Guest Robin Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Hi, I have a blown air pipe that exits through the floor of the 'van and enters the bathroom. The problem is that as the heat travels from the heater through the pipe by the time it comes out of the vent in the bathroom the air is cool. Not too surprising because the heat is being dissapated through the pipe as the pipe is cold and obviously cools the air before it reaches the bathroom being under the 'van. ....Has anybody any ideas on how to insulate this pipe which is about 3 inches diameter so no heat is dissapated through it? any suggestions would be welcome. - Thanks - Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdk1 Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Hi just a thought how about pipe insulation from a plumbing shop? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Robin Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Hi just a thought how about pipe insulation from a plumbing shop? Mike 9224[/snapback] Hi Mike, thanks, I'll give it a whirl tomorrow and see what they can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank.A Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Hi robin, If it's the same as our Europa,the pipe is between 3-4inch diameter. You will have trouble getting pipe insulation that size,unless they do a tape to wrap it. I have used a lagging tape on car exhaust downpipes that is so good at insulating that your can grip the pipe with your hand a couple of inches from the exhaust manifold with the engine running and fully warmed up,and it just feels warm. This is available from tuning specialists but is not cheap. You can also buy it in sheet form,one side of which is aluminium foil. How about using building foil(or even kitchen foil),then thick felt,then gaffer tape. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBS Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Hi robin, If it's the same as our Europa,the pipe is between 3-4inch diameter. You will have trouble getting pipe insulation that size,unless they do a tape to wrap it. I have used a lagging tape on car exhaust downpipes that is so good at insulating that your can grip the pipe with your hand a couple of inches from the exhaust manifold with the engine running and fully warmed up,and it just feels warm. This is available from tuning specialists but is not cheap. You can also buy it in sheet form,one side of which is aluminium foil. How about using building foil(or even kitchen foil),then thick felt,then gaffer tape. Frank 9284[/snapback] Keep the ideas coming, I've mine to do soon. I did consider cutting up a sleeping mat and using duct tape to attach it. Comments please. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank.A Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 SBS, That is as good an idea as any. If it is almost directly behind the wheel,it could do with water proofing as well. I made mudflaps in an attempt to keep the duct dry and the underneath clean. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Err. ........ this all seems a bit 'Heath Robinson' to me. Won't it just come off at some point whilst you are towing. You could of course just leave the bathroom door open and the heat from the van proper will warm it up. Just shut the door when you use the bathroom. (Or not!!) Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank.A Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Hi Pete, If the manufacturers built the caravans properly in the first place, we would not be having this discussion. Necessity is the mother of invention and all that. It certainly won't come off if it's wrapped in duct tape. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Robin Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Hi robin, If it's the same as our Europa,the pipe is between 3-4inch diameter. You will have trouble getting pipe insulation that size,unless they do a tape to wrap it. I have used a lagging tape on car exhaust downpipes that is so good at insulating that your can grip the pipe with your hand a couple of inches from the exhaust manifold with the engine running and fully warmed up,and it just feels warm. This is available from tuning specialists but is not cheap. You can also buy it in sheet form,one side of which is aluminium foil. How about using building foil(or even kitchen foil),then thick felt,then gaffer tape. Frank 9284[/snapback] Great idea Frank, many thanks to all that have responded. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Robin Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Err. ........ this all seems a bit 'Heath Robinson' to me. Won't it just come off at some point whilst you are towing. You could of course just leave the bathroom door open and the heat from the van proper will warm it up. Just shut the door when you use the bathroom. (Or not!!) Pete 9310[/snapback] Pete, As the heater is at the opposite end to the bathroom in our 'van, it would mean having it on full to get the van warm at the other end. so one end will be extremely hot and the bathroom just having the chill taken off. We caravan in winter as well so when we are in the bathroom taking a shower and whatever, we could be in there for 15/20 minutes and just to have the chill taken off is not really good enough, especially when they have the facility of 'blown air' in the bathroom and as Frank has said, if it were designed properley in the first place. ..... thanks, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Kid Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 In our Avondale (last year) the pipe to the washroom went under the floor in the dinette area . . I was able to bring it into the dinette bed boxes & over the Wheelarch . . and keep it entirely within the van . . Avondale weren't happy at first . . said I may have breached warranty etc . . but after inspecting it (when the van went back for warranty surgery) they approved the change. Roughing it . . but in comfort . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X-Bob Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Pete, As the heater is at the opposite end to the bathroom in our 'van, it would mean having it on full to get the van warm at the other end. so one end will be extremely hot and the bathroom just having the chill taken off. ...... thanks, Rob 9361[/snapback] Hi Rob, If your fire is a Truma and you can gain access to the back of it, there is a flap which can be altered so that more or less heat is directed to one outlet or the other. You could therefore bias the heat output to the bathroom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank.A Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Hi Bob, Yes you could do that,but why waste heat that you are paying for. It is parsimonious of the manufacturer not to include insulation during build. It's a wonder it's not covered by some Euro. spec. or other. