Whale Expanse:
Underslung Fitting
A technical guide to mounting the Whale Expanse water heater to your vehicle chassis, ensuring secure fixing and watertight through-floor routing.
Installation Overview
The Whale Expanse is designed for **exterior mounting**. This simplifies internal furniture design but requires a different set of skills compared to internal heaters. You will be working beneath the vehicle, dealing with chassis mounting points and under-floor sealants.
Chassis Integrity
Do not drill into the vehicle's structural frame members unless specifically instructed by the Whale mounting kit. Use existing chassis holes or the provided heavy-duty clamping systems where available.
Under-Chassis Technical Schematic
Download the high-resolution technical PDF for the Expanse. Includes mounting bracket positions for Sprinter, Crafter, and Transit chassis, plus 230V wiring schematics.
Chassis Mounting
Secure the mounting brackets to the chassis using the provided M8 bolts. Ensure you use locking nuts and washers to prevent vibration from loosening the heater. The unit should be mounted high enough to avoid road debris but low enough to maintain clearance for the floor cutouts.
Water & Gas Connections
Water connections use 12mm Whale Quick Connect fittings. These are exceptionally reliable but must be pushed home fully until you hear a 'click'. Gas should be connected via an 8mm copper bulkhead fitting that passes through the floor, ensuring a gas-tight seal between the exterior and interior.
First Run & Test
Fill the water tank first and bleed all air from the hot taps before switching on the heater. Test on 230V electric first, then on gas. Check for any leaks under the vehicle while the system is up to pressure (approx 1.5 - 2.5 bar).