Much Ado About ALDE

[jonathan b]

I added the attwood water heater in my classic with alde system. I put it under the bathroom sink & tied it in after the alde system.I took all of the restricters out and have endless hot water with lots of pressure. It took me a weekend to do. The hardest part was getting the nerve to cut that hole in my new classic. Best thing I ever did.

[paiceman]

The added Atwood hot water heater done by CanAm is an add on to the Alde system, at least that is the way three of them were done in the fall of 2016 when I was having some issue setting up our Alde. I did get a quote from Can Am at the time, I don't want to quote for them, so if interested I suggest if one is interested to give them a call. I will say it was over $2,000.00 US, but I've communicated with two of the people who had it done by CanAm and both told me that it works and is a very professional job, looks like the trailer came that way.

However, as I've stated previously the two of us have more than enough hot water for showers in the morning, so at this time we are not going to pursue adding any more to our system. I've also posted that changing the Alde fluid out at the factory after 18 months seems to have improved the performance of our system in it's heat carrying ability. So, in all probability when we schedule our annual safety inspection at the factory we will also have the Alde fluid changed out.

[jonathan b]

I got the water heater at a cost price from my dealer and put it in myself.I spent about $850.00 for all the parts.

[jbhpetr]

Many thanks to Pete B55 for his post #573 (and picture) that details his solution to installation of the "Alde High Altitude Switch". Great job! I purchased one of the switches several months ago, but did not install it because I didn't realize an adapter was readily available to convert from a metric compression fitting back to a US flare connection.

I took another route and installed a Parker micrometer control valve in the dedicated copper line under the trailer leading to the Alde unit. I chose to install the valve outside the trailer rather than inside, just in case of a leak. I've not been to the mountains yet, but my plan is to fire up the Alde and then slowly close the valve and throttle back the propane until the noise in minimized.

I'm anxious to hear back from Pete. If the Alde valve works well, I may duplicate his installation.

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by cbburke

I've been following this discussion for some time. I have a Sept 2017 build 2018 30' Classic. I've verified the label on the Alde boiler, it is a Model 3010. Between the boiler and outer wall is a Alde Flow. It can be see from the forward side of the dinette seat.

Additionally the online parts manual Page IV-1 illustrates and is labeled #1 is a Model 3010 Alde and #5 is an Alde Flow.

Yes it is my understanding late 2017 builds have the ADLE flow. How many recruit pumps do you have? Pictures and/or schematic you can post? Are you happy w/HW return? Greatly appreciated.

Best regards and safe travels

[jbhpetr]

I purchased 2 of the M14-1.5 female to 3/8 male pipe adapters as suggested by Pete B55 to be used to install the Alde High Altitude Switch. When I threaded the adapters to each end of the High Altitude Switch, the fit was very loose.......nothing like tightening a pipe thread. I removed the adapters and wrapped the male threads on the Switch with several layers of Teflon tape. The fit was considerably tighter then, but it was still no problem to tighten the adapters until they seated flush against the face of the High Altitude Switch.

Pete B55 was your experience similar? Has anyone else tried the installation?

[Pete B55]

Originally Posted by jbhpetr

I purchased 2 of the M14-1.5 female to 3/8 male pipe adapters as suggested by Pete B55 to be used to install the Alde High Altitude Switch. When I threaded the adapters to each end of the High Altitude Switch, the fit was very loose.......nothing like tightening a pipe thread. I removed the adapters and wrapped the male threads on the Switch with several layers of Teflon tape. The fit was considerably tighter then, but it was still no problem to tighten the adapters until they seated flush against the face of the High Altitude Switch.

Pete B55 was your experience similar? Has anyone else tried the installation?

That was my experience but 3 wraps of gas tape (Home Depot) and the seal was snug. No leaks

[james.mileur]

Originally Posted by paiceman

So, here are some pictures of the fix a service advisor and technicians came up with. . . The brace is an easy to find half circle vinyl coated hook . . . Attachment 306899

Bud, checked mine, no sagging into panel deck cutouts, but look what I found on the Curb side holding the pipe in the third picture. They already used those hooks elsewhere in the trailer for same purpose. Don't know how to spin pictures back to correct orientation.

[kendrick.l.j]

James, please rethink and open that area around the pipe and that elbow joint a little more. I am still concerned that your current opening it is possible that the elbow joint could become lodged in between the wood partition and the shell. Even through yours looks fairly stable and is being supported much better than mine was, there is still a good possibility of slipping or movement of the pipe, the shell, or the partition.

