Getting Ready For Easter – Quick Check Of Your Pump Strainer

Getting ready for Easter? If you have an on-board pump on your Caravan or Motorhome make sure you check the strainer, these are prone to frost damage and can cause annoying water problems.

Problems include no water intake, spluttering taps, poor water flow and of course water all over the floor!

Shurflo Pump - Fitted in Many Caravans & Motorhomes
Shurflo Pump – Fitted in Many Caravans & Motorhomes

If you have a pump the strainer is fitted to the intake of the pump and looks like this

Pump Strainer Shurflo Pumps
Pump Strainer Shurflo Pumps

These are usually fitted with the clear plastic cap upside down, water rests in the and expands with frost and cracks the casing. Make sure you check for cracks before you travel.

In severe circumstance the strainer can split like this and flood your caravan.

Split Shurflo Pump Strainer from 10th March 2015
Split Shurflo Pump Strainer from 10th March 2015

Even Though we have had a “Mild” winter frost has still been and gone. We have replaced 14 of these so far this year.

These strainers can be replaced for less than £10 so check & replace if necessary before you go and you can buy them from many caravan accessory shops and the take 2 minutes to fit.

Remember we are always here to help with any problems on your caravan or motorhome at www.allmakescaravans.co.uk or see us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AMCSLTD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking of Having a Solar Panel Installed?

If you thinking of having a solar panel installed on your Caravan or Motorhome we have limited stocks of our 120W Solar Kits available fully installed in the east midlands at just £349.99 with 5 year Warranty as standard.

Once fitted our solar kit offers outstanding performance and great value for money. With this 120 Watt solar power kit you could expect to generate around 34 amps per day during the summer months supplementing the 12V leisure battery power in your caravan or motorhome.

SSP100PK_200

Solar Panel Specifications

  • Maximum Power (Pmax): 120W
  • Maximum Power Current (Ipm): 6.8A
  • Maximum Power Voltage (Vpm): 17.6V
  • Short Circuit Current (Isc): 7.08A
  • Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 21.7V
  • Norminal Operating Cell Temp. (NOCT): -45 to 80°C
  • Maximum System Voltage: DC1000V
  • Maximum Series Fuse: 9A
  • Size: 1179mm x 664mm x 35mm
  • Weight: 9.2kg

Kit Features

  • 1 x 120W 12V Solar Panels Monocrystalline
  • 1 x Dual Battery Controller 10A – 12V
  • 1 x 6m Extension Cable & Connectors
  • 1 x Set 6 Corner & Side Mounts- White or Black
  • 1 x ABS Cable Entry Cover

Solar Performance Guarantee

  • 5 Years Manufacturers Warranty
  • 10 Years Warranty 90% Power Output
  • 20 Years Warranty 80% Power Output

We have limited stocks at this price please call for availability or contact us through our website at www.allmakescaravans.co.uk

Buying a Used Bailey AluTech Caravan or Motor Home

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Recently I have had a number of customers with a nearly new bailey caravan bought 1 or 2 years old contact me to service the caravan. On checking the Warranty Terms and conditions from Bailey please understand that the 10 year water ingress warranty only applies to the 1st owner only and in certain circumstances is only 10 years on correct registration.

2nd owners still benefit from 6 years water ingress protection as long as owner transfer is performed as per the terms and conditions as follows.

Extract from Bailey as follows:-

“The unexpired term of the Warranty Cover on your vehicle may only be assigned, transferred or novated to subsequent owners with Bailey’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) and on payment to Bailey of a transfer fee of £35. Transfer can only be made within the first three (3) months of subsequent ownership and full documentary evidence that the vehicle has been serviced annually must be provided at the time of assignment in accordance with the terms and conditions detailed in our full warranty Terms & Conditions.

Of course your supplying dealer should reregister your caravan for you but please check and be aware if you buy privately.

For Bailey Caravans Warranty Statement download here

Bailey Alutech Warranty 2015

Sterling Europa Caravan Window Rail Reseal

Following on from our post at the weekend today we returned to reseal the loose window rail on a Sterling Europa Moonstone. See Pictures and Process Below.

Remember if you have noticed an issue on your caravan around the front window rail please get in touch via www.allmakescaravans.co.uk

Front Windows Removed Ready For Rail Removal
Front Windows Removed Ready For Rail Removal
Window Rail Screws Removed Both Ends Popped off the seal.
Window Rail Screws Removed Both Ends Popped off the seal.
Rail Removed. Black Staining to the white sealant shows water ingress path to the screw holes confirming ingress in left hand near side and close on other parts.
Rail Removed. Black Staining to the white sealant shows water ingress path to the screw holes confirming ingress in left hand near side and close on other parts.
Old Sealant removed from caravan & rail ready & prepared for new seal.
Old Sealant removed from caravan & rail ready & prepared for new seal.
Rail & New Seal Attached to Caravan. Full Seal right to the top, all screws tight to ensure a good seal.
Rail & New Seal Attached to Caravan. Full Seal right to the top, all screws tight to ensure a good seal.
All windows back in okay just before the sleep & hail came. Caravan all water tight.
All windows back in okay just before the sleep & hail came. Caravan all water tight.

Job Complete, for further information on Caravan or Motorhome repairs visit www.allmakescaravans.co.uk/caravan-repair-derbyshire.php

 

The Start Of Water Ingress – Check Your Front Window Rail

Saturday morning service on a 2004 Stirling Europa Moonstone. A Caravan in fantastic condition with full service history.

