Alde issues

[RickyNelson]

Hello Forum!

I am concerned about the Alde system. Glycol was low a while back, so I ordered and topped it off. Used it for a long weekend and low again. Now we are on a longer adventure and it had issues keeping up with the heat. We are heading SW and shouldn’t be a problem, if needed, can used the heat pumps. The shower this morning provided hot water at the start and cooled off quickly. Turned the water on and on, hat hot water each time, but back to cold.

There is no obvious sign of a leak with the glycol. I wonder if I have a setting or a valve incorrect?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Froglips]

So is it low again? I would:
Reset the air cushion
Bleed the Alde system at as many bleed points as I could find
Go to the service menu and record the temps on boost 2 temp

Since this is a '19, I am assuming you have had the trailer for sometime and this is a new problem.

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

I apologize ahead of time for some pretty basic questions: First time using it or is this a new problem? Are you on shore power and propane when using or boondocking? Using the shower booster? Is this lack of hot water at all faucets or just one — or is it just about how much hot water is available?

I agree with air cushion and bleeding the system. Hate to tell you if you’re losing liquid, you got a leak somewhere. Once the system is bled, it should stay full all the time. When the system is cold the liquid in the reserve should be slightly above the minimum line. The fluid will expand when it’s hot and be much closer to the max mark.

Bleeding is done in our 30 in a clockwise pattern and there are 9 bleed points (I think).

[AnnaBelle33]

We are de-winterizing and heading out this weekend. I have drained & blown out all the water as part of the winterizing process but after seeing the post, I guess it’s not as easy as hooking up the city water and letting the water heater fill up. I’ve never heard of an air cushion and bleed points.

What should I do when we hook up the city water?

If we have an issue, what’s the air cushion and what/where are bleed points?

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

@annabelle bleeding is only for glycol. Your air cushion will automatically establish when you fill with water. Manufacturer and airstream recommend resetting the cushion every 3-7 days.

You can do this by closing all valves on your unit and opening the two yellow valves. All the water will run out, you close the the yellow valves and then reopen all the alde valves. Turn on the water and you’ll hear the tank fill. If your faucets burp air when trying to use hot water, you know you did your cushion right. According to Truma, most people don’t release enough water for the air cushion to establish.

I usually drain the alde system completely when doing this.

[AnnaBelle33]

Thanks BSWG - are you talking about shutting these valves?

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Mine is plumbed a bit different.... I just flip everything. You gotta just think, in normal operation the valves are set one way to flow water correctly through the unit. If you reverse everything, in theory, the entire unit would be closed off/isolated and bypassed. Not sure how that would all translate for winterizing, you know we just chase 70 degrees.

I believe I recognize valve 4 in that photo as the bypass valve that would send water around the unit.

[jaybauman]

Originally Posted by AnnaBelle33

Thanks BSWG - are you talking about shutting these valves?

Remove the side panel and front panel from the front dinette seat. You will find 1 yellow relief valve in each place. Remove city water supply and turn off water pump. Then, simply flip up each yellow handle. You'll see water running out under your trailer. Turn on hot water on the galley sink to speed up the process. After a few minutes, the water will slow down to just a trickle. Flip both valves back down and replace the dinette panels. Restore water connection. You'll hear the water tank fill up for a minute or so. Air cushion has been restored.

The air cushion absorbs expansion energy when water is heated. As you circulate water through your system, the cushion gets smaller and smaller and eventually goes away. Without this buffer, you can get some high pressures built up in some sensitive plumbing/equipment. Over time, leaks (or worse) develop. Just remember to reestablish the cushion every several days. When we're out on longer trips, I simply set a reminder to do it on every calendar day that is divisible by 5 (every 5th day).

Bleeding the Alde glycol is a completely different thing.

[RickyNelson]

Thank you!

@Froglips - new problem. After 60 or so glampling nights in 2019 and 2020, it sat in for approximately 10 months with Covid. Will try the air cushion and bleed.

@BSWG - new to me and shore power. Really just noticed it in the shower. Seem to have warm water on the faucets. Will try the air cushion and bleed.

@jaybauman - I will try this. I will be honest, I did not realize it was recommended every 5th day and this will be the first time. Will continue this process and hope I didn't cause too much damage.

@AnnaBelle33 - have a great trip and good luck!

Heading from Sedona to Tucson tomorrow...looking forward to it!

Thanks again!

