Caution with accessories from the 3D printer

In view of this, we would like to point out that many online portals and trading platforms offer accessory products and 3D files for the manufacture of components that are supposed to improve the function of our Truma devices or remedy side effects. These products may appear to be useful and may be of good quality, but in most cases they have not been tested, authorised or approved by us.

An example of this is the product known as the drip lip / drip guide or condensation drain for mounting on the flue of the Combi heater. It does not come from our company and its installation even invalidates the operating permit and warranty as an unauthorised modification to the appliance.

As described in our operating instructions and the installation instructions, no safety-relevant component may be changed. However, the side wall chimney and its individual components belong to this area. After such a change, the appliance may no longer be put into operation from a legal point of view. Interactions with the accessory product are unknown.

This circumstance can perhaps be compared to the installation of a sports exhaust system for a passenger car: if there is no expert opinion or ABE for the system, in which the vehicle model is not explicitly mentioned, then it is also not permitted to install it. Use on public roads is prohibited. If you are caught, you are also liable to prosecution for “driving without an operating licence”. The consequence is a trip to the TÜV and a fine.

In the case of the above-mentioned accessories, there is no mention of whether the material used can withstand the temperatures applied to the side wall chimney, nor is there any guarantee that the imperative openings for combustion air intake and exhaust gas disposal will be affected in any way. In such cases, for example, due to an incorrectly supplied amount of oxygen or reduced cross-section of the flue gas opening, the burner of your heating system may not work correctly and error messages may occur during heating operation.

In the worst case, damage to the vehicle may occur if, for example, the material of the accessory was not designed for the temperatures on the side wall chimney.

So if in doubt, please contact the Truma Service Centre, our authorised dealers or service partners. Here you can clarify whether such an accessory comes from our production and whether there are justified objections regarding its function or the effect on an existing approval.

2 thoughts on “Caution with accessories from the 3D printer

  1. I’ve requested a source for an approved drip guide but my request so far has been unanswered/

    • Hi Thomas,

      I´m very sorry, none of them is approved to be fixed on our exhaust system.
      So there is no advice I can tell.

      Kind regards,

      Alexander Thoma
      -Service Center-