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Old 02-05-2017, 03:39 PM   #1
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Alde System

We just purchased a used 2017 Classic 30.
The Alde system was nine cups low on fluid.
Before adding fluid we could here the pump circulating fluid.
After filling it I can't tell if it's working or not.
The water is hot but can't feel heat radiating out the registers?
We live in SW FL and have some cool mornings.
Does the system work and can't hear the pump?

Thanks,
riffgod1000
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Old 02-08-2017, 01:28 PM   #2
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Much Ado About ALDE

For all the Classic ’16 & ’17 owners who are learning on the fly about our new whiz-bang heat/hot water system, let’s accumulate the body of knowledge from all the users, operators, technicians, maintainers, and anyone else with “facts” or at least real experience. If you know something, share as accurately as possible, if you have a question, be brief; describe the issue and the indications. As we get schematics, manuals, technical data, etc, I’ll try to keep it all organized in a single SHOPnotes document that will be re-posted periodically, under the headings, Software, Hardware, Operations, and Personnel. As an introduction, I lived in New England off and on for years with circulating water heating systems. I also operated, repaired, overhauled, trained, and wished I was still on, navy submarine propulsion plants from ’76 – ’15. (E3-W5) (PHNSY)

Good trouble shooting starts with good diagnosis of symptoms. Most issues I’ve read here are from lack of technical documentation for new owners and from unfamiliarity of manufacturing, sales, and service folks. The collective “we” of recreational and full-time users can quickly build a resource useful to all that tow now and in the future.

Always at your service,
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Old 02-08-2017, 01:47 PM   #3
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ALDE Manual from Airstream

This is what I received when I asked for the Alde Manual referenced in the 2017 Owners Manual on page 5-16. It wasn't in the nice briefcase upon delivery.

Page 6, USING THE BOILER, Air Cushion, NOTICE: "To maintain the air cushion, . . ." is the most important thing to read first. I've found operating the system in co-o-old weather (teens at night) for as little as a week will consume the cushion, and at 0500 the water pump will energize to let you know the Safety Valve has popped open to protect the hot water chamber. Not the sound you want to hear that early. BTW, it drains down out of the trailer through a line on the port side of centerline, forward of the axles, under the forward dinette seat.

The next week I heard some repetitive vibrations from under the seat during my morning quiet time, which were from the Safety valve chattering, about to lift again.

Once a week in constant cold weather, cool-down the boiler and follow the instructions to restore the cushion.

Hoo-yah full time in Salt Lake City,
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Alde manual V-3010 60 Rev 1487 US.pdf (4.32 MB, 821 views)
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Old 02-08-2017, 02:04 PM   #4
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ALDE Mixing Valve

When we picked up our trailer in Georgia, Southland RV (Thanks Eddie and Matt), the max setting on the mixing valve mixed October temperature tank water and Alde hot just fine.

Like others have said, two electric heaters and Gas ON provides a good chunk of hot water.

Pressing the Shower head (Temp) button, stops the circulating pump and raises the high temp set-point for a period of time, so plan ahead for nice hot shower (~10 mins to heat up higher)

When we moved to north Texas in November and on to SLC in January, lower tank temps and ground water temps gave us warm to cool showers and frequent and unexpected temp swings while showering. The tank pad heaters seemed to only raise tank temps by about 5 degrees and tanks stayed about 20 degrees above outside with no heaters).

Resetting the knob on the mixing valve solved this problem (loosen the screw, pull off and turn the knob back toward MAX, retighten screw). Just remember, obviously will after the first really hot shower, that you may need to adjust the mixing valve cooler when moving to warmer climates, or use the Kohler valve in the shower to mix in cold.

I also maxed out the Hi-temp setting on the Kohler Shower mixing valve and removed the flow restrictor at the base of the Hand-held head. For an old submarine shower guy, it's like Hollywoods again.

Cheers from cold snowy mountain tops and hot showers,
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Old 02-08-2017, 02:07 PM   #5
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Previous ALDE Mixing Valve Thread

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f540...on-159190.html
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Old 02-08-2017, 02:19 PM   #6
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ALDE Hot Water Temps - Where to Read

At the Control Panel, press the following buttons,

MENU,
Blue Key (or Wrench) button,
Down Arrow,
Down Arrow,
Service,
Down Arrow,

Heater temp: and Sanitary Temp: will be displayed.