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

I’d try and trouble shoot this thing on shore power. It gives you the best chances of hot water. When your system is dialed in, you should have close to unlimited hot water. We just upgraded to the 3020 unit and love it compared to the 3010. I believe you have the 3020 as well.

You could also check the control panel to ensure the alde flow is checked off. You can check your circulation pump to ensure that it’s in 2 as well.

You are using your shower booster, correct? That is turning the shower icon to max. Your unit will boost the heat to 180 and close off the radiant heat to give your shower that near unlimited hot water effect.

Now, the hot water not being available for shower and the glycol being low are two completely separate issues and systems within the same unit. So two different trouble shooting needed....

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Here is my 30’ converted 3020 plumbing. I’m resetting air cushion with valves in this configuration



Attachment 1

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

[Froglips]

If I remember correctly, BigSxyWhtGuy converted his 3010 system to a 3020 system. Be aware that where his pipes and valves are may not be where yours are. BigSxyWhtGuy and I have Classic 30' not 33'. Your bleed valves are not where ours are.

There are many threads about the Alde system. There was a posting on a thread that showed all the bleed locations for a 33' with an Alde 3020 system. I know it is a pain but you should search for that message. On a 2019 RBT and newer 30' the bleed points are:

One in the front center. Lift off the center cover behind sofa and there is a bleeder hose running up to just under the cover.
Two, the bathroom towel rack.
Three, four are two bleed points behind both the twin beds. They are under the vent cover. Take off the cover and there it is. I took the entire port out of the rear bed cover. I wholly recommend removing the three screws and doing it this way.
Four under the left rear sink and located in the lower sink cabinet way in the back.
Five is a bleed valve under the bathroom sink. Far right hand corner behind the sink.
Six and seven are bleed points behind the fire extinguisher and under the kitchen sink. The kitchen sink is on the far left hand side, if you slide your hand straight back all the way to the wall then flip you hand up, the valve should be right there.
Eight and nine on either side of the twin beds, at the foot of the bed behind the protective panel.

As you can see, they are not easy to find and even harder to bleed.

[Froglips]

Originally Posted by RickyNelson

Thank you!

Heading from Sedona to Tucson tomorrow...looking forward to it!

Thanks again!

Will be in Tucson the end of next week. Where are you staying?

[RickyNelson]

We are staying at the Lazydays / KOA. Nice place. We didn't really need a fireplace setting in the heat, but great ambiance.

So - didn't get to all the bleed points, but did the air cushion. Went from intermittent to a little better than warm water.

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Originally Posted by RickyNelson

We are staying at the Lazydays / KOA. Nice place. We didn't really need a fireplace setting in the heat, but great ambiance.

So - didn't get to all the bleed points, but did the air cushion. Went from intermittent to a little better than warm water.

Great. Case closed? Or keep going on trouble shooting?

It should almost be unlimited hot water once everything is dialed in. Did you get the alde flow checked off in the settings on the control panel?

Are you still low or losing glycol?

[Froglips]

Originally Posted by RickyNelson

We are staying at the Lazydays / KOA. Nice place. We didn't really need a fireplace setting in the heat, but great ambiance.

So - didn't get to all the bleed points, but did the air cushion. Went from intermittent to a little better than warm water.

Good progress. So, do you know how to access the service menu from the Alde control panel? (Tap the gear symbol. Tap the up arrow.)

Select shower boost from the control panel. Turn on the propane if you are set to electric priority like I am. Be plugged into a 50 amp service.

Go to the service menu. Either record the temps or take a picture of the screen with your phone to upload here.

We are on the opposite side of Tucson from you. I will send you a PM with my cell. If we can't get this sorted, I will drive down one morning.

After you reply with that info we will continue to troubleshoot.

[ejs5405]

Originally Posted by BigSxyWhtGuy

Attachment 392124

So in this,picture the yellow handle valve is open to drain the water heater.....

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Yes, and I posted a second picture with the other yellow drain valve also flipped up which means it’s also draining water from the system.

My system is plumbed different as it is a 3020 unit converted from a 3010 in a 30’ trailer.

[AnnaBelle33]

We do the shower boost button & 2kw on the panel.

Then we go to the service button in the menu of items & watch the water temp rise.

When it gets to 165 - we shower. I use we loosely - my wife showers. Lol

I only need the standard 100 degrees without the boost.

But we’ve noticed the air temperature is a variable to how long it takes to get to 165.