Insulating the Blown Air Pipe External Ducting for Sprite Caravan
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- Insulating the Blown Air Pipe External Ducting for Sprite Caravan
Insulating the Blown Air Pipe External Ducting in the Swift/Sprite Major 4 SB Caravan
Today Phil shows you how he insulated the blown air heating pipe on his Swift/Sprite Major 4 SB Caravan. This was the cheapest way he found to insulate the Van. THIIS FIX INCREASED THE WARM AIR FLOW BY 20 PERCENT.
Thanks for Watching.
Hi Phil... nice neat job u done there 😎😎👍🏻... I experienced the Same problem to and after a lot of research and experiment to see exactly how the heater works to resolve the problem.. the problem is that it needs the gas to heat the exchanger up to increase the fan to disapate the heat... in winter the electric doesn’t get hot enough so the fan just ticks over... until gas comes it to top it up then fan will speed up blowing faster to the rear of the van.... downside is that after spending 4 days away in winter it used 3/4 of a 6kg gas 😪.. so ur probably best buying a small 2 kw electric heater to top up when cold instead of using ur gas ... hope this helps 👍🏻👍🏻
Cheers Dude. The Dealer explained using gas to me. I think I will try a number of ways including your suggestion when we are away in a few weeks time. Thanks for the advice. Cheers Phil. 👍
Great video. I heard a few people asked dealers when brand new to run all the pipes inside the van.
Thanks. Yes this is a getting rare outside ducting. Swift still use this method sadly. What makes it more disappointing is that Truma make an insulation kit which is very expensive. Thanks for watching. Phil😀👍
Thankfully all ours is inboard. Nice job hope it works out :-)
Thanks David so do I. Cheers Phil👍🙂
Nice job there Phil. I did the same on Patsy although the exposed ducting was mercifully short. It will help. As someone else mentioned I too stick the gas on max as well as the electric when first setting up. 10 minutes or so seems to do it.
Hi Rich. Yes I have been told by the dealer and Shadowz to add the gas and electric heating together. I will give it a go in a few weeks. Hope you are well. Phil👍😀
Nice job. Great tip, thanks for sharing. 👍👍
Cheers Guys👍😀
Oh mate! Patience of a saint! I can only imagine how tricky that job could be.
Hope it works as well as it looks fella.
All the best
Black Country Dave.
Thanks Dave I have to admit it was a pain to do and even harder to film. I really struggled with the light under the van. Testing it out in a few weeks time will let you know. Cheers Phil👍🙂
Hi Phil - Just found your Channel & subscribed - Thanks for sharing - I have a motorhome & love that idea of insulating the heater pipe, we have a pipe from the heater to the front heating vent which is external & heats the front of the motorhome & cab area, this is not as efficient as the other vents & the cab area is always colder so will be doing a similar thing
Hello Andrew & Karen, Welcome. I don't fully understand in this modern age and great designs that they insist on putting heating pipes outside the vans. We have been away for the first time this year and the insulation does work we noticed at least a 40 percent increase in heat in the bedroom and bathroom areas. To me that is a good result. Thanks for your sub. Phil👍🙂
Great idea Phil. We had similar problems in our last van and this looks like it would have been a good solution. Cheers Helen & Dave 👍
Thanks Dave and Helen. I don't it will solve the issue fully but I am hoping for a 30 percent increase or more matched with the Gas as well. Cheers Phil👍
Hi Phil real fiddly job but I’m sure you’ll reap the rewards. The bathroom on our Charisma doesn’t get warm, pipes are inside but it’s a long run on twin axle. I only use the heating on electric (too tight to burn gas as well 🤣) and have it convection mode. I bought a small oil heater for a bargain price as the shop was closing down this keeps the bathroom toasty. Thanks for the vid.
Hi Colin Yes it was a pain to do and film at the same time. I cut my hand to bits😞. I am going to try it out in a few weeks time and also the small electric heater with me for the bedroom. Thanks again Phil👍😀
Hi Phil u done a good job there I bet it back breaking under there not much room I've heard other people having the same problem can't under stand why manufacturer don't do this in the first place surely they know this is a problem .kev
Hi Kev. Yes it is hard work but I hope its worth it. I have spoke to Truma today and they recommend that you run the Heater on a mix of gas electric. I will be trying this out in a few weeks time. i will update everyone asap. Thanks again. Phil🙂👍
Swift can't even connect the waste plumbing under the kitchen sink properly, so I'd be amazed if they could be bothered to do this.
Nice job Phil, back breaking stuff. Hope it does the trick. cheers Martin
Thanks Martin I hoping it does work or at least help retain the heat. Cheers Phil😀👍
Hi Phil, good idea 👍Thanks for sharing..Cheers Rob
Thanks Rob. I was looking for a solution and I hope this one will help. Cheers Phil👍🙂
Another great video - always good watching other people grafting🤣
Looked like hard work but hopefully will pay off.
