Truma VarioHeat E8H error

[Todd B]

I have not seen this one on the forums before. I have a ticket out to Oilver support, but I thought I would post here in case someone has the "easy button." I also tried Truma, but they are closed for the weekend. At the very least, as I figure it out, it will be here for others to reference. E8H seems to be either a fuse issue or something off with the gas. I have checked the control panel fuse, and it is fine. I cannot find an inline fuse. I have turned the heater off and back on. I have also turned the gas shut-off switch off and then back on. I have even reset the CP control panel. So, no luck. I have verified that gas is flowing, as the water heater works and the stove does as well. I have also verified that the vent to the outside is not obstructed.

[FloraFauna]

You probably already know this but that error code relates to fuel or power supply issue.  The suggested remedy is a system reset.

Edited August 16 by FloraFauna
Incorrect info

[Todd B]

Did a CP control panel reset. No joy.

[FloraFauna]

Hmmm.  I think you are entering the realm of Oliver service and an authorized Truma service center.  It seems this error code is unusual or there would be alot more responses to this thread by now.

[Dennis and Melissa]

I've been chatting with another Oliver owner who had the exact same error yesterday.
My understanding is that it's some sort of "E"lectrical error with the "H"eater.
That could mean:

• loss of signal between heater and the display (loose wire?)
• loss of power to the unit (different loose wire?)
• loss of power to the igniter
• or something else

I think that's where the suggestions of resetting the various power supplies comes from.

I've been told that listening the heater start up may narrow the investigation. 
e.g. If you hear the fan, the heater has power?  If you hear the igniter clicking, it's got power? If you hear nothing, power is not getting to the unit? etc.

Alas, I have no answers.  But, if they report back a solution, I will let you know.
If you find it first, please report back.
Thanks,
Dennis

[Todd B]

Thanks @Dennis and Melissa

Had a ticket with Oliver and did a call with them. Oliver support did not have an answer. Now working on a ticket with Truma. I saw someone else post about this on Facebook as well. Will report back what we find out. 

[Todd B]

Update for anyone out there wondering. The trailer is in the shop at Bretz RV in WA. Truma needed the issues confirmed by a certified rep, of course. They thought it was part A, and it was confirmed to be part A. However, the shop reached out to order part A, and Truma is saying they don't sell just that part, so now there is a debate about whether we have to buy a new furnace! The warranty is 2 years, and the trailer was built in 2023, so that is nice that it recently expired. At this point, no idea when we will get her back, and we have a departure date of next Saturday for a long long trip. urgh.

[taylor.coyote]

z

Edited Wednesday at 11:16 AM by taylor.coyote
typo

[Tom and Doreen]

@Todd B, what was the part / component / assembly called that was associated with the error code?  Were you able to get a reasonable solution from Truma without the expense of replacing the entire unit?  

[Todd B]

@Tom and Doreen did you have the same error code? The part was the combustion sensor. They originally thought it was the room temp sensor which sounds like it can be replaced. The combustion sensor is not sold in the US. I called Truma and they confirmed that for the combustion sensor it requires a new unit 😠

The shop found a refurbished unit that comes with a one-year warranty and will install once it shows up. The worst part is RV shows sell the units at their own retail price, which in my case is a 40% markup from Truma's own MSRP! The said they can't adjust their price but did cover the $450 overnight shipping charge to try and make up for it. So we have taken it on the chin in this case for this incident. I just hope Truma stays stable for us now and we can enjoy our long trip. 

[Tom and Doreen]

18 hours ago, Todd B said:

@Tom and Doreen did you have the same error code? The part was the combustion sensor. They originally thought it was the room temp sensor which sounds like it can be replaced. The combustion sensor is not sold in the US. I called Truma and they confirmed that for the combustion sensor it requires a new unit 😠

The shop found a refurbished unit that comes with a one-year warranty and will install once it shows up. The worst part is RV shows sell the units at their own retail price, which in my case is a 40% markup from Truma's own MSRP! The said they can't adjust their price but did cover the $450 overnight shipping charge to try and make up for it. So we have taken it on the chin in this case for this incident. I just hope Truma stays stable for us now and we can enjoy our long trip. 

Thanks for the update.  Unfortunately Truma doesn't publish all of the error codes and it can add additional stress to an already stressful situation when you have failures on the road so it's good to document them here. Sadly often times, as you've found out, there is little that can be done as an owner to fix these appliances being that Truma equipment is extremely proprietary, they won't sell repair parts to owners and they require that all repairs be done only by certified Truma technicians. The problem of course is that Truma service centers are few and far between which is a problem when you're stranded on a trip.  I will say that their service centers are top notch if you can make it to one of those locations.  

I haven't experienced your error but I did experience an E5H error code at one point which at the time was not documented anywhere. The response from the Truma service person was; "ionisation voltage recognized during standby mode.  Could have been from a solenoid sticking for a moment due to moisture on the sensor, or a voltage spike".  As it turned out the service person was correct and it was simply moisture on the sensor which I was able to dry out.  

The other unfortunate thing about Truma appliances is that often times the "fix" is to replace the entire unit no matter how simple or inexpensive the failed component is. Along those lines the unit to replace the failed unit is a refurbished unit of unknown age / history.  The unit will be "factory certified" so there is that but be sure to fill out your warranty card!   

Hopefully you'll be good to go and you won't experience any further problems.  Enjoy your trip!   

[Todd B]

Agree to all that. The shop has been good to work with and I have called Truma a few times as well. But sadly yes, Truma does not allow any internal part of the VarioHeat to be replaced, even by their certified tech. The full unit has to be replaced 😞 

It does sound like moisture and corrosion is the main issue with the VarioHeat. One suggestion is to run the heater every couple of weeks to help "dry it out" when high level of moisture /humidity is present.  I am curious how you dried out your sensor? 

[Tom and Doreen]

2 hours ago, Todd B said:

  I am curious how you dried out your sensor? 

Interesting story: I actually had fixed the problem before I got the official description from Truma due to the time of day that I had the failure.  I had been driving through a raging rain storm during the day, ended up at a campground near Allentown PA in early January 2024. Temperatures dipped to freezing , set up late evening  at 4 County RV Park that night and could not get the furnace to run. Because I had driven all day in the pouring rain I suspected that water may have entered the exhaust / inlet port of the furnace.  I could find no description for the error that I was getting in the documentation or on line.  I decided to take a hair dryer and blow warm air into the furnace exhaust / inlet port and after several minutes I was able to get the furnace to fire up ( luckily ).  Called Oliver the next day and they had no listing for the error.  I then put in a ticket with Truma and I got an email a day later explaining what the cause may be.  I haven't had the problem since.