? Please don’t shoot me down if that’s a stupid question 🤪
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Aldi heating runs on the move
 
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Widge said:
Interesting, but only if properly equiped, my combi only has a side entry flu so not posible🤔
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The attachment says nothing about the Combi needing a particular type of flue, I think the balanced flue is a standard fitting.
 
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I have run a cable direct from the leisure batteries to the diesel heater but I wouldn't be able to use it on the go as the control panel that switches the heater on is de-activated as soon as the engine starts. I've never had the need to want to run it anyway, as the Peugeot cab heater has sufficient heat output to keep us toasty on the coldest of days.
 
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garry55 said:
I have run a cable direct from the leisure batteries to the diesel heater but I wouldn't be able to use it on the go as the control panel that switches the heater on is de-activated as soon as the engine starts. I've never had the need to want to run it anyway, as the Peugeot cab heater has sufficient heat output to keep us toasty on the coldest of days.
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Switching off domestic 12V electrical circuits when the engine is running is a peculiar idea used by some UK manufacturers. Perhaps they haven’t noticed that motorhomes and caravans are used differently. I like my domestic electrics live whilst driving.
 
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Pausim said:
Switching off domestic 12V electrical circuits when the engine is running is a peculiar idea used by some UK manufacturers. Perhaps they haven’t noticed that motorhomes and caravans are used differently. I like my domestic electrics live whilst driving.
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Mine haven't been turned off for years.
 
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Pausim said:
The attachment says nothing about the Combi needing a particular type of flue, I think the balanced flue is a standard fitting.
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Sorry i misread the attachment and thought it was only possible you had a cowl top, but that is only for the s1 model

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Lenny HB said:
Mine haven't been turned off for years.
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I'm fairly certain, my panel has to be on or my fridge doesn't work on 12V?
So mine too is always on while travelling.

Turn it off when van not being used.
 
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garry55 said:
Just out of interest - why?
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Why not? I might have something charging on the domestic circuit. I might want to have a final wee whilst the screen is de-misting. I might want to leave the domestic heating on. The distribution unit probably needs to be powered to do its job regarding battery charging and fridge operation.

As long as the equipment installed in the motorhome has the right EMC rating (electromagnetic compatibility) there is no reason to turn it off. I notice that some Sargent units say they shut down when the engine is running to meet the EMC directives which presumably means this equipment is not built to the required standard.
 
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Blue Moon said:
Hi Lenny
i’ve always turned my panel off when about to travel, that stems from info from a dealer years ago. I take it then it’s ok nowadays to leave it switched on?
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Always left mine switched on all the time regardless of if the van is in use or not. If you turn it off any passengers in the van wouldn't be able to use lights and charging sockets etc.
L' Hobo said:
I'm fairly certain, my panel has to be on or my fridge doesn't work on 12V?
So mine too is always on while travelling.

Turn it off when van not being used.
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Thats odd, all the vans we have had the fridge & heating have been connected to perminantly live circuits so so the fridge & heating work with the panel off.

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WESTY66 said:
Ah the benefits of Alde, can heat the whole bus without running the gas (runs off engine heat) and also a Truma twin speed fan under the drivers seat again heated by the engine, it’s hard to see a downside!
Oh and when it’s really sub, sub zero we can heat the engine from the Alde heating.
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Yes I must remember that as the cab heater is pants in Burtie
 
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L' Hobo said:
I'm fairly certain, my panel has to be on or my fridge doesn't work on 12V?
So mine too is always on while travelling.

Turn it of when van not being used.
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Depends on the unit.
My '22 Adria pannel has 2 options regarding 12V.
One press, switches off lights, pump, and TV (or whatever is connected to the 12V socket for the TV.
One long press, switches off everything including step, fridge and the Truma Combi.
As Lenny HB, I never switch off the complete thing, as is useful to have the step allways ready, and the little consumption from the standby electronics (like the turned off fridge or turned off heater) is regained by the solar in the roof.
And, as I never stored the van usually more than 2 weeks, I don't bother.
 
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Lenny HB said:
Always left mine switched on all the time regardless of if the van is in use or not. If you turn it off any passengers in the van wouldn't be able to use lights and charging sockets etc.

Thats odd, all the vans we have had the fridge & heating have been connected to perminantly live circuits so so the fridge & heating work with the panel off.
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Interesting, I will check it tomorrow but, fairly certain that none of my hab stuff works unless I have the 'auxillary' button pressed, and to fire this up, the panel has to be also? 🤔
 
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L' Hobo said:
Interesting, I will check it tomorrow but, fairly certain that none of my hab stuff works unless I have the 'auxillary' button pressed, and to fire this up, the panel has to be also? 🤔
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You have a Brit van so I expect the hab electrics turn off when you start the engine.
 
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Peavy said:
Depends on the unit.
My '22 Adria pannel has 2 options regarding 12V.
One press, switches off lights, pump, and TV (or whatever is connected to the 12V socket for the TV.
One long press, switches off everything including step, fridge and the Truma Combi.
As Lenny HB, I never switch off the complete thing, as is useful to have the step allways ready, and the little consumption from the standby electronics (like the turned off fridge or turned off heater) is regained by the solar in the roof.
And, as I never stored the van usually more than 2 weeks, I don't bother.
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My 2007 Murvi Morello has a separate switch, constantly alive for the step and my panel has about 12 main and another 12 variable button setting on the panel.
Apparently, the company that made it went out of business soon after it's installation and spares are like hen teeth.

I try to be very protective of it because, I think if one part is damaged, a new complete electrical installation may be required at the cost of a few thousand pounds. 😢

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Lenny HB said:
You have a Brit van so I expect the hab electrics turn off when you start the engine.
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Not so?
I believe it is unusual as it also has the facility, amongst others, to connect the leisure batteries to the starter battery to assist starting. 🤔
🤔
 
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Lenny HB said:
Always left mine switched on all the time regardless of if the van is in use or not. If you turn it off any passengers in the van wouldn't be able to use lights and charging sockets etc.

Thats odd, all the vans we have had the fridge & heating have been connected to perminantly live circuits so so the fridge & heating work with the panel off.
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Yes but you have Jerry vans and they do things differently (more sensibly).
 
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I just disabled the relay which disconnected the hab electrics, lots of things in the back need power when I'm driving.
 
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L' Hobo said:
Not so?
I believe it is unusual as it also has the facility, amongst others, to connect the leisure batteries to the starter battery to assist starting. 🤔
🤔
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Autocruise used to do that built in to the power system

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But why do uk converters require most of the hab electrics to be off when driving? What is their thinking? Often wondered.
 
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