Recall on Truma Water Heater - From Oliver

[Galway Girl]

As some may recall we've had 2 separate water heater fires in our 2019 EII.  

In the first case, the water heater was swapped out and the failing unit shipped to Germany for teardown by Truma.
The second unit was also defective and had the same behavior after a year on the road.

Oliver and the NHTSA have collaborated with Truma on a recall for Truma Water Heaters.

Individual Notices to owners are going out in December and January, and I received a letter last week which explains the issue and repair strategy.

Attached is the NHTSA Summary Report including the chronology of events.  

RCLRPT-24V876-7296.PDF

The issue has been determined to be inadequate crimping of the burner assembly in manufacturing.
This enables the burner tubes to rattle loose and eventually lead to fires in the firebox from tubes that are no longer contained.
The manufacturing process has been changed to crimp all the tubes into place and new burner assemblies are being supplied for recall that meet the newer manufacturing process.

The recall covers Truma SN less than DLE60C-33096055
(In my case the production patch SN was DLE60C-32123091)

Here is the template letter from Oliver to consumers.  The specifics of each trailer are unique so you may want to read this generic one to see the Serial Number range for recalled units and compare it to the Truma in your Hull.

RCONL-24V876-1556.pdf

Oliver will work with you on getting the repair completed.

 

Craig Short

Hull 505 - 2019 EII

 

 

 

[Patriot]

The “new Jason” at Oliver Service told me, it is a quick in and out straight forward repair for the Truma. We look forward to getting it buttoned up. 👍🏻

Onward! 🇺🇸

[Geronimo John]

1 hour ago, Patriot said:

The “new Jason” at Oliver Service told me, it is a quick in and out straight forward repair for the Truma. We look forward to getting it buttoned up. 👍🏻

Was your 2019 TPV discharge plumbed in such a fashion so as to not scald you if it were hot and activated?  Or is like our 2018 that could cause scalding of an owner who has the cover open and it went off?

GJ

 

 

 

Edited January 1 by Geronimo John

[Patriot]

1 hour ago, Geronimo John said:

Was your 2019 TPV discharge plumbed in such a fashion so as to not scald you if it were hot and activated?  Or is like our 2018 that could cause scalding of an owner who has the cover open and it went off?

GJ

 

 

 

Not sure, do you have a photo to share to compare? Our Ollie is a 2020 YM. I can say that in almost 5 years in I no Temp/Pressure relief valve issues. 👍🏻 

Edited January 2 by Patriot

[Geronimo John]

Sadly I'm about 4,000 miles from our Ollie.  I too have never had a problem with my TPV.  But that's normal.  Millions of them on hot water heaters just sit there doing nothing for DOZENS of years.  Sadly the owners don't know that at least annually they need to be cycled.  But since the UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) requires them to be hard piped to the floor or beyond, when they do cycle it is to the floor.  Not you face or into electrical systems as I noted in a different post earlier today.

GJ

[Galway Girl]

In our 2019 Hull 505  the discharge port points to the left wall of the unit.  That is a threaded opening so I suppose a hose could be attached to direct the stream to another location.

 

 

[Geronimo John]

23 minutes ago, Galway Girl said:

In our 2019 Hull 505  the discharge port points to the left wall of the unit.  That is a threaded opening so I suppose a hose could be attached to direct the stream to another location.

Craig:

Thanks for posting the pic.  I once saw a young engineer cycle one of those valves and he was lucky to only get burns on his other hand..  At least yours points towards a wall so if it went off at 100 PSI from a runaway situation it would likely bounce somewhat  downwards.    

Such an installation clearly violates the National Plumbing Code.  However, I could not verify that it violates the RVMA requirements.  Only a matter of time before someone gets scalded by this obvious safety hazard.  Would especially be tragic if it was a steam release in a severe situation.  At least they should install a full size 90 degree elbow to point the discharge down.  

In the meantime, it would be very wise for owners to be very cautious of this reality when working on our hot water heaters.

GJ