Exploring With Intuition

Truma Aventa Testing

Written by

Mark Haskell

in

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Last Fall we were invited to participate in a test of a “secret” product Truma was developing. Having their Combi hot water heater for three years now, we have been impressed by Truma’s engineering and quality. We hoped they wanted us to test a new furnace, but signed up for the program without knowing what it might be. A new air conditioner was the secret device. After submitting measurements to insure the unit would fit, and agreeing to confidentiality, we were accepted into the program. 

October found us overnighting in the parking lot at Truma’s Lakeland, Florida Service Center.

First thing the next morning, David Lehman was on the roof removing the Dometic A/C unit. We had met David several times as he provided informative seminars at Pleasure-Way Rallies. 

Removing the old air conditioner revealed that Pleasure-Way used LOTS of silicone to seal the original Dometic unit to our roof.

For those that are curious, here’s the Spyder Controls interface that resides in the interior air handler. Even though the beta version of the Aventa doesn’t interface with the Spyder system, the control box is still needed for freeze sensing and to insure that the propane furnace will run. 

The interface box has a blue LED that cast an annoying blue glow over our bed. David covered it with a piece of electrical tape before reinstalling it. No more blue glow!

Unboxing the new Air Conditioner proved exciting.  David had it installed by noon and we were on our way.

Over the next few months, we tested  the unit under different conditions and in all combinations of fan and power modes. We exchanged multiple emails with the Truma team and believe our feedback was taken seriously. The german engineering team even set-up a conference call where we shared our experience and answered their questions.
Fast forward to May 2021 and we were back in Lakeland getting the air conditoner switched to beta version II. This time it was marked with the Aventa name. There are some noticeable improvements and we were pleased that some of our suggestions have been incorporated.
Truma announced the product in July and has encouraged testers to share photos of the air handler and outside unit. Since our unit isn’t a production model, they have asked us not to share test results yet. 
Here’s a link to the official Truma information as of July 2021: Truma Aventa

Before Exterior

After Exterior

Before (Interior Air Handler)

After (Interior Air Handler)

Click through to read about our experience with the production model.

Three Months with the Truma Aventa

Comments

9 responses to “Truma Aventa Testing”

  1. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Was there room for the Spyder furnace control box in the ceiling with the Truma installation, or did it get relocated?

    Reply
    1. Mark Haskell Avatar
      Mark Haskell

      Yes, the Spyder control box fit into the ceiling with the Truma air handler. It was not relocated.

      Reply
  2. SF Pam Avatar
    SF Pam

    Very cool! Thanks for sharing the details and photos!

    Reply
    1. Mark Haskell Avatar
      Mark Haskell

      Glad it was of interest. Hope to be able to share more as Truma finalizes the product.

      Reply
  3. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    The blue light on the controls interface drives me crazy. Is it reachable without removing the air conditioner?

    Reply
  4. Mark Haskell Avatar
    Mark Haskell

    If I remember correctly you can get to it by removing the inside cover of the air conditioner. You don't have to mess with the unit from the outside.

    Reply
    1. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      Thanks! That worked!

      Reply
  5. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Seeing the wonderful success you had with the Truma install, I had Truma install the Aventa on my PleasureWay Lexor last September at the Hershey RV show. This understandably broke the AGS feature (Automatic Generator Start) that would allow the generator to be started and thus allow the Air Conditioner to start up unattended, this was great for pet safety.
    I was assured an update would be likely available in a year or two that would fix this.

    I am now being told this is unlikely. Have you explored getting around this? Do you have any suggestions?

    Reply
  6. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    We did look into it briefly and it requires changes to the Spyder Controls software and possibly hardware. I can see it happening for future RV models if Pleasure-Way changes to Truma for their Air Conditioners.
    The only person I know of that has tackled integrating new equipment into their PleasureWay Lexor is Bob Pogue. His web site is a valuable resource, especially for anyone looking at automation. We've succeeded in using his implementation of node red to control some of the PW systems from our phone, but don't have the expertise to add an interface to our air conditioner. Here's a link to his automation posting: https://jibout.com/automating-lexi/

    – Mark (www.svIntuition.com)

    Reply

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