Post by Brian M on Jan 29, 2009 10:24:57 GMT
From: Safariconvert (Original Message) Sent: 27/03/2007 22:18
I have just got my water heater working in my 1980 12-2 by fitting a new thermocouple. It then stopped again and I noticed the gas supply pipe to the pilot light had corroded at both ends - it fell off when I touched it! My local caravan shop has nothing like it as it is narrow alloy tubing and both end connections are different - pilot light and controller. Any idea where I can get one or a suitable replacement?
Thanks,
Cliff
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Recommend Message 2 of 5 in Discussion
From: Brian Sent: 28/03/2007 09:11
Cliff
At our Safari meet last year at Wicksteed, Gary from Arc Systems came and gave several of us a "Gas Check" on our Safaris. He found a gas leak on my water heater that fortunately I had never used.
He is a carver specialist and you can find him at : www.arcsystems.biz/
Mention that I gave you his contact details on this group.
Brian
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Recommend Message 3 of 5 in Discussion
From: OliverShaw1 Sent: 28/03/2007 16:53
Cliff,
Much depends on what water heater you actually have.
If it is the Carver Cascade 2, the GLE version of which I gather was standard on 1981/2 Safaris and also a popular retrofit item for earlier caravans, my understanding is that most parts are still available. Certainly Brian's contact, or indeed any self-respecting caravan workshop (as distinct from accessory shop) should be able to sort you out, even if it means that they have to take the outfit into the workshop and make up a pipe in situ from fittings that they have available.
However standard water heater on Safaris up to 1980 was the Bowen, and here you may have bigger problems if you need parts. I gather from the literature with my one that it is an American make, and it was quite an old design by the time Safari stopped using them and in many ways it was outclassed by the Carver unit, which is probably why Safari switched.
I doubt that specialist parts for the Bowen are available off the shelf, although in some instances it may use standard parts that are not specific to just this make.
In principle any decent caravan workshop or GORGI LPG gas fitter should be able to make up a replacement pipe, but the threads for the end fittings may well be to Imperial dimensions, and may even be American threads to those dimensions.
If they have to be made up specially that might entail a bit of searching around for an engineer who has the correct taps and dies, or access to the data and a screwcutting lathe which will handle the specific pitch required. At this point the job starts to get bigger.
Best bet if your heater is a Bowen is to try Brian's contact or a good local caravan workshop or GORGI-registered LPG fitter in the first instance, failing which perhaps a specialist in American motorhomes, and get their advice and an estimate for repair. If you are in luck, suitable end fittings will be available ex stock, and the job is then quite a small one.
If however you are out of luck and fittings have to be made up specially, and if the cost is high, it would be sensible to consider whether this is the moment to upgrade to a modern water heater. There are numerous advantages; lighting and all controls are inside, heater is much quieter in operation, unaffected by strong winds and gales, availability of combined gas and electric versions (which means that on most touring sites your fuel is effectively free since the site fee normally includes an electric hookup anyway), and above all your future supply of spare parts is a great deal more secure.
Hope this helps,
Oliver
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Recommend Message 4 of 5 in Discussion
From: Safariconvert Sent: 28/03/2007 17:36
Oliver (and Brian).
Mine is a Bowen, but will contact the Carver expert in case he has any ideas. I have the pipe and both ends so perhaps, if he can't help, I can take them into a caravan workshop and see if they can use the ends or make me a new one. Shame this happened, as it was the first time I had it working with a universal thermocouple - the satisfied feeling left very quickly!
Cliff
Reply
Recommend Message 5 of 5 in Discussion
From: Safariconvert Sent: 10/05/2007 21:54
Having tried Arc systems and all the local caravan services, I went on the internet to try US contacts as they still sell the Bowen (now Atwood) water heater for US recreational vehicles. I was given a UK stockist by Atwood Mobile Products
"We have a agent in Great Britian.
Leisure Vehicle Services Ltd.
www.leisurevehicleservices.com
44-1543-577334
44-1543-570177 (fax)"
They are based in Cannock, Staffs.
I have emailed them tonight as its seems that Atwood heaters have changed little over the years and they stock a Jade pilot light assembly that looks identical to mine.
This may be of interest to others who have the same heater as a UK source of spares.
