Member Since: 31 Mar 2016
Location: Gateshead
Posts: 234
Blown air systems
Anybody else completely underwhelmed by their caravan blown air heater, or is it just me?
Been away for the weekend off grid and it took the edge off the chill but not much more TBH. We'll be getting a new van on back-order in spring and I'm seriously thinking of getting a Truma gas fire style heater fitted!
26th Nov 2017 8:33 pm
JackNorris
Member Since: 06 Jul 2012
Location: Beds/Bucks Border
Posts: 1879
We used to have blown air from fire and found that it lost its heat underneath the van.
If changing van, id highly recommend Alde system. Works so well, just like central heating at homeMY2023 Discovery 5 R-Dynamic 3.0
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26th Nov 2017 8:35 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Ours gets scorchio, it is a truma.
26th Nov 2017 8:37 pm
oldskoolskater
Member Since: 31 Mar 2016
Location: Gateshead
Posts: 234
Yeah, I've read good things about Alde but its not an option on the 8ft Compass Casita which we'll be getting. Thought a Truma might be an easier option..
That and I'll not be worried about the blown air fan draining the battery down overnight when it's on. We have 200w of solar but it's not that effective when there's no sun in winter
26th Nov 2017 8:38 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8244
tayaste wrote:
Ours gets scorchio, it is a truma.
ours is the same,It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
26th Nov 2017 9:04 pm
mark the spark
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: southampton
Posts: 2531
Got alde radiator system now but had blown air in the past.alde is a quantum leap ahead takes a while to heat up but great even temp when up to speedMY05 SE D3 Manual my first LR what a car
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26th Nov 2017 9:08 pm
ClassikFan
Member Since: 02 Nov 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1049
yes, very. Our 2013 Elddis didn't do a good job on the heating front.
Now got Alde Heating in our current van. Toasty!
26th Nov 2017 9:10 pm
mark the spark
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: southampton
Posts: 2531
I used to find with blown you were better of not running the fan and just let the trauma heater convect .the fan seemed to loose all the heat by the time it got to the vent outletsMY05 SE D3 Manual my first LR what a car
MY10 HSE D4 auto
MY14 XXV more buttons than the spaceshuttle
26th Nov 2017 9:11 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
We’ve had Alde over 10 years and would never go back.DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
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Alde heating in ours.
Had many years with blow air and it worked fine in the senator, but as stated lost some of its heat uner the van.
Truma is i am told just as good.
Regards
Ray
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26th Nov 2017 9:14 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
Our truma kept the van at about 21deg all day and night this weekend when it was down to about 2 or 3deg outside. I find running gas initially on arrival to help it get up to temp and then - when on electric only, don't put the fan above number 4 setting on auto, otherwise I think it's blowing it out quicker than it can heat it.
As above the heater seems to bang out more heat with the fan off, but in a large van like ours it doesn't reach the front seating area and the bedroom ends up hot and the front seating too cool.
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26th Nov 2017 10:54 pm
THUB
Member Since: 10 Dec 2005
Location: West Berkshire.
Posts: 717
I have had my doubts about Truma heating in the last 4 vans. Have to agree with the idea of using gas to boost the start. It is possible to change the proportion of flow. There is a valve at the back of the heater, somewhere near where the pipes split front to back,
I have questioned this on several occasions at various caravan shows but never really got a satisfactory answer.
26th Nov 2017 11:04 pm
oldskoolskater
Member Since: 31 Mar 2016
Location: Gateshead
Posts: 234
Thanks all for your experiences. Our current system is a whale underslung heating system which uses gas to heat an air box and then a fan circulates the warmed air. It’s pants.
I’ve been in no end of vans that are red hot when you go in them and they’ve had Truma systems, so would be happy to sacrifice a bit of cupboard space if necessary to get similar, though it would be a bit of a shame to do so in a brand new van. Feels a bit like the manufacturers have designed systems that are optimised for electric hookup rather than off grid - they’re tourers right??
Wouldn’t really want to use the blown circulation option of the Truma though, rather just use it a traditional gas fire?
26th Nov 2017 11:12 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
Yes - A touring van. The heater is more effective on gas than electric anyway; and if you don't want the blown air system then that isn't going to drain your 12v. I'm sure it's reasonably efficient but havn't run mine on gas long enough to get a feel for drain on the gas bottle.
Thanks above for the tip on the split valve. I'll have look. TBH I find that just closing the flaps in the vents at the back allows just a bit of warm air out which pushes more down to the front anyway. D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
27th Nov 2017 9:00 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
On the Truma system we've had in all our previous 'vans you can get toast hot by using the heater on gas for 10mins then turn the fan on to distribute the heat.
We have an Elddis Supreme 840 on order which has the Whale underfloor blown air heating system (Whale iVan). Are you guys saying this isnt a very good system?
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ours is the same,