Initial checks of the external bodywork showed a loose window rail allowing water to run inside the caravan behind the wallboard, the only tell tale sign as staining to the front inside shelf below the windows.

Checking is easy, open the front side windows fully and give the rail a wiggle, if it moves at all the seal is damaged and will need renewing, an easy inexpensive job if caught early. See the photos below

Stirling Eccles Moonstone - Great Caravan
Stirling Eccles Moonstone – Great Caravan
Window Open Rail Wobbly and you can see the gap behind and water staining below
Window Open Rail Wobbly and you can see the gap behind and water staining below

If your worried about the rail after this quick test give us a call and we will come and check it free and quote if rectification needed see more at www.allmakescaravans.co.uk

 

Adria Adora 532UK & Jeep Cherokee

Busy day today, a Full Service on an Adria Adora 532UK One of my favourite Caravans, Great Layout & Very Well Built!

Adria Adora 532UK
Adria Adora 532UK

 

Inside The Adria Adora It Just Gets Better
Inside The Adria Adora It Just Gets Better

The afternoon was taken up replacing an existing towbar on a 2003 Jeep Cherokee to make sure that all complied with the latest Jeep Safety Recall concerning fuel tank ruptures during an accident. The old Towbar was removed and replaced with a new Towtrust recall compliant one, added bonus with the new towbar, its over half the weight of the old one. Finished off with completely new 13pin electrics & smart relay all ready for holidays next weekend.

New Recall Compliant Towbar Fitted With Full 13 Pin Electrics
New Recall Compliant Towbar Fitted With Full 13 Pin Electrics

imagesJXHGB58A

For further information on all our services please visit www.allmakescaravans.co.uk

Motorhome Fridge Surgery

Fridge & Fridge Freezer repairs can be tricky especially if they are gas related, lots of things to check and confirm so don’t leave it to chance.

When trying to work out what is happening when your fridge is operating requires examination of all parts and the last thing you need is guesswork.

Today we were looking at a Dometic fridge freezer in a Burstner motorhome. The 2nd call out to the fridge, on the 1st the gas was not lighting, after this was fixed cooling problems appeared.

At AMCS we use technology to test all component parts of the fridge, Clamp Meter to check the 240V & 12V Electrics, A Kane meter for Gas Tightness, Pressure Flow confirmation, Gas burner ratio & Temperature readings at the rear of the fridge. In addition a RC24 data logger is used to confirm temperatures in the fridge and freezer.

Replacement of the Gas Burner jet sorted this fault and customer now has ice in the freezer.

Photos of the equipment used follow.

Don’t Leave it to chance if you have a problem with your Caravan or Motorhome fridge see www.allmakescaravans.co.uk for more information

Kane Meter measuring Temperature on both sides of the fridge matrix
Kane Meter measuring Temperature on both sides of the fridge matrix

Temperature reading are poor across the matrix. Gas burner jet replaced and burner cleaned.

After Jet Replacement Temperatures are more consistent just 2 degree drop across the matrix
After Jet Replacement Temperatures are more consistent just 2 degree drop across the matrix
Original Temperature in freezer after being on for 2 days
Original Temperature in freezer after being on for 2 days
Temperature upon leaving 3.6 degrees well on the way to freezing.
Temperature upon leaving 3.6 degrees well on the way to freezing.

Customer called tonight to say Ice tray is frozen in the freezer. Hopefully a good sign for his weekend away

http://www.allmakescaravans.co.uk/caravan-repair-derbyshire.php

Caravan Safety – Understanding What’s Under Your Caravan

Ensuring your caravan is safe is a big responsibility. Attached to this post as a document from AL-KO who produce caravan chassis & running gear for many manufacturers in the UK (Swift, Lunar, Coachman, Bailey) & Many More.

All the items covered in the document are checked and adjusted as part of a full annual service from a NCC approved workshop, but please have a read as simple pre tow checks on your stabiliser, weights, load setup etc can make sure you have a safe and uneventful journey. Its recommended that all adjustments and periodic maintenance be performed by an approved service centre NCC or ALKO, even so this is worth a read.

For more information on Annual Servicing of your caravan visit www.allmakescaravans.co.uk

Click on the link below to download you will need above acrobat reader free from www.adobe.com to read it.

caravanchassishandbookwhite

Avondale Eagle – Rebuilding The Bedroom

Progress today, The Avondale Eagle is now dry and boarding & Rebuild of the bedroom area is now complete, just a few finger marks to clean up!

Ceiling Board All Installed
Ceiling Board All Installed

 

Celing Board and All Sides CompleteAll Boarding Complete

 

Bed Cupboards etc being reinstalled

Reinstalling Bed Cupboards

 

Pelments Curtains Etc InstalledCurtains Windows Blinds ETC Back IN

 

Bead Nearly ThereBed is almost There

 

Bedroom Complete 2Bedroom Complete 1

 

Bedroom Complete 1

www.allmakescaravans.co.uk

 

 

 

Caravan Window Replacement

Last job of the day, a replacement window on a 1999 Abbey Vogue. Window was storm damaged and a new replacement was not available. So a remanufactured New window was installed. Not a bad match at all can you see which one was replaced?

If you have problems with your windows give us a call of visit www.allmakescaravans.co.uk and check out the repairs page for further information

IMAG0135