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc Systems Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Can someone tell me if your pipes as they pass outside are the same as inside, ie, tan coloured cardboard tubes, and not encased in a black weather proof insulation tube?? Arc Systems are specialist Carver caravan product repairers, committed to providing a comprehensive service as well as spare parts for these popular heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_B Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 I have just had the opposite problem with my Elddis, the loo was the only place that had all the heat, (even with the flap shut, roast nuts comes to mind) I had to reroute the pipes, to get heat to the rest of the caravan. but now it's hot One for Gary, I'm having a new module fitted next week, and thanks for your help Gary, Paul Paul B . .......Mondeo Estate & Elddis Avanté 505 (Tobago) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBS Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Can someone tell me if your pipes as they pass outside are the same as inside, ie, tan coloured cardboard tubes, and not encased in a black weather proof insulation tube?? 9525[/snapback] Gary I've plumbed from the back of the heater straight into the shower room and this has transformed it. However, I want to run it to the rear dinette which means taking it under the 'van. I believe Trauma do a waterproof ducting but I'm not sure that it's insulated so would still not be perfect. I've got the standard cardboard tubing. My other thought was to use domestic rainwater downpipe but it would be awkward to fit. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_B Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Mike, On my Elddis the pipe to the back is small bore plastic pipe, (vacuum cleaner pipe), or what about heater pipework from cars? that's plastic and the same size. Just a thought <_< Paul Paul B . .......Mondeo Estate & Elddis Avanté 505 (Tobago) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norter Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 Mike, On my Elddis the pipe to the back is small bore plastic pipe, (vacuum cleaner pipe), or what about heater pipework from cars? that's plastic and the same size. Just a thought <_< Paul 9560[/snapback] In both our vans we've had the same situation as Paul B. In the double dinette Coachman there was a central washroom which doubled as a sauna when the heat was full on. We used to open the door of the washroom to let the heat into the livingroom. On our present end washroom Bailey the heat gets quite fierce in there and the wet towels dry a treat. The biggest problem for us has been the heating in the living room, but Trade Tech and Arc Systems have explained the problem to us and many others on the board. Remote sensors now rule and everything is cosy. I'm confident they'll sort the cold bathroom out too. !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Robin Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 Can someone tell me if your pipes as they pass outside are the same as inside, ie, tan coloured cardboard tubes, and not encased in a black weather proof insulation tube?? 9525[/snapback] Hi Gary, yes, they are exactly the same as inside the 'van, tan coloured, appearing to be, cardboard tubes. Not insulated in any way shape or form. Obviously they are not cardboard although they give that appearance. With an end bathroom, and the heater at the oposite end, I'll have to look at the feasability of running the pipe internally. Obviously being underneath the 'van it has to be weatherproof but the major problem is being heat resistant so the pipe retains the heat and does not allow it to dissapate it. Being under the van the pipe is always cold and cools off the warm air before it reaches half way along the pipe so there is no hope of warm air in the bathroom. Thanks, Rob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngjimmy22 Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 Just a thought. Why don't you try house loft insulation around the pipes. I just laid some for my Mum and it had a plastic coating on the outside so it would stay dry. Also don't use gaffa tape or duct tape to fix it use cable ties. The most useful thing in the tool box! I think is stupid that they design pipes to go outside butif there is no other route why dont they design insulated pipes? It is like giving you a cup of tea in a thermus flask with ice between the 2 layers instead of a vacuum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc Systems Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 Seems some makes must be cutting corners by not fitting the blown air pipe in a insulated and weatherproof jacket as I was suggesting should be the case. This you can get from any good dealer and it should cure the problem. ..mind you it's £12 per metre or more!! Our van has about 1. 5 metres underneath which is insulated with this and you cannot hold your hand near the first outlet where it re-enters the van. ..it is that HOT! Mind you we of course have a CARVER heater!!! Arc Systems are specialist Carver caravan product repairers, committed to providing a comprehensive service as well as spare parts for these popular heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_Muffin Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 I have the same set on my Van Master caravan. but it's insulated so you must be able to get it from somewhere, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc Systems Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 The pipe you need is made by Truma and it's part number is 40680-00 . .comes in standard 1. 5m lengths Arc Systems are specialist Carver caravan product repairers, committed to providing a comprehensive service as well as spare parts for these popular heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Robin Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 The pipe you need is made by Truma and it's part number is 40680-00 . .comes in standard 1. 5m lengths 10795[/snapback] Gary, thanks a million for the information you're a Gent and a Scholar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc Systems Posted February 12, 2005 Share Posted February 12, 2005 Gary, thanks a million for the information you're a Gent and a Scholar 10801[/snapback] Thanks but NOT I think when you see the price of it!!! Arc Systems are specialist Carver caravan product repairers, committed to providing a comprehensive service as well as spare parts for these popular heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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