Sometimes the issue with a tap not working in a caravan or motorhome is due to the tap itself (microswitch), which I’ll discuss below.

Grey water – waste from the sink, handbasin and shower – leaves the caravan from two pipes located under the bottom edge of the van. Using the hot-water system begins with you entering your requirements on the control panel, be that space heating or water heating. You can then select the level of heat that you want and the power source to achieve it. This will cause the boiler to fire up. Both of these solutions should also help to clear limescale from the hot-water pipes and boiler. Of course, you might need to run the taps for a minute or two with fresh water after cleaning, to get rid of any vinegar residue. Sarson’s-flavoured tea, anyone? Grey waste The two main brands of submersible water pumps used on caravans are Truma and Whale. These two brands of submersible water pumps are very similar when it comes to flow rate and pressure.Obviously, these types of pipes can be exposed to a lot of UV radiation, particularly in the summer months. Most of the Truma Ultraflow pipes which I’ve seen with kinks were actually pretty old. Alde also heats the water, and its 3020 model has a high output of 8.7kW when gas and electric are combined. Alde claims its hot water system can heat its 8.4-litre tank to 50°C in 30 minutes, when used on the Boost setting. How they work The screw caps are handily placed and I found the hose with a push on tap connector supplied, very useful. Alde wet systems are rather different. Where Truma and Whale use hot air to heat the vehicle, Alde uses a domestic-style radiator set-up – pumping hot liquid around the caravan to radiator panels that are hidden behind the furniture. Control panel for Alde heating system Generally, fixing a pressure switch on a caravan or motorhome is not a DIY job. Its probably something your service centre is going to have to assist with.

The UK regulations allow that to be between 40 and 80 psi, but the caravans items such as the Alde are rated to 28 psi, so every chance of blowing something and ensuring an uncontrolled leak.By comparison, the pressure reducing valves connect directly to the caravan, and if they begin to leak internally then as has been stated already that will allow the static head pressure of the mains water to be applied to the caravans pipe work. If the various Pressure Relief Valves (PRV's) normally associated with water heaters, but in teh event of a catastrophic Pressure reduction valve failure its would likely exceed the flow capacity of the PRV's and pressure in teh water system could build up to dangerous levels beyond the pressure rating of the appliance's and fittings. The water pipe connection on the caravan not only connects up to the water pump but provides 12V power from the leisure battery.

On a couple of occasions, with the water tap fully opened, the water pressure was that high that the hose would come flying off the tap, so I had to turn the tap down and stand there for ages waiting for the Aquaroll to fill, not much fun in the pouring rain let me tell you! Also, it wasn’t always possible to position the Aquaroll close to the water tap (as shown in the picture above) so with the pipe fully stretched I would have to hold the end of the filler pipe to stop it coming out of the Aquaroll. Our collections by our couriers are happening as usual. As it stands, delivery times are not being affected too much. Please be aware though that Royal Mail and other couriers are sometimes prioritising essential items so please bear with us if your delivery takes slightly longer than expected. Switch on the control panel, and the pump automatically fills the fresh water tank with water. The pump will switch off once the onboard tank is full. For fast hot-water heating, air and gas enter the combustion chamber and are ignited by an electronic ignition system (often there are two igniters).An alternative is to use a pressure reducing adaptor that can connect between the high pressure supply tap, directly into the caravan inlet. This does away with the need for both the external water container and electric caravan pump, relying instead upon the on board caravan taps to stop water flow. Unfortunately these systems are more expensive and are more prone to leak. Whether the water is delivered straight to the inlet port on the side of the caravan or continuously to an aquaroll with a pressure switched pump, both depend entirely on the integrity of the internal plumbing. This is a simple procedure – fill the tank or plug in your water source (a water-carrier or waterline), then, with each hot-water tap open in turn (or mixer taps switched to the hot setting), turn on the water pump. The heater holds up to 15 litres of water, so might take a minute or so to fill. The scenario you describe where regardless of the source of the water the caravan floods is indicative of faulty pipework in the caravan and not of the difference between a pressure reducer or a floatation valve in a water barrel, and both would have the same outcome.