Joolca HOT TAP - Different thread though!!!!

[briann532]

So it finally happened...........

It died.......     

Now before anyone thinks I'm having a go at Bart - I'm not.........

But seriously, you would think the unit could take -10.6 degrees with water in it without exploding!!!!! 

Yeah yeah - I'm a goose who didn't drain the water. Left it hanging in the shed and it hit minus 10.6 last weekend.
All pipes in town frozen and a lot of HWS units gone bung...............mine included......

Now thankfully being the quality unit they are I was able to dissect it and find the coil that had given out and crimp and resolder it.........


Its now alive and well........ I just need to remember to drain it in winter time before heading off.............. and take photos of my dodgy plumbing repairs so this post would be a bit more interesting.......

Lesson learnt, but at least I have hot water again.......Thanks Bart

Cheers all
Brian

[Bart@Joolca]

Holy moly it got bloody cold where you are last weekend.. and to think that I thought I had a cold 8C morning today -pfft haha

I remember, a long while ago now actually, that I was having some issues with a unit. And I mean I tried everything to get it going again. Pretty much nearly gave up, and then by some stroke of dumb luck I happened to check the batteries. This is something I thought was so simple and that the batteries were fine, etc. Turns out they were expired = full goose moment for me too haha 

I learned from that to always check the batteries. And I have passed on this info many times to people with HWSs and you won't believe how common it is for some stores to have stock of expired batteries (probably not purposely, just because they are a slow moving item?). But yeah, that one time that it took me a while to figure things out is now helping other people save their time I love it!

So, Brian, this post is awesome This will no doubt help other people who live in colder areas disconnect their water lines when it's going to be a ripper of a night - so thank you And that's what I love about forums like this, everyone's here to help and everyone's here to learn. If this post helps at least one person from their pipes cracking from freezing water, then the experience was worth it.

And I'll tell you one last thing: Batteries will never be an issue for me again, just like freezing water won't be for you either. 

BTW - good job on the repair. I'm pretty sure I can visualise what you have done and that's a smart idea 

[rags]

Holy moly it got bloody cold where you are last weekend.. and to think that I thought I had a cold 8C morning today -pfft haha

I remember, a long while ago now actually, that I was having some issues with a unit. And I mean I tried everything to get it going again. Pretty much nearly gave up, and then by some stroke of dumb luck I happened to check the batteries. This is something I thought was so simple and that the batteries were fine, etc. Turns out they were expired = full goose moment for me too haha 

I learned from that to always check the batteries. And I have passed on this info many times to people with HWSs and you won't believe how common it is for some stores to have stock of expired batteries (probably not purposely, just because they are a slow moving item?). But yeah, that one time that it took me a while to figure things out is now helping other people save their time I love it!

So, Brian, this post is awesome This will no doubt help other people who live in colder areas disconnect their water lines when it's going to be a ripper of a night - so thank you And that's what I love about forums like this, everyone's here to help and everyone's here to learn. If this post helps at least one person from their pipes cracking from freezing water, then the experience was worth it.

And I'll tell you one last thing: Batteries will never be an issue for me again, just like freezing water won't be for you either. 

BTW - good job on the repair. I'm pretty sure I can visualise what you have done and that's a smart idea 

Hi Bart
Regarding this issue of the D size batteries, you are correct in saying that failed batteries can cause issues. I find this the only downfall of the unit.
Have you thought of utilising a 12volt supply for the ignition controls. I say this as it strikes me that you need a 12volt supply for the water pump so a supply would be available so having it in lieu of the batteries would improve the units.

[tryagain]

Hi Bart
Regarding this issue of the D size batteries, you are correct in saying that failed batteries can cause issues. I find this the only downfall of the unit.
Have you thought of utilising a 12volt supply for the ignition controls. I say this as it strikes me that you need a 12volt supply for the water pump so a supply would be available so having it in lieu of the batteries would improve the units.

Just use one of these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SN9F-Car-Charger-Converter-12V-To-3-3V-3A-10W-DC-To-DC-Buck-Step-Down-Module-/400609911807?hash=item5d463623ff:g:j7MAAOxy4t1Sh0d4

[Fathom]

The lesson I would learn from this is that I would need to move somewhere warmer.

[Bill]

The lesson I would learn from this is that I would need to move somewhere warmer.

I agree!!!
Bill

[Bart@Joolca]

Hi Bart
Regarding this issue of the D size batteries, you are correct in saying that failed batteries can cause issues. I find this the only downfall of the unit.
Have you thought of utilising a 12volt supply for the ignition controls. I say this as it strikes me that you need a 12volt supply for the water pump so a supply would be available so having it in lieu of the batteries would improve the units.

We have thought about it and we did bring a few samples in to mess around with, but that didn't progress. I wasn't too involved with the project so I don't know too much about the final decision but I can see your point. I'll throw in a line to our product guy again and see what I can find out

The lesson I would learn from this is that I would need to move somewhere warmer.

Hehe 

[briann532]

The lesson I would learn from this is that I would need to move somewhere warmer.

You're probably right, but I own it and I can camp without moron's. The views are to die for and it's on a river.
I also love winter camping. Big fires, bigger fires, and sleep well at night. Crisp days and a whole pile of BS around the fire with my mate.

Just spent the 4 days down there with some friends from Duneedoo. They loved it. Kids spent the weekend bike riding and had a go at fishing (no success....)
Fabulous relaxing time with a few cleansing ales consumed.
Sacrificed a shyte tonne of timber to the fire gods and all was well with the world.

Can't wait to go back next weekend.

Brian

[Bart@Joolca]

Wow - that sounds like paradise. Views, fires and activities = I can now see why the cold isn't an issue