Rivernerd Posted February 8, 2023 Posted February 8, 2023 The vent covers Oliver is installing with the new Truma Varioheat furnaces are called "Lamella." One of the louvers on the Lamella furnace supply vent cover below the galley sink in our Hull #1291 broke on our way home from Hohenwald to Idaho. See photo below. I recently submitted a warranty service ticket to Oliver, and received a prompt response. I was advised that Oliver had to order a replacement vent cover from Truma, then forward it on to me. I received the replacement Lamella vent cover yesterday. I applaud Oliver for their prompt, and effective warranty response. When removing the original vent cover as gently as I could with a plastic pry bar today, it broke in more than one place. See photo below. The replacement vent cover was easy to install; it just clips in. After inspection, I concluded that the original Lamella vent covers are quite thin, and made from brittle plastic. One light bump with a shoe toe is enough to break a louver. But, they are easy to replace, and inexpensive to purchase. Once the Oliver warranty expires, the Lamella covers can be purchased directly from Truma for $3.47 each, plus shipping: https://shop.truma.net/collections/home/products/lamella?variant=39711296880734 We are pleased with the performance of the Truma Varioheat furnace. Although I would recommend to Truma that a more robust, and pliable, plastic be used to make the Lamella vent covers, occasional replacement is a reasonable price to pay for the improved heating system performance provided by the Varioheat. 4 Hull #1291 Central Idaho 2022 Elite II Tow Vehicle: 2019 Tundra Double Cab 4x4, 5.7L with tow package
Guest Posted February 8, 2023 Posted February 8, 2023 Hello, One of our broke on our first day driving home. They are very fragile. Kirk
Moderators topgun2 Posted February 8, 2023 Moderators Posted February 8, 2023 Heck - I'd bet that the shipping costs more than the cover! 2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist" Near Asheville, NC
John E Davies Posted February 9, 2023 Posted February 9, 2023 Can you open up the holes to 4” and use transition adapters on the ducts? The Valterra registers are great, tough as nails and very nice looking. I just installed two extra ones as furnace air returns and will replace a couple of older stainless vents that did not turn out well. I whacked off half of the extension and also drilled a bunch of holes around the perimeter, so gear cannot accidentally shut off the flow (completely). They fit snugly in a four inch hole. .. Valterra A10-3345VP Rotating Heating and A/C Register John Davies Spokane WA 2 SOLD 07/23 "Mouse": 2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.
Rivernerd Posted February 9, 2023 Author Posted February 9, 2023 16 minutes ago, John E Davies said: Can you open up the holes to 4” and use transition adapters on the ducts? Interesting suggestion. I just installed three of the 4" Valterra vents as return air vents in Hull #1291. I agree that they are "tough as nails and very nice looking." 2" to 4" adapters are readily available, for well under $20. https://www.amazon.com/Woodstock-D4250-4-Inch-2-Inch-Reducer/dp/B00AX5I9DM I have no idea what increasing vent size from 2" to 4' would do to the dynamic balance of the heating system. But for now, given the ease and relatively low cost of swapping out the Lamella vent covers, I am inclined to see how they hold up over years of use, then decide if it is worth investing the time and $$$ required to make the switch to the 4" Valterra vent covers. Also, I would not be surprised if, after Truma gets lots of failures like ours, better quality Lamella vent covers become available in the near future. Thanks for the idea! 4 Hull #1291 Central Idaho 2022 Elite II Tow Vehicle: 2019 Tundra Double Cab 4x4, 5.7L with tow package
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