Hot water in motorhomes: Tips and solutions to the most common errors

Enjoying hot water in a motorhome is an essential convenience to make your travels a pleasurable experience, whether it’s taking a hot shower after a day of hiking or washing dishes with ease. In this article, we will immerse you in the world of hot water for motorhomes, exploring how it works, the different types of systems available, practical tips, common mistakes and their solutions.

Hot water systems for motorhomes:

1. Gas or diesel heaters: These systems use gas (propane or butane) or diesel to heat water, in addition to heating. They are the most efficient systems, which is why this is the system with which all our motorhomes and campers are equipped.
2. Electric heaters: They are powered by mains electricity or the motorhome’s battery. They are not very efficient, since they consume too much electrical energy and take a long time to heat the water.
3. Solar heaters: They use solar energy to heat water. They are an ecological and sustainable option, but they are oriented only to micro campers (kangoo, berlingo, etc.) or modest camper vans.

How does hot water work in a motorhome?

The hot water in a motorhome comes from a tank called a boiler. The boiler is charged with water from the clean water tank itself, and heats the water to a temperature of between 40 and 70 degrees, depending on the mode selected. Once you have selected the desired temperature, you will have to wait about 15-20 minutes if you have selected 40-50 degrees, and about 30-40 minutes if you have selected 60-70 degrees. The boilers have between 6 and 10 liters of capacity, which by mixing the shower water with cold water will give you a capacity of between 2 and 4 showers in a row, depending on the desired water temperature. Here are two videos showing the operation of the various hot water and heating controls:

Most common Truma heating and water error codes

Truma heating and hot water systems are the most common in the world of caravanning, so it is very likely that your motorhome is equipped with one of them. There are currently three types of models on the market:

• Model with 3-position button. They have a button with 3 operating positions: hot water at 50º, off and hot water at 70º.
• Models with analog wheel. They have an external wheel to select the operating mode (hot water at 60º, hot water at 40º, off, heating and heating and hot water at 60º). In addition, they have an inner wheel with numbers (from 1 to 9 or from 1 to 5, depending on the model), which allows you to select the desired temperature.
• Models with digital control. They have a digital panel where we can select the temperature precisely, and the different hot water modes (eco, high or boost).

Errors for controls with 3-position selector switches

In this type of control the error is indicated by a red led. Although the command does not give us more information, we can check if the problem is one of the most common errors:

• Low battery. The boiler needs electrical power to operate, and it may be that the motorhome battery is too low. To solve it, start the engine or connect the motorhome to 220v power supply.
• Empty gas cylinder: It is necessary to replace the gas cylinder with a full one.
• Window near the gas outlet open: The motorhome may have a window near the gas outlet, and for safety reasons it must be closed.
• Obstruction of the gas outlet: On the outside there is a cover that hides a grille through which the combustion gases exit, it is possible that it has become clogged with dirt, mud, leaf litter, etc. It is necessary to clean it, if possible by blowing it with pressurized air.

Error codes for controllers with analog wheel

Heaters equipped with an analog control display information about the error in the form of flashing orange LEDs on the wheel. You must pay attention to the number of blinks, as the type of error will depend on this:

• 1 or 2 flashes: It indicates that the house battery has a low charge level. To solve this, it is necessary to charge the battery. This can be done by starting the motorhome’s engine or by connecting to a 220 volt mains supply.
• 3 blinks: Indicates that there is an open window near the heating flue. For safety reasons, it is important to close this window for the heating to work properly.
• 4 blinks: Indicates that the summer mode (hot water) is activated and the water boiler is empty. To solve it, follow these steps:
  1. Turn off the heater and wait 15 minutes for it to cool down.
  2. Open the hot water faucet to allow the boiler and hot water circuit to fill.
  3. Once the boiler is full, you can turn the heat back on and the hot water will work properly.

• 9 blinks: Indicates that the gas cylinder is empty. To solve this problem, it is necessary to replace the cylinder with a new one.
• Other number of flashes: If the orange light flashes a different number of times than those described above, it is advisable to contact a technical professional to check the heater.

Error codes for digital controls

If your motorhome is equipped with a digital controller to control the Truma heating system, reading and interpreting error codes is much easier and more intuitive. An alphanumeric code is displayed on the control panel to identify the specific problem. The error codes on digitally controlled Truma heaters follow a specific structure:

• Initial letter: W (Warning)
• Error code: 2 o 3 digits
• Final letter: H (Heating)

Example: W42H

Explanation of some common error codes

• W42H o W412H: Open window over the gas outlet. Close the window to ensure safety and proper operation of the heating system.
• W44H: Auxiliary battery with low voltage. Charge the battery by connecting the motorhome to the mains or starting the engine.
• W45H: Fuse blown. Replace the fuse with a new one. If you are not sure how to do this, we recommend that you contact a professional.
• W112H: Empty gas bottle. Replace the cylinder with a new one.
• W121H: Gas control or gas valve closed. Make sure that both are opened correctly.
• W212H: This code can occur for different reasons, for example:
  • Gas freezing: In cold climates, it is recommended to use propane instead of butane, since its freezing point is lower.
  • Obstruction of the gas outlet: Remove any items that may be blocking the outflow of gases, such as snow, leaves or branches. The gas outlet is located in a grille, hidden by a cover on the outside (our rental motorhomes come with the grille uncovered for easy cleaning).

Erasing the error code:

Once you have identified and fixed the problem, follow these steps to clear the error code from the display:

1. Turn the control knob until the cursor is positioned over the triangle with the warning sign.
2. Press the spinner to select the triangle.
3. Wait 15 minutes for the error to clear automatically.

Additional tips

• Refer to the user manual of your Truma heater for more detailed information on error codes and their resolution.
• If you do not feel comfortable solving the problem yourself, do not hesitate to contact a specialized technical service.
• Perform regular maintenance on your Truma heating system to prevent future problems and ensure optimal performance.

Tips to enjoy hot water in your motorhome

1. Save water: Turn off the faucet while soaping up or brushing your teeth to avoid wasting water unnecessarily.
   
2. Regulates the temperature: Adjust the heater temperature to a comfortable level to avoid burns and save energy.
   
3. Keep the system clean: Periodically clean the water tank and heater to prevent sediment and bacteria buildup.
   
4. Protect from the cold: In cold climates, empty the water tank and pipes if the motorhome will not be used for an extended period of time to prevent them from freezing.
   

As you can see, you can have hot water in your motorhome or camper almost like at home, you just have to take into account a little bit of previous planning and maintenance of the system. You don’t have a motorhome but you would like to live an unforgettable experience with a house on wheels? Rent a motorhome or camper with us and go on an adventure!