Propex Malaga 5E

Robmac

Robmac

Full Member
Posts
50,257
Likes
101,631
I have the above 13litre water heater installed in my van to run on gas or 230v electric (750W).

As I am doing away with the gas system in my camper I have looked at alternatives but have now decided to keep the Malaga and just run it on electricity. This also gives me the chance to move the heater to the floor of the boot (underbed) as I will be detaching the flue as well as the gas connection.

Would anybody know if this is likely to give me any error conditions? I can't see why it should as the gas and electricity are run from independent switches on the control panel?

Thanks
 
merl said:
I wouldn't have expected so Rob, after all surely the unit would work without issue on 240v IF you had ran out of gas or the gas supply was turned off? So no difference as far as the heater is concerned.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought Merl.

I wondered if detaching the flue might flag some sort of error though? I suppose the flue will still be there just not going through the side of the van. I'll have a look how it's connected to the outer grill. I want to leave the grill on to cover the hole in the side.
 
Robmac said:
That's what I thought Merl.

I wondered if detaching the flue might flag some sort of error though?
Click to expand...
It would have to be pretty damn sophisticated to do that Rob, highly unlikely.
I don't know how big the propex is but I was looking through Amazon a couple of days ago actually for an electric non vented water heater, lots for around £70 and would be smaller than your current one and heat up quicker too at 1-2kw.

Lightasea Mini Electric Water Heater, 1.5KW 220V Under Sink Water Heater with 10L Water Tank, Instant Hot Water IP4X Waterproof with LCD Digital Display & Temperature Knob : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Lightasea Mini Electric Water Heater, 1.5KW 220V Under Sink Water Heater with 10L Water Tank, Instant Hot Water IP4X Waterproof with LCD Digital Display & Temperature Knob.
amzn.eu
 
Last edited:
merl said:
It would have to be pretty damn sophisticated to do that Rob, highly unlikely.
I don't know how big the propex is but I was looking through Amazon a couple of days ago actually for an electric non vented water heater, lots for around £70 and would be smaller than your current one and heat up quicker too at 1-2kw.

Lightasea Mini Electric Water Heater, 1.5KW 220V Under Sink Water Heater with 10L Water Tank, Instant Hot Water IP4X Waterproof with LCD Digital Display & Temperature Knob : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Lightasea Mini Electric Water Heater, 1.5KW 220V Under Sink Water Heater with 10L Water Tank, Instant Hot Water IP4X Waterproof with LCD Digital Display & Temperature Knob.
amzn.eu
Click to expand...

Yes I've looked at similar Merl and they look good but I am now thinking about a 230/12V and flogging the Malaga. I have somebody coming to look at my Truma gas heater so I will see if he's interested in the Malaga as well.

Reason being that excess solar can be diverted to heat the water by 12V - I am currently ( :) ) consulting with another mate about it.
 
Rob i am toying with moving the main connection from the consumer unit to the invert for the water heater that way it will work off the batterys as well as the mains as the inverter is connected to the mains as well .
 
Robmac said:
Yes I've looked at similar Merl and they look good but I am now thinking about a 230/12V and flogging the Malaga. I have somebody coming to look at my Truma gas heater so I will see if he's interested in the Malaga as well.

Reason being that excess solar can be diverted to heat the water by 12V - I am currently ( :) ) consulting with another mate about it.
Click to expand...
As you may remember I removed my webasto to clean the internals, it's not refitted yet because I've been fitting an immersion heater to it so I can heat the water electrically instead of burning diesel. I considered a 12v heater briefly but decided to just fit a 240v immersion because using a 12v element would mean high current which in turn means fat expensive cables and PITA high current switching, the 240v element will of course work off hookup or battery/solar via the inverter and then only needs 1.5mm flex.
 
merl said:
As you may remember I removed my webasto to clean the internals, it's not refitted yet because I've been fitting an immersion heater to it so I can heat the water electrically instead of burning diesel. I considered a 12v heater briefly but decided to just fit a 240v immersion because using a 12v element would mean high current which in turn means fat expensive cables and PITA high current switching, the 240v element will of course work off hookup or battery/solar via the inverter and then only needs 1.5mm flex.
Click to expand...

True Merl, and you know I hate fat expensive cables. :LOL:
 
Robmac said:
Yes I've looked at similar Merl and they look good but I am now thinking about a 230/12V and flogging the Malaga. I have somebody coming to look at my Truma gas heater so I will see if he's interested in the Malaga as well.

Reason being that excess solar can be diverted to heat the water by 12V - I am currently ( :) ) consulting with another mate about it.
Click to expand...
Hi Rob did you sell your Malaga
 
For hot water just use a 750w electric kettle via a inverter, or buy a 12v camping one, as for say a wash hand unit i have a 12v unit from a council van, takes a bit of time to warm but ok in the bathroom along side soap dispencer and paper towel unit.
van wash room..jpg
 
Greengrass said:
Hi Rob did you sell your Malaga
Click to expand...

I didn't Dave, the chap was only interested in the Truma heater.

I decided to keep the Malaga. I disconnected the gas and now it is powered by the Inverter on 240v. I have enough battery and solar power to keep it going but I will also have it running whilst driving and scavenge from the Alternator.
 
Robmac said:
I didn't Dave, the chap was only interested in the Truma heater.

I decided to keep the Malaga. I disconnected the gas and now it is powered by the Inverter on 240v. I have enough battery and solar power to keep it going but I will also have it running whilst driving and scavenge from the Alternator.
Click to expand...
My old carver water heater gave up the ghost first day of 90days while we was on our way to Portugal last year I would like to stay on gas so looking around to see what is about, As the wife should be home soon after 7 mouths in Hospital I will have the time to get one or two jobs done I hope
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:46)

Back
Top