Tips and Hints

Tips and Hints submitted by members

Draining down the Aquasmart system

Having read so many articles about caravanners who have discovered expensive damage to their van's cooling system now that the thaw as set-in, which could have been avoided if the system had been drained down properly. Normally when I leave a site I just turn the pump off, then open the hot and cold drain taps and at the same time open the sink, wash basin and shower taps, if any of the taps are mixers the lever should be in the centre open position.

But as the colder weather draws in, always put the 3-way changeover valve (normally found adjacent to the pump) lever in the mid position, and when you hear the waters as stopped running, switch the pump on for about 5 seconds, this will purge the pump of any water remaining in it.

A new Whale UV0814, if required is now over £100-00 with the VAT increase, so be warned.

Terry.

Using a Whale Aquasource in very hot weather.

Last year when in S France and Spain, we experienced temperatures over 40c, in which we had problems with our Whale Aquasource.

The reason being, the heat of the Sun actually warmed the pipe up that much it softened it to such an extent that it ballooned up and burst'. I mentioned this to the Whale representatives who were at the NEC last October and they are now looking into it with their pipe supplier.

I will also add that Whale have since sent me a new Aquasource with their complements, even though mine was purchased 2007!

The only advice that one can give in meanwhile is to try to keep the pipe out of the direct sunlight.

Submitted by Terry

Cleaning Awning Rail.

To clean out the awning rail, tie a knot in an old shoe lace, wet it and pull through the channel. This means you can clean the channel without having to buy a brush and without having to stand on steps to reach it.

Sterilising the van's plumbing system

I myself always use Puriclean, first I put it the Aquaroll and let that stand as per it's instructions, I then drain and flush that out. I fill the Aquaroll again and add Puriclean as per the instructions, I then remove any filters that might be fitted and connect it to the van, if you have an external pump let it to stand in the mixture for about 30 minutes, ( should you have an on board tank you obviously fill that as well and let it stand) then go in the van and run it through all the taps making sure the sink is done the most. Leave it to stand in the van's pipe work for about 30 minutes then flush the Aquaroll out a couple of times then connect back to the van and run a couple of Aquarolls of clear water through the taps.

If you use an Aquasource or Aquaroll mains water kit, I always coil the pipes up in a large clean and fill it with a mixture of Puriclean, I then take one end of the pipe out of the water and suck through until it reaches your mouth (Don't swallow it) then I put a finger over the end and put under the surface, that way you know the pipe is full. After 30 minutes I flush the pipe out with clean water. Job Done!

After that when I go on site and every time I fill the Aquaroll I drop an Aquatab in the barrel, if you use an Aquasource, I put an Aquatab in the pipe tap connector (every day) before putting it on the tap.

Submitted by Terry

Reversing A Caravan.

When reversing your caravan in a straight line, whichever mirror the rear corner of the caravan caravan becomes more apparent in, steer into this and the caravan will correct itself.

Muzz