Trouble Shooting FAQs
Below we have listed what we consider to be the most common technical questions we recieve by phone and email in our service department. If you cannot find the solution to your problem here please use our email enquiry form.
I can't get my Cascade 2 hot water system to work
I can't get my Truma hot water to work
What do I use to clean my caravan or motorhome with?
How do I get 240V mains electrics?
What should the nose weight of my caravan be?
How do I use my hob and grill in my caravan or motorhome?
How do I use my oven in my caravan or motorhome?
How do I use my room heater in my caravan or motorhome?
How do I light my fridge / freezer in my caravan or motorhome?
What is the correct procedure for parking my caravan?
What should I do if my road lights fail to work on my caravan?
How do I make use of the battery charger on my caravan?
How do I prepare my wheels and tyres pre-journey and what tyre pressures do they require?
Cascade 2 hot water system
First of all prime the system. Ensure that the pump is switched on at the main distribution panel and that the pump itself is submerged in water. Turn on both taps until a smooth flow of water is obtained. Check that the gas supply is connected and turned on. Also check that a suitable 12V supply is connected. Flick the switch on the wall mounted Cascade 2 control to obtain a green light. This indicates that the system is operating correctly. Allow 20 - 30 minutes for water to warm up.
Fault
No lights at all
Remedy
Check 12V supply. If correct check control panel fuse located within the control box.
Red light shows
Check gas supply. Try several times to allow for air in the system to purge
Amber light shows
This indicates low voltage - min 10.5V. Check battery is fully charged and in good condition.
Do not forget to release all water from system for winter storage, not forgetting to leave the draining valve open, which is located under the water heater outside the caravan. Also water will still be in the pipes up to the taps. 240V operation. Press operation switch on.
Fault
No hot water on 240V but tank full
Remedy
Re-press reset button on the rear of cascade tank, check fuse in on/off switch.
Truma Hot Water
Gas
Ensure outside cover is removed. Ensure water system cover is full of water & all air in pipes & boiler is purged (see above). Turn dial to set temperature. Move switch to on position. If red light shows it has failed to ignite, leave and try again after 30 seconds. If gas fails to ignite after several attempts check gas supply.
240V
Turn switch on - heating up times vary between heating elements. To bleed, open taps, lift yellow valve up to position, remove showerhead, and leave taps & valves open over winter period.
Cleaning
Do not use abrasive materials to clean the exterior of your caravan. A mild detergent is sufficient.
Electrics (240V)
An allowance of up to only 16-amp consumption is common on most sites. Try not to exceed the allowance set. You may trip your caravan and the site. Low voltage appliances are readily available. Avoid appliances such as fan heaters which burn electricity and which also can affect your caravan systems and/or warranty.
Nose weight
Great care should be taken when towing the caravan when it is empty as it may have insufficient noseweight. A noseweight of around 45kg should provide optimum stability.
Operation of the hob / grill
Connect and turn on gas supply. Depress control knob and select setting, light burner/grill with a match or sparker. Some hobs have one burner that operates on simmer only - this is quite normal.
Operation of the oven
Connect and turn on the gas supply. Turn control knob to the on position and depress. Ignite gas using a match. Release knob after a few seconds and select temperature. Some hob/grills have a built in sparker system operated by a push button.
Fault
Failure to light
Remedy
Check gas is turned on, try repeatedly to allow for air in the system.
Room heater
GAS - Connect and turn on the gas supply. Turn the control knob until the cut out lines with the ignitor button. Depress the control knob and strike the ignitor button repeatedly. Check for ignition through the observation window in the outer casing. Once the heater is ignited, hold down the knob for a few seconds, release and select heat setting. Set the 12v blow air fan to required setting.
Fault
Heater will not light
Remedy
Check gas supply. Try repeatedly allowing for air in the system. Check for a spark. Check battery in sparkler box at bottom of fire.