Surprised such a long external pipe run on a new van - They should fit the insulation kit at manufacture .
Good work !👍🏻
Hello Howard. It was slightly difficult. They do make a an insulation kit but they are not cheap, hence Swift not fitting them. Thanks again. Phil👍
Great idea Phil, to be honest I didn't realise the pipe went outside looking forward to seeing it makes an improvement hopefully it will. I Will admit we're fair weather caravanners June to September, always fancied going away for Christmas so it that ever happens definitely will consider this.
Best wishes
Jon and Karen
Thanks Jon and Karen. Our season starts a bit earlier and I want the heating to work. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks Phil👍🙂
Great video Phil 👍🏻 This is on Keith’s to do list 😀 Michele x
Thanks Michele. I hope I am not adding too much to Keith's To Do List. Thanks for watching. Phil and Juliet👍😉
lost weekends caravan You are 😀 but it keeps him out of trouble 😆
😂😂😂😉
good advice good video i might try armarflex cheers.
Thanks we have a full breakdown of our Caravan coming out of warranty soon. There will be updates on this and more. Thanks Phil🙂👍
Hi Phil,i did this job on my Sprite Major 4 sb at the beginning of this year and today i had the chance to run it up as we are away for the first time this coming w/end,i used exactly the same materials as you and i`m happy to report that it does work,heating on 2kw leccy and using a 30c temp setting after 45 mins i checked the b/room vent temp and it was showing 26c on Eco fan,in the lounge area vent temp was 35c,i turned the temp down to 18c and it was very cosy BUT it soon became clear that the front area gets too hot with both outlets on that the obvious thing to do is turn the temp down but this would then make the rear of the van cooler,i need to find a way of restricting the heat outlet at the front to try and create a more balanced system but i don`t suppose there is a directinal flap on the Combi boiler to do this like there is on other Truma heaters,i can see this will be an issue in the future,all the best,Colin.
Hi Colin. Welcome. I am glad it worked we are away very and will be trying it out too. I understand you issue with the front being too hot. I have spoke to Truma over the last week and sadly they say that restrictors on the front vent should be used on our type of boiler as it can cause the system to over heat. So to a degree we are back square one. I am going to have a play with the system and try and work out a way of balancing the heat to a more temp. I will do an update re this very soon. Truma have suggested using Mix 2 and lowering the temp to about 21 degrees. Once the van is up to temp the gas shuts off and the leccy remains if the temp drops the gas kicks back in? We will see. Thanks for your helpful comment and I hope you continue to watch. PS Love my Sprite. Thanks again Phil
Oops I meant to say do not use the restrictors/ Hope this makes sense now. Phil😉
Hi Phil , a few years on now Dec 22, and updates?
Seems mad doesn’t it. It’s a long-standing problem with blown air systems and the caravan manufacturers surely must recognise the issue. Even if they offer a winter pack with increased insulation that would be something. They do boast about thermal quality of the walls, roof and floor so why not boast about the efficiency of the heating? Good job done Phil, I like your theory with the lagging. 👍🏻🙂 Trev
Thanks Trev n Sue. I could not agree more. However thanks to putting this video out I have learned out to balance the heating. Maybe another film later this year. Thanks Phil👍🙂
Interesting video, got same materials last week in Aldi middle aisle to do my Coachman 2000 VIP460/2. I am wondering how difficult it would be to remove the pipe. Would certainly make it an easier job. I am thinking though there must be some reason you didn't go that route?
Hi Bernard. yes on the Sprite the pipe was sealed around the floor opening. This might be the case on your Coachman. Removing it would make it an easier job. Good luck with the job. Thanks Phil🙂👍
I think we’ve spoken before about this way back ? My area is the bedroom for retaining heat ! Will be very interested in the update if I get time I’ll try doing mine
Thankyou G&Z
Hi G&Z. As well as my heating issue our previous conversation was also too. I have a number of things to look at re the heating and will get back to you with an update soonest. Cheers mate P&J👍😀
Interesting Phil. We had our first trip out last weekend. It was cold and we felt like the van wasn't retaining the heat initially. We switched to dual fuel and it seemed to do the trick for us, thank goodness. Our van is shorter than yours and we don't have the end bathroom. Think our pipes are under the bed. That was a great fix there and I'm sure it will make a huge difference. Will be very helpful for other people to know too! Great job there!! :). Janice & Paul
Hi J&P. Hope you are both well and the weather is being kind to you up there. Thanks it seems to be the larger Sprites/Challengers with blown air. They run that part of the ducting outside to increase the space at the foot of the bed. We will be testing it in a few weeks with our first trip out. We will also be running the gas as well. Thanks for watching and supporting. P&J👍👍😀
@@lostweekendscaravan We are fine up here thanks, although this last week has been pretty cold in comparison to Feb. Hopefully heading out again next weekend for three nights, hoping to make more of our long weekends this year (so they are not lost weekends, lol!!). Be sure to let us know how the heating works next time. Best wishes to you both as always :)
@@gallowaygetaways5326 Glad you are ok. We are away in a few weeks it is our 30th Anniversary. We are not going too far as it is the 1st trip of the year. Like you we will be getting away as much as possible but I have load of work to do on the house (new kitchen) this summer. We have booked several trips away and some will include Alfie. Take Care. P&J
@@lostweekendscaravan Aww, many congratulations to you both!! We got our caravan during our 25th year. Sounds like you've got lots planned then...have lots of fun :). P&J
Interesting solution that Phil. Not seen or heard of insulating the duct before to improve the heating at rear of van. Not sure I have your patience to complete the job.