[Firedog1]

Where do I start, Night 4 in our new Classic. Not one problem with hot water. Plenty hot water for showers. We have been turning on shower boost and gas 10 minutes prior to showers. I will say our dealer in South Carolina was awesome. The service manager (Jeff) who does read this forum has checked everything. They widened the opening and put hose around Alde pipes in compartment that was a problem for many others. The only issue we had with trailer was our main TV screen had lines and damaged. They delivered and installed a new TV today to our campground. Happy we decided to stay in area several days to be sure all was working good. Off to Connecticut tomorrow. Thanks Captain Hank for recommending John's RV in South Carolina. I will post here if I do experience any issues. This thread has been a great resource.

[paiceman]

James, mine was exactly like yours when I arrived at JC. Jon in, one of the individuals you talk to if you call and press #2, and who is up on Alde came out to look at mine and asked Les our technician to put in the extra support. Proactive - nice.

Based on this I'd suggest adding the bracket, just to be sure.

[paiceman]

Firedog1, great to hear and especially nice to know there is a quality Airstream dealer near Columbia as we pass thru there on our way to FL in the fall and our way back in the Spring. It sounds like they did a fantastic job.

Enjoy.

[ksteve06]

Here is what we did to fix our squished alde elbow. We cut out more of the wall and then braced it on the backside of the cutout. We then put pipe insulation where the elbow is so it is not rubbing on bare wood. [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH]

[pcskier]

Hi Folks, trying to help my neighbor with his 2018 Classic 30 get ready for camping.

Question on the Alde (the manuals he has are pretty useless.) Can someone explain for me what the two "Electric" settings are (1 and 2) on the Firefly panel? Obviously GAS means the Boiler runs on propane; but what is the difference between 1 or 2 for Electric setting? I'm not super familiar with Alde so the more I can know, the better I can help them. They are new and trying to figure it all out. Thanks much.

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

From what I understand, 2 is the super boost charger (not the technical name). Drawls more power from batteries. I only use that when I am on shore power and in need of heat. Otherwise I run 1 and propane on (haven’t noticed a huge propane usage from running alde)
Typically I am only set around 65-70 on the alde as well. 85 seems intense.

[paiceman]

Originally Posted by pcskier

Hi Folks, trying to help my neighbor with his 2018 Classic 30 get ready for camping.

Question on the Alde (the manuals he has are pretty useless.) Can someone explain for me what the two "Electric" settings are (1 and 2) on the Firefly panel? Obviously GAS means the Boiler runs on propane; but what is the difference between 1 or 2 for Electric setting? I'm not super familiar with Alde so the more I can know, the better I can help them. They are new and trying to figure it all out. Thanks much.Attachment 308122

The two electric settings are for hot water only. If left alone one can have some hot water as well as heat. On the 2017s, if one pushes for the two "electric" setting or shower boost it will turn off the circulating pump, thereby limiting the heat aspect of the Alde and direct all electric energy to the hot water and is one turns on the propane as well then there is sufficient hot water in our 2017, plenty so with your system you should have enough as well.

[Sparr]

The two electric setting and gas setting control how many BTU's the boiler is receiving. Pressing "Electric 1" activates electric heating cartridge 1 and provides 2 kW, pressing "Electric 2" activates electric heating cartridge 2 for a total of 3 kW of heating power. Electric 1 and 2 do not stop the circulating pump they only control the amount of heat applied to the boiler. The Electric setting have priority over gas for boiler heating. If the electric cartridges cannot provide enough power the system fires up the LPG heating element. The boiler provides heat and hot water to the ALDE system. Activating the shower boost stops the circulating pump so all heating energy is directed to heating the water.

How do I know all this? When our 2017 Classic was delivered, only electric cartridge 1 was connected, so low heat. After many calls to the mothership and finally to ADLE directly the "MOU" was solved and also one of my heating issues.

[Firedog1]

Question guys, we boondocked last night after driving 8 hours. Outside temp was about 34 degrees. we stoped and turned heat on, it took 2 plus hours to get trailer to a comfortable heat inside. Is this normal ? When boondocking with no hook ups do I need to use my little buddy catalic propane heater for first two hours ?? Can I stop and turn heat on 2 hours before I arrive at my destination ?? Do you travel with heat running like we do with fridge ?? confused.. Also totally unrelated to Alde. My last 2 Classic's has an inverter outlet in bedroom. Cant find one in my new 2018. Only under dinette and being main TV. Am I missing something?

[kendrick.l.j]

Hi Firedog, the Alde system does take a while (2 hours ) to heat the space. What you experienced is normal. Yes, you can leave the Alde System on while traveling. I did this for the first time on a recent trip north. The interior stayed nice and warm, no waiting for interior temps to raise. Just make sure you have the gas option “on”. I set mine at 68 and it was very comfortable when I stopped for lunch or at the end of the day.
Regarding your inverter outlet question, you are correct. One under the dinette and one behind the Tele. I asked that very question while at JC, I could have sworn there was one in the bedroom when I did the walk through but nope, just the two.

[Firedog1]

Thank You Lauri, appreciate it