MENU gets you back to Home Screen
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Old 02-08-2017, 02:28 PM   #7
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Everything you are putting together is in various threads on the subject. Once we got ours set there are no issues at all. Loads of hot water, plenty of heat. If warm outside don't even need to push the demand icon for more hot water.
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Old 02-08-2017, 07:15 PM   #8
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Bud, yes, it's all already posted here on the forum in one thread or another, but IMHO, I would suggest that there's value added to having it all in one place. I just learned about the air cushion, for example...

OldSubNuke, thanks for taking the initiative!

Would be awesome if someone had time to do this for the ProPride thread! :-)
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Old 02-08-2017, 08:02 PM   #9
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Air Cushion indications

As an indication our air cushion is too small or almost gone, when on pump water source, the pump should delay starting after opening a faucet. The toilet flush valve is such a large flow, the pump almost always runs concomitantly.

If the pump turns on immediately with opening a faucet, there is little to no air cushion. If the heater runs 24/7 in cold weather, the sanitary water at almost 170 degrees will consume any air left (hot water more air soluable). Weekly restorations should keep you in front of Safety Valve protective functions.

Its not usual to hear the pump run for an instant during downward temp cycles while making up for contraction with a good cushion. If no cushion during those down cycles (thermostat roll back for sleeping), the pump cycles, then heating up a closed sanitary system of water (thermostat roll up for early morning warmup) while not using any hot water, may exercise the Safety Valve.

Any other air cushion experiences?
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Old 02-09-2017, 03:30 AM   #10
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As newbies work their was through the threads they may not know where to begin looking for help so having information in multiple places is good and having links to more accurate information is also good.
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Old 02-09-2017, 05:23 AM   #11
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Been out over two weeks, freezing weather to 85 degrees. Have done nothing about air cushion yet. "Testing" out if curiosity.

I do agree a one source location would be a help to all.

Bud
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Old 02-09-2017, 06:00 AM   #12
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James,

Thanks for starting this thread. I am still learning about my system.

Do you plan to publish a Word file with your shop notes?
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Old 02-09-2017, 11:41 AM   #13
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Alde

I received these two ALDE documents while I was trying to calibrate our system. Hope they are helpful and thanks for putting this thread together.
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Old 02-09-2017, 12:39 PM   #14
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SHOP Notes

Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Hank View Post
James,

Thanks for starting this thread. I am still learning about my system.

Do you plan to publish a Word file with your shop notes?
Yes.
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Old 02-09-2017, 12:44 PM   #15
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Mixer Valve Calibration

Quote:
Originally Posted by eawotr View Post
I received these two ALDE documents while I was trying to calibrate our system. Hope they are helpful and thanks for putting this thread together.
Thanks so much; this is perfect for sharing, but I can't seem to download and enlarge to read (text spazis out when enlarged). Any chance of scanning and uploading as a pdf?

Thanks again.
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Old 02-09-2017, 01:28 PM   #16
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Y'all confusing me. They told us all we have to do is turn it on ��
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Old 02-09-2017, 01:46 PM   #17
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Alde info in one spot

Jim:
What a fantastic idea and what a huge undertaking. Thank you!
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Old 02-09-2017, 01:47 PM   #18
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Denn - I am absolutely positive they told you that. No doubt at all. And it might work but just in case you end up without heat or hot water come back to read all the helpful and useful information here.
Some of the '17's rolled out to customers before they should have a we hard to learn on our own. It is my understanding the AS went through a re-orientation for both service reps and dealers when they realized that there was a problem with the Alde system. I am sure the problem has been corrected. There really is just a bit more to it than just turning it on. It may seem a little abstract now but reading the information would be very helpful to you and might save you a lot of frustration later.

Congrats on your choice and many happy years of traveling,

Lauri
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Old 02-09-2017, 06:52 PM   #19
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Seems like an accumulator in the cold pipe just before the water heater would be a good idea? I think every trailer should have a 1 gallon diaphragm type accumulator anyway.
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Old 02-10-2017, 08:03 AM   #20
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Has anybody got your service panel to work? The display that shows fan speed, amps, etc. My panel shows 5 amps all the time. Even with it unplugged from 120vac, it shows 5 amps, so it appears that it is not working.
Anyone else see something different?
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