Hi Colin. I am sure you are more than capable. I will have a go at anything if it works. I'll let you know in a few weeks. Thanks again Phil👍
Very good job there Phil, although mine seems better since having the new vents fitted, I still might give it a go doing what you have 👍🏻
Thanks I have now learnt how to balance the heating as a result of this so I might have to add another video on how to do this. Thanks for sending me the photos of your van. Phil👍🙂
i know it's kinda off topic but does anyone know of a good site to watch new movies online?
@Grant Kabir I would suggest flixzone. You can find it on google :)
@Carmelo Dash Yea, have been watching on Flixzone for months myself :D
@Carmelo Dash yup, have been using FlixZone for months myself :D
Did you find this worthwhile? Thinking of sorting ours out. We have the bedroom at the back and it’s always cold and damp compared with the lounge. The dealer told us it heated up to the required temp in the required time so there was nothing they could do... they did the test on a warm day in June!!!
Mark Gardner Hi Mark. It has worked in conjunction with adding additional curtains in the bedroom and using the heating on mix 2. I think it was worth while doing. Thanks Phil 👍🙂
I hadn’t thought about extra curtains, good shout! Thanks 👍
I did this today, I used armaflex rather than spiral wrap just because it looked a bit easier to fit, there’s actually hot air coming out of the vents in the bedroom!!
@@markgardner9696 Thanks for letting me know. It is great to know when someone has a go at some of the fixes. many Thanks Phil
Hi I know this is an old video but I can't find the follow up. Did this improve the heating? as its something I want to consider doing as the air gets cold in winter?
Thanks for the great videos
Chris
Hi Chris there was an update on an update video. It does make a difference. I did improve it further by adding gated vents in the lounge. This changed the flow direction and with the insulation it improved the bathroom & Bedroom massively. There is a link to the type of gated vent I am talking about. Thanks Phil.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272270935632?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=272270935632&targetid=1405062617979&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=1006633&poi=&campaignid=16782379350&mkgroupid=138238132947&rlsatarget=pla-1405062617979&abcId=9300843&merchantid=9569284&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzqSWBhDPARIsAK38LY-4Tlu519isbLqzWreg28ET10w_moBtmImJ9yEFxix1yzn5FbZz764aAv65EALw_wcB
@@lostweekendscaravan thanks i struggling to find the video but I keep looking thanks again 😊
@@claytonchris1984 I honestly cant recall which one it is. I have made so many🤣🤨
Will be interested to see how it works out.
Will update very soon. Thanks Phil🙂
Great job I hope it worked ok😊
Thanks James. It did work we noticed a marked difference during the cold snaps. Thanks Phil 😊
@@lostweekendscaravan great to here your hard work done you justice👍
Did it work? Would you buy another van with blown air or go for alde?
We have alde now which is fantastic just like being at home-- problem is we want a bigger van that has blown air but worried that wouldn't be as good and have cold spots like yours ?
Hello Lucio. The insulation did help by 20%. I also Replaced the 2 Lounge Vents with gated Vents which can be closed forcing the hot air to the rear. Blown Air Systems are quite good but if you are Winter Caravanning I would highly recommend Alde Heating over Blown Air. Thanks Phil🙂👍
Thanks Phil
We have alde now hence to worry to blown air but we need a bigger van 😂
Is there not an insulated version of the pipe you can get?
Hello Hedley. There is but it is too thick, making it impossible to refit the holding clips. Hope this helps. Phil👍🙂 PS this linked video is an update to this video plus other upgrades we did. czcams.com/video/Vsorf4Q-rRg/video.html
What was the reasoning given for the half electric/half gas idea? I mean, hot air is hot air isn't it?
Sounds like codswallop to me.
Hi Gary, I thought the same until speaking to Truma yesterday. They state that the boiler is meant to be run on Gas/electric mix. When up to temp the gas shuts off and remains on electric. The Electric part of the heater is secondary and should not really be run on its own all the time as it could burn the element out.
I do think that Swift should insulate the outside pipe or move it inside. I will update my findings very soon. I hope this make sense. Thanks Phil
I would have cut the wrapping in shorter lengths to make it easier to wrap around the piping less faffing around😀
Thanks James I did not think of that at the time. Thanks for watching. Phil 😊
@@lostweekendscaravan you are very welcome.And thank you for your great video😊