Cliff
I have just got my water heater working in my 1980 12-2 by fitting a new thermocouple. It then stopped again and I noticed the gas supply pipe to the pilot light had corroded at both ends - it fell off when I touched it! My local caravan shop has nothing like it as it is narrow alloy tubing and both end connections are different - pilot light and controller. Any idea where I can get one or a suitable replacement?
Thanks,
Cliff
First Previous 2-5 of 5 Next Last
Reply
Recommend Message 2 of 5 in Discussion
From: Brian Sent: 28/03/2007 09:11
Cliff
At our Safari meet last year at Wicksteed, Gary from Arc Systems came and gave several of us a "Gas Check" on our Safaris. He found a gas leak on my water heater that fortunately I had never used.
He is a carver specialist and you can find him at : www.arcsystems.biz/
Mention that I gave you his contact details on this group.
Brian
Reply
Recommend Message 3 of 5 in Discussion
From: OliverShaw1 Sent: 28/03/2007 16:53
Cliff,
Much depends on what water heater you actually have.
If it is the Carver Cascade 2, the GLE version of which I gather was standard on 1981/2 Safaris and also a popular retrofit item for earlier caravans, my understanding is that most parts are still available. Certainly Brian's contact, or indeed any self-respecting caravan workshop (as distinct from accessory shop) should be able to sort you out, even if it means that they have to take the outfit into the workshop and make up a pipe in situ from fittings that they have available.
However standard water heater on Safaris up to 1980 was the Bowen, and here you may have bigger problems if you need parts. I gather from the literature with my one that it is an American make, and it was quite an old design by the time Safari stopped using them and in many ways it was outclassed by the Carver unit, which is probably why Safari switched.
I doubt that specialist parts for the Bowen are available off the shelf, although in some instances it may use standard parts that are not specific to just this make.
In principle any decent caravan workshop or GORGI LPG gas fitter should be able to make up a replacement pipe, but the threads for the end fittings may well be to Imperial dimensions, and may even be American threads to those dimensions.
If they have to be made up specially that might entail a bit of searching around for an engineer who has the correct taps and dies, or access to the data and a screwcutting lathe which will handle the specific pitch required. At this point the job starts to get bigger.
Best bet if your heater is a Bowen is to try Brian's contact or a good local caravan workshop or GORGI-registered LPG fitter in the first instance, failing which perhaps a specialist in American motorhomes, and get their advice and an estimate for repair. If you are in luck, suitable end fittings will be available ex stock, and the job is then quite a small one.
If however you are out of luck and fittings have to be made up specially, and if the cost is high, it would be sensible to consider whether this is the moment to upgrade to a modern water heater. There are numerous advantages; lighting and all controls are inside, heater is much quieter in operation, unaffected by strong winds and gales, availability of combined gas and electric versions (which means that on most touring sites your fuel is effectively free since the site fee normally includes an electric hookup anyway), and above all your future supply of spare parts is a great deal more secure.
Hope this helps,
Oliver
Reply
Recommend Message 4 of 5 in Discussion
From: Safariconvert Sent: 28/03/2007 17:36
Oliver (and Brian).
Mine is a Bowen, but will contact the Carver expert in case he has any ideas. I have the pipe and both ends so perhaps, if he can't help, I can take them into a caravan workshop and see if they can use the ends or make me a new one. Shame this happened, as it was the first time I had it working with a universal thermocouple - the satisfied feeling left very quickly!
Cliff
Reply
Recommend Message 5 of 5 in Discussion
From: Safariconvert Sent: 10/05/2007 21:54
Having tried Arc systems and all the local caravan services, I went on the internet to try US contacts as they still sell the Bowen (now Atwood) water heater for US recreational vehicles. I was given a UK stockist by Atwood Mobile Products
"We have a agent in Great Britian.
Leisure Vehicle Services Ltd.
www.leisurevehicleservices.com
44-1543-577334
44-1543-570177 (fax)"
They are based in Cannock, Staffs.
I have emailed them tonight as its seems that Atwood heaters have changed little over the years and they stock a Jade pilot light assembly that looks identical to mine.
This may be of interest to others who have the same heater as a UK source of spares.
Cliff