Evening All,

I am considering replacing my Webasto Dual Top DIESEL boiler and blown air system with a gas one(Truma?). Can anyone offer any advice as to where to get a new gas boiler and blown air system and offer any other advice for a retro fit ? My current boiler is the only thing about our van that we dont like and would like to replace, if its possible at a reasonable cost, while we have the dosh.

Andy

After reading many things both for and against the diesel, can I ask why you wish to change.Will you go for an Lpg tank or refillable bottles or just keep the bottles you have already.

cabby

Have you got the physical room to mount a Truma combi 4E boiler? Will your two 4.5kg gas bottles be adequate for your needs?
What is it that you do not like about your current boiler?

As far as our current boiler is concerned there are three problems. 1) it takes quite a long time to heat water from cold so that you really need to plan ahead! 2) diesel fumes from the boilers exhaust seem to find there way into the van even with all windows and doors shut and I always worry about people on adjoining pitches when on site. 3) its blooming noisy!!! Oh and I have just thought of no4. There are no Webasto service agents on the Isle of Wight.

Can I assume that the Truma combi 4 operates in a similar way to a domestic combi boiler? My Webasto is a pretty big beast but I would have to get the Truma dimensions and see if it would fit into the available space. My gas supply is as you suggest 2 x 4.5 bottles. We tend to do most of cooking on a Cadac for which I carry a separate camping gaz supply so I can't see the gas supply being a problem. I know I could be looking at a potentially large outlay but we are likely to keep our van until we or it drop off the perch so I am prepared to spend money on a system that we are happy with.

Andy

I found this article interesting. they went for separate boiler and heater.
http://deepredmotorhome.com/heating.php

Without knowing the costs.

If i had my way, i would retro fit the Aldi wet heating system. Ive seen it in action, and think its brilliant.

For your gas use, with 9kg of gas.

Do you WILD CAMPING much ?

We can use a 13kg bottle in about 3 weeks wilding.

In theory, if you have a power supply, it would be a simple task of running the gas hose along a run you wish to have. I have the Truma 4000 ( not the E ) and its quite a small unit, BUT, when on full Wife required heating mode, the boiler enclosure gets very hot, so you will need to follow the "air gap" requirements closely.

I would think that a quick surf of the self build forums should provide the information you are looking for as far as purchase cost is concerned.

Andy

No I don't have any links I am afraid.

We had Webasto heating in our last Motorhome and loved it.
I had to repair the routing on it,but never had a problem with
fumes.And it never seemed over noisey.
Would a service be worth trying before you go to the expense
of changing your boiler?
The main thing Iv noticed is the amount of gas we now use,
as long as we had diesel we had heat.
If i had the choice, I would like a Webasto heater in my current
Motohome.

As to the noise, I was under the impression that there was an extra exhaust silencer available to make it quieter.Fumes, check which way the wind is blowing and don't shut all vents, allow some air in from opp side.get it serviced and make it a trip away for a couple of days.

cabby

If you have the funds, it's just a matter of the space, and your likely gas consumption, most fit under a bed or bottom of wardrobe, not sure how the Webasto distributes the heat, so you may need to add or change the ducting, Truma use 65mm pipe and fittings, you'll need to run 8mm copper pipe to the Truma with as few joints as possible as you should really have a drop out vent under each joint, and the heater itself, you will also need to fit a balanced flue, so a hole in the side of the van not near a window or door (300 or 500mm Can't remember which)

The water side is less complicated but more awkward due to the nature of water it will run everywhere when you disconnect even after a drain down.

It could be a DIY job if you have the skills and fitness for crouching and bending into confined spaces, could be a nice project for you, I'd deffo have a go.