Fan
A slower speed of the 12v blown air fan will maintain a hotter flow of air longer than at full speed.
FANMASTER - Make sure 240V mains is connected, turn 240V heating elements on - these are either on the fire fascia or a separate switch near to the fan control - then make sure 12V fan is also switched to electric auto or electric slow fan.
Fault
Fan not on so 240V elements
Remedy
At rear of fire is a 12V fan attached to a black plastic casing.
Switch off for safety reasons
On the top left fascia are 2 screws. Press firmly between these screws to reset. Where fan master controls are on fire fascia, switch off and then on, this will reset.
Operation of the refrigerator
12V
Use in conjunction with split relay whilst travelling. For best results freeze the fridge over night on gas/240V before journey as 12V supply will not freeze the fridge. Connect the grey (12S) plug to your grey car socket. Select caravan battery on the caravan distribution panel and set the fridge for 12V operation. Your fridge will automatically stay cool while travelling. Upon reaching your destination switch to either gas or 240V operation.
240V mains
Connect your supply hook up lead. Flick the main ELCB trip to up/on position and also the fridge circuit breaker (5A). Turn the fridge power on at the main distribution board so that the red light shows and select 240V operation on the fridge itself. Select temperature setting.
Fault
Check operation of split charging relay
Remedy
Check 12S connection. Ensure selector switches are in correct position.
Fault
Failure to freeze down
Remedy
Check mains supply and check caravan is level.
Gas
First of all check caravan is level. Connect and turn on gas supply at gas bottle and in line gas tap - this is located beneath the bed base or within the cupboard). Set the gas control knob to high and depress. Push the ignitor repeatedly to light. Check the gas is alight through the glass viewer inside the refrigerator itself. Once ignited, allow sufficient time, about 10-20 seconds, for the thermo-couple to get hot. Release the knob and select the temperature setting on the thermostat. Some have electrical igniter & green dial with needle indicator. Please not the fridge will not operate efficiently in ambient temperatures above 32 degrees (90 Fahrenheit).
Fault
Failure to light
Remedy
Check for spark through viewer. If correct, gas supply. Try several times as there may be air in the system.
Fridge ignites but will not freeze
Check that the caravan is level. (Not by corner steadies)
Fridge fails to cool - In winter
The operation of the fridge can be affected by the cool ambient temperature. The use of winter vents should be used on such occasion.
Fridge fails to cool - In Summer
The temperature of the fridge can be affected by the hot ambient temperature. Removed the fridge vents & fly screens on the outside of the van & turn the thermostat down.
Parking
It is important that the handbrake is applied properly on caravans fitted with automatic reverse. Please follow steps below:
1: After the caravan has been sited on a pitch, apply the handbrake, uncouple the caravan from the car, release the handbrake, push the caravan backwards whilst applying the handbrake, which will lock into an upright position.
2: If the caravan is to be parked in a position where the front end of the caravan is running down hill there is no need to apply the handbrake for a second time. One application of the handbrake cable is sufficient to hold the caravan remembering to apply the handbrake forcefully to effect maximum locking.
3: Caravans should be parked for lengthy periods with the wheels chocked and the handbrake releases. As the operation of auto braking systems is carried out within the caravan hub assemblies, it is important the brakes are serviced at regular intervals. We recommend these are serviced every year to eliminate brake failure in the event of incorrect adjustments.
Road lights
If a road light fails, check 12N (black) car/caravan connection for corrosion or damage. Check bulb and always carry a spare set of bulbs and fuses.
Transformer / Charger
Factory fitted transformer / charger units are not designed to run 12V appliances on their own and should always be used in conjunction with a 12V leisure battery. Prolonged use without a battery in line will result in overloading and damage to the unit. Always ensure that the battery you are using is in good condition.
Wheels and Tyres
Check wheel nuts for tightness and tyres for pressure and condition on a regular basis. You will find these in your handbook or on the information plate on the side of your caravan.