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Old 12-04-2014, 02:18 PM   #1
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Truma combi heater

i know nothing about this but posters on another forum were somewhat excited so thought I would ask here. It seems to combine water heater and furnace.

Good for weight saving and ?? Thoughts?


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Old 12-04-2014, 03:59 PM   #2
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Yes, it combines water heating and space heating, so it is compact and the electric element (in the Plus versions) serves as an alternative heat source for both (dual propane/electric is common for water heaters, but generally not available for furnaces).

It has dual rates in the Eco version (three rates in the Comfort version), so it can run at a more moderate rate when the full output is not needed, which means less cycling on and off and more even heat.

I'm not sure if the water heating performance is great - I've seen comments from dissatisfied users, but don't have a specific link or quote. It doesn't have enough heating power to keep up with a high water flow rate indefinitely, and it has only 10 litres of water capacity.

I think that the separate fan motors for combustion air and air circulation would be desirable. In conventional furnaces, one motor drives both fans: as a result,
  • cold room air is blown around during the combustion air purge cycle
    • this is uncomfortable
    • this transfers interior heat out through the unheated heat exchanger
  • outside air is blown through the combustion chamber after the burner shuts off, until the heat exchanger temperature comes down enough
    • this wastes heat, by blowing it outside
  • running an extra fan on these ends of the cycle consumes extra electrical power.
The dual-motor design of the Truma Combi would eliminate this undesirable behaviour.
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Old 12-04-2014, 04:37 PM   #3
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Not sure I'd want to combine the functions in a trailer. Whole bunch of stuff to disconnect should either water heater or furnace stop working; plus where would you get it serviced or replaced in a reasonable amount of time?
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Old 12-04-2014, 08:00 PM   #4
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Hummmm... heated floors anyone?
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Old 12-04-2014, 08:32 PM   #5
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Hummmm... heated floors anyone?
Glad wifey does not read these forums. She LOVES the heated stone tile floor in her bathroom and already asked if we could do this in the trailer..........NO
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Old 12-04-2014, 08:51 PM   #6
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I have to admit, as much as I don't care for the interior refrigerator look of the Oliver, there's something about the way they move heat in the trailer through the floor that's really, really appealing.

I've bookmarked Jon's heated mats!
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Old 12-04-2014, 08:53 PM   #7
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I have to admit, as much as I don't care for the interior refrigerator look of the Oliver, there's something about the way they move heat in the trailer through the floor that's really, really appealing.

I've bookmarked Jon's heated mats!
Fuzzy slippers and thick socks are a whole bunch cheaper.
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Old 12-04-2014, 08:59 PM   #8
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I hear how wonderful gloves are when I mention to friends how great a heated steering wheel is when the temps drop. Pffffft!
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Old 12-04-2014, 09:02 PM   #9
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I hear how wonderful gloves are when I mention to friends how great a heated steering wheel is when the temps drop. Pffffft!
hahahhaha, I live where it often gets freezing rain in the winter. My new truck has heated exterior mirrors, heated seats and heated rear window. I didn't know what I was missing!
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Old 12-04-2014, 09:23 PM   #10
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I love the heated handles on my snowblower. I thought it was a gimmick, but I'm not sure I'd ever get another one without them...
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Old 12-04-2014, 09:28 PM   #11
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Over the years, many.. many times I've mentioned "You can never miss, what you've never had." Usually, that was aimed at folks looking to buy an all molded towable WithOUT a bathroom.... you know a Flushy.. not a porta potty.

Guess I'll never own a PU without heated mirrors or seats again I'm NEVER going back...
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Old 12-04-2014, 10:05 PM   #12
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Over the years, many.. many times I've mentioned "You can never miss, what you've never had." Usually, that was aimed at folks looking to buy an all molded towable WithOUT a bathroom.... you know a Flushy.. not a porta potty.

Guess I'll never own a PU without heated mirrors or seats again I'm NEVER going back...
Know whatya mean. Our MKX was the first vehicle we've owned with heated and cooled seats. They're great.
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Old 12-04-2014, 10:12 PM   #13
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Dated a lady in her 60s a few years ago who commented on my heated seats that she thought she was having a "senior episode" after she got in my car.
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Old 12-04-2014, 10:23 PM   #14
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From the female gender.. Hot Flashes are wonderful in the winter time... not so great in the Summer...
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Old 12-04-2014, 10:28 PM   #15
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I'd look for a different name for that Trauma heater.
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Old 12-04-2014, 10:48 PM   #16
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I'd look for a different name for that Trauma heater.
"Truma"... but it still might not be an optimal name. On the other hand, it doesn't seem to bother the Europeans, and "trauma" is about the same in most western European languages (it's Latin).

Problematic name aside, Truma has a range of interesting RV products... including a LPG(propane)-powered fuel cell (electrical power source) - VeGA. Not a reason to buy the heater, but this certainly appears to be a capable manufacturer.
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Old 12-04-2014, 11:04 PM   #17
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From the female gender.. Hot Flashes are wonderful in the winter time... not so great in the Summer...
Hi: Donna D... Down here in the Great Lakes Basin we don't have "Hot Flashes" but we sure do have a lot of "Power Surges". Alf
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Old 12-05-2014, 12:03 AM   #18
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Forget about the floor - just wear socks. Go for the big winner at that early morning stop - heated toilet seat (plus bidet.)

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Old 12-05-2014, 02:05 AM   #19
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I have one (not in my trailer) but I do love it
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Old 12-05-2014, 07:56 AM   #20
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Dated a lady in her 60s a few years ago who commented on my heated seats that she thought she was having a "senior episode" after she got in my car.
What did wifey have to say about this?
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From the female gender.. Hot Flashes are wonderful in the winter time... not so great in the Summer...
From the (attached) male gender.. We suffer these hot flashes no matter the time of year. Thank goodness those days are now gone.
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