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dickschaak · 11-20-2016, 12:57 PM

I just read the Alde app referred to above and it definately says to shut off the propane when traveling. I guess that would make it difficult to use the heat.

paiceman · 11-21-2016, 04:54 AM

dickschaak, I believe every manufacturer says to shut propane off when traveling. For over 40 years we have run with our refrigerator on, running off propane. We only turn it off when required by local ordinance, ie the infamous Baltimore tunnel.

Bud

dickschaak · 11-21-2016, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paiceman

dickschaak, I believe every manufacturer says to shut propane off when traveling. For over 40 years we have run with our refrigerator on, running off propane. We only turn it off when required by local ordinance, ie the infamous Baltimore tunnel.

Bud

I know I shouldn't do that but I probably will.

Andrew T · 11-21-2016, 01:43 PM

It appears that the Alde System may need more than 1 or 2 Air Bleeds. Just spoke to them and it turns out having to bleed it every week or so for a a couple of months of use is not unusual.

If the system develops and air lock it can overheat in the chamber and it will empty coolant out a drain line that is between the wheels on the road side. Unfortunately there is no mention of this in the manual.

I am wondering if you are going to operate it on the road if it would be a good idea to check for air before heading out and then check it again at the end of the day. I am just surmising that possibly the movement on the road might help to collect the air in the towel bar.

I hope this helps.

Andrew T

Hankgirl · 11-22-2016, 05:06 AM

Bud, I'd you would please send to Hankgirl@live.com also. Thank you. You stated all my thoughts on here perfectLynn. Even the fridge dent.

paiceman · 11-22-2016, 01:13 PM

Hankgirl:

Just sent them out, 3:13PM Eastern time. Let me know if you've received them. I am having some computer issues.

Bud

Hankgirl · 11-23-2016, 12:27 AM

Got them Bud, thank you!!!!

Pete B55 · 12-03-2016, 12:00 PM

I've read on several posts that the refrigerator door on the classic will be dinged by the pantry handles and that rubber bumpers have been suggested. Does anyone have a specific recommendation on a bumper size, type, etc?

paiceman · 12-04-2016, 04:37 AM

Pete:

I used clear stick on dots I bought at Home Depot, after a dent was discovered in the freezer door. Now a mystery dent appeared in the refrigerator door, only six inches up from the bottom, about4" long and runs parallel with the trailer. I cannot figure out how or when this dent occurred.

Also, Pete I sent you three emails with schematics and owners manuals. Let me know if you did not get them.

Bud

paiceman · 12-07-2016, 04:55 PM

I had some time today so decided to go over to our 2017 Classic which in storage and "test" the Alde heating aspect of the trailer again, prior to our trip to FL in January.

When I got to the trailer it was 39F inside. I turned the system on, set the thermostat to 70F and left for a trip to Home Depot. I was gone about 45 minutes. When I got back the trailer was 65F or 66F I forget, but it was warm. The towel bar was hot, the radiators where all either very warm or close to hot and they temperature was slowly going up. I left it on and went home. Just got back now, it's 70F and everything in the trailer is 70F the counters, cabinets, blankets on the bed etc..

Very pleased, so turned it off and will turn it back on a day or so before we leave and pack the trailer up with everything so we are ready to roll right after the holidays.

Once adjusted this appears to be a terrific system for Airstream and I am betting once they get used to it and get the hang of it they will introduce it in more and more types of units.

Bud

RonaldC303 · 12-07-2016, 05:35 PM

Hi Bud,

Was your heating test with electric only, propane only, or both?

Ron

paiceman · 12-08-2016, 04:19 AM

Propane only. I have a 110V connection at our storage facility, was connected to it, but had other items in the trailer going and did not want to trip the breaker the storage facility has. I have no idea where their box is, nor if it's 15 or 20 amp circuit. I actually just started using the receptacle this week when I saw the owner and asked if I could and she said, sure - $5.00 a month. Which was and is fine as the solar panels cannot keep the unit charged enough with the dark Pittsburgh weather this year.

Bud

HASANCHEZ · 12-08-2016, 11:47 AM

Beautiful trailer! I enjoyed your pictures. I live in Sacramento, CA (USA)......Airstream Dealership about 90 minutes from my home. Looking forward to walking into the 2017 Classic to see it in real life. However.....I do have a question regarding the modification to your shower knobs (or valve). What was wrong with the original equipment that it came with??

Henry Sanchez

paiceman · 12-08-2016, 12:03 PM

Hasanchez in my case I needed to adjust, not replace. Others have replaced with higher end and I'll let them respond.

Bud

paiceman · 12-08-2016, 01:36 PM

RonaldC303 our of curiosity I went over early this AM and turned on the heat with electric only. Owner was there so if it tripped his breaker we could reset. Worked fine, Temperature inside was 34F, after an hour on electric only it was 63F.

Seems to work fine on either propane or electric.

Bud

RonaldC303 · 12-08-2016, 02:44 PM

Hi Bud,

Thanks for testing. I did my own test here a short while back. During the day the temp here was about 55 degrees. I turned on the heating system with both electric probes only, no propane, and set the thermostat to 65 degrees. Later that day it had indeed warmed to 65. During the night, the temp dropped to about 28. Early the next morning I checked the inside coach temp and it was only 56. So the electric only mode could not keep up with the cold outside temp. I was just curious what others were seeing with their systems.

Thanks for all your helpful and informative posts.

Happy travels,
Ron

ghaynes755 · 12-08-2016, 08:01 PM

There are different types of the radiator fluid as mentioned. Camco makes some, Aquahot and the ITR Oasis systems found in motorhomes also have brands. General consensus is that there are only a couple of OEM's and everyone repackages.

Most say do not mix types/colors.

But it would be simple to find out what is using. The seller legally needs to supply the buyer with an MSDS sheet for anything like this fluid which spells out all of the hazards and primary ingredients. So ask Alde and JS to send you the MSDS sheets. Fib a bit and say that you have health issues around various chemicals and need the information so that you can safely handle the fluid.

paiceman · 12-09-2016, 04:43 AM

Andrew T posted about overheating. I experienced this yesterday and tried bleeding our system, but it did not fully bleed. Then with the help of another member I discovered another bleed location under the bathroom sink, and I was told last night about one behind the beds, neither of which are on the Airstream schematic for our trailer. I am going to go over to storage this afternoon and check as I had, as Andrew mentioned, some fluid overflow.

Bud

Lets travel · 12-10-2016, 04:55 PM

Can you tell us more about the other bleed valves that airstream does not mention in any of their manuals. For the cost of this Airstream I thought they would of done a better job in testing and fixing before they sold them.

paiceman · 12-11-2016, 04:32 AM

Here is a PDF I made on the Alde air bleed off valves I have found so far. These are for the twin model which we have but should be appropriate for the queen as well. I you click on the yellow sticky notes I put a very brief explanation as to where the points actually are. The one under the kitchen sink seems to bleed off the most air. The one under the bathroom sink is way back on the right side and on the back behind the beds it's directly under the road side vent on the back shelf area.

Bud