Truma combi winterizing

Suzy65 replied on 01/11/2021 11:40

Posted on 01/11/2021 11:40

Ionly bought my motorhome a few months ago so this is my 1st winter. I know i have to "winterize" it to avoid frost damage but I also want to keep it plugged in on drive and use the heater to keep the inside above 7 deg by using the Truma control panel.

Thing is - do i still need to drain of all the water and will the combi still work if  do?

I have the instruction book but, to be honest, its not that clear. They just enphasise the need to drain water of but also state that it can be used to "heat only"!

richardandros replied on 01/11/2021 11:51

Posted on 01/11/2021 11:51

The Truma Combi will provide heat without there being any water in the system - just don't switch the hot water heater on if there's no water in it! On the other hand, if you're keeping the van heated, there's no real need to drain the water down. I have mine set to 10 deg in the winter - just to be on the safe side, and sometimes there's water in the system - sometimes there isn't. Perhaps a more important consideration is whether or not you want water sitting in the pipework and not moving in which case it becomes a breeding ground for all sorts of nasties, but even just opening the drain valves doesn't always get rid of all the water - but a pressurised system would.

JohnM20 replied on 01/11/2021 11:55

Posted on 01/11/2021 11:55

Please bear in mind that warm air holds more atmospheric water than cold air so keeping the motorhome 'warm' during the winter may do more harm than good.  Draining down for the winter is, in my opinion, a far better bet than trying to stop the system freezing by using an electric heater..

Personally, I drain down the water system including water in the toilet header tank and put all the windows on the ventilation setting. I've never had any problem with freezing or dampness.

JVB66 replied on 01/11/2021 12:01

Posted on 01/11/2021 12:01

If you keep your  LV at home? Why winterise it if you are going to be there, with the cost of electricity. going through the roof, ,just keep an eye on the weather forecasts and put heating on when needed?

The. thermostat for the heating is not in the Truma it will be placed elsewhere in your vehicle

SeasideBill replied on 01/11/2021 12:49

Posted on 01/11/2021 11:55 by JohnM20

Please bear in mind that warm air holds more atmospheric water than cold air so keeping the motorhome 'warm' during the winter may do more harm than good.  Draining down for the winter is, in my opinion, a far better bet than trying to stop the system freezing by using an electric heater..

Personally, I drain down the water system including water in the toilet header tank and put all the windows on the ventilation setting. I've never had any problem with freezing or dampness.

Posted on 01/11/2021 12:49

I agree, drain the water system as much as possible and don’t waste energy heating the van. As long as you’ve opened all doors, lockers and removed soft furnishings etc so air can circulate, it will be fine. You don’t  want to make it attractive to unwanted guests! My biggest winter problem is not damp but cluster flies and overwintering queen wasps!

Those Aero 360 Dehumidifiers are surprisingly good. 

Suzy65 replied on 01/11/2021 14:09

Posted on 01/11/2021 12:49 by SeasideBill

I agree, drain the water system as much as possible and don’t waste energy heating the van. As long as you’ve opened all doors, lockers and removed soft furnishings etc so air can circulate, it will be fine. You don’t  want to make it attractive to unwanted guests! My biggest winter problem is not damp but cluster flies and overwintering queen wasps!

Those Aero 360 Dehumidifiers are surprisingly good. 

Posted on 01/11/2021 14:09

surprised  Thats something ive never thought about !

Suzy65 replied on 01/11/2021 14:10

Posted on 01/11/2021 11:55 by JohnM20

Please bear in mind that warm air holds more atmospheric water than cold air so keeping the motorhome 'warm' during the winter may do more harm than good.  Draining down for the winter is, in my opinion, a far better bet than trying to stop the system freezing by using an electric heater..

Personally, I drain down the water system including water in the toilet header tank and put all the windows on the ventilation setting. I've never had any problem with freezing or dampness.

Posted on 01/11/2021 14:10

This is beginning to sound like the better option - thanks smile

richardandros replied on 01/11/2021 14:56

Posted on 01/11/2021 14:56

I probably should have said that I don't actually 'winterise' our van because it's in use all year round and never sits on the drive for more than 3 weeks before going somewhere.  Plus, since it's on the drive - if it gets really cold, I go in an give the heating a blast for an hour or so.

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