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Old 03-20-2018, 08:20 PM   #1
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2018 Alde vs Firefly Settings

The learning curve on the Alde radiant heat has been a lot (for me that is)
Just discovered that if the Alde control panel under the sink has a higher
temperature reading (in standby mode it measures actual cabin temperature) than what you set the Firefly temp setting you want, the
boiler will not come on. Said another way, the under-the-sink Alde
cabin temp reading has to be cooler than the temp you program into the
Firefly----otherwise the radiant heat will not come on.

At least, that is how it works on my rig. I don't know if that is how it is
supposed to work, but it works great once I figured that out.

In addition, the Alde control panel under the sink consistently measured
cabin temperature 8-10 degrees warmer than actual temperature. A call
to Alde and they told me how to recalibrate the Alde panel so it would
measure correct cabin temp.
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Old 03-20-2018, 09:22 PM   #2
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Firefly is just a control panel that brings all the other systems together. Same with the alde panel below sink, it actually pulls the temp information from two different points in the trailer I believe, not under the sink.

I learned a ton about the alde system by reading the entire “much ado about alde” thread
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Old 03-21-2018, 03:43 AM   #3
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Hi Geraldsmith, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new Classic. There indeed is a the learning curve with the Alde but can be diminished by reading the Much Ado Alde thread. Pretty sure most of your questions have probably been answered somewhere in the thread. The system is great and once you learn more I bet you will love it as much as I love mine. There have been more than a few moments of wanting to walk away and just sell the darn thing but with the help of the Much Ado thread and help from JC every obstacle was easily addressed and most issues do NOT require a trip to dealers or JC or special tools, etc. A call to the Airstream Service Center in Jackson Center, OH is always an option. John, Artie, Brad, Chris, are very helpful but I strongly suggest you take time to read the aforementioned thread as soon as possible and avoid some of the new user challenges.
I am currently in JC (more for body repair than anything else), the wind chill is 17*F, snow on the ground and I am toasty warm and comfy. My cell phone won’t work here but that’s not an Airstream issue.
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Old 03-21-2018, 03:50 AM   #4
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Jackson Center for service today. 28f four inches of snow on the ground and still coming down. Any bets as to whether Airstream opens today, closes or delay opening.Click image for larger version

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Old 03-21-2018, 10:39 AM   #5
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No bets, but as long as you have power and propane, enjoy!
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Old 03-21-2018, 01:12 PM   #6
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We picked up our new 2018 Classic 33 on Thursday and are in process of learning all the new systems that our 2016 didn’t have. Will go on two month trip next month so I am sure we will learn by trial and error. We like it alot. The big bathroom and huge shower is what sold it for us.
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Old 03-21-2018, 02:38 PM   #7
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No bets, but as long as you have power and propane, enjoy!
Power all night and propane as well. Alde kept us warm.
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Old 03-21-2018, 07:58 PM   #8
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BarryLCole, congratulations on new rig. We pick up our 2018 Classic 33 in one week and our first trip will be driving it up to Canada. We also like the large shower (husband is tall) and spacious bathroom.
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Old 03-22-2018, 02:40 AM   #9
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Congratulations to both of you on your purchase of the 2018 Classic. I can not stress this enough, if you haven’t read the Much Ado Alde thread please take a couple of days to read through it. There is a lot of information that you will need to know. Just met a couple up here in JC who picked up theirs Wednesday and they did have questions after the walk through and after normal business hours. They were able to get the system working after a phone call to another Classic owner who was very familiar with the Alde. Their Alde was not broken, they just needed help walking through the steps. Also as is often suggested that you stay on the dealers lot at least one night before heading down the road. During you walk through make sure that you know how to turn everything off and back on again, recording the walk through is a good idea.
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Old 03-22-2018, 02:52 AM   #10
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One of the changes I noticed while visiting the factory this week is that on the 2018 Classics that are on the line right now is that Airstream has separated the Alde and FireFly systems. They have gone back to how the 2017 Classics were built using separate panels to operate the 2 systems. IMO, this is a great decision on Airstreams part. The Firefly and Alde are great systems but apparently they were having communication issues with each other. This means that the new owners won’t have to try and get to the panel that was under the kitchen sink anymore. Good move.
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Old 03-22-2018, 03:34 AM   #11
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Looks as if the Alde 3020 will be available as an upgrade to the 3020, but in my opinion its not an upgrade I'd be interested in at this time as it adds the ability for the supplement pre hot water tank to function. I've set our trailer up in a manner that does not need the supplement. Not sure of anytime this will be done, or if it will be available for current 3010 owners to change or cost. An email or phone call to JC might get better answers.
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Old 03-22-2018, 06:29 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kendrick.l.j View Post
One of the changes I noticed while visiting the factory this week is that on the 2018 Classics that are on the line right now is that Airstream has separated the Alde and FireFly systems. They have gone back to how the 2017 Classics were built using separate panels to operate the 2 systems. IMO, this is a great decision on Airstreams part. The Firefly and Alde are great systems but apparently they were having communication issues with each other. This means that the new owners won’t have to try and get to the panel that was under the kitchen sink anymore. Good move.
That is correct. This confused me for the first few days after taking ownership of my 2018. I was trying to control the Alde with the Firefly which now cannot be done. So temperature wise, the Firefly controls the Dometic AC and heat pump and the Alde control panel controls radiant heat and hot water. Be aware if you set the Firefly temp lower than the Alde temp, the Dometic AC will fight the Alde Heat. Not sure who wins.
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Old 03-22-2018, 04:40 PM   #13
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Why not just turn off AC when heat is on? ... I’m confused why Airstream has to reengineer for future trailers. Having just the fire fly is part of the appeal to the 2018 to clean the walls up
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Old 03-22-2018, 05:39 PM   #14
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Mr. BSWG, there have been several/many 2018 Classics that have issues with the Firefly not communicating with the Alde. I think yours may have been one of the few who didn’t have serious problems. I agree with you that the more streamlined look is great and I would prefer it myself but when systems fail because of firmware conflicts then it’s not such a great idea.
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Old 03-22-2018, 06:15 PM   #15
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Mr. BSWG, there have been several/many 2018 Classics that have issues with the Firefly not communicating with the Alde. I think yours may have been one of the few who didn’t have serious problems. I agree with you that the more streamlined look is great and I would prefer it myself but when systems fail because of firmware conflicts then it’s not such a great idea.


Lol. Lucky us!
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Old 03-23-2018, 12:03 PM   #16
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Yup. It does seem that way.
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Old 03-24-2018, 05:11 AM   #17
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Mr. BSWG, there have been several/many 2018 Classics that have issues with the Firefly not communicating with the Alde. I think yours may have been one of the few who didn’t have serious problems. I agree with you that the more streamlined look is great and I would prefer it myself but when systems fail because of firmware conflicts then it’s not such a great idea.


Does that mean that the fixes that have been circulating about firmware and new panels are not the fix that I am hoping for? I have hot water and heat sort of, but was hoping that the adjustments would iron out the lingering communication issues. To go back to two panels seem like they have given up the fight. Is the solution now to reinstall the Alde panel in mine to a more accessible place?
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Old 03-24-2018, 09:51 AM   #18
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Does that mean that the fixes that have been circulating about firmware and new panels are not the fix that I am hoping for? I have hot water and heat sort of, but was hoping that the adjustments would iron out the lingering communication issues. To go back to two panels seem like they have given up the fight. Is the solution now to reinstall the Alde panel in mine to a more accessible place?
I'd pursue with JC to see if your unit can be refitted for Alde bypassing the Firefly. Our 2017 has the separate Alde panel and has functioned well. There are no updates for our Firefly system.
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Old 03-24-2018, 10:05 AM   #19
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picking up out 2018 in a week and Im scared
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Old 03-24-2018, 11:23 AM   #20
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If in fact the Alde Panel and the Firefly Panel are not compatible shouldn't we in our 2018 Classic 30' be getting a recall? I haven't seen anything from Airstream on these two panels not being compatible.
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